With numerous factions within the rodding community vying for bragging rights with more and more exotic creations centered on trophies—rather than real-world trials—there are those who believe function is of the utmost importance, and a necessity within every motor vehicle, regardless of how specially conceived and built. There’s a lot to be said for automotive art, as it inspires us all, but nothing can take the place of time spent behind the wheel.

Having built his share of top-tier rods and all manner of classics and muscle cars, Bobby Alloway knows what it takes to win awards, but he’s also keenly aware of the ways of subtlety, as he has once again expressed in this understated and superbly detailed ’68 Camaro. No stranger to Alloway’s vision and considerable talents, George Lange recently added this beauty to his ever-growing collection of rods and exotics, including several award-winning cars Alloway previously built for him. Compared to his other Alloway cars, Lange’s first-generation Camaro seems somewhat simplified, that is, until a closer review reveals that not all is as it seems.

Starting with a very nice one-owner “protecto plate” original, Alloway took everything down to raw metal, replacing as few of the original components as possible, except, of course, the drivetrain and suspension. While just about every visual aspect of this captivating Camaro was retained, the mechanical bits that make up the suspension and drivetrain were fittingly integrated with the same care that went into Lange’s other extreme creations. In the end, Alloway wouldn’t have it any other way.

Although this Camaro retains its basic suspension configuration, every component has been replaced with newly designed and thoroughly proven hardware from Detroit Speed & Engineering (704/662-3272). This includes DSE’s subframe kit specifically shaped for this application with hydroformed framerails and stamped crossmembers. This system utilizes special developed “Detroit Tuned” coilover shocks, tubular upper and lower A-arms, a splined sway bar, power rack-and-pinion steering with an upgraded pump and hoses, special C6 steering knuckles and bearing packs, steering couplers and other performance-inspired elements. From there, Baer calipers and rotors improve upon another important aspect of the capability of this car through 245/45ZR17 BFGoodrich g-Force radials wrapped around American “Salt Flats Specials.”

In keeping with the agreed-upon total upgrade, the rear suspension benefits from DSE’s neat Quadra Link package. Uniting a specially fabricated axle assembly with a 9-inch-derived centersection, proprietary suspension links and mounts maintain rigidity, while “Detroit Tuned” coilovers and sway bar add all the capability one could ask for. Again, powerful Baer rear disc brakes are utilized within larger 245/50ZR17 BFGoodrich tires.

While the chassis promises new levels of control and excitement, the very capable and understated drivetrain delivers on that promise, especially when compared to a historically correct counterpart. Number 11 of 430 GM Performance Parts ZZ430s, this rare hand-built engine was left just as it came, as anyone aware of the value of these engines would have it. While not particularly radical, these engines really deliver on their legend, with a 750cfm Holley sending the mixture through the intake and into CNC-machined aluminum 18-degree “Fast Burn” cylinder heads. Add to this a hot camshaft pressing hollow valves (the exhausts are sodium filled), 1.6:1 self-adjusting rocker arms and heavy-duty valve springs, and you have a pretty good idea of what’s at hand. Specifically, this rare small block generates the so-named 430 hp at 5,800 rpm, and 430 lb-ft of torque 1,800 rpm lower in the rev range. Interestingly, after a prototype version of this engine completed the 1998 Sebring 12-hour race, spinning around 7,000 rpm much of the time, it actually made more power on the same dyno than during initial break-in. Impressed yet?

Although the thought of using a Muncie M-21 or even the mighty M-22 “rock crusher” four-speed was inviting, given the historical nature of those options, Lange and Alloway decided that Keisler’s latest TKO five-speed straight-shift was an even better alternative. Built to handle the demands of autocross events and winding canyon roads, fitted with the ideal ratios to maximize power delivery, and smoother than its vintage counterparts ever hoped to be, this turned out to be an excellent choice given Lange’s intentions for his sleeper Camaro.

While the exhaust note and occasional tire smoke may give away the ultimate capability of this Camaro, nothing about the exterior, other than cool rolling stock, would lead anyone to believe this is anything but an ultra-nice restoration. All the original trim is in place, along with the emblems, bumper bolts and even the black stripe ringing the nose. Only closer inspection reveals the concerted effort that was expended refining these surfaces—every panel was reworked from bare metal to standards the factory never dreamed of. Then pour on DuPont’s marvelous Ash Gold Metallic paint accented with radiantly finished brightwork and you have a glaring image of understatement. Smoothed of its rough edges, but still true to its heritage at the concours level, this Camaro provides a bit of hot rod flair that to many elevates it as an extension of America’s most homespun hobby.

Inside, everything is just as it looked if you walked into a showroom in 1968, opened the door and got in. Even though that was 40 years ago, everything is period perfect in its re-creation, which is due in part to the quality of the interior panels and seat covers, both from Cars Inc. Despite so many high-powered options, even the look and sound of the original radio was retained with its “Retrosound” Model One AM-FM system, as the real fun here comes with time behind the wheel, and enjoying to the fullest what this car was built to do. Doing just that, this low-key pavement-shredder managed to run second place at the Street Challenge Autocross held at the Goodguys Nashville Nationals, beat out only by none other than Kyle and Stacy Tucker’s Camaro—the test bed for all of Detroit Speed & Engineering’s latest first-generation Camaro developments. And all the while, people were thinking this was just another pristine pretender.

It must be hard having built some of the most celebrated cars in the rodding world, especially when you’ve also built one of the most capable muscle cars to date, but we’re sure Alloway is right with it all. After all, his wife, Cindy, has ordered the next one for herself! Get busy, Bobby. CR