69SSRSL89's Way Cool Camaro!

[Xplantdad]

My name is Jesse Gunderson and this is my 1969 SS/RS 396 Camaro. I bought this car in the fall of 1996 as a rolling basket case (the motor and transmission were unfortunately missing). I was only 21 at the time and had a good imagination. Thank goodness for that, because it was a lot of work to get it to look like what you see here.

One of the things that fueled the fire to buy and build this car was that my family was into old cars. My parents had a bunch of great bowties and other General Motors cars, along with a lot of my uncles and cousins. I was around cars at an early age. I can remember helping my dad work on his 67 big block Chevelle and my mom’s 69 427 Caprice. We would go junk yard shopping now and then hunting for parts for the Chevelle and during all of this is when I remember my dad telling me about Camaros. I remember him telling me that some of them could break their tires loose at highway speeds. As a kid this was one of the most awesome things that I had ever heard of and knew that from that point forward that I had to have a big block Camaro some day.

Which brings us to today, this X22 needed a full restoration. The car was originally fathom green with standard dark green interior and a black vinyl top. For the longest time I was going to do the car back the way it was originally, but I had always wanted to have a hugger orange car. So, after a friend of mine gave me enough grief saying that it was only paint and I could always repaint it someday. I decided that I was going to change the plan a bit and have it done in hugger orange with black houndstooth interior (keep in mind that I was only about 24 at this time and Camaros hadn’t made the huge jump that they have in the past few years). I also added a fold-down seat to the car to set it apart and be different from most of the other cars.

The car did originally come with the rear window defogger though. Some of the other options on the car are power brakes, power steering, endura bumper, headlight washers, spoilers, SS wheels, console with gauges, tach, center clock, space saver tire, kick panel speakers, comfort grip wheel, tilt steering column, 140 speedo with speed minder (some of these are reproduction items that I added). Under the cowl induction hood you will find a date correct 396 – 375hp L89 with a M21 and a 12 bolt with 3.73 gears. I also installed a Gardener exhaust system to give it that factory correct appearance on the underside not to mention give it that awesome big block sound (you got to love it).

I had the body work and paint done by a professional body shop and the engine was built by a local engine builder. Otherwise, the rest of the re-assemble was done by my family and myself. I drove it for the first time on July 2, 2001 at that time I had more of a hot rod type 396 with headers in it which I changed out the fall of 2004 to the L89. It was a lot of fun to restore and a great learn experience. I have met a lot of great people that have helped me with pointers for restoring it, much like the people on this site. I get a lot of complements on the car and the hard work that I put into it, but I feel most fortunate to have been able to own an American Muscle Car. I hope to one day restore another Camaro. I’m looking to go with the topless option the next time around.

69SSRSL89

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b156/lotsayenkopics/Jesses%20Camaro/tn_front-2.jpg

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http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b156/lotsayenkopics/Jesses%20Camaro/tn_Jesses691.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b156/lotsayenkopics/Jesses%20Camaro/tn_SSRS-1.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b156/lotsayenkopics/Jesses%20Camaro/tn_ss-rs-3.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b156/lotsayenkopics/Jesses%20Camaro/tn_ss-rs-5.jpg

[Salvatore]

Nice car Jesse. I met you at SCR8 I believe. I was with BBBenny and his silver COPO. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Dave Rifkin]

Beautiful car..........can I have it? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[MosportGreen66]

That last picture screams "THE HUGGER."
Way cool Camaro! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif
You dared to dream... and look where it got you.. Awesome http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[WILMASBOYL78]

I won't let Karen see these photos or we will be back in the market! Beautiful car and nice job..well done.

wilma http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Xplantdad]

Jesse....Me like...Me like! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

I think that 1969 RS/SS Camaros are cool. Even better when they're Hugger Orange...and with a big block...awesome.

You did a great job with the car. You should be proud of your efforts. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[SS427]

I have seen the car in person and will tell you Jesse did do a great job on it. The only thing that impressed me more than this car is Jesse's enthusiasm about these cars, the people and the hobby. He has really become a great part of the group and it is always nice to see the younger guys that have as much love for these cars as us old farts.
Rick

[TimG]

That's my dream Camaro. Wow, it that something.

[Steve Shauger]

A beautiful and well done car. That is exactly how I would have ordered one. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[70Z]

The cars got tons of wow appeal http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

great job!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Mr70]

That Camaro is EXCELLENT!
Wanna trade? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Jayden]

Hey Bruce,

Great looking car! I recently purchased a 69 RS/SS 396 project car, and am in the process of restoring it. It has been years since my last project, which was a 70 Buick GS, but have always wanted a 69 camaro. One question for you, which i would luv to hear from anyone who has redone a camaro. What was your favorite thing about this car,and if u could do it all over again, , what would u have done differently if given the chance?

Thanks again for the pictures, and look forward to hearing from u.

[Jayden]

Actually that last post was for Jesse...for some reason i got the name Bruce stuck in my head...because of the signature.

[69SSRSL89]

Thanks a lot for all the complements on my Camaro and myself. I really do appreciate it. Restoring this car was a ton of work, but I did enjoy restoring it for the most part. Working on it in the winters in my parents insulated none heated garage with a nypco heater wasn’t the most fun especially when it was below zero, but I really wanted to get the car restored even if it meant that I would have to freeze my butt off to get it done. The other crazy part of my restoration was that my parent’s place where I was restoring it was about a three to four hour drive if the weather was nice. Then once I was there I would work on the car almost around the clock to get the most of my time. Kind of crazy I know, but I really wanted to get the car finished so that I could enjoy it. I have learned a lot restoring this car and have been able to help others with some of there restorations with this knowledge that I have gain (which a lot of it came from you guys on this site). http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif

I would have to say that one of my most favorite parts of this hobby is meeting and being friends with the people that own these cars. Without guys like all of us on this board where would these cars be, probably locked up in private collections never to be seen again? It is awful for people like us that are really in to this hobby to never be able to see some of the history behind these cars. That’s what I think is so great about this site and the Super Car Reunion. People willing to share there stores about there cars and let others see them. I don’t know of any other place where a person can go and see so many rare cars and meet some many great people. It was nice to finally see some of you at SCR8 and put a name to a face. I was nervous at first since I had came there solo, but in a matter minutes I felt like I was there with a great group of new friends. I’m really looking forward to next years SCR9 and meeting more of you. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

I’m glad that you guys like the pictures of the car with the wider tires on it. It defiantly gets your attention that way. Not to mention handles a lot better. I just put the wide ovals on it this summer to give it that more original look. I like it that way but for cruising the radials are a little nicer. I was debating on sending them to Bruce at first since they are not original looking but then I figure that a few of you guys would like that look.

Jayden, I have all kind of information to share with you on the restoration of my car and things that I would do different to help you with yours. I will drop you a PM and we can chat more in-depth about it.http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Jesse

[musclecarjohn]

Most excellent Jesse! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

IMHO,you did the right thing by going Hugger Orange...that and the houndstooth are an unbeatable combination.

Makes me want to post pics of my cars...which I will soon...I promise! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[69SSRSL89]

Thanks for the complements John. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif Please do get some pictures of your cars and some write-ups to Bruce. I think that we would all like to see them. They sound like a nice line up of bowties. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif Jesse

[12bolt]

Great Car and an even Better Owner!!

[69VN]

Can't go wrong with Hugger Orange! Excellent piece of Chevy history!!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif