Iron Man Gifts LS-Powered Pro-Touring Machine To Captain America

No, this is not a spoiler to Marvel Studios’ new movie Infinity Wars End Game, but rather a look at an impressive LS-powered build. While most people are excited about the new action film, we were super stoked to hear about a Pro-Touring build for Chirs Evans who plays Captain America in the Marvel Universe.

Subtle changes in the first-gen Camaro body are hardly noticeable at first glance.

Dave Salvaggio of SpeedKore Performance Group was responsible for building this excellent Pro-Touring machine with direction from none other than Robert Downey Jr.(Iron Man). Dave said, “Robert was shopping for a first-gen Camaro and was originally looking for a ’69. He acquired a ’67 and had a shop start on it, but things didn’t work out, so it came to us.” Dave continues, “Robert got really involved in the build. He liked the ’67 because of the vent windows and a couple of other things that made it unique.” Robert was also involved in the selection of the color of the car as well as the interior colors and themed accents.

During the third Avengers movie, Robert had the Camaro shipped out to Atlanta where he gave the car to Chris as a gift on set. It seems that Chris wasn’t a car guy — which makes us question his role as Captin America — but we’re sure that will change in time. After all, one car is never enough, and by the time you realize you have a problem, it’s too late. We already know this as do most car enthusiasts.

An LS3 with a Whipple Supercharger makes sure this pony car has enough horsepower to get Chirs around town.

When Chris received the car, it housed a GM LS3 crate engine with a 4l80 automatic transmission. He drove the car for a few months and then a call to Whipple Superchargers was made. Whipple responded with a 2.9-Liter supercharger to wake the LS3 up a bit while adding 12-pounds of boost. The engine is now making 730 horsepower at the crank which should be around 600 horsepower at the wheels on 92 octane pump gas.

For suspension, Speedcore turned to the gang over at Detroit Speed for one of there killer front subframe assemblies along with a 4-link rear suspension set up. 6-piston Bear Brakes were utilized on the front and rear of the Camaro. HRE Performance Wheels took care of the rollers with a stunning split seven-spoke design which was coated to match the trim on the car.

The body of the ’67 remains true to factory form with only subtle modifications that would be apparent to a real car enthusiast. The front valence area has been modified with a larger opening, front splitter, integrated turn signals, and the front bumper was removed. The cowl hood was also altered with the addition of a scoop in the front of the hood. A low profile painted carbon fiber spoiler ties the rear of the car together effortlessly. The wheel wells were flared just a little which tuck the HRE wheels perfectly.

The Captain American shield in the center of the steering wheel is a nice touch.

The interior of the first-gen is a work of art. A distressed leather was used to replicate the leather jacket that Chris Evans wore in one of the Captain America movies. This distressed leather was complimented with a coffee colored leather which makes for a very classic look. From there SpeedKore 3D printed much of the intricate interior pieces and designed a new layout for the air vents, radio, and the push buttons for the transmission. A Captain American shield was even integrated into the steering wheel for a custom touch.

One thing is for sure. This car was built as a driver and Jay Lenno proves that in the video. It’s not crazy over the top like some of the Restomods on the market. This is a well-built first-gen that offers all of the creature comforts of a new car. Dave states, “Chris drives the car on the east coast, and he drives it three, four, even five times a week. He really puts the miles on it.”

While this is not the car we would have pictured Captain America driving —I imagined him in an LS-powered 427 ’67 Corvette Stingray — we love the car and the fact that it has an LS installed. Unlike a superhero’s costume, this Camaro offers a subtle design that will stand the test of time as an elegantly built machine.

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Brian Havins

A gearhead for life, Brian is obsessed with all things fast. Banging gears, turning wrenches, and praying while spraying are just a few of his favorite things.
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