1969 Camaro White Interior Dilemma

[musclecar fan]

I have a 69 RS/SS Camaro Convertible (#'s matching) with White Comfortweave interior. Apparently white comfortweave was not offered in 1969 and perhaps this interior may have been either a carry-over 68 option or a special order interior by GM or the dealer for the original owner. (at least that was the opinion of previous members on this forum) The firewall tag code is white standard, but the car has always had comfortweave as far as I can tell. It has the woodgrain dash, deluxe seatbelts with correct dates, molded door panels, etc. The car is a very early build car (October 1968) and was the 4000th car off the line, so this "carry-over or special order" opinion may make sense. The seats are in poor condition now so I am trying to decide whether to replace with White comfortweave (as I believe it left the showroom) or to go to white standard vinyl per the firewall tag. Perhaps it was an GM executives car? Maybe this car is a one-off and more special than I know? The car is heavilly optioned and I bought it from the previous owner who I know. He owned it for the past 23 years and bought it with the white comfortweave in unrestored condition in the early 1980's. It was untouched when he bought it. Any thoughts on what I should do is very much appreciated. Keep the white comfortweave or go to standard vinyl? I'm so confused. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif Thanks

[enio45]

white standard or white comfortweave to me would not make much difference if i was to purchase the car.....its white that you have to like - so its close enought and looks good with the comfortweave...JMO

[Zedder]

We were changing out standard for deluxe interiors in the late 70's quite frequently. Buying a good set of used seats was easy and cheap back then and we didn't give a lick about originality! Put it back to stock as that is likely how it was delivered. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Charley Lillard]

I say put it how you like it and not worry.

[camarojoe]

I'd like to see some pics of the interior as it is... If they didn't make white comfortweave as a regular option, its gotta be ultra rare, Wasn't 68 deluxe interior different than 69?, if so it can't really be a "carry over" from 68, unless its got 68 seats in it. I'd definitely want to keep the white comfortweave if its some "never seen before" one of one 1969 combo.. Not sure how you'd replace the comfortweave seatcovers though.

[Denis]

Maybe when you pull the seats and take the covers off, you'll come across a Fisher document which will have a code for the original covers.

[Jeff H]

If you remove the seat covers you'll probably find a date on them somewhere. That should help determine if they are late 68 seats or not. I like the houndstooth/comfortweave in my 70 L78 car so if you like that style of seat, go for it. You can always find another set of 69 seats and put the correct white vinyl covers on them.

[tom406]

What they said. Do everything you can to document the interior as being original, then have some matching replacement seat covers stitched up. Post some pics of the original (or at least current) interior and let the opinions pile up. I'd keep the deluxe interior, especially in an SS/RS convert. Standard interiors are just so lackluster compared to the Deluxe ones, and I think white standard is about the starkest looking one available in standard. If you can document that the interior is a special one-off, that would really be icing on the cake.

[Mr. T]

Throughout the years, I have seen quite a few (standard interior) 69 Camaros (per trim tag), with RPO Z87 added sometime after leaving the factory. Check to see if it has a glovebox light, pedal trim, trunk mat, hood insulation, woodgrain steering wheel (if a wood wheel was not ordered), which are all items included in the Z87 interior option. A few of these were included with RPO Z23 initially when ordering standard interior, and carried over when ordering Z87.

I would bet that your 69 had the RPO Z23, and the comfortweave interior, including custom door panels, seatbelts, and the wooden accents on the glove box, ashtray door were added sometime later in life. If it was me, I would remove the white comfortweave interior, custom door panels, etc., and install the white standard (727) interior, along with the standard door panels, but I am a big stickler when it comes to factory correctness. I highly doubt that the seats were a carry over from 68. A picture of your interior would help, along with looking over your car in person. Good luck in whatever you decide. It is your car, so just enjoy it in whatever direction you decide to go.

[Kurt S]

I doubt the car left the factory like that.
I too would like to see some pics.

[1969camarors427]

If i remember correctly could you not get a white comfort weave seat in a 69 Firebird from the factory.

[JIM]

Build it the way You like it as Charley stated !! Enjoy it and let Everyone else wonder!! Thats exactly why I put a Yellow Houndstooth interior in My daytona Yellow 69 RS SS 396 Convertble !!!!!! Order white deluxe seats and have them inserted. Original auto upholstery in Mich has material and PUI will insert them or a local shop can do it. I bought all NOS material for mine and had it made.
Jim http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[camarojoe]

I still would like to see some pics of the interior as it is now.

[musclecar fan]

I can't figure out how to post an image. Can I forward a few for someone to post?

Thanks

[musclecar fan]

here goes....

[musclecar fan]

and another

[camarojoe]

If those are indeed original seatcovers I wouldn't touch that interior, it looks very nice as it is. jmo.

[musclecar fan]

Thanks Joe. It's a difficult decision because from evrything I know (from reliable known sources one of which owned the car from 1983 to 2006) this is the original interior. Now whether it came from the factory or was added at the dealer prior to customer delivery, either way it is as it was apparently since October 1968. The reason I was planning to change the covers is that there is a small hole on the drivers seat back and the covers and inserts have yellowed a bit. Maybe I should leave it as is......

It was originally sold at Felix Chevrolet in Los Angeles (where it remains) and other thoughts from local experts is that being as close to the manufacturing plant in Van Nuys as it was, it may have been a special display vehicle or used for publicity. Have you or anybody else reading this posting ever heard of such a thing?

By the way, it does have the woodgrain, hood insulation, glove box light, pedal trim, etc as well.

Thanks

[camarojoe]

Looks like it also has the correct early production walnut steering wheel... a very rare piece you rarely see. Does it have any cracks? I have a mint one on ebay right now if you need it.