1979 Chevrolet Camaro

Mitchell Concept Coupe

350

Manual

1q87l9n535571

Clear

Gasoline

This auction is for a very rare Bill Mitchell Special Vehicle Development, Concept Camaro. Bill Mitchell is a former GM employee who served an eight-year stretch as a project engineer and as a member of a racing team that fielded a variety of race cars. In thirteen years of SCCA competition, Mitchell won nine divisional titles. In 1971, he worked with Mark Donohue in the development of the Camaro for the International Race of Champions, aka IROC. The time he spent with Donohue left him with the knowledge needed to transform a car from showroom stock to race-track ready as well as a philosophy about the kind of American cars he would like to see American enthusiasts driving. Donohue and Mitchell had planned to introduce this "Euro Camaro" as an American answer to European GT cars like Maserati, BMW and Porsche. After Donohue’s death in 1975(testing the Penske F1 car), Mitchell formed Special Vehicle Developments, Inc., in Cheshire, Connecticut, and began to build his Concept Camaros. With this notion, elevated handling and superior ergonomics were his targets. In effect, he “blueprinted” the existing components and brought them into optimum flexibility and application. He championed special spring rates, anti-sway bars, stiffer shock valving, and reduction of unsprung weight and in this way, imparted a much more pliable ride with monstrous handling capability. He knew that the weight bias of Detroit-built cars always allowed for passengers and a certain cache of luggage. Mitchell simply proceeded as if the car carried only the driver and no luggage. He began by stationing the Camaro on a dead-level steel table and allowed for the weight and distribution of all vital fluids, a half-tank of fuel, and an average-size driver. Then he disconnected the shocks and anti-sway bar and began what is now known as corner balancing. His plan was to equalize the weight on each wheel. To accomplish this, he trimmed the springs accordingly; installed Koni adjustable shock absorbers built to his specification, and aligned the front end according to his own geometry and zero tolerances. Then, he attached the stock front bar with new hardware to remove the preload from the bar. He added a ⅞-inch diameter bar at the rear of the car as well. His concession to ergonomics included repositioning the gas pedal one inch lower and to the left to easily enable the heel-and-toe driving technique. Superior driving seats and a smaller-diameter steering wheel rounded out his specific modifications. Mitchell also upgraded the braking system with sintered metallic pads and linings. With the installation of Minilite wheels, he reduced unsprung weight by 40 pounds total. Exterior changes are subtle: the Mitchell badge on each of the front fenders; front and rear quarter fender flares. The custom air dam (fog lights/or brake ducts and integrated fender flares), is a Mitchell/Donohue IROC design. Since Mitchell and Donohue were pro drivers, they knew proper seats were essential for handling, Mitchell chose either Scheel,Recaro or Koenig seats to ensure a driver secured for high cornering levels. A fat,leather wrapped Racemark(Donohue's brand) steering wheel was selected as well. To increase safety and visability at night, the stock headlights were replaced with the iconic H4 halogens and the stock horn was replaced with Hella air horns. In short, Mitchell succeeded in creating a high performance Camaro that handled very well while including features usually only found on high end Euro marques. These Mitchell Camaros are exceedingly rare today. They were only produced in tiny numbers for a couple years. An early example like this one is the rarest of them all. Less than twenty '79 Concept Camaros were built. Later editions had automatic transmissions and garish graphics(although still very rare to find)-this one is a 4 speed, 350 V8 with a positraction axle. This Mitchell Camaro is a factory blue over tan car, equipped with the Koni shocks, special sway bars and springs, original Racemark steering wheel, Hella air horns and H4 lights. It also has a very nice set of original vintage Koenig sport seats and it's original Minilite wheels. Still equipped with its original 350 V8, 4 speed and posi rear end(with the tag still attached). This car has survived incredibly well over the years-it's never been damaged and most of the original Mitchell equipment is intact. It was stored for many years and when we decided to return it to the road, many parts were refreshed. This car has had the following replaced in the last few months: windshield, carpet and underlay, sill trim, door panels, package tray, refreshed Konis, new tires, door handles,headliner, plugs,wires,all filters,gaskets, diff service,oil change,all belts,shift boot,console lid,etc. All of the interior bulbs were replaced and all lighting works. All of the gauges work(with the exception of the tach-a very common problem and a new tach board is included). All exterior lighting works as do the wipers. The Hella air horns are functioning and loud! The engine fires right up and runs fine, the trans shifts as it should. Brakes also work fine. The Camaro has no leaks that are evident and it runs cool. All of the seat belt, key and light warning chimes work. I have the original sales brochure from Bill Mitchell Concepts, a copy of the window sticker and the Mitchell order sheet(the Mitchell options were nearly half the cost of the original price!) Being that the car is over thirty years old, of course, its not perfect. The AC system is intact and complete-I was told it would work with a charge-but, we've all heard that before! The paint, while presentable, is driver quality. One of the Minilite lug nuts came up missing when I had the tires mounted. I am trying to source another. The Camaro is a 49 state car as 4 speed, 350s were not available in California. If a California buyer wants the car, I'm guessing it would need to have a cat fitted at the least. On the option sheet, it shows a dual exhaust(catless) and that's whats on the car now. While it runs, starts and drives fine-it was dormant for a while. I have changed everything I could think of to bring it back to road worthy status, but be prepared to continue the process. I have a clear California title in my name-but it is currently on non-op in California. Its a unique, very rare car that will be the only one at any Cars and Coffee. It is associated with two racing greats and is very limited production. Be prepared to answer many questions about the car as I was surprised at how much attention it receives. There were many very cool Camaros produced-COPOs, Yenkos, Motion, Berger,etc. But none were built as great handlers to take it to the Europeans-ahead of the popular Pro-Touring movement by decades. The Concept Camaro is sold "as is", thanks for looking and good luck bidding.