The Charger is a car made by Dodge that’s built for performance, not just commuting. It’s known for having powerful engines and a bold, sporty look. If it’s mentioned next to other muscle cars, it’s usually because the speaker has experience owning it.
This is a 1989 Camaro from Chevrolet, and it’s the convertible version (you can drive with the top down). The host says it had a 305 engine, and that’s why they felt it wasn’t very quick.
Term
305
“305” is the size of the engine in cubic inches. In this case, the host is saying that particular 305-powered Camaro wasn’t very fast.
Supercharged means the engine has a device that pushes extra air into it to make more power. It’s a common way to turn a car into a faster, more aggressive build.
SCCA is a big U.S. group that organizes amateur racing events. If a car is an “SCCA car,” it means it was used in those kinds of competitions, not just normal commuting.
“Small blocks” means a type of V8 engine (often Chevy’s 350-family). People like them because they’re common and there are lots of performance parts available.
Cylinder heads are the top castings of an engine that contain the intake and exhaust ports and the valves. Upgrading or reworking heads (like porting and polishing) is a common way to improve airflow, which can increase power when paired with other engine changes.
That phrase just means he was experimenting with his car himself—trying different upgrades to see what happens. It’s like a DIY science project, but with a car.
Term
327
The “327” is the engine size—an older Chevy V8 that enthusiasts love. It’s known for sounding good and feeling lively, especially in classic muscle cars.
“Four-speed” means the car has a manual gearbox with four gears you shift yourself. It usually makes the driving more hands-on and fun, especially in older muscle cars.
Merritt Island, Florida is a specific location the hosts mention as where they drove their Camaros. It’s relevant only as a personal backdrop for the story, not as a technical driving benchmark.
Camaro Central sounds like a shop/community that specializes in Camaro parts and builds. The host is saying it’s a place you’d go when you need Camaro-specific help.
Ben is the guest from Camaro Central, described as the CEO. He’s positioned as the person who can explain why Camaro ownership and parts sourcing are so specialized.
Term
2.2 liter charger
This is a mention of a Dodge Charger with a 2.2-liter engine. The point is that people sometimes make fun of certain Charger versions, and the host is saying the Camaro doesn’t get the same easy criticism.
Term
Cordova
The host mentions “Cordova” as another car people joke about. It’s part of the comparison about which cars get criticized and which don’t.
The Cordoba is a classic American car that people sometimes mention when talking about other muscle cars. In this podcast, it sounds like it’s being used as a comparison or a name people might mix up. The key point is that it’s part of the same general muscle-car conversation.
The Mustang is a sports car made by Ford, known for its classic look and performance. There have been many versions over the years, including special editions. People bring it up a lot because it’s popular and there are lots of parts and knowledge available for it.
A “pony car” is a type of American sports car that’s meant to be exciting but not ultra-expensive. The Camaro and Mustang are the classic examples people think of.
These are hubcaps/wheel covers designed to look like classic wire-spoke wheels. They’re mentioned because they help make the car look more old-school and distinctive.
“Corinthian leather” is a fancy-sounding name for high-quality leather upholstery. They’re using it to say the car’s interior is more upscale and comfortable.
“9-11” is shorthand for the September 11, 2001 attacks in the U.S. The speaker is using it to explain what was happening in their life around that time.
The Porsche 911 is a sports car made by Porsche that’s known for its unique engineering and driving feel. It has a design that’s recognizable even across many model years. The podcast mention sounds like it’s part of someone’s personal experience with the car.
A suspension package is a set of parts that upgrades how the car rides and handles. It can include things like springs and shocks. Shops sell them as a bundle because the parts are meant to work together on the same kind of car.
Driveline is the set of parts that send power from the transmission to the wheels. It’s more than just the engine or the gearbox. The hosts are saying they sell most restoration parts, but not the power-transfer parts.
A transmission rebuild means taking the gearbox apart, replacing worn parts, and putting it back together so it works like it should. “Original rebuild” suggests they’re trying to keep it close to how it was from the factory. That’s often important for classic restorations.
Overdrive is a gear that helps the engine spin slower when you’re cruising. That can make highway driving feel smoother and sometimes more efficient. The hosts are talking about transmission options that include this kind of gearing.
The Chevelle is another classic muscle car from Chevrolet. Like most classic cars, different years use different parts, so you can’t just buy “any” part and expect it to fit. That’s why the shop focuses on the right match for your specific car.
The Nova is another classic Chevrolet muscle car. Different Novas from different years can require different parts, so the shop has to match the part to your exact car. That’s what they’re talking about when they discuss selling restoration parts.
A “generation” is a big redesign era for a car model. When the hosts say there are six generations of Camaro, they mean there are multiple different versions across the years. Parts that fit one generation might not fit another, so the shop has to know which one you have.
“Third gens” means the third major redesign era of that car model. Enthusiasts use it to avoid saying the full year range. Since parts can differ by generation, it matters for restoration and upgrades.
“Fox bodies” is a nickname for a specific Mustang generation built on the Fox platform. People use the term because those Mustangs share similar design and parts. The hosts are saying interest is rising in that Mustang era too.
“Fourth gen” means the fourth major redesign era of that car. Different generations can feel and fit differently, so parts and preferences can vary. The hosts are saying they didn’t like that generation as much.
Here, “restoration” means fixing up an older car so it looks and feels right again, like it’s been brought back to its original condition. They’re contrasting that with modifying cars mainly to make them faster.
A “big block” means the car has a large V8 engine with more displacement than the smaller engines. People associate it with stronger power and classic muscle-car performance.
The Pontiac Firebird is another classic muscle car from the same general time period as the Camaro. The hosts are saying it’s similar in spirit, but the front-end styling makes it look different.
They’re talking about the parts that make the headlights move and operate. On older cars, those motor/mechanism parts can wear out, and replacement parts can be hard to find.
The “headlight switch” is the driver-controlled electrical control that sends power to the headlight system. In this segment, it’s the trigger for an aftermarket “motor kit” so the headlights can run when the knob is pulled.
A motor kit is a set of replacement/upgrade parts for a motorized system. This one is meant to make the headlight motors easier to install and operate.
A modulator box is a small electronic controller that helps manage the power going to the headlight motors. It’s used so the system works correctly when you turn the headlights on.
Detroit Speed and Engineering is a company that makes aftermarket parts for classic cars. In this segment, they made the electronics for the upgraded headlight motor kit.
“DSZ” is the shorthand the hosts are using for Detroit Speed and Engineering. They’re basically saying it’s a reputable aftermarket brand making the kit.
A relay is like an electrically controlled switch. It helps the car use a small signal to control something bigger (like power for lights or accessories) without stressing the original switch.
Suspension upgrades are modifications to the parts that connect the wheels to the car. Better suspension helps the tires stay planted and makes the car feel more controlled.
Autocross is a timed driving event on a course marked with cones. You’re testing how well the car turns and grips, usually at lower speeds than a track race.
QA1 is a company that makes performance suspension parts. People use their parts to make the car handle better, especially for racing or autocross.
Concept
first-second-gen
They’re talking about Camaro generations—earlier ones versus later ones. Different generations have different designs, so some owners prefer the earlier style and feel.
The Mustang is a sports car made by Ford, and the podcast is talking about older Mustang generations like the Fox-body and third-gen. The reason it comes up is that it can be a good way to introduce new people to car culture. People often choose these versions because parts and support are easier to find.
They’re talking about modifying a car so it becomes a different car—like using parts to make a Firebird look and fit like a Camaro. That kind of project changes what parts people want and can drive up prices for original pieces.
A “front bumper assembly” is the whole bumper setup on the front of the car, not just the plastic cover. If people are swapping body parts between cars, they often need these exact bumper pieces to make everything line up.
The DeLorean DMC-12 is a sports car that stands out because it has a very unusual look, including stainless-steel body panels. It’s remembered for being different from most other cars. The podcast mention is about how someone felt it should ride and why people wanted it.
The Lotus Esprit is a sports car made by Lotus, designed to be fun to drive. It has a distinctive shape that helps it stand out from many other sports cars. The podcast mention suggests the speaker is comparing or identifying specific Esprit details and versions.
Coil springs are the metal springs in the suspension that help the car ride over bumps. If one car has different coil springs, it can sit lower and feel firmer or softer.
Tie rods are steering parts that connect the steering mechanism to the wheels. If the tie rods are different, the steering can feel different and the wheel alignment can behave differently.
The steering box is the main steering mechanism that turns your steering wheel input into movement that the linkage uses to steer the car. In this segment, they’re saying the core box is similar, but the linkages around it aren’t.
Main bearings are internal engine parts that let the crankshaft spin. If the engine is pushed too hard (like revving too high), those bearings can overheat or lose lubrication and get damaged.
The Ram is a large pickup truck made by Dodge. Some versions are built for heavier towing and work, not just everyday driving. If someone mentions the “super duty” style, they’re usually talking about the strongest, most capable truck versions.
A “time capsule” car is one that’s been kept very close to how it was when it left the factory. The idea is that it still has lots of original parts rather than being heavily restored.
Plug wires are the cables that send electricity to the spark plugs so the engine can start and run. If they’re original on a classic car, it can mean the car hasn’t been heavily modified.
Heater hoses carry hot coolant through the car’s heating system. If they’re still the original hoses, that suggests the car may have been preserved instead of rebuilt.
LIVE
It is the two guys ride podcast. He's Kevin Byrd. I'm Willie B. And today
Today we're talking about a car that everybody's got a story about
Yes, indeed, man. I don't know how many I've owned but several I have owned several Camaros outside of the charger
I think the Camaro is what I have owned more
Yeah, more than any other car besides the charger
It's kind of wild to say it's yeah, you've owned no way I've owned more Camaros than
Then any other car except for chargers. I think I've owned more chargers
I know you're a fan, but I didn't I didn't realize there was that much of a commitment
Yeah in your blood like because you're such a Mopar guy. I thought it'd be only Mopars and then yeah
I got all this other stuff over there, but this oh man. I had an 89 Camaro convertible
That was so sick so dope just man
It couldn't pull a greasy string out of a cat's butt cuz I had a 305 and it was super slow
But it was sharp look good. I've had several gen 2 Camaros
I had a boosted supercharged
Gen 3 Camaro at 92 that was an SCCA car for a number of years
I had a really fast orange. I think we even did a show or two on it
but and a couple of shows I did a
70 and a half split bumper with big 55 Merlin in it
And now I I've got a 67. Well, you see my 67 RS SS
I got my eye on that one. Yeah, man. It's a it's a great car, man
And I don't know why man, but Camaro's I've always loved them
I you know, I'd love to hate on a Camaro, but I'll be honest
There were a few slack years in there, but man Camaro's have always you know the car behind me
I own a Camaro right here a Fesla Camaro
It's kind of a rare 2012 when I got a fix. So, yeah, I almost forgot about that. Yeah, man
No, I'm waiting on her wait no supercharger guy. So yeah, man
Camaro's have been a part of the old fabric in my life for a for a number of years and
Outside the charger
Now they think about it. I might have owned, you know, I think I've owned more Camaro's
Because the chargers that I've owned up for the most part I've kept
I've got rid of one
Gin three charger and two
Gin two chargers
and
One gin one charger. I don't know. It's close, man
It's close, but Camaro's I've always respected him. How many of you owned every car guys owned a Camaro
Well, that was my very first car
And I rode that sucker all the way from 15 to post college like that was my hot rod, man
So I have infinite infinite stories is third gin 1982 third gin okay early third gin
Yep, so not the coolest, but I made it wicked, right?
Just gutted everything out of it swapped every part built engine after engine, you know small blocks
But just you know, I get a new set of heads. I'd be porting and polishing. I'd build a new motor just it was always my little experiment
My redneck science project man, just how much noise how much power how much cool smells could it do?
Heaven man, how much fun could you have in a Camaro? I was pushing the limits
It's weird because Camaro's honest to God such an iconic car and they've always looked good. They've always
Been such a classic car. We look back and either if if you didn't own
Yeah, a first-gen Camaro if you listen to this podcast
I guarantee you you can name the kid that did own one in high school think about it right now
If you're this is podcast can you name the kid who owned a first-gen Camaro in your high school Brian Ball?
I ah that guy was so jealous that stupid car man. Was it cool?
Damn, that was a cool first-gen Camaro. Yeah, my my my best buddies Jason had a
68 RSSS
327 four-speed and it looked like Mad Max like it was kind of primered
You know it had a few patch panels just like riveted on where there was holes
But it didn't matter didn't have any carpet
But it had seats and it had a four-speed her shifter sticking out
Yeah, and that thing was just loud and awesome
And so it'd be him and his first-gen and me and my third-gen. We were everywhere. Yeah, just romped
All over Merritt Island, Florida and there was a little small general 327 sevens could grab some rpms
They always sounded good. It was awesome. You know four-speed style hammered. All right
Well, look when we come back man, our buddy that runs Camaro central not only is this place the the go-to
When you need parts builds we're talking motors engines parts pieces swaps knowledge. Know how they got it all
So we're gonna queue you up a little bit get you some some good resources and be back in just a minute
It's two guys ride podcast Kevin bird will he be we're back after break
It is the two guys ride podcast he's Kevin bird on will he be we got our boy Ben on from Camaro central
Man find up chat with you Ben. It's it's wild because he's the CEO of Camaro central. Just think about that Camaro
Central like that that says everything you need to know about the man. We're talking to
Camaro's what makes Camaro's such an American iconic car
What is it about the Camaro and your opinion Ben and I don't mean just one generation. It's one of the few
offerings badging of cars that
It's hard to pick like people can people can yell at the 2.2 liter charger and make fun of it
They could yell at the Cordova that was called a charger to make fun of it
You could make fun of the you know, the Cobra Mustang or the you know, whatever 76 Mustang offering
There's always to yeah. Yeah, but but really the come the Camaro's you just can't knock a year
Now you can't like the Camaro only came about because of the Mustang though. Well, you know this
Yeah, I know I know the story. I'm aware of it
About the Camaro's great, you know for came out with the Mustang Chevy had to come up with something they came out
It's not a muscle car. Even though we have most car central
It's really is a pony cars back in the day, man. My god
Yeah, but I think I think the idea is is you know, yeah
Interesting history and the whole battles, but somewhere along the way usually an OE falters
They miss a step. They do something stupid, right a Mustang too
Almost pro Mustang, you know, like
But the Camaro is pretty solid the whole way except man, maybe where they faltered is the gaps, you know, they've got these gaps
My opinion and like I'm not an expert so I'm not an expert
But uh, you know like the fourth gen Camaro, I've owned like four of those are the ones
I can't fit in can't drive that cab forward design
If it's any of them, that was the falter. That's that's my least favorite
I will I'm with you on that. Yeah, the third gen Kevin. Those are my favorite third gen
Dude, I love them cars like I've had them all I know I've had six and 7686 nines
Several second gen so my favorite car currently is the second gen is 79 Berlinetta
It's a brown get out of here
I'll drive that to come see you in Tampa any day. I'll come see you in Colorado. I don't care
That car will give you that. It had wire spoke hubcaps. Yeah
It has had wire spoke hubcaps
Well, if you ever wondered because you've all seen Berlinetta Berlinetta's and we've always said man who would own that well now
We know it's been right. You know is a Berlinetta guy. I bought it from the baller store
Berlinetta's are badass like uh, they came with extra sound it mean extra comfort ride suspension
Those cars are nice man. They're like the luxurious
Corinthian leather
Camaro
They're the they're the Cadillac of Camaro. I'll give you that
So Ben do you have a first? So what was your Camaro story? Was it high school?
You fell in love with one what what how'd you form or how did Camaro central form because it is such an iconic car
There's you know, there's always been a couple stores you can go to or a summit
But what do you guys what would you say Camaro's central specializes in and what makes you guys so successful because you guys really are man
Well, man, honestly, it's a family-oriented business
We have an owner Sean Green and his dad Mike Green and somehow I'm a luckiest guy
You'll ever meet I fell into this deal
Was going to college at EKU where you went to school Willie
Environmental science degree and I got a one of two people in UK or 11 of two people in Kentucky
To go to the public health's degree at EKU. That's living in Vegas. And my buddy Sean Green
Literally graduated with this cat
Sean Green's the nicest guy graduated in 92 from Lafayette 93
His dad had a business selling Chevelle and Camaro parts and they're kind of doing it out of a you locker
and I got the opportunity to come on board and
2001 right after 9-11 I was building houses for wrong prep. You all know wrong prep. Oh, yeah. Yeah
So I work for his a construction company in Vegas. So this is 2001
Dude Vegas after 9-11 was scary
You want to think about making life decisions? You're like, why am I in Las Vegas right now?
You know, I'm like and like my dad's keeps sending me this stuff
I got accepted as one of two people in the state of Kentucky to go to EKU
Full-ride room board for the public health's health science degree that I was like, you know, I
Should probably get out of Vegas because it's pretty odd right now
They're watching if you were in Vegas after 9-11 and you saw every bus in the world come to ship people to Oklahoma, Texas
It was weird. Well, how'd you team up with the Camaro Central guys?
Dude, so that's what I'm saying like I moved back home and
Sean Green calling. It's like I heard you're building off, you know building stuff. Can you build me an office?
I'm like, sure. I'll build you an office. He is in this, you know, a little small building and
I went over there and I measured out framed up a whole office for him and built it in my yard and
drove it over there in solid build a drywall. It made him office doors and all that and he's like, hey answer the phone
So I started answering the phone
You know, and honestly one thing led to the next like
It was the coolest opportunity I ever had and I'm very thankful for Sean his dad give me this opportunity
But I knew everybody like
I knew a guy that built catalogs. I knew a guy that made websites and two years later
It went from three employees to seven employees and three years after that went to 15 employees and now we're 31 employees
Wow, man. Wow
So what what's the what's the mainstream of your business?
What what do you think is the if you were to tell people what Camaro Central does is it parts?
Is it packages? Is it rebuilding cars because it looks like you guys got a lot of builds in your shop as well
What is what is your main?
Go to for Camaro Central
Well, if you want to build a car you should call us
We're gonna have people on the phone that tell you what you need
They ain't looking
To do anything but helping we have a family oriented business and that's really what we are like up
We got guys and we fed them now and like try to get people to really have somebody that wants to buy into our program
And that's what we have we have people that want to help you
So if you got a Camaro, a Fire Birch, Bell or Nova
We have people that will get you the parts you need and that's really what we build over the years. It's not
Do you have a part number, sir?
You know like we don't want to do that
We want people to be like it's that thing I'm injured the under the dash to the right, you know over there
You know but by that adult and that's the people with like so we buy all these cars
So we buy all every model we sell we got trans and Camaro's I'm sorry
I don't have a Chevrolet or an oven here right now
But our deal is to train the people to know what we're selling and
Make them happy like at the end of the day. I tell people this all the time all we do is sell dreams
But I tell you what you treat us right? We're gonna treat you better
So that's where I'm at with what Camaro Central does like so
Is it packages like people can get suspension packages do people buy engines do they buy interior parts?
We sell everything but drive line like I do do like your M20 21s 22s
I
sell that kind of transmission original rebuild that you can't buy from a trim make a
Any of the companies that they go sell overdrive
We will sell you everything to restore a Camaro Chevelle or Nova
Farber and Transam whatever I got everything you need. I'm not gonna send it
Silly an engine unless you need somewhere I use once
And we do with some use original engines. We got six generations of Camaro
What seems to be the most hot popular at the moment?
What's driving because you got obviously the early 60s 70s
Super popular for decades, but of course the third gens are now kind of turn in the corner. You got a whole bunch of
Exers that are kind of getting back into them along with the Fox bodies
The fourth gen which we kind of agreed wasn't our favorite, but I'm sure there's some folks out there that might be into
What what seems to be hot moment?
No, they
For sure. It's a great. Don't get me wrong. It's just it's not restoration. It's
Performance oriented so all the companies that want to sell performance stuff go after fourth gen, but your second gen
Willie that's a 70 and a half like you had
Real rallies for a big block car. I just had the body completely redone
That's what you're looking for. You know what I'm saying? That's that's the car that people are wanting
So we want to accommodate everybody though
To get the youth involved you want to go real heavy on the third gen. Did I buy them all day?
You can't keep them. We just keep selling them R&D make stuff off of them. I
Used to have four of them in here, but it's a new day today. No
I mean, that's the deal though. Like you really like the Camaro is generation. It's what you were hype on in high school
So me Willie Kevin our stuff is, you know, second first gen
Then the younger generation is definitely third fourth gen, you know, we do actually a decent amount for the fifth and sixth gen
But I mean, it's a brand new car. That's not that's not our forte
You can make it go faster and whatnot
But I think for what Camaro Center does we restore the older cars and we try to get the youth
Involved so we want to like teach them it. We're you know, we're only ambassadors of these cars for a certain amount of time
the respect
The knowledge that was put into that car can be passed down
So like take a kid to a car show let them like learn something something that was made in the 60s
I think that stuff is so cool
We have an opportunity what we sell to really not only make dreams come true for people that buy one of these
This is a this is a friend of ours Sean and mine Johnny Davis. He bought this car
He's been searching for one for a year and a half
last Saturday
He got this car. I think it's cool man. It's a real 67 red car big block
RSS has got all the wealth, you know, it's got it all. Yeah, no doubt those those those are sick
Hey, we got to take a break, but when we come back
What do you what do you think the future is a trans and we got to talk about that man trans and Pontiac Firebird
It's like the stepbrother for a reason like if Pontiac had to put that big ugly nose on the front of that car
We might be talking about it like a Camaro, but we don't because well because of that nose
We'll talk about it when we get back Kevin Bird really be two guys around podcast back after the break
It is you guys Rod podcast he's Kevin bird. I'm Willie B. We have a buddy Ben on he's the CEO Camaro central now
Obviously Camaro parts where you guys really shine you got him for for anything now you say anything
I will say, you know, what's a hard part to find? Why is it? Why is it that the?
67 you just showed that red cards and rsss
I believe why is it that the headlight motors and headlight mechanisms a
Tend to fail and be a really hard to find and or replace
That seems to be a part that is difficult to find simple answer Willie
You're not shopping on Camaro center calm. It's not my answer. We like to hear like a wheat wheat
Dude, we have it all you want to go original. We got you man
But if you go originally, you know, it's two motors for a limit
So it's three relays a circuit breaker and a nest of worry, but we made that simple
We've got a new updated motor kit for you. That's literally you just hook it to the headlight switch you pull the knob
The headlight motors will run open. It comes a little modulator box. It's all made by Detroit speed and engineering. Y'all know DSZ
Even your quality
Cuz you ain't shopping with us Willie. I'm sorry. It's not my I'll go there now and find somebody
I just know that's a hard part to find. I got you man. dude
It's one of our number one sellers honestly
We always bring a big display here. I'll show you check this out. Let's make it easy like a showing is always the thing
So you see this
That's what you're talking about, right? Yeah. Yeah, I know what oh
What pull it?
Let's shut the headlight switch
That's DSC motors man like
Boy and you sure big. That's a big problem on those in one Camaro. They are so we saw that we got with DSC years ago
And I got that rectified
No problem, but real simple to wire in you don't have any relays none of those
Limit switches. It's simply plug it to your headlight switch and go so that's awesome
So what are some of the other like go-to fixes that just problem-solvers, right? We got it
Honestly, we've been doing this for about 32 years. We got a ton like your suspension upgrades
We've got you from cruiser which you know, I like
Willie you're gonna want some of our race stuff. So I've got you where we can do autocross and you do drag
We've teamed up with QA one all of them speed take DSC
We're working on you my for the
Third and fourth gen Kevin. I know you want to get back in the game. We can get you in there
You know, it's funny man, I live that third gen and it wasn't my favorite, right?
I was a first-second-gen guy, but somehow ended up with a third gen
You know once you kind of get a car sometimes you just keep trying to fix it and
Anyway, I lived that life for so long
I was like I could just walk away from a third gen never look back and I just was driving by
One the other day just your back just drove by and it it grabbed me
You know shoot I could almost see myself picking one of those up and kind of reliving some of those
You know early memories and and doing mods on it in a new way nowadays
Do the new stuff they're having for the third gens are crazy like all all everybody right now is after it
So all your suspension audio
Interior they're all third gen because it's entry level. You know what I'm saying?
Like you can get the youth involved by offering stuff for Fox body Mustangs third gen Camaro's like you really can so
I've been you know, one of my big deals was a Armo and SEMA like I was the Armo chairman from
2020 to 2024
My whole thing was take a kid to car show and let's get these vehicles entry level for people
You know at a younger age college high school and like a third gen Camaro Mustangs always hit the hit the bill
I'm glad you brought that up because you know, it's more affordable ugly-ass Pontiacs
So why is it the firebird?
Why is it that the firebird has suffered like is it really just in the nose dude five years ago?
I would have been with you a hundred percent. The problem is that table has flipped
now it's now it's not like you you have no idea how many
Front bumper assemblies the whole nose is that people would bring in to me because they're converting these far birds
Into a Camaro I made a ton of money off of selling those original far bird stuff because they made their far bird a Camaro
Those days are over that far bird is now bringing as much or more than that Camaro
So then can't be it is true. It's crazy like
Man's drinking. Hey now you tell my wife stuff. She shouldn't be here. Come on bounce. Can't be true
It's not only true
It's crazy like up the amount of far birds that I've gone through the same thing did stripped them out
It's over them days are over. No
Wow our firebirds really like the early firebirds the 60
68 firebird you're saying is bringing as much as the 68 Camaro nowadays
They're bringing more
They're bringing more like
The parts cost more like a far bird bumper is a hundred dollars more than a Camaro bumper
15 times the size
Dude
John DeLorean made a better car. They wanted that thing to ride better the that they sit lower
Their their suspension is better
Nothing really on the suspension stick that the other arms the
Everything the drag link everything on the steering is different from a Camaro to firebird
They hand the firebird is the other Berlinetta of a Camaro. No, that one's the Esprit
Like I just sold a 77 a spree no spoiler flat hood 77 car. I should have kept it. I'm a I'm stupid
But I mean like a dream tell us the difference between firebirds and Camaro is as far as suspension and things like that go
They're not the same
No, like a firebird sits two inches lower
Different Lee Springs. They're completely different front suspension like your coil springs different part numbers
Internet or tie rods drag link odd alarm none of that's the same
Steering box is the same, but everything else is 100% different. I'm telling you they built that a Pontiac firebird to be a
better handling merit a better ride more torque not necessarily more power
You know like a 400 motor man that thing will rip a tree out of the ground, you know
but if you rev it too high you're gonna spin a main bearing like
They just built them different
Wow, and now people are seeing that though and so that all that stuff that
You know Pontiac did back in the day is now coming to where those cars are not only as much as a Camaro
A lot of them honestly are more like 400 are is crazy right now
Like those are I will say the the Ram airs super duties
I got 70, you know one through threes those cars. They were wicked. That was a really cool
Wicked car and and and probably the only collective that whole family
There's two. There's one on top of we got a blue one and a white one. What is the second ones and 71?
They're the real deal. They'll bring more than any Camaro in this place
That's wild man. Is the production number a lot lower. Do you know the production numbers compared to Camaro's production numbers are a lot lower?
Yeah, absolutely, you know, that's a 67
time capsule is what I like to call that thing like a
Original plug wires original and clamps on the heater hoses. It had original broke nose bumper
Ran into a barn and broke his nose
Dude, you should see the quarter over here. Oh, this quarter over here ran in more than that, dude
Yeah, it is so
those cars in your opinion a
Better platform in even in the first-gen variation or just the second-gen
No, I mean, I think the whole thing of the Pontiac was to build a better car than the Camaro
That's why GM had two different divisions. You know, I think the marketing on the Pontiac back in the day
Was through the chain, you know, I'm saying like a like Maddie's car that I got to meet you guys on
77 trans amp think about the marketing that went into that back in the day
GM wasn't doing anything like what Pontiac was doing
like
Pontiac marketed their cars or a slight group of people or GM was wide open when everybody we have a Berlinetta
But I didn't even know they did my I thought they did one marketing campaign. It was called
the bandit no
Smoky and abandoned I thought that was their one
Marketing campaign. That's all they needed. That's sold a lot of them. I know I kind of did the deal
But they had like the blue bird the yellow bird. I mean, we're still talking about that one campaign, right? They did good
Yeah, they did. All right, well people can get firebird parts as well. So Camaro central
Firebirds, it's firebirds central
We have a
Camaro central calm firebird central calm and muscles car central calm for Chevella, Nova's
If you don't know what Camaro and firebird central, I'm sorry
But yeah, we offer all those parts man. We'd love to help you out. There you go, man
We've got it if you need it. There you go. Well always good catching up and is that your social handles as well
Where do you can people find you on social media? Well, we've got firebird central
Camaro central Facebook pages and we have muscle car central YouTube channel, which a lot of good content
So muscle car central YouTube check us out. We're checking out new cars car shows
We've been to your place and we put a bunch of cool videos though
There you go, man. Check out our show speaking to that air and we kids
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He's coming bird. I'm really being this is the two guys garage podcast
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Hey, yeah, man, dude, I might have to give you a ring about the headlight motors
I could use some of those minds. Yeah, when you're ready, dude, you I'll send you one and you'll love it
That's game changer. How many cars you guys have in there?
Dude, this is just our showroom. I've got a barn with a shop with like a
12 minute this one's only got
Think nine. We've got a boss. Is that in Richmond? Yeah
We're out in Richmond
Dude, we're right. You know, we're Apollo. We're on colonel road near the loves truck stop 95
Okay, all right, I'll tell my brother to run down there. Well, dude, hit me up when you're here
You'll be surprised. We're having more fun than you are
All right, brother. Take care, man. We'll talk to you soon. All right. Hey, thank you guys man. Appreciate it. See you
All right gang. Well, hope you learned a little bit about
Camaro's and Firebirds and had some fun reminiscing with us
I think it's been a little too long since I had a Camaro in my life and I might have to change that
Yeah, man
I think so and I know where to go
I look at that does happen. I got you, bro. I got you. All right
Well guys, we will catch you on the next two guys garage podcast. Take care
Two guys garage podcast is a production of britain productions for more episodes visit i heart radio apple podcast
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About this episode
Camaros take center stage as the hosts trade ownership stories across generations—from a “67 RS SS” to a boosted “Gen 3 Camaro” that ran SCCA—and get into what they like (and can’t fit) about different eras. The conversation then shifts to Camaro Central’s parts-and-build help, including sourcing hard-to-find headlight motors and an updated kit. Along the way, they compare Camaro vs Firebird value and handling, and explain how they restore older cars to teach younger enthusiasts.
How do you grow an automotive business from a single storage locker to a 31-employee powerhouse? Camaro Central CEO Ben Tucker joins Kevin and Willie to talk shop. From simple headlight fixes for notorious First-Gen issues, to entry-level Third-Gen builds bringing the next generation of youth back into the garage, Ben reveals what it takes to keep the ultimate American dream car alive and on the road.
