1979 new (to me) car

[bbbentley]

My car when purchased in 1979-still have it today.

[markinnaples]

Current pics?

[bbbentley]

waiting on body work.

[mockingbird812]

Great that you have hung on to it for all these years! What are you planning to do with it wrt a restoration? Keep us posted.

[bbbentley]

I want to restore the car to original and have a good deal of the parts-all NOS. I have it stripped to go to body shop, but guy has put me off for a year. I really want to get this done so I can finish one thing in my life before I die, but I am getting discouraged and may give up and sell if I can't keep moving forward. Car sat for 20+ years without being touched, just got back into cars 2 years ago after becoming empty nester.

[bbbentley]

No one asked, but I'll add, This is a Real SS/RS, L78, M20, 3.31, posi, Norwood X22, Hugger Orange car that retains most all of it's original born with components except engine block. Replacement block is a Real 1969 Camaro JH coded block though.

[Xplantdad]

Neat!

[bbbentley]

Adding some more pics. Both pics are around 1981 BM (Before Marriage)lol. Notice curved neck original radiator. Wife at strip in other pic. Tri-State Dragstrip, Ross, Ohio... ran mid 12's.

[elonblock]

Great car with cool options!

[bbbentley]

adding a few more new or better pics.

[markinnaples]

Is there another shop around that will do it like you want it done?

I think I'd at least explore that route if you fear losing interest and selling having to wait another year.

Cool car.

[69LM1]

Nice talking with you today Bentley. Cool car. I really would consider finishing it! I see the 67 you were telling me about on the phone in the pics above.

Rich

[jasonL78]

Benny bring it out to NY I will finish it for you.

[jasonL78]

Thought you were another user but still would finish it LOL

[Mikes12zl1]

Neat pics!! I love seeing old pics from back in the day.

[bbbentley]

Car left for Body work last Friday 4/11. An update: I have made contact with the past three owners. This is a real breakthrough as I did not know any of the history on the car. All these guys are local in the greater Cincinnati area. I plan on a face to face meeting this summer with two of them. I think one guy wishes he had the car back, as when I contacted him by phone, he had the VIN number close at hand and read it to me. He said he had a cop buddy that tried to track it down, with no luck. He certainly was surprised to learn the car was still around and that I owned it so long (35 yrs)He owned it around 77-78. Pic of car leaving for Body work in Ft. Wayne MRLS6, well known on Team Chevelle is doing the work. He has an outstanding reputation, so I know he will do car justice. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/04/full-13059-11104-nikon_1_1438.jpg

[bbbentley]

I just realized I left a void in the saga of my car. I will attempt to clarify a few things including finding a body shop.
After about 20 years of neglect and basically abandoning my car, I decided to give it one last shot at fixing the ole gal up. First a little background. When a young boy, dad bought a farm just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio. We lived in Cincy and I was born there. The farm was 72 acres. Although there were inconveniences living the rural life, my fondest memories are the solitude and peace & privacy that life afforded. Dad sold the farm and moved to Florida when he retired. I got married. I had not "grown up" yet, but my hand was kind of forced by my family moving. I put a stipulation that I keep my Camaro(s) in getting married. My wife was not a "car gal", but agreed. The first two places we lived convinced me that I did not care for close neighbors or the urban lifestyle. It took everything I had to buy a farm of 50 acres and build a new house for my wife and now, three younguns. I was like a fish out of water without my privacy. I knew this would put a big setback in my car hobby as I spent what I had and devoted my time to the farm and family.

Now, an empty nester, I was back where I left off with my Camaro. Being a fanatic of originality and sentimental about the car, I started to gather the pieces I needed to finish resto. Fortunately, I had bought all sheet metal and trim from GM back in the 80's. After several failed attempts to get a GOOD body guy, I appealed to the guys on this site and CRG. Fellow CRGer, Buenymayor, put me on to the guy doing his car in Ft. Wayne, MRLS6. This was this past December. A few months and a space opened at the shop and on its way it went to the shop. Now, I eagerly, but patiently, too, wait for the magic to happen.
I will post as progress happens. The car will be Hugger Orange, black vinyl top and black accents and D90 stripes. It has the original XT rims and no spoilers or guages or teak wheel, so, original to how it was ordered. It has black deluxe interior, M20 4 speed and BS rear (3.31 posi) and L78 396/375 JH engine. the only added options I am putting on car are an AM/FM mono radio and Endura Bumper I acquired, original GM of course. I realized after last post, I went from seeking a body shop to sending car to shop and felt I needed to fill in the rest. Thanks sYc.

[bbbentley]

...spoilers or guages or <span style="font-weight: bold">teak</span> wheel... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/no.gifDamn memory and old age...you guys know what I meant <span style="font-weight: bold">Rosewood</span>

[bbbentley]

Coming along http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/09/full-13059-32300-nikon_1_405.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/09/full-13059-32301-nikon_1_100.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/09/full-13059-32302-nikon_1_103.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/09/full-13059-32303-nikon_1_479.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/09/full-13059-32304-nikon_1_484.jpg

[bbbentley]

few more http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/09/full-13059-32305-nikon_1_481.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/09/full-13059-32306-nikon_1_485.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/09/full-13059-32307-nikon_1_483.jpg

[bbbentley]

Only non GM panels are the floor pan patches, toe board patch, trunk pan (partial)and a fabricated lip on front dash panel (where W.S. sits). Left tunnel section as evidence it was a factory muncie equipped car. If anyone knows anything about the car, I really need some help with the history. I know of the past 3 owners. That is only a span of about a year and a half (77-79). NCRS docs not available. No docs, whatsoever. Believe it was always in Cincy area. It should not be hard to ID if anyone knows the car sa it was painted a unique custom.How it was in 79 when I bought it. SEE PREVIOUS PAGE for how it is now.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/09/full-13059-32308-nikon_1_914.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/09/full-13059-32309-nikon_1_916.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/09/full-13059-32310-nikon_1_912.jpg

[70LS6454]

Glad you held on to it all these years. Will be a nice car when it's done!

Ray

[bbbentley]

Thank you Ray.
Anyone notice the radiator that came in this car?

[Bob Jenkins]

Nice project! Interesting, my 1969 Fathom green SS 396/375 X22 is also a 12B car.
It has a dark green vinyl top and medium green standard interior. The only options
it came with othe than the 396/375 engine is console and AM radio.

[Tenney]

...?

[bbbentley]

What is your question Tenney? Same car, same owner. Another pic of it back in the day.

[Tenney]

That was it. Cool car!

[brent396]

Very cool car <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

[bbbentley]

Thanks guys for the compliments.

It certainly is/was a one-of-a-kind. I am hoping someone on here may know the car, remember from a drag strip, look through their old pictures etc or know of a painter that they recognize the style of the flames. Here is a pic of the flame tips that fade to blue. The whole car had gold flake and cob webbing in the grille and tail panel. I stripped everything but the hood as a tribute to the old paint job.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/01/full-13059-37895-nikon_1_481.jpg

[Craig_Maiorana]

How is she coming along?

[bbbentley]

Sloooow! It is called lack of funds cause all the body guys have scr--d me over. This gets me depressed and I lose motivation. Now looking for the 3rd guy to finish the body or do it myself(never painted one). Wish me luck. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/01/full-13059-37900-nikon_1_479_2.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/01/full-13059-37901-nikon_1_405.jpg

[Craig_Maiorana]

Hell ... As long as the body work is done then I'd say give it a go. I wish I had some connections local to you.

[bbbentley]

I am going to have to something! Right now it is sitting &amp; waiting. I do have a few friends that say they will help. Have to wait till spring.

[HawkX66]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bbbentley</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This gets me depressed and I lose motivation.</div></div>
Winter doesn't help with that. Wait until spring and then start with some small things. They add up and you'll be surprised at how it motivates you. I've had a few set backs since I tore mine down in '08 also. One thing at a time and it's finally coming together. Come on Spring!!! Not long now...

[Craig_Maiorana]

I'd try and get things in order now this way come spring you can hammer down. Make room, harass the right friends and stock up on refreshments. Get pumped..
We're all anxious to see some progress