The birth of Orange Krate...

[Orange Krate]

Unfortunately a couple of months back my aftermarket LED tail lights suddenly and without warning, went haywire. There was almost an electrical fire from them shorting out! Bottom line... junk components used to make them.

I talked with Don Congdon at XtremeLEDOnline and ordered a DIY LED kit for my stock SS tail lights. If you search Youtube you can see the video instructions on how to do the DIY so I am not going to post all of the technical work I did.

Over the course of 3 nights (about 8 hours of patience) I completed the project. I had the help of my friend Dan F. who acted as a second set of eyes and hands. The end product turned out great IMHO.

I now have AFTERBURNER LED TAIL LIGHTS AND SEQUENTIAL TURN SIGNALS.

Below are the photos of Orange Krate as of this posting.

[Orange Krate]

Hard to believe it has been 5 years to the week since I took delivery of Orange Krate from the William L. Morris Chevrolet Dealership (of Simi Valley) which is now gone.

As a part of the 5 year celebration I completed the DIY for the tail lights (above post) and took Orange Krate out on a 200 mile round trip up to the Chumash Casino in Santa Barbara County near Solvang and Santa Ynez (the late Michael Jackson ranch area). When I arrived at the casino it was surprisingly not crowded and I parked away from all the crazies and captured this cell phone photo of Orange Krate sitting proudly. He still runs strong and the looks never diminish. What a great ride. THANKS Chevrolet for giving me back some of my youth.

[Orange Krate]

Tonight I got home to discover a new mod had arrived for Orange Krate. This is the interior LED dome replacement light by Oracle. It has an optional credit card sized color shift controller that is wireless. Super easy to install and easy on the wallet. The standard 6 LED white lights are very bright. The colorshift option with lightshow modes is bonus! Orange Krate approves!

[Orange Krate]

Two days after my last post, I was BLESSED with the birth of my first grandchild. His name is Jaxon James S. His middle name is my first name. His birthday is the same as Elvis Presley and David Bowie. I have been so busy that the last 5 months since his birth have absolutely flown by. I have spent time with him bonding. He loves me and I love him. He always smiles. Just like a "Permagrin". Amazing thing is he loves cars and he loves orange and now he LOVES my Orange Krate Camaro. Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you my new Grandson Jaxon aka "Lil Stig".

[swizlstik]

Congratulations! He's adorable.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Orange Krate]

Originally Posted by swizlstik

Congratulations! He's adorable.

Thank you Swizlstik! He just turned 7 months. What a great experience being "Grandpa". I thought it would take time getting used to. Nope. As comfortable as sliding into the seat of my Camaro.

[Orange Krate]

Jubilation! Just as Orange Krate is a 5th generation Camaro so does our family have 5 generations still alive! Today the 5th generation (my grandson) was introduced to his GREAT GREAT GREAT Aunt Lois.

Some of you who read this thread may have seen the video post and photos of my Great Aunt Lois who at 96, took a ride in my new Camaro. Orange Krate is now coming up on 6 years of age and Aunt Lois is 101 years old. My Grandson Jaxon is 11 months old. They hit it off just as good family should.

Here is a photo of their introduction. Cheers to Aunt Lois, Jaxon and Orange Krate!

[GirlyNFG]

Chris Caumartin is STILL here selling camaros! amazing thread

[Orange Krate]

Originally Posted by GirlyNFG

Chris Caumartin is STILL here selling camaros! amazing thread

Thank you! I saw Chris a few weeks back in the showroom. I am glad he has survived the transitions (2) since Wm. Morris days. He is a good guy.

Your Gen 6 is friggin awesome!!!

[Orange Krate]

SAD NEWS TO REPORT...

Yesterday my Great Aunt Lois passed away. She was an amazing woman who lived life to the fullest extent through some pretty tough days in her youth. We will all miss her smile, attitude and spunky personality. Some of you who have followed my journal saw her on here for her 96th birthday when we went riding in Orange Krate. Auntie was 101 years old so it is hard to be too sad with a run like that. A homerun indeed.

RIP Auntie.

[Orange Krate]

It has been several years since I have posted to the Orange Krate thread. Not out of lack of interest, but totally due to zero time. In fact, Orange Krate has been parked most of the past few years. He was 10 years old in November 2020 and has just over 24,000 miles! Orange Krate has NEVER been in a carwash or driven in the rain. Undercarriage is like new. Stickers are still on underneath of car. Only required maintenance has been fluids, new tires, and car detailing.

Today my daughter created two vinyl appliques for Orange Krate and I put them on the rear window above Camaro5.com sticker and on the orange dash trim. They are a faux gold leaf and can be easily removed.

I am near retirement so I do not know how long I will keep the car. Another competing issue is my lust for a new Corvette. Sexiest car I think I have ever seen in a Chevrolet breed. If... and if is a big word..I were to buy one, a new journal will commence on another website.

I will be posting up some current photos of my Grandson Jaxon who is now 5. He was posted in this thread when he was an infant. He is still in love with Orange Krate so I am not sure I can part with the car.

On another note... I had been out of the Camaro loop as I had said, and just recently learned of the passing of Becky Doyle. She was a Camaro legend, and professional car buff as well as being someone I could list as friend. I was saddened to hear the news from her husband Joe. I think of her often and every time I climb in Orange Krate. She had actually given me some specific pieces that are a part of Orange Krate's persona. I will never ever forget her generosity. Cheers and RIP Becky. We will meet again soon enough.

(Becky is featured in this thread early on in 2011. She signed the shock tower of my car and her signature is forever clear coated next to the Chevrolet Engineer Signatures from Camaro Fest 2011. Much esteem!)

[Orange Krate]

A couple of entries back I introduced you to Jaxon my first (and only) grandchild. He is now 5 years old and has grown up around Orange Krate but has not ridden in him yet... but soon will. He is a very big kid for his age. Yesterday (Sunday on Father's Day) my wife ("Nana") and I ("Papa") drove Orange Krate up to my Grandson's house to relax. As we were getting ready to leave Jaxon had his iPad and said he wanted to see Orange Krate. I told him he could go see him if he took a photo and sent it to me. Since he is only 5 years old my expectation of a photo was perhaps dim. However it occurred to me that I took my first photos (I still have them) with a "Brownie" camera with film (What's that?) when I was about his age.

I was amazed by the photo Jaxon took. I didn't see the photo until after we left. He emailed it to me! Needless to say Papa was impressed with the composition by a 5 year old. Thank you Jaxon!

Nana and Papa love you.

[Orange Krate]

Just love this car.... still!!!

Sexy + Real Runner.

[SSE 4 2SS]

Originally Posted by Orange Krate

Just love this car.... still!!!

Sexy + Real Runner.

Myself brother...

I’m hoping to be back driving a Camaro in the near future... I’m trying to swing a deal, outright sale or trade and cash... Guy has a 2014 1LE, and he wants a mile race car...

He bought a ZL1 1LE and after attending the Mile, decided he wanted to build his 14... His son in law, a friend (BP Company Man) I’ve worked for/with in the past, contacted me to see who to use to build a car... So I offered a former and still potential world record holder car instead... They were very interested...


Fingers crossed...