Darren X33's Rallye Green Z............

[Belair62]

A 4 - owner 1969 Z/28 Camaro that has resided in Illinois since it was purchased in July of 1969 from Olaf Gjovik Chevrolet in the small town of Sandwich Illinois. In the early 70's the M-22 transmission and 4.10 rear were put to good use at Oswego Drag Raceway. I am still amazed that after such a history it retains it's original drive train. In 1981 my brother Dave was in the market for a 1969 Z/28. He narrowed it down to 2 cars. The deciding factors were color and price. One was red with black stripes in day 2 trim. The red Z looked nicer and was a few thousand dollars cheaper than the more stock Fathom Green and white stripe car that we looked at. At the time we unfortunately didn't realize the potential of a JL-8 car so he went with the cooler looking red Z. This is the car I learned how to drive on when I was 14. My brother would take me to the cemetery and let me go thru the gears of the M-22 until I got it down to a science. After 5 or so years the Z just wasn't practical enough to use as a daily driver so my brother bought another car to use for getting to work. The Z sat for a while and eventually I began using it. It was my daily driver during high school until I went to college. Upon my return from school I found out that my brother listed the Z for sale in the paper. I flipped out and told him to keep it and I would take the responsibility to return it to its original condition. Fortunately he accepted and I began the resto. While working full time I spent every free moment working on it. I had the car in pieces at my parent’s house and did all the work on it with the exception of installing the new quarters and the final paint job. A title search revealed all the original owners and I was able to speak to all of them and obtain original pictures of the car as well as some great stories. This car is part of my family and is here to stay. It is a constant reminder of my early childhood in the early 70’s when the cars that frequented my drive way were Day 2 at it’s finest and you could hear them coming from down the block!
http://img46.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/darrenx33/113-1381_IMG.jpg
http://img46.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/darrenx33/113-1379_IMG.jpg
http://img46.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/darrenx33/113-1384_IMG.jpg

[LVCamaro]

Very nice, Darren! Beautiful http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

SS

[shor]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif <font color="green"> </font>
<font color="green">awesome! </font>

[SS427]

Very sweet ride Darren, job well done!
Rick

[Dave Rifkin]

Beautiful car, your fortunate to have kept it all of these years. I know I wish I had kept my first car. From the story about the car I gather that it was originally red?

[Zedder]

Great car and even better story Darren. Congrats on keeping her and making her pretty again!

[MrsBillyBobcat]

That is a BEAUTIFUL Camaro and great story Darren! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Rita http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[budnate]

Awsome Color! my favorite for '69.

Bud.

[DarrenX33]

Dave - When my brother bought the car it had been repainted red with black stripes. One of the owners removed the houndstooth inserts and sewed in black vinyl. It is now sporting it's original "threads". I will scan a picture on Monday of it when we got it.

Thanks for all the kind words everyone. I'm happy to be part of this crowd. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[JChlupsa]

Very nice looking car, reminds me of one back in Illinois, that has for years sat behind a friends house over the last 20 years or so. Another one of those its not for sale and will be back on the road someday

[hvychev]

Neat car! One of my best memories of last summer was when my dealership was having a "midnight madness" sale and I had been at the dealership for like 30 hours at that point in two days. I heard this rumble and when I looked out the showroom window I saw this Ralley Green 69 Z28 with Darren behind the wheel! He took me for a ride and I have to tell you that all the agrivation of the last 30 hours just seemed to melt away! Isn't that what our cars are all about? Thanks D! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[camarojoe]

Nice! Whats the build date on that car? Looks like an early production 69 walnut steering wheel.

[DarrenX33]

Frank - Glad I was able to shed some of the http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bs.gif that day. Any time bud. Perhaps that ride I gave you might get me a credit in a certain red nova? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

Joe it's 2nd week Feb. The steering wheel is not original to the car but it was on it when we bought it. It had the standard wheel. Funny it's a perfect fit period wise though. Here is the trim tag info.

713 79 79
02B X33

[Mr70]

One Nice Guy,with one of the Nicest Camaro's out there!
I would imagine your Son is Next in line.

Is that Pancake Syrup on the steering wheel? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[DarrenX33]

Sorry not syrup. The pancakes seem to be on the back burner. Now it's "chocolate milk with 3 scoops of Ovaltine". http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[68l30]

Nice car! I bet your brother wants it back... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif


Steve http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[427TJ]

I've always liked the look of the '69 Endura bumper. Very nice car. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[SMGCO]

Great story. Great photos.