69 Camaro ex-Race Car Body

[ZLP955]

I have a 69 Camaro that saw a fair amount of track time from 1969 until 1974, and has not been driven since. It ran in E/MP, and although I have no time slips, it was mini-tubbed and ran a narrowed Dana 60, so would've seen plenty of hard launches. I'm in the process of restoring the car, albeit slowly as a back-burner project. I'm currently doing bodywork, no rust but am putting the mini-tubs and rolled wheelhouse lips back to stock.
My question is, are there any specific areas on a 1st Gen race car shell, frame rails and subframe that I should be extra careful to look out for signs of stress cracks, fatigue or permanent twisting?

[iluv69s]

Besides typical rust issues, typically the quarters cracked near the rear corner of the rear glass..and the roof pillars cracked at the tops where they meet the roof ..on cars I have owned or seen. Im sure others can attest to other areas of concern/problems. good Luck with the project..and post some pics !!!

[ZLP955]

Thanks for the reply, no sign of stress cracks in those places. All the original glass is intact and the aperture gaps are even, the doors and hood close nicely and all the panel gaps are also even, so hopefully the body isn't twisted. I will be checking out the rear torque box and subframe mounting areas very carefully during the resto, so hopefully there won't be any surprises....

[427freak]

Pics! Please.

[ZLP955]

Dana - here's some pictures. This is the car I recently contacted you about via email, that came from California.
On way home, this was about 3 years ago:
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd420/ZLP955/1969%20Chevrolet%20Camaro%20Z28/DSCF7300.jpg

Up on stands to start documenting and disassembly:
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd420/ZLP955/1969%20Chevrolet%20Camaro%20Z28/DSCF7559.jpg

Original paint and stripes on cowl (beneath 1971 race car paint scheme):
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd420/ZLP955/1969%20Chevrolet%20Camaro%20Z28/DSCF7330.jpg

1971 paint job by Bob Kovaks in Fresno:
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd420/ZLP955/1969%20Chevrolet%20Camaro%20Z28/DSCF7332.jpg

Original rear end that came with car:
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd420/ZLP955/1969%20Chevrolet%20Camaro%20Z28/DSCF7487.jpg

Only photo I have found (so far) showing car in race paint, pity it's blurry and only of back half:
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd420/ZLP955/1969%20Chevrolet%20Camaro%20Z28/DSCF7491.jpg

[GaryC]

Hey Tim, first time I noticed the original color since you bought it. Cortez Silver with blue interior, nice combo.

[ZLP955]

Thanks Gary, took me a long time to find a car in Cortez Silver, and when I got this combination, the dark blue interior really appealed as something a little different. I have a very long way to go still, but seeing cars like yours is the best motivation to keep chipping away whenever I can!

[GaryC]

My interior is black and the car is by no means perfect and will never be as long as prices for OEM parts are as high as they are. Can't even begin to compete there. I have to say I like the red and blue interiors with Cortez Silver too. Can't wait to see how your car turns out. Being on the back burner it will take a while to do.

[ZLP955]

Definitely a long-term project, but want to do it right. We had our first daughter back in October, and my wife has taken 12 months off work, so I'm doing a lot of hours in my paid job, rather than in my hobby...... lucky for me I can keep up my Camaro fix via all the forums!

[Xplantdad]

What a cool car. I love the 1969 paint scheme!

[427freak]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[92646]

Tim,
Did you buy the car from the Fresno area?

[ZLP955]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 92646</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tim,
Did you buy the car from the Fresno area?
</div></div>
The car came from a well-known collector who was based in Acton CA at the time (1999), and he bought the car from the original owner/driver who lived in North Hollywood. The car was a regular at Lion's in Long Beach, but I don't have a full understanding (yet) of the car's movements after Lion's closed the doors in December 1972; though I understand it was parked up in 1974. The car came with the original California black plates (plate number is my user ID) and the last sticker on it was 1971.
Do you know of the car, or was the Fresno connection because of the fender artwork?