Throaty rumble from
V8 engines, screaming runs down the strip in Greenhills, and lingering smell of
burnt rubber – I imagine guys in bell bottom denims crowding around Chevelles,
Camaros, and Mustangs the way today’s fanboys take their chances glancing on
Imprezas and Evos. These cars could have been the rides our parents have lusted
over back in the day. However, the lusting does not stop in the 60s, 70s and
80s.
It is not a secret that muscle cars continue to make appearances all
around Metro Manila and other parts of the Philippines. What does not come into
mainstream consciousness is that General Motors vehicles were actually assembled in our country back then! Such is the case
of the award-winning 1968 Yutivo Camaro restomod by Route 66 Real World Classics dubbed Brutus I.
The Brutus I came into life
as a six-banger Chevy Camaro in the GM assembly plant ran by Yutivo & Sons
Hardware Company Automotive Division (where the Isuzu dealership is located along
Otis Street in Paco, Manila). The first generation Chevrolet Camaros that came
out of the plant were equipped with inline six engines. However, this standard
specification did not hinder gear heads from having the plant equip their cars
with crate V8 engines.
When the Brutus I was acquired by its current
owner, the quest to turn this Camaro into a full-fledged muscle car began. The
original L90 low-compression 250 inline six engine was replaced with a small
block 350 V8, and a Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission took over the stock
3-speed manual gearbox. These were only few of the era-correct modifications
made to the Brutus I in order to
satisfy the owner’s personal specifications. To add to the performance and
aesthetic intimidation, the Brutus I
already bagged a trophy from the Trans Sport Show.
It is such a beastly performance car from a great era. My first
encounter with the Brutus I just left
me drooling and lusting since I am a muscle car buff in the making. I am also very
privileged befriending the owner and eventually making him my mentor. Aside
from bench racing, we would go on quick speed runs whenever I visit the master
and the machine at Route 66 Real World
Classics.
Truth be told: the Brutus I
is built for those wanting nostalgia with extreme adrenaline rush!
