Guess what’s coming up for auction in Dallas? This 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 not only has the coolest flame job we’ve seen but is also a TV star from the golden era. The muscle car was built and featured on Season 3, Episode 13 of Overhaulin’.
S3 E13 aired way back in December 2005. Judges of the show selected “The Biggest Beater in America” and viewers submitted their ideas on how to improve the car. This is what came out, and the fact that Chip Foose personally worked on this car makes it valuable in our eyes.
This really was the dawn of automotive TV entertainment as we know it today. Ever famous shows started around that time: Wheeler Dealer (2003), Pimp My Ride (2004), Overhaulin’ (2004), American Hot Rod (2004), and even American Chopper (pilot in 2003).
Overhaulin’ may not have had the raw entertainment value or the reality TV fake drama. But it did produce high-quality vehicles, like this one. Chip Foose personally designed the flame job with hand-laid pinstriping. And his hands cut out the door handles and designed the interior. Did we mention the Foose wheels?
18 years ago, Foose was sitting on the floor of a workshop, putting down tape on the body of a Camaro because owner dave loved candy apple. Not only that, but Chris Jacobs, who was an Overhaulin’ host at the time is now a part of Mecum’s broadcast team.
The fact that this car was modified by the master himself might have value to hardcore fans of the show. Sure, it might not have the same value at auction as Hemisfear, but we think a 1971 Camaro personally modified by Chip Foose in his golden years is valuable. And to find out if we’re right, make sure to check out Mecum’s upcoming Dallas 2023 auction.
Besides the exterior which screams “hot rod”, it’s also a decent performance build. Beneath the orange and blue flames lies a GM Performance 572 cubic-inch motor. Unless we’re mistaken, this is a newer crate motor, not the one that was in the car when Foose modified it 18 years ago.
The fire-breathing V8 makes around 600 horsepower and is hooked up to a Muncie M21 4-speed manual with a Hurst shifter, sending power to a Currie 9-inch rear end. It’s also got some other chassis upgrades like the Baer 4-wheel disc brakes and modified suspension with Hotchkis front and rear sway bars. You may also notice that it’s got a 1970 front-end conversion.
