69 Camaro -- visiting the rust doctor

[DavidS]

Originally Posted by jeff68

You're probably right. Funny, I was talking to my Dad last night and he was saying how most people who see the car driving down the road won't appreciate how rare it really is.

However, the whole journey of restoring this car has taken an emotional toll on me and my Dad. We've been through so much that we just want the car back on the road now (and not think about the past for a while). We are thankful (although much lighter on cash) that Mike has been able to make things right with the body & trim. Maybe one day I'll put something together.

It's a long process and you've really been through it with your car! You are really close to the end though and your car will be a truly exceptional numbers matching car when done. Do you have any numbers on how many L30/M20's were made? How many in a convertible?

[DavidS]

The repop rear bumper went back to Heartbeat City. I saw loads of postings where people had the same problem where repop rear bumpers don't fit at all. The original one came back from being rechromed.



The front window is going in, and the doors and hood are going back on:

[ILuvPizzaTimes10]

I still hate you!

[ls6monte]

So close David! Sweet!

[frankzlt1]

Soon very soon lol

[jeff68]

Originally Posted by DavidS

Do you have any numbers on how many L30/M20's were made? How many in a convertible?

The CRG estimates 4,027 total L30/M20 cars in 1968. Very difficult to estimate the number of convertible L30/M20s. However, only 8.69% of 68 V8s were convertibles, so 4,027 x 8.69% = 350 1968 L30/M20 convertibles.

Now, throw in the F41 suspension, N31 'wood' sport steering wheel, Z21 style trim group, Z87 deluxe interior, D55 console, U17 special instruments, N10 dual exhaust, G80 12-bolt posi, and the number of identical cars probably goes WAY down - like into the single digits or perhaps even 1.

[DavidS]

Originally Posted by jeff68

The CRG estimates 4,027 total L30/M20 cars in 1968. Very difficult to estimate the number of convertible L30/M20s. However, only 8.69% of 68 V8s were convertibles, so 4,027 x 8.69% = 350 1968 L30/M20 convertibles.

Now, throw in the F41 suspension, N31 'wood' sport steering wheel, Z21 style trim group, Z87 deluxe interior, D55 console, U17 special instruments, N10 dual exhaust, G80 12-bolt posi, and the number of identical cars probably goes WAY down - like into the single digits or perhaps even 1.

Very cool!!! Most likely 1 of a kind. He figured out how to get a perfect 1968 V8 in 1968.

What color is the interior? How did your dad know about the options? Did one of the sales guys tell him how to order it, or did he have one of the 1968 brochures?

[DavidS]

Originally Posted by ILuvPizzaTimes10

I still hate you!

HA! Some day Pizza, you should stop over. My wife is not the world's greatest chef, but she makes great "shake & bake" pork chops! I would take her pork chops any day of the week over any 5 star restaurant. Stop over with your wife & kid and while they are jabberin, we can cruise for a while.

[jeff68]

Originally Posted by DavidS

How did your dad know about the options? Did one of the sales guys tell him how to order it, or did he have one of the 1968 brochures?

My father had a heck of a time ordering the car at Walt Johnson Chevrolet in Windsor Locks. The salesperson didn't seem to know much. Basically, my Dad had to give them all the RPO numbers and say "just get me this car". The backstory is that my Mom & Dad owned several Corvairs before getting new cars in 68 . My Dad got the Camaro and my Mom got a Malibu with a 307 & automatic (both in matching Ash Gold!). Anyhow, having owned the Corvairs, my Dad ended up knowing a few people at Chevrolet. He tried to get them to build him a stripe-delete Z28 convertible, but with a 327 (he didn't like the high-revving nature of the 302). Obviously, they denied his request, but he found all the right RPOs to order to get exactly what he wanted. The only thing he couldn't get was the M22 'rock crusher' because they only made it in a close ratio and not the wide ratio my Dad wanted.

Originally Posted by DavidS

What color is the interior?

Ah, yes, the interior. My arch nemesis. The original interior was Ivy Gold, which matched the Ash Gold exterior. It turned brown & blotchy over the years from the sun. It needed to be replaced - badly. So, I tried to get interior parts to match. Not one supplier has a true match for Ivy Gold (which actually has a slight metallic finish to the soft vinyl). I tried for years (literally), working with the different upholstery manufacturers. The problem is that if the interior isn't the right color Ivy Gold, then it looks really goofy next to the exterior Ash Gold. I even looked into having a custom batch of vinyl made. What it came down to was that I was never going to get a nice looking Ivy Gold interior.

So, I made a decision. I decided to change the interior color to black with houndstooth seat inserts. I always loved the look of the black houndstooth interior with the Ash Gold exterior. Yes, I know that houndstooth was not an option for convertibles, but it looks very sharp. My Dad & I talked about it extensively before I did it. He told me, "It's your car now, and if that is the way you want it, then go for it." Both my Mom & Dad have seen the actual interior that is going in the car, and they both admit that it is very nice looking and agree it was a good decision.

[ILuvPizzaTimes10]

Originally Posted by DavidS

HA! Some day Pizza, you should stop over. My wife is not the world's greatest chef, but she makes great "shake & bake" pork chops! I would take her pork chops any day of the week over any 5 star restaurant. Stop over with your wife & kid and while they are jabberin, we can cruise for a while.

Hell Yeah!!! that sounds like a Great time!!!