quote:

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the subject car is a one-off Camaro......built by
Chevrolet......a First Gen Z28 Convertible.

It can be viewed at:

http://www.mecumauction.com/auctions/lot_detail.html?CART=108203283659560&LOT_ID=SC0504-14950


Some background on this "very" special car:

Our Friend, Jim Mattison, at Pontiac Historic Services (Automotive
Services,
Inc.) worked in the Chevy Fleet & Special Order (better known as COPO)
Department
during the late 60's........and was instrumental in getting this car built.

According to Jim, Vince Piggins, then head of Chevy Product Promotions
wanted to make some new equipment available for the Camaro (mostly to
assist the
Penske race team with their Trans Am effort). Approval was required by the
general
manager.

.....As Chevy General Manager, E.M. "Pete" Estes had one of every model
available
for his evaluation. He was also a convertible fanatic, so it was decided
that if Piggins/Mattison could get him a convertible, the prospects of him
driving the car improved
dramatically. After some research, Mattison concluded that it was possible
to produce a
Z-28 Convertible at the assembly plant, so long as management would approve
the
build. Obviously, Chevrolet management gave the OK to build one vehicle, as
no one
would turn down a request that had the general managers name on it and
Mattison
ordered the car.

(Wow...how things have changed!)

Once built, the following components were added by Chevy Engineering for
evaluation and approval:

Factory Cross Ram Intake, with 2x4 carbs
Fiberglass Cowl Plenum Hood
Transistorized Ignition
Tuned Exhaust Headers
4 wheel disc brakes
Koni Adjustable Shocks.

Estes loved the car!........The parts were approved..........Penske won the
Trans Am championship........and the rest is history!

When this Camaro was removed from Company Car service, all special
components, with the exception of the Cowl Plenum hood were removed so
that the car could be sold. Years later all of the special components were
once again added back on the car......Exactly as it was when Pete Estes
had it.

My thanks to Jim Mattison for all the information and help with this
...........

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[ 15. April 2004, 03:35 PM: Message edited by: HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS ]
 

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Posted by blkragss02 (Member # 1801) on :
 
Wow! That sure is nice!
 

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Posted by vyto2 (Member # 2265) on :
 


I understand it's the only 68' vert, but there were 69' verts,
so it's not the only 1st gen vert...
 

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Posted by cook_dw (Member # 2143) on :
 
To my knowledge, That car is the only Z/28 vert. made. All Z's were 4-speed, non A/C and they were hardtops.

[ 15. April 2004, 04:14 PM: Message edited by: cook_dw ]
 

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Posted by Fbodfather (Member # 1119) on :
 
Correct....lots of '69 Z/28 coupes...but no converts....from GM, that is.....if you see one, it is a poser.......
 

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Posted by Fbodfather (Member # 1119) on :
 
interesting tidbit...this convert. has all sorts of options...but no Rally Sport Option. I asked Jim about this and he told me that there were concerns about enough Vacuum to operate the headlight doors, so they ordered it without Rally Sport........
 

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Posted by vyto2 (Member # 2265) on :
 
There were no 69' vert Z28's???? What about the white ones with the orange stripe and hounds tooth interior??? And then there were the SS verts... (funky two rows of boxed vents on the hood)

Were these only SS's???


[ 15. April 2004, 06:54 PM: Message edited by: vyto2 ]
 

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Posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by vyto2:
There were no 69' vert Z28's???? What about the white ones with the orange stripe and hounds tooth interior??? And then there were the SS verts... (funky two rows of boxed vents on the hood)

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Pace cars weren't Z28's, and the SS package wasn't available with Z28.

[ 15. April 2004, 06:51 PM: Message edited by: HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS ]
 

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Posted by vyto2 (Member # 2265) on :
 
Yeah, the stripes and cowl hood fooled me... These are SS's too...

 

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Posted by MM (Member # 1247) on :
 
Beautiful car... I remember reading about it. Wonder what it will go for... hmm terri can you squeaze another one in your garage?
 

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Posted by ss_rs_z (Member # 1888) on :
 
Very Nice.
 

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Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on :
 
That Camaro is loaded. It even has a rosewood steering wheel, power windows and center console gauge package! Very nice!

Why would GM sell such a rare car?
 

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Posted by RagSS (Member # 1127) on :
 
That is one awsome car. I'm sure it will bring BIG dollars at whatever auction it goes to.
..gotta love those 1st gens
 

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Posted by Z28-SORR (Member # 1565) on :
 
I believe the two cars pictured would have been refered to as RS/SS's not SS's. There were SS's built without the RS front.
 

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Posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by MM:
Beautiful car... I remember reading about it. Wonder what it will go for... hmm terri can you squeaze another one in your garage?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Z28-SORR:
I believe the two cars pictured would have been refered to as RS/SS's not SS's. There were SS's built without the RS front.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Fbodfather:

quote:

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Originally posted by HTWLSS:Too bad GM wasn't willing to hold onto it until a Camaro Museum is built.

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Actually, GM has not owned this car since late 1969 or early 1970...is owned by private individual.........

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Ah, that makes more sense then! I take that back.
 

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Posted by Old Coyote (Member # 1343) on :
 
Beautiful vehicle ............ but all the other pictures I've seen of it show it to be dark blue and white ............... wonder if we have some photo color distortion or has the car been repainted
 

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Posted by MM (Member # 1247) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS:

Too bad GM wasn't willing to hold onto it until a Camaro Museum is built.

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Hmmm... missy... do you know something I don't.... I've heard a rumor that GM is FINALLY building a GM museum... but I can't confirm only a rumor...
 

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Posted by ss_rs_z (Member # 1888) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Fbodfather:
Too bad GM wasn't willing to hold onto it until a Camaro Museum is built.

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I wonder if GM would even consider building a Museum for the Camaro? This would be absolutely cool.
 

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Posted by MM (Member # 1247) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by ss_rs_z:

quote:

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Originally posted by Fbodfather:
Too bad GM wasn't willing to hold onto it until a Camaro Museum is built.

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I wonder if GM would even consider building a Museum for the Camaro? This would be absolutely cool.

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Higly unlikey.... since the vette museum was built all with private funds.... the current climate at the General is lots and lots of cut backs.... all the money is going to incentives and new vehicle programs.
 

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Posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by MM:

quote:

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Originally posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS:

Too bad GM wasn't willing to hold onto it until a Camaro Museum is built.

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Hmmm... missy... do you know something I don't.... I've heard a rumor that GM is FINALLY building a GM museum... but I can't confirm only a rumor...

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No, it's just wishful thinking on my part, but it's not impossible. I've seen some discussion on it on the WCC website. Ask Andy Archer if he would like to share any of his ideas with us. He's great at brainstorming.
 

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Posted by Fbodfather (Member # 1119) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Old Coyote:
Beautiful vehicle ............ but all the other pictures I've seen of it show it to be dark blue and white ............... wonder if we have some photo color distortion or has the car been repainted

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