Summer of '69 pics

[Don_Lightfoot]

Here's a great shot from back in 1969. When I was ripping around in my 69 RS/SS, these were two cars that were always cruising as well. The Z was owned by a guy named Billy Blair who worked at our local Chevy Dealer back then. The L78 Velle was owned by Dave Kirkham and this was the car I absolutely drooled over for a couple of years until he ran it into a rock cut. Probably one of the reasons for my particular Chevelle today. Dave even dated my sister (of course almost everybody did /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif). Both are still active in the hobby today, but with different machines.

[Don_Lightfoot]

This is another side shot of the 69 Velle. Notice the correct "69 style" Firestone Wide Oval tire. Dave and Pauline have been mentioning these pictures at cruise nights all year and finally brought them out for me to see and take home to scan.

[Don_Lightfoot]

Here's an engine shot from that summer as well. Two things that pop out are the air filter and lack of A.I.R. The filter had been changed to an aftermarket one and he had the dealership remove the A.I.R. system before he took delivery which was about Mar/69. For you "over" restorers out there, notice there is no engine paint overspray on the intake, hoses, etc. (which might have been plant specific, I don't know). He didn't recall the assembly plant until I started to rhyme them all of, it was a Baltimore car.

Hopefully you enjoy these shots as much as I do /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Mr70]

Hi Don
Do you have any pix of your Sister? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

Seriously though,good shots,and glad you posted them here.
Is that all there is?
Is that Chevelle long gone?
Interesting to see the Alternator bracket came with the Heater Hose clamp attached,as some didn't.
And the battery must have been grounded at the block.
Rick

[allcamaro]

Post deleted by allcamaro

[mmcporter]

Don, great pics. It's a shame there weren't some more all-encompassing shots of the engine bay. Interesting to see "how it was" as opposed to "how people thought it was."

[mmcporter]

Gorgeous!!

[camarojoe]

Don, those Wide Ovals on that original 69 snapshot are cool... I don't know how many arguments I've gotten into about the fact that the current reproduction white lettered "Wide O Oval" tires are "different" in appearance than the ones actually used in 1969. The current repros are styled after the 1970-up Firestones. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[hvychev]

Cool Pics Don! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[DarrenX33]

I second that. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif
I just can't get enough of the vintage pics. Thanks for sharing.

[Don_Lightfoot]

Rick - why would I have a picture of my stupid sister /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The car is long gone. There's about 20 or 30 pictures in total, none more interesting than the ones I've already posted.

M G - Unfortunately that is the only engine shot /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Here's a picture of the interior showing the change to a Hurst Competition Plus shifter and what he says was the factory eight track.

[Don_Lightfoot]

One more picture that's kind of neat - towing the essentials in our neck of the woods.

[55chevy]

boy that picture really puts it in perspective that these were 'just' cars back then huh? Anyone care to tow a snowmobile in the middle of winter with their L78 Chevelle today? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Belair62]

Wow...and that old bathtub wasn't a light load either !!

[Mr70]

This looks like a Job for Liquid Tire Chain! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[MosportGreen66]

Great Pictures! Along with the Camaro came a set of Goodyear Snow Tires from a 1974 Nova. The snow picture made me think of it.

[mmcporter]

<font color="blue"> Don, again, great shots. Even the blending of the colors in those old snaps gives you that sixties feeling.

Geez, I wonder how much weight he had to pack into the trunk to keep that son of a gun on the road going straight? I remember driving a 350 equipped 1978 Malibu in the winter and having to abandon it once at the end of the street during a real heavy storm. And that car didn't have nearly the horsepower or torque of the Chevelle. Ah, those were the days....</font>