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Old 04-27-2015, 01:53 AM
markinnaples markinnaples is offline
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Default Mid-Life Crisis '68 Camaro

I've been on this site for a long time and my purchase of this particular Camaro has been a long time coming. I grew up in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, and 1979 and there were a ton of old cars in South Hills of Pgh. About that time, there was a silver '68 Camaro being built down the street from my house by a guy I only knew of, but I did know the guy who painted the car as he dated a friend of my sister. They really did a job on the Camaro with the paint designs for the time by pulling the body off the frame and painting multi-color stripes over the hood, trunk, and under the gas tank, rear end, floors and firewall. I remember seeing the Camaro and as I was about 12-13 years old at the time, I could only dream and drool.

I occasionally (but pretty rarely) used to see the Camaro when I went by the shop but after going to college, getting married, divorced, and moving to Florida, I lost complete knowledge of the car for probably 30+ years, but I never forgot about it. So, against all odds and just for my own wonderment, about 6 months ago I was on a couple Facebook groups and posted the question whether anyone remembered the car with a description just to see if anyone knew whatever happened to it. No responses online except for a member here, Day2_Z28 (Tom M.), who happened to know the original builder and painter, and Tom and I discussed the car but he didn't know whatever happened to it either, as the original owner, Norm LeBlanc, had passed away quite some time ago. Seemed like the end of the line for the Camaro.

But, about 3 weeks ago, I got tagged in a Facebook response to my post about the car, and David Miller, stated that he saw a similarly painted Camaro on eBay. Sure enough, when I looked at the link, there it was, looking almost just like it as I remembered it from 1979-ish. So after talking it over with the wife, doing some creative juggling of finances and bargaining with the current owner in Indiana, I was able to buy it. It was delivered a week and 1/2 later and it looks like there was some paintwork done to it, and there's at least one spot that could use some body work but for the most part, it's pretty solid. The Camaro was pretty much destined to be an ISCA show car, I think. As stated, Tom has been a treasure trove of information about the origins of the car and I can't thank him enough. Tom's brother Joe actually sold Norman the '69 302 that's in the car to this day. So, I've gotten the car cleaned up a little (still needs the underside go over), and I've started to go through the mechanics of it but yet need to take it to a mechanic to go over the engine and make sure it doesn't need anything (it runs and drives fine, but I want to make sure it's safe). And it needs some required items like seat belts, power steering, and disc brakes that I want to get done very soon (then I'll address the wheel issue). Sorry so long, but thought I'd share the back story to give you an idea of what the car means to me. Thanks, Mark




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  #2  
Old 04-27-2015, 03:26 AM
Day2_69Z Day2_69Z is offline
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Default Re: Mid-Life Crisis '68 Camaro

Mark,
Your maiden voyage is down Corrigan Drive !!! ???

RIGHT !??? !!!

Again congrats !!

Don't forget,,, post that pic with "the kid" behind the wheel.....

Tom
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Old 04-27-2015, 12:10 PM
Tenney Tenney is offline
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Default Re: Mid-Life Crisis '68 Camaro

Cool find - congratulations! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
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Old 04-27-2015, 12:17 PM
66 L78 ragtop 66 L78 ragtop is offline
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Default Re: Mid-Life Crisis '68 Camaro

Wow, great story. It like being re-united with a long lost friend. Thanks for sharing the story. Out of curiosity, where in Indiana did you find the car?
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Old 04-27-2015, 12:42 PM
markinnaples markinnaples is offline
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Default Re: Mid-Life Crisis '68 Camaro

Thanks, I'm pretty excited. Tom, that's too funny, as I'd love to take it down Corrigan sometime. Another friend from High School mentioned cruisin' Corrigan when I posted a picture on there as well. I guess there are some things that never leave you.

The previous owner who I got the car from was in Huntington, IN, but mentioned that he thought the car was previously in Chicago. Honestly, I have no idea where it's been from the time I knew of it in Pittsburgh. There are 19k miles on the odo, but who knows how many are really on the car. From the shape of the body, interior and underside, it seems like most likely the car has been sitting for many years.




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Old 04-27-2015, 12:50 PM
Charley Lillard Charley Lillard is offline
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Default Re: Mid-Life Crisis '68 Camaro

I love it. I remember that look.
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Old 04-27-2015, 03:06 PM
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SS427 SS427 is offline
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Default Re: Mid-Life Crisis '68 Camaro

Sweet. A big time in our early lives of cruising. Love it.
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Old 04-27-2015, 06:04 PM
whitetop whitetop is offline
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Default Re: Mid-Life Crisis '68 Camaro

I bet those are Metalflake brand candies..Aztec Gold, Tangerine, Regal Blue and Fire Red..Metalflake candies had a distinctive look them. The base appears to be &quot;Ultra Silver&quot; # 10232. Metalflake no longer make paint.

I gladly accept finders fees
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Old 04-27-2015, 07:27 PM
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Craig_Maiorana Craig_Maiorana is offline
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Default Re: Mid-Life Crisis '68 Camaro

Awesome find ... Its like reuniting with an old friend. Glad you found your unicorn and I hope she enjoys her new forever home with you.
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Old 04-27-2015, 07:36 PM
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Default Re: Mid-Life Crisis '68 Camaro

Love it!
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