We ran across another video from the often-imitated but never duplicated, the one and only, the videographer of the south, Scottie D (apologies to Jimmy Hart and the Hart foundation). Scottie D has a knack of finding just the right cars on his travels around the south, and this time he found gold – David Kountz’s Gold Rush Camaro to be exact.

The car alone is worth the praise that Scottie D brings to the video, but a deeper check into the designer/builder of this awesome second gen Camaro brings a whole new level of interest to the story.

As it turns out, Kountz is a car guy, which should come as a surprise to no one. What raises eyebrows though, is the fact that Kountz was a Champion sprint car driver in the ASCS Gulf Coast Region.

From 360 Winged Sprints To Car-Building

We wondered how a champion 360 sprint car driver could go from open wheel dirt track racing to building award-winning show cars. “You just know when its time to walk away,” said Kountz. “People ask me how you could leave racing the night that you win a championship. They want to know how you could walk away at the top of the game,” he added. “You just know when it’s time.”

Explaining that he has always had respect for guys that build show cars, Kountz decided to open his own business and build cars the way that he wanted them built, then help others realize and achieve their dream cars. Metal Brothers Hot Rods, the company that Kountz co-owns and operates with a fellow former racer, is dedicated to top caliber car builds staying true to the client’s vision and budget.

As examples of their work, Kountz currently has three completed cars that he drives and shows at various regional car shows: The 1970 Gold Rush Camaro seen in the video, a 1968 Camaro Pro Street car, and his wife’s 1966 Chevy Nova Wagon. The team also has a Mustang in top secret development that they are planning on unveiling next year. “This one is really going to lean on some hearts,” said Kountz.

The Gold Rush Camaro

When it came to building the 1970 Camaro, Kountz was looking for a specific paint hue. He had always loved the color gold, but wanted one that really showed off the timeless design of the vintage musclecar. Completely stripped and mounted to a rotisserie, the Metal Brothers’ crew worked section-by-section to bring the build to life. Kountz used his knowledge of sprint car engine building for the bottom end and relied on Nelson Racing Engines’ work on the top end and final details. The car runs as well as it looks!

“I build my cars to drive,” said Kountz. “I drove it from Theodore, Alabama to the Good Guys Nashville event with less than 50 miles on the car when we pulled out of the driveway.” Adding, “We ended up winning the PPG Dream Car award during the show.”

For a Pro-Touring car, this is our idea of a dream car and we’re extremely pleased that Kountz drives this car often.

The Pro-Street 1968 Camaro

“Everyone asked me why I would build a Pro-Street car, reminding me that no one was building Pro-Street cars anymore,” said Kountz. “That is exactly why I wanted to build one.”

“If you look at the car, there is aspects of all types of cars in this one. There is a touch of Pro-Touring, a touch of Pro-Street, and a little bit of hot-rodding thrown in for good measure.” It’s another great Camaro that Kountz takes pride in driving routinely.

Wife Pam Kountz’s Nova wagon is no different. The team built it as a car that was meant to be driven often. Don’t let its age fool you; it’s no pushover either. The LS-swapped Nova has an upgraded suspension with top shelf components that makes short work of the local Pro-Touring events.

Scottie D hit it right on target with this one, “It’s all business in there,” as he looked into the cabin of the Gold Rush Camaro. Kudos to the crew of Metal Brothers Hot Rods. You have to know when it’s time.