Finale Speed, a premier custom car manufacturer and restorer fueled by innovation, has unveiled the latest iteration of its carbon-fiber 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, featuring a striking candy red paint finish. This colored carbon is the first of its kind, using a proprietary paint mix developed by the team at Finale Speed. The classic Camaro silhouette is paired with a modern drivetrain, chassis and suspension. Finale Speed’s candy red-finished Camaro made its debut at the 2023 SEMA Show on October 31 in the TMI booth #24477 at 12:30 p.m. PT.
Painting carbon fiber requires a different process than metal surfaces due to the material’s weave structure and quick paint absorption properties. The candy red finish starts with preparing the raw carbon-fiber panels by sanding them until the surface is perfectly smooth. The panels are then primed for paint. Using Finale Speed’s custom-mixed BASF candy red paint with very precise paint gun air pressures, the carbon panels are finished in a deep and lustrous red that possesses a uniquely clear contrast between the dark grey of the carbon fiber and the red of the paint. The contrast in the weave pattern is apparent from any viewing angle, giving the carbon a three-dimensional look that stands out from other colored carbon-fiber vehicles.
“Finale Speed is all about innovation, and we are proud to offer our carbon-fiber vehicles in this gorgeous candy red paint finish,” said Finale Speed Creative Director Chris Jacobs. “The process is labor-intensive but worth it. Often, when carbon fiber is painted, the weave can tend to be washed out in direct sunlight. Finale Speed’s paint mixture and process ensures the weave is always front and center.”
Under the candy red body, the carbon Camaro is fitted with modern mechanicals while retaining a classic look. A 650-horsepower GM Performance LT4 crate engine runs through a Tremec T-56 Super Magnum six-speed manual transmission and 9-inch LSD-equipped rear end with Dutchman axles. Ultimate Headers stainless-steel long-tube headers and a custom-fabricated exhaust with MagnaFlow mufflers give the Camaro its distinctive bark. Eighteen-inch three-piece Forgeline VX3CL-SL wheels and Toyo Proxes R888R rubber are paired with a Wilwood braking system. LED lighting, flush-mounted glass and billet hinges and handles decorate the exterior, while the interior is custom-appointed by TMI. Gauges by Classic Instruments, an Old Air Products climate-control system, a Mosconi five-channel amp, and Focal speakers and a subwoofer round out the interior amenities. A custom-built four-point rollbar adds protection, while a carbon rear-seat delete sheds additional weight.
The Finale Speed 1969 Camaro line is available as roller bodies or turnkey finished vehicles. For more information on the carbon-fiber Camaro and Finale Speed’s other projects, visit www.finalespeed.com and follow along on Instagram and Facebook.
