Dr. Dan Soenen, a Michigan dentist, has always had a deep-rooted love for muscle cars, a passion that traces back to his high school days during the golden era of American performance vehicles. After decades of dreaming about it, Soenen finally built his perfect 1968 Camaro—a restomod that captures both the raw power and timeless style of that era.
Powered by an LS3 engine with a 3.0L Whipple supercharger, this first-generation Camaro is no ordinary build. Boasting 850 horsepower on the dyno and 650 at the rear wheels, it’s a beast on the road. But Soenen didn’t stop at power alone; his vision included enhancing the car’s reliability and drivability for real-world use. The LS3 engine, tuned by NMRA racer Samantha Moore, features a custom-grind camshaft, allowing for impressive versatility. Mated to a TREMEC T56 Magnum six-speed manual transmission, the Camaro is built for both speed and long-distance performance, with upgrades like a Ford nine-inch rear end, CALTRACS traction bars, and Hydratec hydroboost brakes ensuring that the car handles just as well as it accelerates.
Soenen’s build journey began in 2012, when he found a solid-body Camaro, specifically seeking a car he could modify without compromising the structure. Growing up around his father’s tool shop in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, Soenen learned mechanical work at an early age, and his hands-on expertise shines through in every aspect of the build. To enhance the car’s durability, he outfitted it with Lizard Skin insulation, Dynamat soundproofing, and Painless Performance wiring. The suspension was beefed up with a Hotchkis TVS Stage 2 system and frame-rail connectors, ensuring the Camaro could handle the increased horsepower.
The exterior of the Camaro exudes classic American muscle with a modern twist. Originally all-black, Soenen added silver racing stripes across the custom chopped and channeled cowl hood and trunk, giving the car a striking new look. Sitting on chrome American Racing wheels with “350” chrome badges, the Camaro pays homage to its roots while showcasing its modern muscle.
Inside, Soenen enlisted the help of one of his patients, who works on high-end yachts, to create an interior that retains its vintage charm with modern updates. The cabin features original-style high-back bucket seats, and while most of the interior looks like it could have come straight from 1968, it’s packed with modern conveniences.
A seasoned participant in the HOT ROD Power Tour, Soenen takes great pride in driving his Camaro on the road rather than keeping it as a showpiece. He and a group of friends participate in the tour annually, sharing camaraderie and ideas along the way. Soenen’s wife even shares updates about his Camaro in a newsletter sent to his dental patients, piquing interest in both automotive enthusiasts and novices alike.
Despite having completed many of the major components of the build, Soenen is far from done. He has a list of winter projects, including installing electric windows, door locks, and side-view mirrors while upgrading the interior panels. But the goal remains the same: a high-performance Camaro that’s snappy, reliable, and far from being a trailer queen. With every upgrade, Soenen’s Camaro becomes a more personal expression of his passion for the muscle car era and his lifelong loyalty to General Motors.
This LS-powered first-gen Camaro isn’t just a car—it’s a rolling testament to Soenen’s dedication, craftsmanship, and love for American muscle.
Source: Chevrolet/The-Block
This Article use tools from Chatgpt
