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SHOP TOUR - HOUSTON, TEXAS
CAMARO CONCEPTS
By Bob McClurg       

As its name implies, Houston, Texas CAMARO CONCEPTS specializes in the parts sales, restoration, and modification of Chevrolet Camaro’s from the years 1967 to current as well as other popular makes of GM muscle cars like Corvette, Chevelle, Nova, and full size Chevrolet. Founded in 1991 by the father and son team of James and Roy Chaney, and located at 2236 Blalock, Houston, TX. 77080, Camaro Concepts has built numerous award winning Chevrolet Camaro’s, many of which have been featured in the best magazine in the business. However, as good as the company’s work is, their calling card is even better. Passersby can’t help but notice an 1969 Camaro RS, - or at least the front clip from one, - protruding through the front of the company’s 11,000 square-foot building.

“We got the idea that we wanted to have a Camaro coming through the roof so as to erase any in doubt in anyone’s mind what type of work we do at this establishment. However, unlike a number of other examples of “car art” we’ve seen around the country, we wanted to use a “real” car, or at least the front end clip from one. A good friend of mine named Chris Lyons and I actually built the thing. Early on, we decided that we wanted everything to be fully functional just like a real car. The vacuum headlights are sensor-activated and come on at night. The turn signals also work, as do the side markers, and we thought that the State of Texas “TEST CAR” license plate might also be a good touch. You might say that it has become our trademark!”

Camaro Concepts unique “sign” may bring customers in, but it’s the company’s knowledge of the subject, expert service, and show quality workmanship that keeps them coming back time and time again! Camaro Concepts well stocked showroom is the first thing visitors “see” when they walk through the door. According to Camaro Concepts Sales Manager Dennis Guerra, “We are a distributor for Goodmark Industries, Dynacorn International, Inc. (Dii,) Golden Star, Classic Industries Parts & Accessories, Rick’s Classic Camaro Parts, CHQ, Retro-Electro, OER, Trim Parts, Soft Seal, Ted Williams, PUI, and many other brands. We also carry a full line of restoration parts packaged under the “Camaro Concepts” brand name; and we are a dealer for American Racing Wheels, Billet Specialties, Competition Cams, Edelbrock, March, Moser, MSD, Stainless Steel Brakes Corporation, TCI, Vintage Air, etc!”

“We have the greatest customers,” says Camaro Concepts CFO Anne Chaney. When we first started out, our “customer base” was the Greater Houston, Texas Metroplex. Then we branched out to include San Antonio, Dallas, and Austin, Texas markets as well as the State of Louisiana. These days, we’re shipping parts all over the country along with far way places like England, Sweden, Finland, Australia, and New Zealand!”

Roy Chaney says that the ratio of customer restoration versus modified is about 50/50.

“On some weeks, that ratio may change, but we’re always busy. We’ve got a final assembly area set aside for both restored and modified Camaro’s and other GM products, and it’s always full. Out back we also have a new sheet metal fabrication shop which does everything from fender and floor pan replacements to complete rotisserie restoration jobs. For the street machine/pro touring set, we also specialize in the installation of full tube sub frames, narrowed rear ends and wheel tubs. On average, we’ve usually got three to five car building projects going on at all times. Then we have the day-to-day maintence work which quite often leads to a customer saving up his pennies, and coming in and having us do a full restoration. Our philosophy has always been no job is too big, and no job is too small!”

With the exception of the actual machine work, Camaro Concepts also builds their own engines. Virtually every other facet of the operation is done in house regardless of whether it’s a straight re-build, or the assembly of a nitrous big-block!

All told, Camaro Concepts employs five full time employees. “We’re open 9 to 6 Monday through Friday, and from 9 to 2 on Saturday. Obviously, you have to have a passion for this kind of work, and when we’re not at the shop, we’re either at a car show, or otherwise engaged in the pursuit of the Classic Camaro, or some other type of GM muscle car to one degree or another!”

In 2009, Camaro Concepts was also selected to participate in Chevrolet Division’s official State of Texas product launch of the new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, - a total of 55 cars were used as part of a four-lane freeway cruise around Houston, - a rock solid endorsement of an automotive enthusiast aftermarket company by the hierarchy at GM if there ever was one.

“This is a very happy place,” says Chaney. “When people come in here they want to get away from their problems. Of course, a love for the Chevrolet Camaro is the common demonstrator which brings us all together. You might say we’re just one big, happy family!”

Give Camaro Concepts a call @ (713) 365-9000, or visit the company’s an online store@ www.camaroconcepts.com, and be sure to tell Roy Chaney and the gang that you read about it in HOT ROD HAPPENINGS.COM!

Click HERE for photos!

Thanks again to Bob McClurg, all the way from Hawaii via Houston, for the great story and photos! HRH