A past-its-prime Camaro goes primetime

In 2005, Andy Bennett took his car to a now-defunct shop in what some fondly dub the “car show capital” of the East Coast, Carlisle, Pa. He was interested in a complete restoration and was told to consider a standard black or silver paint scheme for his 1969 Chevy Camaro.

However, the software engineer to whom he spoke was concerned the car would suffer from a sure case of mediocrity at local shows because “everyone was doing it,” the engineer told Bennett.

So Bennett returned home, grabbed a plastic model car and tried out his own paint schemes in miniature, coming up with a blue and white two-tone paint job that eventually made its way onto the real thing.

Bennett grew up with his Camaro. While working at a local restaurant when he was 15 years old Bennett, now 33, received a call from his father asking if he was interested in the iconic muscle car.

“I had never seen one or knew what one looked like. I said ‘OK,’ ” laughed Bennett, who said his father made the purchase for $2,800.

But the restoration that was desperately needed wasn’t tackled in earnest until Dec. 7, 2005.

“My dad liked cars, but he never had a special one when I was growing up. It was like we were supposed to work on it and get things done, but it never really worked out that way,” said Bennett. “I wrecked it a couple of times, bent the door backwards, ran into some guardrails.”

As the years passed, the Camaro’s restoration was tabled. It wasn’t until Bennett came into some extra cash that he knew it was time to tackle the project again.

From December 2005 to November 2006, Carlisle Customs in Pennsylvania was hired to begin the restoration. The team completely stripped and rebuilt the car the finishing tough was the blue and white paint job.

“It was challenging because it kept costing more than was originally budgeted,” said Bennett. He had planned to spend $40,000 on the overhaul; he won’t divulge the final amount he paid.

Yet Bennett said that taking his mediocre car to an entirely new level is an accomplishment that brings plenty of satisfaction.

What do you drive?

A 1969 Chevy Camaro.

Why do you drive it?

It’s my first car and I can’t get rid of it (laughs).

What makes this car so special?

Not very many are two-toned.

What is your most memorable driving experience?

Guardrails … (laughs). And the first time I actually drove it with my license. It was a hot day in September of 1991. I drove to Hammond High [School, Columbia, Md.] football game in it.

What was the first car you owned?

This car.

What’s currently in your CD player?

I want to say Korn is in there. But I haven’t listened to it in a while.

And your first ticket? What was it for?

I’ve never had a ticket in this. It’s always been too slow. It’s not slow now, of course.

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