I'd like to start a new thread - what do you think

[nuch_ss396]

Guys,

Before I start one myself, I thought I would test the waters
here. What about a thread telling us about the history of
your particular car(s)? i.e Did a family member originally
buy the car, found it rotting in a field, under water, etc..
You get the idea. I thought it would be nice to see where
some of our cars came from ( states if disrepair ) and where
they are today.

What do you all think? Interested?

Steve

[Belair62]

You just started it !

[nuch_ss396]

I knew someone would reply with that!

Steve

[nuch_ss396]

OK, if Belair says I can start it - here goes!

My particular Camaro is a 1969 SS 396. Hugger orange, black
vinyl top, L/34, THM400, N/66 sport wheels, D/90 striping,
rear spoiler, std. black interior, chambered exhaust car.
My Grandmother bought it for my grandfather the day he
retired from the Philadelphia Navy Yard. I was only eleven
then, but I remember how excited he was when he saw the car
for the very first time! Grand-mom was something back then!
Grand-pop wanted only one other option to his new car.
Ready for this, Umm, err - dealer installed hood pins. They
were a dealer installed option back then.

I would always ask grand-pop back then to sell me the car
one day. He always replied that it was too powerful and
that my mom ( his daughter ) would never allow it.

Remember the gas shortages in the early 1970's and the
rising insurance costs? Seems funny now, doesn't it?
Well, grand-pop decided to take that gas guzzling big block
out of the car and opted for a 327 two barrel, more tame
engine to reduce gas costs and insurance rates. He had the
engine under a tarp in his garage for many years. Every
once in a while when my brothers and I were visiting my
grandparents, we would sneak off to the garage and peek
under theat tarp. Kinda like boys with playboy magazines.

Well, after high school, then college, I went on my way.
Sadly, grand-pop died in 1980 and at the funeral my grand-
mom asked me if I wanted grand-pops car. The Camaro, I
asked! I hadn't seen it in probably six years and figured
he sold it long ago. When I saw it for the first time, I
almost cried. That once beautiful car was reduced to a
rusty, dented, torn headliner heap of junk. But, it had
46,000 original miles and the interior was almost in
perfect shape. As soon as I had the opportunity, I went to
my grandparents house to look for that 396! Guess what I
found. Just the tarp !!! The engine was gone and grand-mom
had no clue where it was. That's the second time I cried!

So, I started to buy all GM original sheetmetal, bumpers,
chrome, etc. and I completely restored the body &
interior. In the early 1980's there was little to no known
knowledge about completely restoring our beloved Camaros.
I had the most difficulty with original fasteners, the D/90
striping configuration and my ultimate decision to
re-install those hood pins. I researched the issue by
buying a book written by Michael Lamm ( The Great Camaro ).
In his book the verified the hood pin ( dealer installed )
option. So, I kep the hood pins. That my friends was my
only mistake.

I tried in vain to locate a clean ( non racing ) big block,
but such was not the case. So, I left the 327 in there and
just drove it the way it was. Then came marriage, and two
babies in the carriage. Forget that big block 396 dream -
right!

Fade to 1999. One night while surfing the web, I found a
thing called eBay. Anybody ever hear of it? Just playing
around, I typed in "69 Camaro" - HOLY CRAP !!!!!! I could
not believe what I saw. It's a whole new world now.

Well, some $15,000 later, I now have all correctly numbered
and dated engine components. Just a few additional items
to find ( like that $#%@&&*#*@ starter heat shield ). Next
summer, the drive train gets restored to its former glory.

I think I will drive back to PA and visit grand-pops grave.
Hope he doesn't roll over!

That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

Steve

[budnate]

Nice Steve!!

Bud.

[Supercar_Kid]

Awesome story Steve, and a tough act to follow. Sounds like your car has some sentimental value as well! Very unique combo of options, and I totally respect your decision to include the dealer installed hood pins during the resto...hey, it's how Pap would have wanted it. Do you happen to know which dealership Grandma picked it up at? Perhaps Reedman, maybe Roger Penske? I'd love to see some pics of the car, especially if you have any "before" photos. Don't ever sell that one, hopefully someday your children will want to inherit it.

[Belair62]

Yeah but we have a section for this stuff...send me some pics and the write up you just did and I can feature your car for a week !!!

[Mr70]

Show Us Your Cowl Tag!

[SuperNovaSS]

Make sure you tell the kids it's way too powerful.

[Zman]