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BillD's 68 Z/28 .....
This car was pretty much found by accident. I had
done a frame off restoration on a 68Z in the mid 90's and in early 2000 someone offered to buy the car, for an amount that seemed unheard of at the time. The same day that I got the offer on the car the Priority Mail Hemmings arrived and I thought that I should check out what 68Z’s were going for. I spotted one, that was actually located close to where I live. The ad said “68 RS Z, blue with white stripes, black houndstooth, excellent condition”. It sure didn’t sound like much to me based on the information in the ad, but at least it was close by if I wanted to take a look at it to compare it to what I was selling. I promptly called on it, and at the end of the telephone conversation, this is what I was told was actually being offered for sale. A 1968 Lemans Blue, Black Houndstooth, RS, Wood Wheel, Spoilers, Console, Special Instrumentation, Deluxe Belts, Factory Tint, 410 Rear, plus the mandatory Z/28 options in a car that had every piece of it’s original drive train, all of it’s original components, including the original smog system, complete original interior (including carpets and dash pad) all of its’ original trim and had been properly repainted once over its’ never rusted body in the early 90's and was documented. I wanted to look at it that evening but I couldn’t as the seller wanted to get it out of storage and it would have to wait to the weekend. The seller assured me that I had first crack at the car. I looked at it on the weekend and found it to be even better than described. We agreed upon a price pending my coming back to go through the numbers on the car to make sure everything was in order. He wanted no deposit, feeling a handshake deal was good enough. The next day I spent hours going through the car. EVERY component checked out with every casting and component number correct and every date tight to the build on the car. Plus my former Z had been a race car so it was amazing to find that this car had not been hacked with a mangled Trans tunnel, wheel wells that had been pounded on for tire clearance and holes drilled through sheet metal in every imaginable place. The only modification to the car was a Hurst shifter, but the original Muncie shifter was in the Hurst box. We struck a deal (again with a handshake) pending the sale of my car. I immediately sold my car and picked up the car the following weekend. The seller of this car was truly great. When we had the car loaded on the trailer for the trip home I asked him why he had been so accommodating to me. He told me it was because I did not try picking the car apart to get the price lowered, he appreciated that, and wanted me to have the car and even lowered the price on the car. There are a few truly great people in this hobby. When I bought the car I was planning to take it apart and do another sub frame off car. After driving it around I realized that this would be a huge mistake. This car is fast, tight, rattle free and a pleasure to drive, and I continue to use the Hurst shifter. Show cars are nice to look at, but I have learned that nothing can compare to the way a good original car drives. Future plans for the car consist of putting on a set of restored original Torq Thrust “Crows Feet” wheels that are sitting in the garage. G60 x15 Goodyear’s on 7" wheels rear, and E70 x 15 Goodyear’s on 6" wheels front, with the black side of the tire facing out (no white letters) for the day 2 look. Everything is here for this project except for the front tires. I realize that this car is not supercar status, but I consider myself extremely lucky to have it. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../z039small.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../z043small.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../z036small.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../z046small.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../z047small.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../z033small.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../z055small.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...28/z007new.jpg |
Re: BillD's 68 Z/28 .....
Very impressive 68 Z/RS Bill! Just when you were about to sell your previous 68, something even more rare comes along. What prefect timing, and nice find! And yes, there are still a few car owner's out there that are a pleasure to work with, which adds even more to this great hobby of ours. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif
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Re: BillD's 68 Z/28 .....
Wow...very nice car and a cool story too.
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Re: BillD's 68 Z/28 .....
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Re: BillD's 68 Z/28 .....
Bill,
Very Cool...I like the color, too. You're right...keep it the way it is. They are only original once. Thanks for sharing the pics and the story. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif |
Re: BillD's 68 Z/28 .....
Very nice car. Perfect color. Keep those Z's coming Gags! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif
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Re: BillD's 68 Z/28 .....
You said it's no supercar, but it is super to me. Great car, just don't see ones like that anymore. Very cool.
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Re: BillD's 68 Z/28 .....
What a great car, loaded with options and the wow factor. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif
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Re: BillD's 68 Z/28 .....
'' Fantastic '' car, great story, wonderful color, and options as well.. You must really be pround to have such a sharp !!! ride.......... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif...........Kasey
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Re: BillD's 68 Z/28 .....
Bill, great looking car....!!!
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Re: BillD's 68 Z/28 .....
Bill's Car 1990 before paint and cleaning.
I saw the car at the 1990 Charlotte Autofair in the Spring. I had a 68 Lemans Blue RS/SS 396 car at the time and thought it would be the perfect stable mate. I talked with the owner extensively. It was from around Charleston SC. The car was in storage during Hurricane Hugo in Sept of 1989 and while in the Garage a board fell on the passenger side front fender. Over all the car was extremely original and untouched. Like Bill said the original shifter was in the trunk at that time. The smog system was also in the trunk. I had always wondered what had happened to this car... and am glad that it was preserved more than restored. Congratulations Bill that is a nice Z! |
Re: BillD's 68 Z/28 .....
What a sweet car and a great story behind it. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif
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Re: BillD's 68 Z/28 .....
Great story Bill. In your story you said "Day 2 Car". What exactly does that mean?
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Re: BillD's 68 Z/28 .....
Really nice car and a great story. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif
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Re: BillD's 68 Z/28 .....
Outstanding https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif What a great find.
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Re: BillD's 68 Z/28 .....
Great looking Z Bill! Would have looked good next to the L-78 car you almost bought from me https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif
you were still great to work with, John Gust |
Re: BillD's 68 Z/28 .....
That was a great car John.
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Re: BillD's 68 Z/28 .....
John G: Good to hear from you. You are correct about the L78 car, I still think about that car.
JAG: My docs show my car coming out of SC so there is a very very good possibility that is the same car. I don't know how to tell for sure, but my hunch is you are correct. Dowop: Day 2 to me means the way the car would have been modified shortly after new and would be done with period correct parts. Everybody else: thanks for the kind words. Bill D |
Re: BillD's 68 Z/28 .....
[ QUOTE ]
Great story Bill. In your story you said "Day 2 Car". What exactly does that mean? [/ QUOTE ] It means you treat your car like it was meant to be treated, taking off all that rediculous engine choking emissions garbage, popping on a set of headers and straight pipes with a couple cherry bombs, new high rise single plane intake manifold and Holly double pumping carb with accelerator pumps so she can breeeeath, ahhh, then trash those skinny spippery treads and rims, bolt on some traction bars and 10" rims with L-60-15's, some air shocks and maybe even a nice big cam...dang, i gotta stop, im getting all worked up and excited here... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif |
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