Paceme (Steve Shauger's) 1969 L78 Camaro!

[Xplantdad]

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">1969 RS/SS L78</span></span>
Paul Carter ordered the car at Harbor Chevrolet of Long Beach CA in May of 1969. Paul lived 5.9 miles from the dealership. He took delivery on Thursday July 17th. Paul was nineteen and according to the sales log Carl Carter; Paul’s father financed the car. Paul was single when he purchased the car, but got married within a year and became a father shortly there after. With the birth of his daughter, the Camaro became impractical and decided to trade it in for a Pontiac Bonneville in 1971. Between 1971 and 1984 the history of the car is unknown at this time. The car was sold to Mike R. in 1984 and driven from California to Rochester, NY. When Mike purchased the car, it still had original paint but had ten years of tree sap imbedded in the paint. Mike decided to repaint the car in 1986. He never completely finished the car because he got married and had three children. The car was stored in his parent’s garage unregistered for fourteen years.

I located the car on the internet 7/24/2000 and was lucky enough to be the first caller. I immediately offered to purchase the car and sent him a deposit overnight, only to have it returned. He was overwhelmed by the response and became unnerved (his words) and decided not to sell the car. I kept in casual contact with Mike, and he later felt bad about backing out of the deal and again agreed to sell me the car. I drove up to Rochester, NY on Sept 9th 2000. This was the first time I saw the car. Before paying for the car I wanted to see if I could get it running since it had sat for 6 years. I prepped the engine with mystery oil and manually turned the crank. Next I installed a battery and she fired right up. Well Mike again had second thoughts about selling now that it was running. At this point after an 8 hr ride, 3 hrs prepping the car my patience got the best of me and said; get in my truck we’re going for a ride! I ended up paying a little more for the car but she was finally mine.

In 2004 I had an opportunity to buy a Yenko Camaro and sold the car. Well a friend of mine, Charley L. ended up with the car, and he sold it to a mutual friend John Q., who sold it to another friend Tony. After 6 years of persistence Tony sold the car back to me and she arrived on May 9th 2016 back home in my collection.

Very little maintenance had been performed, so to date I’ve rebuilt the brakes, replacing the fuel line and tuned the car up. The next task is to replace the front seat foam and covers. Long term my plan is to pull the motor and reseal it because it leaks from every seal and gasket.


The car has the original drivetrain and is documented with the original protect-o- plate and Harbor Chevrolet Sales Journal which identifies the VIN, purchaser, salesman, selling price, deposit and trade-in.




POP INFO

T0505JH (L78 Built May 5th 124379N663504 ( #163504th built) H(Holley carb)

P9H11 (Muncie built June 11th) BU0626G ( 373 posi built June 26th) 6 (car built June)

1133
1(Disc brake)1(Power Steering) 3(Radio) 3(Power Brakes)

Paul A. Carter
6144 Faust Ave
Lakewood, CA


Harbor Chevrolet Sales Journal July 1969- Camaro

Buyer: Carl Carter
1969 RS/SS L78
Car: VIN124379N663504
Price $4136
Car Stock # 2746
Invoice # 4544

Transactions-
Deposit: $ 108.50
Trade in: $ 650.00
Checks (two) $1377.50
$2000.00
Total $4136.00


















Interesting Facts About The Car



• Although the car was ordered in California, it was built in Norwood, OH, rather then Los Angeles, due to a strike and end of production Van Nuys, CA plant. Norwood produced cars until Nov of 1969, due to the delayed introduction of the 1970 model until Feb of 1970.

• Camaros built in June of 1969 all have trim tags with a build week of (A), which represents first week. To determine the week the car was built for any Camaro built in June you need to VIN. By extrapolating based on VIN, total number of cars built per month and day this car is about 500 cars from the reported end of June production numbers, which is roughly one day of production. If my assumptions are right about the number of shifts worked and the number of days per week, this car should have been in the shipping lot on Friday June 27th, in the GM side of the plant from the 25th to the 27th, and the body was started on either Monday the 23rd, or Friday the 20th.

• There were three versions of the 396CI engine, 325hp, high performance 350hp and special high performance 375. A total of 4,889 cars had this engine option.

• This car has the later style trim plate, which identifies the car as X22 (396 with style trim) and D80 designates spoiler option. Not all spoiler cars had D80 stamped on the trim plate which began 5/69.

• The car is unusual due to all the options in the special hp model

• Super Sport

• Rally Sport

• Spoilers

• 396/375 hp (L78)

• Deluxe Black Comfort Weave Interior

• Console &amp; Gauges

• Power Steering

• Tinted Glass

• AM Radio

• Auxiliary Lighting Package

• 4 Speed (M21 close ratio)

• 373 Positraction Rear Axle

[mockingbird812]

That's what I am talking about. Let's get this &quot;members' rides&quot; going again. What a beaut Steve! Love it!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

[Steve Shauger]

Thanks Sam. I love driving this car, and because it's just a driver I can take it anywhere. I finally got the carb dialed in and the next task is redoing the front seats. Although I wouldn't consider this a survivor, it has never been taken apart and runs and drives like a dream.

The members ride section is where the members have an opportunity to share their cars with other members. Every car has a story to tell and sharing is what it's is all about. BTW Bruce makes it easy so give it a try....

[cook_dw]

Very nice car.. Congrats

[66 L78 ragtop]

She has all the right options... Very cool

Congrats!

[bergy]

Love that car Steve - right color and options!

[firstgenaddict]

Beautiful Steve... it would have been difficult to part with the Black RS COPO however for an L78 like this and the survivor silver Z... I'd flip some keys as well...

I love them when they are not &quot;perfect&quot; but nicely broken in single repaints or slightly worn originals... you don't feel near as bad driving them and thrashing the tires a little!!!

[Woj]

Gorgeous car Steve. Nothing like cruising around in a no-guilt-to-drive survivor.

Enjoy your summer cruising.

Phil Woj

[Xplantdad]

Steve, thanks for sharing your beautiful L78 with all of us. I'd love to own it! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

[Damien]

Great story for an awesome '69. The best way to own a muscle car, being able to drive it anywhere at any time. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]