By Jordan Grim • October 21, 2025 • 05:18 PM (ET)
By Jordan Grim • October 21, 2025 • 05:18 PM (ET)
Mecum Auctions is about to showcase something that blends old-school muscle with modern performance. A 2012 Chevy Camaro convertible has been completely transformed to look like a 1969 Chevelle SS, giving car enthusiasts a rare example of reverse restomod engineering.
Instead of restoring an old model with new components, this custom build flips the idea — it takes a modern Chevy and turns back the visual clock by over four decades.
Underneath the classic styling, this car remains a fifth-generation Chevy Camaro SS with its factory chassis, interior, and drivetrain intact. The outer shell, however, wears a full Chevelle-inspired body kit that completely changes its personality.
At first glance, the proportions look surprisingly authentic thanks to a three-inch suspension drop that stretches its stance. From the front or rear, you could easily mistake it for a true late-’60s muscle car, though the steep windshield and thick A-pillars quickly reveal its modern roots.
The car’s carbon-effect wrap adds a custom touch to the hood and trunk — a detail that might divide opinions, but it definitely helps the car stand out.
Beneath the hood sits a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine, the same powerplant found in the 2012 Chevy Camaro SS. From the factory, it produced about 400 horsepower through an automatic transmission, and after 34,000 miles, it’s likely still close to that figure.
A muffler-delete exhaust gives it a deeper, more aggressive tone — a proper soundtrack for any classic-looking muscle car. Though mechanically unchanged, the setup offers a balanced mix of modern reliability and retro character.
Step inside, and the nostalgia fades. The cabin remains fully Camaro-spec, complete with its original dashboard, infotainment, and modern comforts. So, while the outside screams 1969, the inside reminds you it’s still a 2010s convertible.
That’s both the charm and the contradiction of this build. It’s not an authentic classic, but it’s not pretending to be a new car either — it sits somewhere in between.
This unusual Chevy creation heads to Mecum’s Kansas auction in December, offering collectors something different from the usual restomod crowd. It’s a car built for those who appreciate nostalgia but still want the ease of modern driving.
Sure, purists might question the idea of paying six figures for a new car dressed as an old one — especially since a ZL1-based Chevelle conversion once fetched nearly $187,000 — but there’s no denying the craftsmanship that went into this build.
For those who want a taste of classic muscle without the headaches of old-car ownership, this custom Chevy Camaro-Chevelle hybrid might be the perfect Sunday cruiser. It’s modern under the skin, vintage on the surface, and certain to turn heads wherever it goes.
You can put your Bid here.