Did Chevrolet use promotional cars in 1969?

[travlnz28]

After I found my JL8 car I contacted Wayne Guinn (author of Camaro Untold Secrets) and explained to him what I had. We had several email discussions about the car and in one discussion he asked if there was anything unusual (other than the options) about the car. I told him the seats were two-tone and he suggested the car may have been used as a promotional car for Chevrolet to showcase their 4 wheel disc brake system. I have included a picture of the seats.

Question is does anybody have recollection of Chevrolet doing that kind of thing back then?

[mockingbird812]

Well that is just cool. Is yours an early car?

[William]

I have never seen any evidence of a direct marketing effort for the JL8 option. Chevy did little Z/28 marketing, only running one print ad "We've got a mean streak" which mentions JL8. Several magazines covered the release of the service package axle in '68 and a '69 JL8 car was tested by Car Life and Road Test. JL8 was delayed several months; earliest documented car was built late Feb '69. By June the option was discontinued. Little point in marketing an expensive option nearly impossible to get.

Your seats were likely spray-bombed by a previous owner.

[L72copocamaro]

If they were sprayed, someone did a good job. The close up does look like it though. You never know...could have been done by GM as easily as a dealer or owner.

[travlnz28]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mockingbird812</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well that is just cool. Is yours an early car? </div></div>

It's a fifth week of May car.

[Carleen]

Is this the Factory A/C Camaro?

[travlnz28]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Carleen</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is this the Factory A/C Camaro? </div></div>

Yes. A/C, 307, 4 speed, blue light stereo. When I found it there was a trailer hitch on it with 1969 Camaro stamped into it. Also had Delco air shocks that appear to have a 1969 date code.

[jannes_z-28]

It seems that a lot of factory equipped JL8 cars had trailer hitches too. And it also seems that most of those were sold in the North West. Even some 6-bangers have been found with this equipment.

Some dealers probably suggested this option to people that towed a lot.

Going downhill with a heavy trailer you would be glad you had good brakes on the car.


I think that most of the racecars that had JL8 were over the counter added, not factory installed.


Jan

[William]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: travlnz28</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Carleen</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is this the Factory A/C Camaro? </div></div>

Yes. A/C, 307, 4 speed, blue light stereo. When I found it there was a trailer hitch on it with 1969 Camaro stamped into it. Also had Delco air shocks that appear to have a 1969 date code. </div></div>

I'm fairly certain your car was once owned by a member, Little Tommie. Give him a shout.

[travlnz28]

I know it has been in California since the early 80's. It was towed into a backyard around 1985 and not touched until I towed it out a few years ago. When did Little Tommie own his?