My name is Kase Vandenberg, I'm 35 and I live in Maryville TN with my wife and 3 year old daughter. My Dad and I have always been Chevrolet guys. He has owned 55 and 57 Chevys, a 58 Corvette, an 81 Camaro Z28 and a 68 Camaro convertable. Presently he has a 1969 Z11 396 Pace Car and a 1967 Dana Corvair.
I bought my Camaro about six years ago from a local gentleman that sells classic Ford parts. It had been sitting in a field outside the back of his shop for 12 years. We worked out a price and the 69 was mine. It was going to need a lot of work after sitting in the weather for so long, but had so many options that I really wanted it. It was an SS/RS car that was LeMans Blue with black vinyl top and black standard interior. The powerplant was an L34 396/350 horse big block and a 400 Turbo transmission and a 3.73 out back. The car also came with power windows, factory AC and fold down rear seat. Unfortunatly, the original 396 was not still in the car, so I didn't mind making a few changes from the stock form.
My Dad and I worked on cleaning and detailing the engine compartment, interior, trunk and undercarrage. We had to replace one of the power window motors. I then had to get the engine rebuilt and soon after the car was mobile, I also had to have the Turbo 400 rebuilt. I had a local guy named Wayne Owens paint it and replaced all of the chrome except for the bumpers, that were in very good shape, amazingly. We went with 97 Corvette Blue and I swapped out the SS hood for the Super Scoop Hood. I also put the Cowl Induction chrome on the hood. Yes, I know that was a Chevelle option, but I wanted to add a little more chrome to match the wheels I was going to put on it. I kept all the factory stuff, so if I ever decided to sell, I could put it back factory.
The wheels I went with are American Racing Torq Thrust IIs with BFG rubber. Charlie Alexander put the new vinyl top on for me. Then my Dad had him put in the Deluxe Houndstooth interior in for me 2 years ago as a suprise for Christmas. We have also put in some other Chevy goodies for conversation pieces including a factory Chevy tissue dispenser, passenger side door 8 track holder and console 8 track. Which also makes a fantastic arm rest.
My Dad and I do a lot of shows together and share a love and interest for the classic muscle cars. My Camaro is far from perfect, but I love it and feel very fortunate to have it. I have more plans for it in the future as money allows. It is not a Supercar like most of the ones on this site, but I do get some nice compliments on it. I have access to two 1969 Corvette 427 engines and always tell my Dad I am going to make a Yenko Clone, who knows someday I just might.
OUTLAW
