Paceme's L34 Camaro low miler !

[Belair62]

69 RS/SS L34

Gerald C. Nelson is the original owner of this car. The car has an interesting history, which goes like this. Gerald was stationed in the village of Saigon in 1968 as a “Tech Controller. In the spring of 68 he started his search for a new car, his tour of duty was up in October of 68. He considered several cars , but being “a Chevy guy” his loyalty kept him wit GM. He narrowed it down to the corvette and the camaro and made his selection, based on its looks, practicality and price.

Ordering a car is difficult enough, but ordering a new one from another continent while fighting in a war made it a real challenge. Gerald had a little help, first he was a tech controller, which meant he was responsible for satellite communications, and this gave him daily access to call the states. Over several months and many phone call he was able to option the car the way he wanted. Second his father in law to be, worked at Park Chevrolet. Finally in August the order was place with the options Gerald wanted. Well not exactly, he ordered white deluxe, but that wasn’t available and the order was changed to blue deluxe.

The car arrived at Park Chevrolet in late September, prior to Gerald returning to the states from his tour of duty. The car was stored and covered at the dealership awaiting Gerald’s return. The owner of the dealership was very nervous about being stuck with a high performance car (Park was not a Hi Performance dealer). Gerald returned to the states in Oct of 1968. He took delivery of the car the following day. The car was a special car to Gerald and was rarely driven although with Gerald’s job transfers it traveled to Minnesota, Wyoming and Colorado. A trailer hitch was installed to tow a small trailer with their belongings.

Over the years the car was stored inside, pampered and rarely driven. Gerald’s automobile interests grew into the hotrod arena and in February of 1981 he traded the car in on a 1927 Ford Tee Bucket. Bob Cobb (the second owner) purchased the car at the Auto Salon on February 9th 1981. When Bob purchased the car it had 20,129 miles on it and had driven it only 4,600 miles in the 19 yrs he owned the car. As you can tell by the lack of mileage Bob also rarely used the car, due to the demands of his Kennel business requiring 24hr, 7 days a week attention. According to Bob the car is all original except for the exhaust, one tire and water pump. The car documentation includes the original protecto-plate, window sticker, letters and pics from orig owner.

I purchased the car July 31st 1999 and have performed some detailing and maintenance, such as rebuilding the brake system and replacing the chambered exhaust, with a Gardner System.

In July of 2000 I had the car judged through Vintage Camaro Certification program and it certified to the highest Legend/Concours level @ Camaro Nationals. (Survivor Class)

I have recently purchased a used assembly line GM chambered system, which was the only reproduction part on the car. Yes even the spark plug wires date Q2 are original.

Future plan are to install the orig smog which Gerry (orig owner) removed within a month of owning the car. Install GM chambered exhaust and remove the undercoating applied at the dealership.

Interesting facts about the car

• It was built the second week of Sept 1968, which is also the second week of production

• It is the 8,223 rd built out of 243,000

• The fender stripes end 1 inch below fender extension, this is early production only

• The car came with Chambered Exhaust standard, since it was early production (L34,L78 & Z/28 only)

• Only 2018 car were equipped with the L34 engine 396-350 hp

• The car was ordered with Rally wheels (see window sticker) and either a mistake was made at the factory or a rally wheel shortage occurred at the factory. The car was delivered with silver painted XT rims, trim rings and rally top screwed to a dog dish cap.

• Gerald replaced this weird looking wheel with ET mags soon after he purchased the car.
• Deluxe blue interior is considered ultra rare

• The shocks are the original and all four were built the same day (200th of 68)

• There are no X codes on the trim tag due to early production



PROTECTO-PLATE INFORMATION
T0904JF (L34 Built Sept 4th 124379N508223 ( #8223rd built) R(rochester carb)
P9M16 (muncie built Aug 16th) BU0916G ( 373 posi built Sept 16th) 9 (car built Sept)

133
1(Disc brake) 3(Radio) 3(Power Brakes)

[KENNY_PASCOE]

GREAT CAR STEVE, WHAT TOOK SO LONG FOR IT TO APPEAR ON MEMBERS RIDES ??? HOPE TO SEE IT IN PERSON IN THE NEAR FUTURE... KP

[TimG]

That car I like, the RS Camaros sure look great. This one has just the right options.

[Belair62]

I post them in the order they are received !!!

[MosportGreen66]

Very Nice Camaro! Steve-- you got a good eye for Camaros!

[Mr70]

This Camaro color combo really hits a sentimental chord with me.
I grew up w/a friend who had the same SS/RS,only his is an Auto trans.
Absolutely stunning that this is still an Original condition car as well Steve.

[Steve Shauger]

Thanks Dan. As I mention in the write up the car came with unusual caps as shown in the attachment ( it was ordered with rallys ZJ7). Also in the pic is the original owner Gerald Nelson who I met at the Monmouth County fair in 2000. He was all smiles as he was reunited after 19yrs with HIS car. He also drove the car, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

[Belair62]

Your car really sucks Steve..

[Steve Shauger]

Well Bob, all I have to say is Members Rides is a great forum and your efforts are appreciated. Ya hump

[Belair62]