John Mata Jr. October 16, 2026
With SEMA season officially upon us once again, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on an absolute stunner that debuted at last year’s show. Now, you hear about the “SEMA crunch” year after year, and it really is a thing that plagues vehicle builders across the globe. While some cars at the event may seem rushed and not fully prepared, others radiate confidence and readiness for the coveted spotlight. This 1969 Chevy Camaro, built by JD Lusardi and his crew at Street Rod Factory, in Mountain Home, Idaho, is a proud member of the latter category. The car made a big impact at the 2025 edition of SEMA, not only on muscle car purists but also on auto lovers who take notice and appreciate the most discerning of details.
Now, you can tell right away when the crew behind a project had a good time building any car in question, and it’s apparent that JD and his guys had an absolute blast with this Camaro. “OEM+” is usually this team’s goal, but they took a few steps further to create a classically styled street machine with thoughtful modern amenities that speak to a wide audience of enthusiasts.
Any car that looks this good better handle even better. JD ensured that it did by outfitting the original chassis with a Speed Tech Pro Touring front subframe, a Heidts chassis stiffener and IRS rear suspension setup, along with QA1 coilovers at each corner. Fresh Wilwood braking components were soon included, as was a set of staggered 18- and 20-inch John R wheels from Detroit Steel Wheel Co. Pirelli P-Zero high-performance rubber soon followed, naturally.
Even though the Camaro was a customer build, JD pushed for every feature he’d want for his own personal ride. The car was due for a complete drivetrain upgrade, so he recommended running a 427 ci LS with all the fixings, including a 3.0L Magnuson supercharger, a BTR Stage 3 cam, a Holley Terminator X Max EFI system, Speedtech headers, a Borla 3-inch exhaust setup, and a 6L90E automatic transmission with an electric sport shifter for additional fun. That combination is guaranteed to get the approval from anyone who enjoys the thrill of true muscle car action.
JD and company were soon able to move on to working on the Camaro’s exterior by first performing the necessary bodywork, then peppering a handful of custom touches into the mix for good measure. The wipers were shaved clean off, and both bumpers were tucked in to streamline the car’s silhouette. JD got to work creating custom sheetmetal panels for inside the engine bay, and the factory taillights were replaced with LED units from Digi-Tails—a fine choice to modernize the exterior.
When it came time to select a paint color, however, the Street Rod Factory crew landed on a vintage GM classic—PPG Hugger Orange. At first, going with blacked-out accessories was the plan for offsetting the bright paint, which worked out great for a few parts, but JD came up with something a little bit different for the wheels. Instead of coating them all in flat black, he applied a matching orange color to the back side of the rims and applied black candy paint to the lips and hub caps. The result makes for one of the most unique variations of Detroit Steel wheels you’d be hard pressed to find.
The interior space was next to address, and JD’s main objective was to turn it into a comfortable, well-appointed environment destined to create unforgettable cruising sessions. Ruben Urena of Modern Upholstery in Meridian, Idaho, was chosen to recover a set of 2014 Camaro seats in black leather with orange stitchwork, as well as fabricate a custom rear seat, a one-off center console, a roof console, door panels, and a matching dash pad. Other key features include Holley digital gauges, a Lecarra steering wheel, and an Alpine stereo. Who wouldn’t love to put unlimited seat time in a command center like this?!
Before the start of another SEMA season, we wanted to pause to highlight one of our favorites from last year’s turnout. The field never disappoints, especially when shops like JD Lusardi’s Street Rod Factory come to party. We’re sure the Camaro they assembled will go down as one of the most well-rounded and appealing custom ‘69s to hit pavement.
Photos by Emma Sauve
