Members Rides: Tom & Alex King
Tom and Alex King 1989
Tom King
It’s been a couple of interesting years. Since I was a kid I had a passion for cars. My passion for cars was also passed down to my son Alex. At a very young age Alex was able to point out a muscle car especially the camaro and he would start telling me what engine, options, and colors were available on those vehicles. At the Chevy Vette fest in 2007 my son and I came upon the Illinois Camaro Club so we had to join, since we owned a 99 Camaro Z-28 at the time. It’s funny, I was a member back in 1989, when I owned a 68 Camaro SS/RS. In February of 2008 Alex turned 15 and I knew he was very excited to start a project of his own. In July of 2008, Alex heard of someone in the neighborhood that has a 3rd Gen 1989 Camaro IROC Z in their garage they wanted to sell, but needed work. After some negotiating, Alex and I had another project to start in our garage. Over the next year we worked on this car working on the engine, exhaust, brakes, paint, and other items to bring it back to life and make is trustworthy. It seemed over this time my 99 Camaro was not being driven so it was sold in the spring of 2009. This would present a problem, since we signed up for the 2009 Hot Rod Power Tour, we had to take the 89 IROC. On this trip Alex was inspired and encouraged by other club members (you know who you are) and friends to possibly make this car go a little faster. Alex was listening to everyones suggestions. When we returned home from that trip, Alex and I starting doing research and hunting down parts to build a small block Chevy engine to give the IROC a little kick. Over the next year the engine came together with the help of some friends, but was not finished in time for the 2010 Hot Rod Power tour. So we took the IROC again, with no problems.
2 weeks after returning home from this year’s trip, Alex and I went to town and removed the original 305 TPI engine and replaced it with the new 355 Small block Chevy engine that had taken over a year to put together. We faced many challenges along the way with wiring, fuel supply, exhaust issues, and growing expenses, but in late October the car came together and made it back to the street. A little quicker now.
The power train now consists of a 355 Engine and upgraded 700R4 transmission. Alex and I still have a few thing to complete but we have had a great time working on this project together.
Thanks Tom King
