The Concept
This is not the first hotrod to be built using a Camaro donor car.
The first was conceived and built by Ron Boatman over a decade ago. When I rode in his 1953 Ford Courier sedan delivery after it was built I realized what great potential this concept had! Little did I know that less than ten years later I would have my very own, a 1966 Ford Ranchero, the second successful attempt at this approach to creating a unique and fun vehicle using as many OEM parts as possible.
Having previously owned a 1956 Nomad and a 2 door model 210 sedan, I always wanted a Belair. When the opportunity presented itself a couple of years ago I bit the bullet and flopped down the cash. It was pretty straight but just slapped together to get it sold. I already owned a 1986 IROC that I had bought with this project in mind, but ended up with a cracked block and a tranny that needed work also. We put a new GM replacement motor (5.7 l) and a beefed up 700 R4, replaced all the rotors and calipers, and other things that made the Camaro an attractive "donor car".
As we work to make these two cars become one we are constantly brainstorming to come up with a truly unique 1956 Belair. As those ideas come into being, they will be appearing on this web site, so keep checking back!
Geoff Hogue, Owner
Ron Boatman, Master metal worker, Designer, and the best friend a guy who loves cars could have for over 40 years!