Image via KyleBusch/X
Whenever NASCAR star Kyle Busch gets some time away from the hustle and bustle of racing and wants to take things slow, he gets in his beloved 1969 Camaro. The classic American muscle car is a real looker, but under the skin the Detroit Speed build is so much more.
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Previously, he owned another 1969 Camaro painted orange with white stripes. It had a 350ci V8, 4-speed manual, mushy handling, and mediocre brakes. For a man who’s used to tight-handling, high-powered rides, it just wasn’t cutting the mustard.
He sold that car, which eventually made its way to auction where it changed hands again. Someone probably feels fortunate to own Busch’s old ride, but the racecar driver was happy to see it gone.
Busch acquired another ’69 Camaro he felt would be a good project car. It was a literal barn find he found while poking around online. The thing was rust-free, had no dents, and showed just 37,000 original miles on the clock.
Tucked away in a barn for over 20 years, the muscle car was hidden away in Terra Haute, Indiana before the owner listed it for sale. Covered in a thick layer of dust, it wasn’t much to look at, but Busch immediately recognized the value your average person wouldn’t see.
W the break here, I won’t b able to drive my 69’ Chevy Camaro as much as I would like. Had to give her @Lucas_Oil Injection Cleaner so she’s ready to go when I get back. pic.twitter.com/F0CHZaRDxK
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) July 23, 2024
Instead of wrenching on it himself, Busch decided to have the professionals at Detroit Speed turn the old Chevy into something special. They did an LS swap, which might make some people roll their eyes, but there’s a good reason for the popularity.
Not content with just dropping a stock engine under the hood, Detroit Speed bored and stroked an LS7, added a Magnuson supercharger for good measure. It also contains a custom-ground cam and other upgraded internals.
Ultimately, that’s good for a claimed 706-horsepower and 674 lb.-ft. of torque.
The Pro Touring build sounds amazing with Detroit Speed headers and exhaust, plus a Borla muffler, giving the proper burble. Busch gets to enjoy rowing through the gears thanks to a Tremec T-56 six-speed, plus there’s a twin-disc clutch that performs great in aggressive driving.
69 camaro RT @DaveSlab34: @KyleBusch do you have any cool street/Muscle cars and if so what are they pic.twitter.com/VfLHMmAmIO
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) August 21, 2013
Addressing Busch’s other gripes about his old Camaro, Detroit Speed went big on the suspension and brakes. Up front is a Detroit Speed subframe with performance spindles and A-arms. Around back is a QuadraLink suspension system. JRi double-adjustable shocks are also in the mix, plus they added subframe connectors and solid body mounts, tightening everything up for better feedback through turns.
Wilwood brakes with 14-inch rotors, plus six-piston calipers up front and four-piston in the rear combine with BFG KDW tires to further enhance driver control.
While the interior is upgraded, Detroit Speed kept things subtle with black leather upholstery, upgraded sound system, custom transmission tunnel, and other upgrades.
Busch has used his beloved 1969 Camaro in a number of social media posts, including doing brand endorsements. He obviously loves the Pro Touring build, so ditching his old ride was absolutely the best decision.
Image via KyleBusch/X
