One of America’s Quintessential Classic Muscle Cars Is About to Be Reimagined Like Never Before

Even as the owner of a 1967 Ford Mustang, I’ll admit — I sometimes can’t help but feel envy for America’s other pony car, the Chevrolet Camaro.

The first generation is an undisputed classic, and the hideaway headlights of the RS package in particular give the car a kind of cool that the Blue Oval reserved for more luxurious nameplates like the Torino and the Thunderbird. By many accounts, the Camaro is also the superior pony to drive. 

In any case, the car’s distinctive looks mean that it’s not just a popular classic but also a model that’s rife with restomod interpretations. Like the Mustang and the Porsche 911, there have been countless (and I mean countless) different takes on the Chevy.

Blazin Rodz

However, few builders have dared attempt anything quite as ambitious as what Blazin Rodz is cooking up with a 1969 Camaro it’s calling ‘BR07.’ 

A hybrid classic

The tuner announced the project at SEMA this past week, and, even though the build is only in the preliminary stages, it’s slated to make a splash when it’s finally complete. Boasting power and tech typically reserved for the industry’s most cutting-edge exotics, it’s truly a restomod that’ll be the first of its kind.

For starters, the Camaro’s output is expected to total a combined 1,600 horsepower, with 1,300 of those ponies coming from a twin-turbo R07 V8 and a further 300 coming from an axial flux electric motor. Yes, Blazin Rodz is building a hybrid.

Blazin Rodz

Of course, on the scale of commuter to hypercar, this old Chevy will skew far more Corvette ZR1X than it will Toyota Prius.

The electric motor will be mounted at the front of the chassis to ensure there’s traction from all four wheels, and it will work in tandem with the 5.7-liter engine to provide things like instant torque fill and regenerative braking.

To power the motor, Blazin Rodz will be relying on a UK-based battery specialist by the name of Raeon for a custom-built 800-volt cell. It’ll be mounted in front of the V8, while a “custom hybrid-powertrain controller” will govern “engine management, energy distribution, clutch operation, and traction logic.”

Blazin Rodz

Wrapped in a full carbon fiber body and outfitted with a massive wing and a trick adaptable suspension system, it’s projected to be capable of a 210-mph top speed. That’s no small feat, considering that a stock 1969 Z/28 topped out at around 135 back in the day.

Not their first rodeo

With the amount of vaporware flooding the automotive industry nowadays, you’d be forgiven for being inclined to dismiss the Blazin Rodz Camaro as another overly ambitious project that might come to be. After all, at this stage, it only exists as a 1:3 scale model and a series of renders.

However, this isn’t the Blazin Rodz team’s first rodeo. For SEMA 2024, the tuner built a 2,800-horsepower restomod based on a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle.

Dubbed ‘Doughboy,’ the car was the result of next-gen tech like 3D scanning, designing and printing, as well as additive manufacturing. Along with its ludicrous power number, it boasted a striking design that merged the style of a GT cup racer with the refinement of a modern sports car.

Between its mammoth output, its impressive chassis upgrades and its breathtaking widebody, the Chevelle was a clear favorite, and it even managed to take home an authoritative “Best Engineered Vehicle” that year. 

Blazin Rodz

In other words, Blazin Rodz has proven before that seemingly otherworldly performance numbers are not just possible, but fully capable of standing up to SEMA scrutiny. If anyone can make a Camaro of these proportions come to life, it’s this team.

Moreover, builders have pushed 1969s to these kinds of power levels before. With as much as 2,000 horsepower from its V8, the Big Red Camaro has proven its worth over a variety of motorsport applications and become the fastest pony car of its kind.

Blazin Rodz

More to come

According to Blazin Rodz, the project is nearing completion of the initial fabrication and engineering phase. The team aims to move into testing with sales leading up to SEMA 2026. Though pricing has not yet been confirmed, it is expected to start from $1.6 million.

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

Related Topics