Finale Speed, a premier custom car builder known for pushing the boundaries of innovation, has revealed its latest creation — a carbon-fiber 1969 Chevrolet Camaro finished in a breathtaking candy red. What makes this particular build so groundbreaking is that it’s the first of its kind to wear a proprietary colored carbon finish, a deep, lustrous hue developed in-house by Finale Speed’s own paint specialists. The result is a stunning blend of old-school muscle car lines and cutting-edge materials and engineering.
This one-of-a-kind Camaro made its official debut at the 2023 SEMA Show, taking the spotlight at the TMI Products booth on October 31. Unlike painting traditional metal, painting carbon fiber presents its own challenges — mainly due to the material’s absorbent nature and weave texture. Finale Speed tackled this by first meticulously sanding the raw panels smooth before applying their custom-mixed BASF candy red paint. Precise control of paint gun pressures allowed for a flawless application that highlights the weave of the carbon rather than dulling it. The result is a finish that shifts in tone and depth depending on the angle of view, with the red and grey interplaying to give the body a rich, almost three-dimensional effect.
“Finale Speed is all about innovation, and we are proud to offer our carbon-fiber vehicles in this gorgeous candy red paint finish,” said 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.”
Beneath that vivid exterior, the Camaro is anything but retro under the skin. Power comes from a GM Performance LT4 6.2-litre crate engine putting out 650 horsepower, paired with a Tremec T-56 Super Magnum six-speed manual gearbox and a 9-inch rear end equipped with Dutchman axles and a limited-slip differential. The fueling system features components from GM, VaporWorx, and an 18-gallon tank from Rick’s Tanks. Wegner Automotive provides the pulley system, while cooling is handled by a Wizard Cooling radiator and twin 13-inch electric fans.
Exhaust flow is managed by dual 2.5-inch mandrel-bent stainless-steel pipes, stainless long-tube headers from Ultimate Headers, and MagnaFlow mufflers — delivering the kind of aggressive bark you’d expect from a 650-hp build.
The chassis benefits from oversized sway bars and FOX coilovers, delivering precision handling without compromising ride quality. Steering duties are handled by a rack-and-pinion setup connected to a Flaming River tilt column. Braking is handled by a Wilwood system with six-piston calipers and 14-inch slotted, drilled, and vented rotors up front, and four-piston calipers with matching 14-inch rotors and an adjustable rear proportioning valve at the rear.
Rolling stock comes in the form of Forgeline’s VX3C-SL three-piece wheels — 18x10.5 up front and 18x12 at the rear — wrapped in Toyo Proxes R888R Z-rated rubber, with 315/30/18 and 335/30/18 sizing respectively.
Finale Speed didn’t skimp on detail inside the car either. The cockpit is custom-appointed with TMI VXR Pro seats, Alcantara-wrapped door panels, a custom-wrapped console, and a carbon rear seat delete that keeps things light and functional. An Alcantara headliner adds a premium touch, while a custom four-point rollbar provides safety without ruining the interior’s clean layout. Classic Instruments gauges sit behind a leather-wrapped aluminum steering wheel. Climate is controlled via Old Air Products, while the audio system is a blend of Alpine, Mosconi, and Focal, featuring a five-channel amp, premium speakers, and subwoofer for high-end sound.
The electrical system includes an American Auto Wire harness and a trunk-mounted OPTIMA battery, with ignition handled by GM. Flush-mounted glass, LED lighting, and billet hinges and handles from Eddie Motorsports complete the car’s striking exterior, while every visible panel is crafted from prepreg carbon fiber and painted with BASF Glasurit’s rich candy red.
All in, the build consumed over 3,000 hours of expert craftsmanship — a number that becomes entirely believable the moment you see this car in person. The candy red carbon Camaro from Finale Speed isn’t just a restomod — it’s a rolling work of high-performance art.
