1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible
1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible
Car Specifications
Key Enhancements
Kept the car true to ‘69 as possible with mostly “Day Two” after-market parts – about the fanciest upgrade is the Custom Audio sound with a sub in the trunk and Vintage Air. And who doesn’t like the sound of Magnaflow exhaust and a few chrome bits under the hood?
Engine Specifications
Drivetrain
Acquiring the Car – The Backstory
Working 38 years in advertising and marketing, (recently retired) and specifically in digital marketing means most of the work I did daily was all in bits – I never “got my hands dirty”. Sixteen years ago, I decided to revisit my love of working on cars born out of my college years, so I set out to find my dream car – a ’69 Camaro convertible, 4-speed, in Le Mans blue.
After a year of looking, I found “my dream car” being sold by a former Disney exec in Orlando. One small problem… it was part of a lot of 10 cars selling for $250,000. After contacting the seller to buy just “my dream car”, he politely said no. Being ever persistent, I reached out a month later asking how the sale was progressing. And of course, I would beg and plead while getting another “no”. Three more months and three more attempts and I finally got a “maybe”. But I had to come see it soon.
Our family was planning a Spring Break trip to Orlando and by complete and total coincidence, the hotel I picked was somehow only four miles away from the seller! (“Yea sure”, my kids say to this day…) After a test drive, I knew she was the one and shipped the car back to Dallas.
The Restoration Process
Completely gutted the worn and tired interior. Stripped it down to bare metal then installed Dynamat, sound deadening, new seat covers/foam, new carpet, dash, instruments, and audio. Took me about a year of nights and weekends. Had the carb overhauled, new exhaust installed, replaced the brake booster, and needed a new clutch. The top was relatively new, and the paint just needed a good clay bar, compound, polish, and wax.
Ron Hamblin (Classics by Ron) installed a nice Vintage Air A/C kit, He beautifully tucked the lines into the right fender and placed the pump down low so you can barely see the upgrade – only way to do it IMHO. And finally upgraded to power steering as well to avoid growing Pop-Eye sized forearms. Front Disc brakes are now installed.
Interesting Ownership Developments
Was rear-ended while turning into the parking lot of a classic car show back 2016 while pulling into “Mother Truckers” on Northwest Highway on August 16th, 2016. New rear bumper, brackets, tail pan plus rear quarter panel and paint work. The other guy, a Ford F150, smashed in his whole front end. Thank goodness for the Camaro’s good ol’ Detroit steel! The coward took off in a hit and run.
Beauty Shots
