’68 Pro Touring Camaro With A Hand-Built LS7
Petty’s Garage Revives a 1968 Camaro RS
After being rescued from a field in Martinsville, Virginia, this 1968 Camaro RS has been fully restored. The once-forgotten Chevy muscle car has been reborn as a modern-day cruiser. With a hand-built LS7 427ci engine, Tremec five-speed manual, and full RideTech suspension. This pro touring Camaro restoration was done for MAHLE Aftermarket’s “Drive With the Original” promotion back in 2018 where one lucky winner got to take the keys.
Will Cheek of Petty’s Garage described the build as a period-correct interpretation, only updated with today’s parts and engineering. “It’s not a full pro-touring car,” Cheek explains, “just a faithful ’68 Camaro built in modern times with upgraded hardware.”
Custom-Built LS7 Engine with Modern Upgrades
Instead of building an engine from a bare block, Petty’s Garage started with a GM crate LS7. Engine builder Fred Lankford reworked the internals with MAHLE Power Pak forged pistons, custom ring packs, and titanium GM/Pankl rods. The team line-honed the LS7 block for tighter bearing tolerances and balanced the factory crankshaft to a 1,488-gram bobweight using an ATI harmonic damper.
Lankford also converted the LS7’s complex dry-sump system to a simpler wet-sump setup using a Scoggin Dickey conversion kit, keeping things old-school and streetable. Aluminum GM cylinder heads were cleaned up with a precision valve job and fitted with PAC dual valve springs, titanium intake valves, and sodium-filled exhaust valves. A custom camshaft with 242°/254° duration and .654” lift on the intake side gives the engine its aggressive personality.
The fuel system is managed by a Holley Terminator EFI, and everything is sealed with MAHLE Original gaskets. Exhaust flows through a Magnaflow system, giving this pro touring Camaro a deep, classic tone.
Modern Driveline and RideTech Handling
The LS7 sends power through a Tremec TKO-600 five-speed manual built to handle the horsepower. A narrowed 12-bolt rear end and custom driveshaft from Silver Sport Transmissions transfer torque to the pavement. Braking is handled by a full Wilwood disc brake system with 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers over drilled and slotted rotors.
To handle modern roads, Petty’s Garage installed a full RideTech suspension system, including updated control arms, sway bars, and shocks. Massive Forgeline 20-inch wheels sit on Continental ExtremeContact Sport tires, with mini-tubs added in the rear to fit wide 12-inch rollers. The stance is aggressive, but functional.
Classic Styling with Subtle Restomod Details
Visually, this pro touring Camaro is finished in a custom BASF R-M MAHLE blue paint with white graphics. Trim and drip rails were shaved, the bumpers tucked, and glass flush-mounted for a clean, custom finish. The car also features carbon fiber splitters and spoilers, shaved marker lights, and acid-etched Petty’s Garage logos in the rear window.
Inside, the cabin features custom black leather seats with MAHLE blue stitching, a custom console, and Dakota Digital gauges mounted in the stock dash location. A modern stereo and Vintage Air system provide everyday comfort. The PG/MAHLE logos on the seatbacks and headrests remind you that this isn’t your average ’68 build.
Built to Drive, Not Just Show
“This car is not a trailer queen,” Cheek emphasizes. “We want whoever wins it to get in, drive it, and enjoy it. It’s built to cruise.” With a modern drivetrain, suspension upgrades, and real street manners, this Camaro was built with the driver in mind.
The result is a pro touring Camaro that honors the spirit of the original 1968 Rally Sport while delivering the power, comfort, and handling of a modern build. It’s not just a restomod—it’s a statement from one of America’s most respected garages.
