Frank Rupert, of Lima, completely restored his 1970 Camaro SS. The car is known for its handling and often is called the “Super Hugger” for its ability to hug the road.
Jim Krumel | For The Lima News
LIMA – No one thought any differently when Frank Rupert left the house one day to buy some engine parts.
Not even Frank, himself.
As it turned out, this trip would be unlike others. He came back that day not only with engine parts but also as the new owner of a beat-up, shell of a body, 1970 Camaro SS with no engine.
“When I got to this place on Holly Street to buy parts, the guy mentioned to me he was going to sell the car. So, I bought it,” Rupert said.
That was 30 years ago.
For the next 18 years, he would work on it, never being in a rush to get it done, but always striving for perfection. Today, it turns heads when he drives by.
“I’ve done everything to it … the paint, the engine, underneath and the interior,” Rupert said. “It was a chance to use the skills I learned while attending Northwestern Tech (currently the University of Northwestern Ohio.)”
It was a big year for the Camaro in 1970. It was Chevrolet’s launch of the second generation of the vehicle. The new models were completely redesigned from the ground up. The new Camaro was longer, lower and wider than its first-generation counterparts. The model turned out to be such a success that Chevy kept the basic platform through 1981.
Four versions of the Camaro were available in 1970: the Coupe, a Rally Sport, the Super Sport and the Z28.
Rupert’s SS model is known for its significantly improved handling. It often was called the “Super Hugger” to signify its improved road handling capability.
The muscle car of the 1970 group was the Z28. It came standard with a 350 CID, 260 horsepower V8. The car could go from 0 to 60 in 7 seconds and finish a quarter of a mile in 15.4 seconds.
The Coupe, however, remained the best-selling Camaro that year. The base price for a six-cylinder Coupe was $2,749, while the base V8 engine added $90 to this total.
Rupert made one big modification in restoring his Camaro. It boasts a 427 engine, while the engine used out of the factory was a 350.
Rupert’s love for the Camaro began as a teenager. The Lincolnview High School graduate noted, “I had a 1973 Camaro when I was a kid. It was my first car and will always be special.”
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