Zac Quinn 
Sean Smith is known for his work with companies such as Saleen Automotive, Rockstar Games, Ringbrother, and SpeedKore. He has over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, and visitors of the 2023 Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California, were in for a treat as his latest creation was unveiled. As the story goes, Smith was approached by car owner Michael Shields to build a custom 1969 Chevrolet Camaro that would rival a similar Smith-designed Camaro built for the 2019 SEMA Show.
1969 Fenix Chevrolet Camaro: Details
The result of this commission is a 1,180 horsepower supercharged Chevrolet Camaro nicknamed Fenix, which combines luxury and elegance with performance. The build team, led by Mikey Dascoli at Driven Speed Shop, worked with Smith virtually to bring his vision to life. The body was painted in a beautiful Silver with Liquid Champagne and Satin Charcoal Grey accents to create a timeless combination that quickly catches the eye.
The team fitted the Chevrolet Camaro with a Roadster Shop Fast Track chassis. The front of the car was redesigned by Smith, with the team fabricating a front valance and new bumpers. The rear end was also updated with a custom light panel and 3D-printed trunk spoiler. Additionally, the body of the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro has been reworked extensively to ensure a crisp fit.
The Fenix Camaro’s frame, made from 10-gauge boxed steel, features the RS Fast Track front suspension with C7 Corvette spindle and hub assemblies, and a 1/25-inch splined front sway bar with C7 end-links has been added. Providing stopping power to this beast of a muscle car are six-piston Baer brake calipers with 14-inch rotors on each corner. Putting the power to the pavement is 18 by 9-inch front and 19 by 12 inch HRE RS103 wheels with 255/35 and 325/30 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires wrapped around them.
As for what’s under the hood, the 1969 Fenix Chevrolet Camaro is powered by a supercharged 427 LS7 V8 built by Wegner Motorsports and mated to a Tremex T56 six-speed transmission. Driven Speed Shop fabricated the engine bay, and Kandy Shop Creations in Mesa, Arizona, handled the paint. As for the interior, that was inspired by European sports cars and was designed by Smith. The dash, door panels, and center console were precisely transferred from 3D CAD files. Altogether, this 1969 Chevrolet Camaro isn’t just powerful; it’s a work of art.
