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Belair62
03-14-2005, 03:41 AM
69 RS/SS L34

Gerald C. Nelson is the original owner of this car. The car has an interesting history, which goes like this. Gerald was stationed in the village of Saigon in 1968 as a “Tech Controller. In the spring of 68 he started his search for a new car, his tour of duty was up in October of 68. He considered several cars , but being “a Chevy guy” his loyalty kept him wit GM. He narrowed it down to the corvette and the camaro and made his selection, based on its looks, practicality and price.

Ordering a car is difficult enough, but ordering a new one from another continent while fighting in a war made it a real challenge. Gerald had a little help, first he was a tech controller, which meant he was responsible for satellite communications, and this gave him daily access to call the states. Over several months and many phone call he was able to option the car the way he wanted. Second his father in law to be, worked at Park Chevrolet. Finally in August the order was place with the options Gerald wanted. Well not exactly, he ordered white deluxe, but that wasn’t available and the order was changed to blue deluxe.

The car arrived at Park Chevrolet in late September, prior to Gerald returning to the states from his tour of duty. The car was stored and covered at the dealership awaiting Gerald’s return. The owner of the dealership was very nervous about being stuck with a high performance car (Park was not a Hi Performance dealer). Gerald returned to the states in Oct of 1968. He took delivery of the car the following day. The car was a special car to Gerald and was rarely driven although with Gerald’s job transfers it traveled to Minnesota, Wyoming and Colorado. A trailer hitch was installed to tow a small trailer with their belongings.

Over the years the car was stored inside, pampered and rarely driven. Gerald’s automobile interests grew into the hotrod arena and in February of 1981 he traded the car in on a 1927 Ford Tee Bucket. Bob Cobb (the second owner) purchased the car at the Auto Salon on February 9th 1981. When Bob purchased the car it had 20,129 miles on it and had driven it only 4,600 miles in the 19 yrs he owned the car. As you can tell by the lack of mileage Bob also rarely used the car, due to the demands of his Kennel business requiring 24hr, 7 days a week attention. According to Bob the car is all original except for the exhaust, one tire and water pump. The car documentation includes the original protecto-plate, window sticker, letters and pics from orig owner.

I purchased the car July 31st 1999 and have performed some detailing and maintenance, such as rebuilding the brake system and replacing the chambered exhaust, with a Gardner System.

In July of 2000 I had the car judged through Vintage Camaro Certification program and it certified to the highest Legend/Concours level @ Camaro Nationals. (Survivor Class)

I have recently purchased a used assembly line GM chambered system, which was the only reproduction part on the car. Yes even the spark plug wires date Q2 are original.

Future plan are to install the orig smog which Gerry (orig owner) removed within a month of owning the car. Install GM chambered exhaust and remove the undercoating applied at the dealership.

Interesting facts about the car

• It was built the second week of Sept 1968, which is also the second week of production

• It is the 8,223 rd built out of 243,000

• The fender stripes end 1 inch below fender extension, this is early production only

• The car came with Chambered Exhaust standard, since it was early production (L34,L78 & Z/28 only)

• Only 2018 car were equipped with the L34 engine 396-350 hp

• The car was ordered with Rally wheels (see window sticker) and either a mistake was made at the factory or a rally wheel shortage occurred at the factory. The car was delivered with silver painted XT rims, trim rings and rally top screwed to a dog dish cap.

• Gerald replaced this weird looking wheel with ET mags soon after he purchased the car.
• Deluxe blue interior is considered ultra rare

• The shocks are the original and all four were built the same day (200th of 68)

• There are no X codes on the trim tag due to early production



PROTECTO-PLATE INFORMATION
T0904JF (L34 Built Sept 4th 124379N508223 ( #8223rd built) R(rochester carb)
P9M16 (muncie built Aug 16th) BU0916G ( 373 posi built Sept 16th) 9 (car built Sept)

133
1(Disc brake) 3(Radio) 3(Power Brakes)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%20012-27-04%20Paceme%20L34/7.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%20012-27-04%20Paceme%20L34/5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%20012-27-04%20Paceme%20L34/3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%20012-27-04%20Paceme%20L34/6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%20012-27-04%20Paceme%20L34/4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%20012-27-04%20Paceme%20L34/1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%20012-27-04%20Paceme%20L34/2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Belair62/x%20%20%20012-27-04%20Paceme%20L34/8.jpg

KENNY_PASCOE
03-14-2005, 04:02 AM
GREAT CAR STEVE, WHAT TOOK SO LONG FOR IT TO APPEAR ON MEMBERS RIDES ??? HOPE TO SEE IT IN PERSON IN THE NEAR FUTURE... KP http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

TimG
03-14-2005, 04:31 AM
That car I like, the RS Camaros sure look great. This one has just the right options.

Belair62
03-14-2005, 04:36 AM
I post them in the order they are received !!!

MosportGreen66
03-14-2005, 04:46 AM
Very Nice Camaro! Steve-- you got a good eye for Camaros!

Mr70
03-14-2005, 05:11 AM
This Camaro color combo really hits a sentimental chord with me.
I grew up w/a friend who had the same SS/RS,only his is an Auto trans.
Absolutely stunning that this is still an Original condition car as well Steve. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Steve Shauger
03-14-2005, 05:19 AM
Thanks Dan. As I mention in the write up the car came with unusual caps as shown in the attachment ( it was ordered with rallys ZJ7). Also in the pic is the original owner Gerald Nelson who I met at the Monmouth County fair in 2000. He was all smiles as he was reunited after 19yrs with HIS car. He also drove the car, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Belair62
03-14-2005, 05:57 AM
Your car really sucks Steve.. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

Steve Shauger
03-14-2005, 06:07 AM
Well Bob, all I have to say is Members Rides is a great forum and your efforts are appreciated. Ya hump

Belair62
03-14-2005, 06:28 AM
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

JoeG
03-14-2005, 06:31 AM
Great Survivor steve-- http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gifyou were able to get it back.. ..

L72COPO
03-14-2005, 05:56 PM
Great story and car Steve. I also ordered a car, SS396 Chevelle, while in Viet Nam in 1968.

Don

Mr. T
03-14-2005, 06:04 PM
[ QUOTE ]
I also ordered a car, SS396 Chevelle, while in Viet Nam in 1968.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for serving our country, Don. That goes for all the other vets on this site too http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

DarrenX33
03-14-2005, 06:10 PM
Steve- Everything I said offline still stands. Awesome car. Let's see it soon. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

L72COPO
03-14-2005, 06:24 PM
Thanks Tony

Steve Shauger
03-14-2005, 06:31 PM
I am planning to show it at the Camaro Nationals @Carlisle, June 24,25&26. It will displayed in the Y building with the Vintage Certified cars.

Steve Shauger
03-14-2005, 06:55 PM
Don, how did you manage to order the car from overseas. What color an options did you order.

Gerry was initially disappointed when he saw the car had blue comfortweave interior, but over time it grew on him. For me that is what makes it standout and one of the reasons why I purchased the car.

Mr70
03-14-2005, 08:08 PM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/vietnam20001.jpg

NEW
03-14-2005, 08:56 PM
That was a beatiful car, nice colours..

Whats up with those L34¨s?, i just seem to have a feeling that they are often well optioned http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I also have a 69 L34, Coupe, It is Daytona Yellow, Yellow Houndstooth, A/C, PW, Fiberoptics, RS, Cowl hood, Guages, ++,

Needs restoration, .... hopefully one day, it will come out good.

NEW

mike s
03-14-2005, 09:33 PM
very nice looking low mile car the colors are a huge plus http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

Steve Shauger
03-14-2005, 10:08 PM
Great ad, you come up cool pics.

mr396
03-14-2005, 11:26 PM
Very http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gifL34 those hub caps are different.

1967Z28
03-15-2005, 12:23 AM
Great looking car, Steve. I'm sure you are happy to have it back.

-Jon

tom406
03-15-2005, 01:01 AM
Wow. That is a killer car with a great backstory. I would have to run the bastard Rally/XT's full time just to tweak everyone who thinks they know it all. Amazing that the line supervisor figured custom fabricated hubcaps and specially painted wheels were a better option than SS rims or simply building it with XT's and dog dishes, and offering a credit. 15" Rallys (ala '68 or '69 Z28) would seem an option as well, but I'll bet there was engineering criteria that limited that substitution.

As if those weren't a strange enough choice for the factory to substitute, the blue deluxe interior is another wonder, since medium blue interior wasn't even a factory recommended interior color for LeMans Blue cars. I would have expected a black interior substitution, since black and ivory were the recommended interior colors, and black interiors are a pretty safe choice to not offend people's style sensibilities.

Thanks for sharing it with us!

Steve Shauger
03-15-2005, 02:47 AM
Attached is a picture with the original wheels and tires with trim ring and dog dish cap. That is the configuration I plan to display the car with. The modified caps are hideous looking and the car will not fit into my trailer with them on. I only pointed it out because it make for an unusual story. The question remains; who came up with this substitution and why. We may never know, but its fun speculating.

Belair62
03-15-2005, 06:01 AM
Steve...in the 3rd pic down there is a guy walking with those Velcro type tennis shoes...is that Charley ?

Steve Shauger
03-15-2005, 06:31 AM
Thats Charley or his twin. Kinda looks like is on an undercover assignment. Notice the stylish velcro sneakers and the Shelby cap. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/CharleySucks.gif

Seattle Sam
03-20-2005, 01:04 AM
[ QUOTE ]
Attached is a picture with the original wheels and tires with trim ring and dog dish cap. That is the configuration I plan to display the car with.
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/128555-Image111.jpg
The modified caps are hideous looking and the car will not fit into my trailer with them on. I only pointed it out because it make for an unusual story. The question remains; who came up with this substitution and why. We may never know, but its fun speculating.

[/ QUOTE ]

The dog dish with trim ring is a great looking combo! It's hard to imagine that anyone at the factory would have taken the time to create those "rally-dog" wheels. Probably some genius at the dealership came up with the idea of screwing a rally cap to a dog dish. After all, the car did sit in the dealer's inventory for a while, maybe they needed a set of Rally Wheels to close the deal on another car!

Beautiful blue Camaro!
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif
-Sam

rpoz11
03-20-2005, 03:46 AM
Now Ive seen it all!!!!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif Those caps are ridiculously cool!http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

Mr70
03-20-2005, 04:10 AM
I agree,they sure are unique.
I'd hate to see someone homemake these & list them on
Ebay with Steves snippets to try to support it. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/128399-Tireandrimwithjerry.jpg

Steve Shauger
03-20-2005, 04:16 AM
I believe the XT wheels came on the car for the following reasons: the spare in the trunk has a job# on it, they are all dated 8/17 and the car was built 9B, the XT rims have black base color(typical)with argent silver on the outside (no body color ever applied to outside). Again I don't know who bolted the ralley cap and dog dish together, but Park Chevrolet was NOT a performance dealer and I doubt anyone would have had the knowledge or motivation to do this. Also in 1969 SS camaro wheel width increased from 6 to seven inches and I have never seen a YJ coded ralley wheel dated prior to mid October of 68. The above leads me to believe it was done at the factory. Anyone out there with a YJ rims dated Aug of 68 or 1st week of Sept or earlier let me know.

DarrenX33
03-20-2005, 04:30 AM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/darren_costello/2508396.jpg

Steve Shauger
03-20-2005, 04:38 AM
That car is shown with the P06 option. Trim rings on base wheel. Another question is, if this was ordered would the wheels be painted body color or silver as my car.

Bill Howell
03-20-2005, 06:25 AM
[ QUOTE ]
It was built the second week of Sept 1968, which is also the second week of production
It is the 8,223 rd built out of 243,000


[/ QUOTE ]

First, let me say this is a very nice car. I love the color and the story on it's history.
Second, I seem to learn something regularly here about 69's.
Third, I do not want to steal from the thread but the above quote got my attention. My camaro's vin is N507007. I have always known it was an early car, but if this car is a second week car then my car may have been a first week car? My car has odd things about it that only seemed to be on very early ones such as rear antenae and 68 (narrower)rear spoiler. Is there a source that breaks down VIN information that precise and tells which cars got which engines? There could not have been many big blocks installed before this car or my car-right?
Thanks,
Bill

firstgenaddict
03-21-2005, 07:15 PM
Rear Antenna cars did not have rear spoilers.

Steve Shauger
04-18-2005, 04:41 AM
Took the car out of storage and installed the original smog system.

Steve Shauger
04-18-2005, 04:46 AM
Pic with the orig wheels XT's with PO6 trim rings.

427TJ
04-18-2005, 04:59 AM
Looks great that way. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Steve Shauger
04-18-2005, 04:59 AM
One more.

Steve Shauger
04-18-2005, 05:01 AM
The look is definitely growing on me...

Belair62
04-18-2005, 05:11 AM
It looks cool Steve...different.

DarrenX33
04-18-2005, 05:23 AM
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Those wheels had me at "hello".

Very cool never take them off. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

Mr70
04-18-2005, 06:24 AM
I'd leave those on it.
Car looks good. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif