The roads of 68-72 in America.

[YenkoChevelle69]

Hey guys, I have a question so bear with me. I am only 20 so if we do the math that means I came out in the production year of 82 with few options. Some of which included black hair and brown eyes. /ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

Anyway. I was just curious, since I wasn't around during 68-72. Were camaros, Chevelles, Chargers, superbees and birds running around in plentiful numbers like Hondas and toyotas? Was it common for 2 69 Chevelles or even 3 or 4 to be at 1 stoplight? I have owned mine for almost 2 years and have seen a total of 4 on the road. and a couple more if you count the ones that A69COPO2 is restoring.
Just figured I would pick some of those muscle car era brains. Hopefully bring back some good ole memories from the good ole days, b/c lord only knows they are gone now.

[SS427]

Boy is this going to be a long thread. /ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

Put it this way, how many new Vettes, Camaros, Firebirds, Mustangs, etc, etc do you see on the road today? Now multiply that by a couple and you get the picture. In 1981, it was not that uncommon for me to go out on a typical Friday night cruise in my '69 SS(427) Chevelle and get into several races or "jaunts" with other '69 owners. Just going through a shopping mall parking lot in itself could be a joy as there were musclecars everywhere. Supercars on the other hand were quite rare. Unless you knew what to look for (or hear) you wouldn't know it sometimes anyway. In my neighborhood, it was even common place to have high performance garage sales where people sold used speed parts out of their garage, sort of a mini swap meet.

[andyww]

In Canada, Southern Ontario, in that time period muscle cars were plentiful. For most of us they were our daily drivers so you would see quite a few of them cruisin' around town. Mostly 340 Swingers, 383 Roadrunners and Superbees, 351 Mustangs, 396 Chevelles and Z28 Camaros. The AMC plant was about 10 miles from where I lived so the Javelins and AMXs were popular there as well.
Where I worked there were about 20 cars in the parking lot. If you drove in there in 1972 you would have seen my 69 COPO Chevelle, a 70 Roadrunner 440-6 pak, 70 340 Duster, 69 Camaro Z28 and a 67 OHC Firebird.
As SS427 mentioned the supercars were rare. I only saw one other COPO Chevelle and a couple of Hemi Chargers on the road in those days. If you went to a car dealership there were usually a few musclecars sitting on the lot. I bought my COPO Chevelle from a Toyota dealer.

Andy

[T Billigen]

I was lucky enough to be in the middle of the muscle car era! I started racing in 1962, in the area that I grew up in (Aliquippa, Pa.) Everyone owned a muscle car, when the GTOs came out in the fall of 63 there was about 10 guys that bought them. Starting in 65 there was every kind of muscle car you could think of running around! Everyone there worked in the steel mills and could afford the hottest cars that were for sale. I bought a 1965 442 which ran very well, the only thing that could beat me was a few Chevies. The chevies were by far the fastest street cars with Olds and Pontiac a close second. The mopars did not run very well especially the street hemi, hard to keep tuned and not very good bottom end. They became much faster with the 440 and could keep up with the chevies. Fords were probably the slowest of the big three, even when they came out with the Boss 429. No bottom end what so ever, deffinately not a 1/4 mile car. I hope I did not step on any toes. (ford and mopar) but that was the way it was in my area.

[hvychev]

yenkochevelle69,
What a great topic! I am only 24 years old, but I have been blessed with a good job that has afforded me to own 2 very nice cars. I asked my father that very same question. He is 52 years old, so he was 18 years old in 1968. He grew up on the west side of Chicago where their was a lot of muscle car activity. He told me that durring his youth the hot thing was not the traditional muscle car but cars like the tri-five Chevys suped up, Max Wedge Dodge style cars, mid year Corvettes, and hot rods. Most muscle cars were every day cars. People drove them to school, the store, work, and in the winter! Most of the cars had period modifications done to them and were NOT stock. Most people had never heard of supercars, and don't forget that most muscle cars were "run of the mill muscle". 327's 350's etc. The big boys were the ones that had big blocks. The hobby is dominated by guys that are older and had these cars when they were younger, or wanted them when they were kids. Hopefully guys that are our age can keep the muscle car candle lit for future generations. Just my 2 cents. /ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif

By the way I love the period pictures of your car! You are luckey to have them...Keep the period pics comming!

[andyww]

Hvychev, you mentioned about driving the cars in winter. About a year after I bought the Chevelle I had to repair the front fenders because they were rusting out from the salt they used on the roads in Ontario.
As for being daily drivers, here is a picture taken in 1974 of me and my 1973 Camaro Z28. Yes that's a trailer on the back as I used the car to move from Ontario to Alberta.

Andy

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/andyww/Wallpaper/My%2073%20Z28.jpg

[hvychev]

Cool pic man. Love the hair! Just kidding! /ubbthreads/images/icons/laugh.gif I wish their was a site devoted to just vintage muscle car pics.

[redeuce]

There were muscle cars everywhere, but unfortunately, most of us in high school could not afford a brand new Chevelle or Camaro. Anyone in high school between '66 and '70 were hard pressed just to put gas in them. I had two '55, a '56, and a '57. At that time they were just used cars and available for little money. Buy a 6 cylinder '57- put in a small block, go to the junk yard for some bucket seats, Hurst shifter, tach, chrome wheels, and boom, done. Total investment-$900.

[69rsss350]

I graduated in 1970 and my high school parking lot looked like a cruise night. 65 GTOs, 67 Chevelle SS's, Roadrunners, 442s, Camaros, Mustangs, GTX's, Chargers(mine), Challengers, Superbees, Cudas you name it. I do remember seeing a Daytona 500 Charger in Waco around that time also (wanna say it was Orange) and a couple red white and blue AMXs. Wow, its no wonder I'm obssessed!

[SS427]

These are shots (poor) of my '69 SS(427) Chevelle circa 1981. This was the norm in those days and this was my daily driver and not real good in Minnesota. Notice the missing inner high beams, fog lights, garter belt not to mention all the decals on the back windows. The car was definitely a lot of fun in those days. The car ran very well with the low rise 2x4 set up that I got from Racer's Exchange for $200!!

[SS427]

The engine......... /ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif

[Mr70]

Nice Pix Rick.
I had those fog lights too on my 70 back then...
What were we thinking! /ubbthreads/images/icons/tongue.gif

[YenkoChevelle69]

Where was the Hood? lol

[YenkoChevelle69]

another pic

[SS427]

I couldn't bring cut a hole in the SS hood (even though they were a dime a dozen in those days). Shortly after the picture was taken, I found a Malibu hood in LeMans blue that matched perfectly so that got the blade.

[GRB]

One of the really fun parts of that era was that you could pull up beside a car and know what factory motor was in it. Today every Z28 has a LS1 from the factory. It was fun to see chev 283,327,350, 396, 427, 454 emblems. On Chrysler products you ALWAYS looked for the HEMI. Ford could be anything from the 289 to the gold 427 emblem. I forget what color the 429 emblem was.

[whitetop]

Here are some pics of a fathom blue '69 Nova with a swapped in 427 (original 396 car)with an Edelbrock tunnel ram, chromed straight axle-by Chapman Race Cars etc. Typical Street Freak from the era. Car was on the cover of Popular Hot Rodding back in '72 and featured inside. Car still sits in original owner Mark Vogts garage-untouched since '73-74. These pics were taken in '71.
Dave

[hvychev]

Dave, where was this picture taken? The plate looks like an IL plate.

[whitetop]

Frank
Yes it's from the Land of Lincoln-Chicago area.
Dave

[hvychev]

That picture was taken in Lyons IL, on what looks like 47th st. I can see the truck container yard in the background. I grew up about 10-15 min from there. Wow, what a small world! /ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif

[Mr70]

Frank,I noticed that too.
What are the odds...
Lyons Poultry, I love it!

[whitetop]

Frank & Rick
Mark also sent me some pics when the car was at an indoor show in Chicago somwehere around '71. Building looked like an old warehouse type building but very clean and huge. Lots of neat Camaros, Chevelles and '55-'57 Chevy's in the background. I will try to dig these out and post them as well.
Dave

[NEATSS]

Here are me and the boys headed for the Street Machine Nationals....'82. The '71RR, '70Z/28, and '69 Judge were daily transportation. The 3 Chevelles were already collector toys of which 2 remain with the same owners. Mine was a clone and I sold it as such in '84. It recently sold for $23K. The new owner tracked me down looking for documentation! WRONG! Document BEFORE you buy!

[whitetop]

I posted these pics last year but lots of new viewers.
These are pics of a copo sitting in the original owners garage. Car bought new at Huebner Chevrolet in Carrolton Ohio. Car has about 60-70% original paint. Owners wife was a school teacher and drove the car to work in the early '70's. Check out the SW gauges, ET mags, L60 bias plys, headers. Car still has the '75-'76 Ohio plates when these pics were taken 3 years ago so you know the last time it's burned gas.
No, don't even ask the car is not for sale.
Dave

[69rsss350]

whitetop, I guarantee the car is for sale. You just haven't met the right buyer yet!

[shaner]

I'm only 29 and I have lived in the Dallas Texas area since 1983. I can remember going to wrecking yards with my dad and walking through rows and rows of Chevelles and Camaros.
The old car seen is just about wrapped up and the ones that are left have become to expensive to enjoy. I may see 10 Chevelles a month where I used to see 10 a day being driven.
I had to get my door for my 67 chevelle out of Missouri because I could'nt locate one in DFW area. I miss the late 80's street racing seen. Not a bunch of 4 cylinder motorcycles and cars, I'm talking big block Camaros Chevelles Novas. We used to street race behind Miller Brewery in Fort Worth Texas. Those were the days. Anybody remember fenders on Northwest hwy in Dallas. This was a local cruise spot where people would come hang out and then later go street racing. It seems like overnight the old cars became extinct. Guys nowadays are pulling out the killer engines and building museum pieces for some Kruse international show and tell. I still like Cragars and turbos and air shocks and no hoods and 50 stickers in the windows oh well I guess i can dream. wasn't around in the heyday but man i miss the late 80's early 90's. Every red light was a race waiting to happen. You could start out on the East side of 303 and by the time you got to Cooper st in Arlington you would have had as many races as you wanted. Nowadays you do that same stretch of road you'll get little dodge neons with 10 million watt speakers and gangster rap and if you look at them they want to fight. And the sad thing is the amount of people that are totally oblivious to the amount of power we have allowed our government to have over us. State inspections and phony emmissions standards have destroyed any chance of buying a 1980's or 90's Camaro and building a cool street car. I for one would love to build about an 88 silverado with a hot 454 and tubs but with all these Nazi inspections and sheep people allowing em I can't do it legally. But then again I'm in the state known for outlaws.

[Yenko Bart]

Not every kid is in to Ching Chang Chow cars with trash can mufflers. My 15 year old son and I just finished restoring his 68 RS/SS 396 Camaro. Not all hope is lost.

[69rsss350]

Well, hope may be lost if you let your 15 yr old son have a restored 68 BB Camaro. What are you thinking????

[Yenko Bart]

No choice, He bought and paid for it himself.

[69rsss350]

Not legal for a minor to buy a car. Hope you have a lot of influence on this young man. You must have signed for it or someone else did cause you gotta be 18 to legally buy a car.

[x44d80]

Whitetop: (If) the yellow COPO was for sale, what do you think the car would bring in?

[68l30]

Maybe different states have different laws.......I had a TON of cars before I was 18..Started with a 68 Camaro and turned 18 with big block Mopar and a big block Monza drag car...... /ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif

Steve

[69rsss350]

Nope, it is a federal law, minors can't make binding contracts. Anybody that sells a car to a minor takes on SERIOUS liability. I also had cars before I was 18 but with the old man as primary owner.

[JChlupsa]

I know prior to me being 18 (many moons ago) they would not let me get a loan for one unless I had someone to co-sign but if I had Cash it was no problem.

[69rsss350]

Jeff, don't get me wrong, if you have cash you can always buy! I'm just saying that minors cannot make legal contracts and the liability is a huge issue. You sell a minor a car and the brakes go out on the way home you got a problem, if he changes his mind two weeks later and decides he wants his money back you are going to pay no matter what he has done to it. Beware!

[JChlupsa]

no problem either way Im well above the 18 age and my Daughter just took over the 69 Nova instead ofone of the Camaro's so I guess when the other 2 are 18 they can see who sinks the most free-throws for 1st pick of Camaros.

[69rsss350]

My kids are 24, 14 and eight months (I skipped the 90's) and the two oldest are already fighting over the Camaro. I told them not to worry 'cause I plan on enjoying it many more years!

[Yenko Bart]

Also you cannot practice law without a degree...But free expert legal advice without even paying a retainer? How can you go wrong???

[69rsss350]

No, I am not a lawyer, I just like to play one on the computer. /ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif Seriously, my 21 years in the auto business does give me some experience in these matters. I only wish the best for you and your son.

[hvychev]

I am in the auto business as well and a minor CAN buy and have a car titled in their name as long as they are at least 16 years old. I can see why you would think you can't because at a dealer for some reason you can't unless they are 18.

[69rsss350]

If you are old enough to have an unrestricted license you can own a car but you still cannot make a binding contract until you are 18, that is why dealers won't sell to minors.

[Stefano]

If the dealer/party enters into a contract prior to the minors age of majority the minor can rescind the contract for the full purchase price up to the last day he is a minor.
This is still a very expensive mistake some dealers make today.

[hvychev]

Stefano, why you did'nt become a dealer is beyond me! /ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif The world has suffered a huge injustice!

[Stefano]

Frank,
I did spend quite a bit of time in the retail end of the business, prior to statring my consulting business.

I still work off the family dealer licence and sell, appraise and authenticate special interest vehicles, mostly driver quality muscle cars lately.

I prefer the Consulting end as a main line however.

[hvychev]

Stefano,
Seriously, you are luckey. If all of us could make a living of our hobby the world would be a better place. /ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif

[Stefano]

Thanks Frank, your so sweet /ubbthreads/images/icons/tongue.gif and no you can't drive the Dover Douglass Yenko to Work /ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

[hvychev]

DARN!!! /ubbthreads/images/icons/mad.gif /ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif