Image Credit: Mecum.A 1973 Chevrolet Camaro RS that looks like it escaped from a SEMA display and headed straight for a road course is about to find a new owner. Nicknamed "Project Envious," the heavily modified second-generation Camaro is scheduled to cross the block at Mecum's Nashville auction on September 26.Built by D&Z Customs of Kewaskum, Wisconsin, the Camaro made its public debut at the 2013 SEMA Show. It was created to compete in the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, so the transformation went considerably deeper than dramatic paint and oversized wheels.Underneath is a thoroughly modernized chassis accompanied by a 441-cubic-inch V8, a six-speed manual transmission, and the hardware required to put serious power to the pavement. Mecum lists output at 680 horsepower and 570 lb-ft of torque.AdvertisementAdvertisementFor anyone interested in an untouched survivor or factory-correct restoration, this probably isn't the Camaro to chase. Project Envious instead represents the other end of the classic-car spectrum: an old-school muscle-car shape comprehensively reengineered for modern performance.680 HP And Three PedalsImage Credit: Mecum.The centerpiece is a Wegner Automotive 441-cubic-inch LSX/LS7 V8 built around a Dart SHP aluminum block. It features a Dailey dry-sump oiling system and FAST 102mm LSXR intake, with its 680 hp sent rearward through a Tremec T-56 six-speed manual.A DYAD twin-disc clutch and Dynotech 3.5-inch steel driveshaft connect the powertrain to a Yukon nine-inch rear end running 3.89 gearing. In an era when increasingly wild restomods often rely on automatic transmissions, having three pedals feels particularly appropriate here.Built To Do More Than Go StraightImage Credit: Mecum.D&Z Customs didn't simply install a huge engine and call the job finished. A Heidt's Pro-G front subframe is paired with a cantilever front suspension, tubular lower control arms, two-inch drop spindles, and Ridetech triple-adjustable coilovers.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe rear has also been converted to a Heidt's Pro-G independent suspension setup with triple-adjustable Ridetech coilovers. Stopping duties are handled by Wilwood six-piston front brakes and four-piston rear units, while Forgeline DE3C wheels feature a Flush-Loc center-lock conversion.That equipment makes the Camaro's OPTIMA origins easy to understand. This was built as a muscle car that could attack corners rather than merely vaporize its rear tires between stoplights.Citrus Green Makes It Impossible To MissImage Credit: Mecum.The body has been finished in striking PPG Citrus Green Metallic, complemented by an aggressive collection of custom aerodynamic pieces. These include a fabricated adjustable front spoiler, extended rear spoiler, vented hood, and LED daytime running lights.Inside, the theme remains focused on driving. Sparco Evo II seats, a suede Sparco steering wheel, Ridetech five-point harnesses, and a Tiger Cage Plus provide the motorsport flavor, while Dakota Digital RTX gauges and Vintage Air add some modern convenience.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe car's history adds another layer to its appeal. Beyond appearing at SEMA and competing in the OPTIMA event, Mecum notes that Project Envious has been featured in publications including Camaro Performers, Hot Rodding, and LS Power.Project Envious Heads To NashvilleMecum has the Camaro listed as Lot V535 for its Nashville 2026 auction, with the car scheduled to cross the block on Saturday, September 26. No auction estimate is currently listed.SEMA builds can sometimes feel like snapshots of the styling trends from the year they were created, yet this Camaro's combination of a naturally aspirated 680-hp V8, manual gearbox, and serious chassis upgrades is still appealing 13 years later. The Citrus Green paint certainly isn't subtle; then again, as its name might suggest, subtlety was never part of Project Envious' mission.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.