1969 CHEVELLE L-78 CONVERTIBLE FOR SALE

[JIM]

I HAVE A REAL 69 L-78 CONVERTIBLE GOING UP FOR SALE ON E-BAY . IT IS A LEMANS BLUE, WHITE TOP AND STRIPE WITH A BLUE INTERIOR. THE TRIM TAGS MATCHES COLORS. IT WAS BUILT THE SECOND WEEK OF JUNE 69 SO THIS IS A VERY LATE CAR AND HAS SOME REALLY NEAT OPTION FACTORY INSTALLED. THIS IS A TH400 CAR OF WHICH ONLY 36 WERE BUILT, IT RETAINS ITS CX CODED TRANS WITH THE VIN STAMPED IN IT. IT HAS 57,000 ORIGINAL MILES AND HAS HAD VERY LITTLE RESTORATION WORK DONE SHORT OF PAINT MINIMAL CHROME AND THE MOTOR AND BRAKE SYSTEM. NO ONE HAS PAINTED THE FIREWALL OR FRAME. THE FACTORY OPTIONS INCLUDE PS, PTOP, TINTED GLASS, POSI, 3;73 (CI CODE 0603 DATE)BUMPER GUARDS, LIGHT GROUP, REAR DEFROSTER,YES A CONVERTBLE DEFROSTER!!!, AM/FM WITH FACTORY 8 TRACK UNDER DASH (91BT412),TACH AND GAUGES,TH44, SS396 GROUP,F41 (LATE CAR 1 1/8 FRONT BAR AND REAR),REMOTE MIRROR, DELUXE BELTS AND MORE.THE 837 IS DATED 9E23, THE 4346IS 944, THE 772 IS E69, THE TH400 CX69 426 2927, BV, AP PULLEYS,THE SHORTBLOCK (854) WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY 8 MONTHS OLD YOU CAN SEE THE CE 3/16 NUMBER WITH NO LETTERS ON THE END FAINTLY AS IT WAS DECKED WHEN REBUILT (STUPID) ALL THE IMPORTANT ITEMS ARE THERE AS WELL AS SINGLE FUEL LINE.THE CAR HAS HAD FACTORY QUARTERS AND FENDERS INSTALLED IN 95 AND THE BUMPERS, HOOD AND TAIL LITE BEZELS RECHROMED, THE BRAKE SYSTEM DONE AND MINOR INTERIOR WORK DONE THATS IT. THIS IS THE NICEST, QUICKEST AND MOST RATTLE FREE CONVERTIBLE YOU WILL EVER DRIVE. I DONT NO WHAT WAS DONE THE BOTTOM END BUT THIS CAR RUNS HARDER THAN ANY L78 SHOULD , IT NEVER STOPS PULLING, WITH THAT STATEMENT I'M SHURE TO GET BLASTED,AS I HAVE NO POSTS. BUT ON THE SHEAR FACTS I OWNED THE L89 GOING OFF AT A/C NEXT WEEK, CORRECTED AND RESTORED THE LIGHT BLUE LS6 CONV IN THE CHANDLER COLLECTION,AND HAVE RESTORED, WORKED ON, AND OWNED LOTS OF L-78S, LS-6S AND L89S TREAD LIGHTLY.I'M JUST NEW TO YOUR SITE,CHARLIE SET THEM STRAIGHT , THANKS, CHECK IT OUT. JIM

[Mr70]

Whats the Ebay auction number?

[Stefano]

Jim,
Thanks for posting. I am interested in this car "now" please e-mail. I do have a few questions. Other than the fact that it has a CX trans tag, single fuel line and correct tac, what other info or documents do you have to support that this is s true L78 convertible Chevelle /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[JIM]

Hi;Thats a great question! Being new to this site please let me introduce myself. I am Jim Brady, For over 10 I served as the head judge of the Original Unrestored Classes for NCOA. Some of you folks out there know me. I own a restoration shop on the East Coast which specializes in Chevelles, primarily 69-70 Hi-Perf cars. Over the past 20 some years I have judged, restored , owned and driven hundreds of these cars, so I beleive I am Qualifed to make the following statements. In a world of cloned cars changing hands for big money you must be carefull or you may wind up with one. There are magicans out there who can fake original paint , clock cars and build clones so well even the best of the best are baffled.Then add in fact you can even make protecto-plates appear, its a carefull crawl to that super rare car that just shows up.What I look for is consistancy in a car. You can see on a untouched car if the rear been out , by looking at the nuts and the contact areas of the socket. The look of dirt or rust across the chassis from one end to the other.The same with the front suspension. The grime on the trans and steering.Lastly the extent of paint work, not limited to the exterior, but the frame friewall, brackets and so on,with all this in mind lets move on to this car. Some of you folks are probally asking why don't I spend the time and do this car and cash it out for the big bucks. The answer is simple" This is what it is" and being sold like this lets everyone see that. The 69 cars for the most part do not have build sheets and when present only show the left hand 1/3( the exception is calf cars).This car has the original trans( CX 69 426 2927 ) in it filthy dirty, no one has restamped it. The fuel line is present and has not been changed. The rear is coded and dated to the car(CI 0603B)In tring to determine the original powerplant you must look at the other key componets which I have listed above. The bolt on componets are all present, The 837alt is 9E23, The 4346 carb is 944, The 772 fan is E69, the original lower alt brace for smog with the spacer is there, original valvecover, holddowns and even the plug wire separatorthat bolts to the cover is still there. The original manifolds and smog were scrapped when it was new and a dualpoint dist installed.These are the only items missing. There manifolds in place but not the originals.There has been no paint work on the firewall, frame , brackets,with the exception of the bottom of the hood, the rad support, and the orange on the engine itself.No componets have been glass beaded or refinished including the intake.The valve covers and the aircleaner lid have rustpitts and are original to the car as well.The tach has never been out as well and if you factor in the options this is a 1 of 1 car in a great color. This is a real L78 car with neat options, I also have the owner history for the last 20 years that I will make available to the new owner, this is the person that painted it and did the motor. Ther well may be be a build sheet in the front seat I haven't looked yet. I welcome any one interested in the car to come see it. We are located 1 hour south of Philadelphia Pa. and 1 hour north of Baltimore Md. 30 minutes from the Del Mem. Bridge ( NJ turnpike). I have gone into way more than I had and I realize you know these cars well, but other viewers may benefit from this.The quest of tring to determine what you have or what it was is hard and sometimes well worth the effort.I am not an expert and do not claim to be one but I am well versed in these cars. I have enclosed a picture of our reassembly shop for you to view. Thanks Jim

[Stefano]

Jim,
So what you are stating is that you have a verifiable history of the car since day one.

The three key components are all easily changable. I have seen, original gas tanks and fuel lines, tacs and trans tags added to cars on more than one occasion.

[T Billigen]

Rick, start pulling your wallet out!!!!!!!!!!

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

Just wanted to say Hi Jim...gosh I miss the NCOA!! Wish I could have had my current 66 Judged..was about 8 mos too late /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Sorry for the hijack fellas...

Mike

[SS427]

Wish I could have had my current 66 Judged..was about 8 mos too late

You still can Mike, it just does not have the sponsorship of NCOA or their name on the certificate. They are still doing several Chevelles currently from what I am being told and know of a couple that were just certified.
Rick

[Stefano]

Jim,
You sure are difficult to reach. How about an e-mail address.

[Steve Shauger]

Jim, sounds like a great car. Glad to see you join the site, your input and experience will benefit all.

[Stefano]

Thanks for the address.

[JIM]

HI THE E-BAY NUMBER IS 2403754266. IT IS LATE, AS E-BAY IS HAVING INTERNAL PROCESSOR TROUBLE. IN ENGLISH IT LOST MY TEXT LAST NIGHT AND THIS MORNING , I AM GLAD IT GOT ON THIS TIME. GOOD LUCK.

[JIM]

PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULDN'T THROW STONES. ISN'T THAT YOU SELLING A WRONG COLOR, WRONG MOTOR, WRONG TRANS ,DONT EVEN KNOW IF ITS A REAL CAR FOR AN OUTRAGEOUS NUMBER. PERHAPS YOU SHOULD READ WHAT I WROTE IN MY ANSWER BECAUSE IT SAYS I HAVE 20 YEARS OF OWNER HISTORY. YOUR REPLY SAYS FROM NEW, THIS IS A 69 NOT AN 83. AS FOR HARD TO GET A HOLD OF, YOU CALL AND GIVE ME A 20 MINUTE WINDOW TO CALL BACK. PERHAPS THIS IS NOT THE CAR FOR YOU. I KNOW WHEN I SELL AN SS CONV I HAVE MY DUCKS IN A ROW AND CAN STATE IT IS REAL. THERE IS A LOT TO BE LEARNED FROM EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT IS AND NEVER WAS. YOU MAY NEED TO BRUSH UP MY FRIEND. I'M NOT STARTING ANY THING, BUT YOU CAN TELL IN ABOUT 2 MINUTES WHAT A CAR STARTED LIFE AS IF YOU KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR. EVEN THE BEST OF THE BEST DON'T GET EVERYTHING RIGHT. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif THANKS HAVE A GOOD DAY. JIM

[Stefano]

Jim,
Good luck with the sale of your car on ebay.

If I might ask one small favor? Please type in lower case letters.

Thanks,

Stefano

[Bill Pritchard]

Jim,

I would have one more favor to ask /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Please do yourself and the hobby a favor and do not refer to this car as a "survivor" as you have in the eBay listing.

I realize that Websters does not have an appropriate definition for the word as it relates to collector automobiles, but I think most reasonable people in the hobby know (somewhat arguably) what does or does not constitute a "survivor". A car which, by your own description, has had new fenders, quarters, and paint, rechromed bumpers and trim pieces, floor and trunk pan repair or replacement, stainless brake lines, a replacement engine block, and missing smog equipment surely does not fit most peoples idea of a survivor. You have a very nice car and have done a great job describing it in detail for potential buyers. It is what it is, and I suspect you'll have no problem selling it, but please reserve that term for the few cars still around that really qualify as such.

I will now get down off the soap box /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif

[JIM]

Bill; I don't mean to be smart, but lets look at the phrase survivor.12 people on an island, 6left, 5left, 4left, 3,2,1.There all survivors. Parents die survived by children.36 made 8 left certainly a survivor. But lets go deeper. 16 L88 corvettes 3 with original engines, are the rest junk, no they just survived the life they were meant to live. 69 Zl-1's, How many have original engines, how many are cliped, how many rebuilt from the ashes, survivors you bet!! Its about numbers and percentages!!!!!. How many were made. How much restoration was done. A frame off O on originality maybe 100percent correct in part, finish, and application, 0 on the originallity scale.paint and body only make up a small percent of that original car. Its about the whole picture!!!I have a 500 mile 66 nova l-79 hardtop ( see attachment ) original paint , interior, undercarriage. It was taken to Jenkins compition day one and made a race car. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gifThe original hood had a grumpy lump installed, the motor has been scattered more times than most of these restored supercars have made a full throttle pass /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif. The trans has been broken more times than the rear. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif But the original block, trans case, and rear housung are intact. If you look closely you can see where it was lettered. A survivor You Bet Ya!!!!! . Now lets beat up the L-78 conv. how many L-78's are left much less convertibles. how many have some form of original hard to find dated parts. Maybe you haven't tried to buy an 837 alternator recently, much less a 772 fan or 4346 carb. However these are the original items placed on this car on the assembly line as it was being built. I highly doubt you can state that about a lot of your know survivor cars. If that was true I wouldnt, get so damn much for those low mile take off smog setups, shifters , original paint valvecovers and so on. You don't know looking at a survivor just how much has been changed. I do know I have sold a lot of you guys original parts to correct you super low mile cars.Lets continue beating up the chevelle. The bottom of this car has not been touched, the trans hasn't been out , the rear gears are still as set up new. original paint on the brackets ,firewall and so on. the top frame still sports original paint and they age fast. Lets beat up other supposed low mile original cars. The 69 L78 gold conv that just sold at Barrett Jackson, the whole top of the car had been colored gold and cleared, the right rear quarter and door had been painted, the bottom painted black, The engine had been out and painted. the smog was missing and all that and more with only 19,000 original miles, seems to me it brought $90,000. The red original paint yenko deuce that was there out of Reggies collection, had paint work all over the front and was originally a bench car with the buckets touching the doors. Were they survivors yes they are. They are both great cars , but it comes down to percents. You have to look at the whole picture /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif.you are entitled to your opinion as is everybody and thats what makes this whole world so much fun, just look at the other side of the coin from time to time /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gifI hope i haven't offended any one I'm only tring to make a point. These cars were designed and engineered to have the living crap beat out of them and come back for more /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif. If you think for one minute each and every one of that are left haven't , dream on. No one bought these cars to put them in there garage and stare at them , to live for the opertunity to wax them. Not, but to mash the accelerator and see what it do. I'll let in on a little secret , did ever wonder why young guys worked a car dealerships for no money. I enjoyed beating the living crap out of every neat looking car I saw at the Chevrolet dealer I worked at when I was a kid( mid 70"s). Just because you haven't beat it and you were the original owner, I will bet the pdi guy did it for you /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif. Thanks Jim. Now let me jump down /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif

[Stefano]

Jim,
The L78 Camaro which sold in Arizona did also have the correct tac, single fuel line ect. as well as a copy of the original title, protecto plate, and original numbers matching drive train and full owner history back to day one, just in case you missed that stuff while looking over the clear coat.

[hvychev]

Threads like this make me hate the direction this hobby is going in. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[Stefano]

Looks like a cool car, including the F-41 suspension option. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Jeff H]

I'll just toss my opinion in on the definition of a "survivor" car. It's a car that retains it's original mechanicals(drivetrain), body panels, interior and paint. Any touchup or repair and it no longer fits the survivor definition. I'm not saying anything against this car, it's awesome. But a true survivor IMO is a car that has not been touched at all.

[JIM]

I agree with you. There are true survivor cars like you describe. It really does have to do with numbers as well. I love to see unmolested original everything cars, but we all know they are few and far between.Lets look at NCRS,How can they award a survivor certificate to a big block mid year that is displayed with the pictures of it being raced, completely color changed ,engine modified, then returned back to original colors( with over spray of the other color every where), orig paint valve covers off another car installed along with manifolds and other important items and call this car as well as certify it original. they do and have done it. I think alot has to do with just how much is untouched, divided across the whole car. Thanks Jim

[yountto]

I have 2 s rivet chrome oil caps,correct for alot of applications 1968 thru 70 396 427 454 and some LT1 Z28?..these sell for 17.00 each from the vendors...both are FREE and i will pay shipping .... first emailer gets them /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif .....FREE FREE FREE.....

[JoeC]

Doesn't a survivor car have to have something like 70 percent original paint? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[yountto]

We have a winner.......Z28DZ.....send address...

[Jeff H]

"Survivor" is pretty much a made up category so there really isn't a true definition across the board for all makes/models. True survivors are very rare and I can see why they wouldn't get driven too often. Kind of like NOS parts are no longer NOS once you put them on the car and fire it up!

[Z28DZ]

Woo Hoo!

[ssl78]

If I am not mistaking in the Corvette world a survivor has to have two out of the three following items original and in above average condition. Drivetrain, interior or paint I believe the gold L-78 conv Camaro definetley fits that description.

[Steve Shauger]

My true interest is in survivor class cars. I have owned a few survivor Camaros. I am active in a judging organization "Vintage Camaro", we have participated most recently at Camaros at Carlisle. Presently we only focus on unrestored original Camaros. Vintage certifications are divided into four divisions:

Vintage Legend - Camaros that are 80-90+% unrestored
Vintage Legacy - Camaros that are minimally 50% unrestored
Vintage Reference - Camaros that are unrestored in at least one area.
Vintage Icon - Camaros that have original-unrestored components disbursed throughout the Camaro

The car is divided into five reference areas:
Engine Compartment area
Exterior Body
Interior Body
Underbody
Trunk

Each area is weighted, based on concentration of components, finishes, codes and markings.

If you have a Camaro that fits into one of our certification divisions and are interested in getting a certification drop me an email.

[Steven J]

[ QUOTE ]
I have 2 s rivet chrome oil caps,correct for alot of applications 1968 thru 70 396 427 454 and some LT1 Z28?..these sell for 17.00 each from the vendors...both are FREE and i will pay shipping .... first emailer gets them /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif .....FREE FREE FREE.....

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey yountto, how about a 512 block give away next ? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[JIM]

Hi; The gold L-78 Camaro conv is a great car and survivor by all means. It was only discussed because it was quoted as being untouched with only 19,000 miles. All of these low mile cars have a story and have been cleaned, polished, and touched up, to maximize the return on there investment. They are few and far between, but the closer you look the more you will see and learn. Thanks Jim /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[JIM]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gifSteve ; Great post! This spells out what I have been writing about for the last 2 days. It is the percentage of original items that determines the level of survivor. Just the shear fact any of these cars lived thru our youth when you mix them with young romance ( alot of cars got broken over this), achohol, drugs, street and legal drag racing , and the fact most of these were our everyday drivers ,except when we would beg to borrow mom or dads car when they were broke, is a small miracle. Jim