By Bill O'Brien

I had a 1998 Corvette. It had 11 computers, networked serially. It was an amazing pain in the posterior. The same held true for my '93 Firebird Formula, '94 Trans Am GT, '95 Z28, and '96 Z28 SS --although all to a lesser extent thanks to a lower computer count. This one, a '76 Camaro with one of the world's first nearly no-horsepower 305 CID engines, has not a computer to be found anywhere. At the end of the day, there's something to be said for tech so low it doesn't really exist.

And no, this car did not look this way when I bought it. (Some of you are relieved, some are disappointed.) It needed quite a few replacement parts, especially in the interior. Most of these (seats, dash bits, a tilt-column steering wheel, etc.) were acquired through S & S Classic Auto Parts in Pennsylvania. A trunk lid with spoiler holes, as well as a complete power window setup, came from S&S as well. (Hopefully I've just sent you a ton, or at least a couple of bucks, of business, Steve. You've become a heck of a friend and thanks for all the help.)

Scully Autobody in Hawthorne, NJ, did the panel and door replacements and paint (I chose the colors and decals, so cut them some slack), as well as the installation of new glass, the power windows, and a new radiator. It took then 18 months to finish and they've vowed never to do another resto job again. I think they lied about that. ;-) (And they do great work.)

The hood's from VFN. On a 1-10 scale, it's about a 7.8 in quality...

If you think high tech costs more than low tech, think again... The engine still needs to swapped out for something with actual horsepower (anybody looking to donate a GM 350 HO Deluxe crate motor feel free to contact me) and a beefier tranny. At that point I can install the upgraded brakes, and, of course, the posi with some gears. It never ends...