My Thoughts on March 16th, 2009

[Stingr69]

I remember the Camaro I had drooled on every morning as I drove past on my way to high school back in 1979. It was all black and had skinny Cragars on the front with fat Cragars on the back. It had huge rear spring shackles and some very heavy slapper bars on the rear. After a door knock and a few phone calls to my family members I was able to purchase this car for $1600 which was not a small amount of money back then. Even though I had never driven it or even started the engine, I just HAD to have it. It was a very cold day when my Mother hooked up a long rope to her 1977 Ford Granada and I sat in the front seat of my recently purchased project '69 Camaro as we carefully towed it to our house. I would do the braking and she had the pulling to do. Think of the scary things we do to chase our dreams. Drag racing, midnight traction tests, others things I can not publish. If there was anything in my life that made me love the Camaro - this was the reason.

Fast forward to today - I still own it. The car is currently restored to look like a day 2 car with mostly all stock appearances. It still has Cragars even if they are a more reasonable size now and I get to drive it on nice sunny days.

Not for sale, never will be.

-Mark.

Here she is fresh from the resto.

[GTAHVIT]

I don't pretend to know what The Camaro Team, at GM is going through. Especially those that saw the end of an era and now see a new beginning.

I will probably never know.

But, I can't deny the excitement in my heart, when I woke up this morning. I can't concentrate on what I'm supposed to be doing today. I can't help but stare out my office window and think about going cruising with my Dad in the many different Chevy's he's had over the years. Not to mention a yellow 69 RS/SS. I look forward to the days when my wife and two children will pile into our first Camaro to go to the beach, or get ice cream, or to a local weekend car show. Or to just get some milk from the Walgreen's less then a mile from the house...

I don't know what Scott and others are going through. But I do know that as a fan who's been included in this wonderful event, I'm encouraged, excited and so very happy that GM and Scott have shared so much of this with us.

My first Camaro will be the continuation for my kids of what my Dad began with me. This car will be a wonderful part of my future with those that I love more than any on this earth. My hope is 30 years from now, I can look to my wife and say, "lets go see the grand kids." And pile into the Camaro and go see those I love most.

So, thanks Scott, GM, everyone on the Camaro Team, Oshawa, Camaro5, My family, and Dad.

Can't wait to see what the future holds, and to share it with all of you.

Sincerely,

Chris

[Redwolf20]

Great post Scott! Thanks for being there throughout the thick and thin!

[radz28]

Originally Posted by CamaroSpike23

Nice Scott... as always. Its been a pleasure to be a part of this with you bringing our beloved Camaro back to life.

Originally Posted by pinkcamaro10

anyone else a little teary eyed? lol

Originally Posted by AlaskaZ06

Thank you very much Scott.....

Originally Posted by fad1

Scott, this Camaro means to me more than a car, but a portal to make friends from far and away. It is amazing to see how a single vehicle like a Camaro can bring everyone so close. Everyone on this forum forum have been great, and the people to take the time to help other people on the forum is seriously amazing. I am just astonished to see how this car will bring happiness to so many people. I really hope those who receive their car enjoy their car and all I can say to Team Camaro and GM....... Thank you for Bringing Back Camaro, the True American Icon.

Oh BTW: It's been real fun to see the Camaro develop to what it really is today.

I can remember my first drive in a mid-April of '94 Z28 with a slushbox, 2.73s, and my dad and brother in the passenger's and rear seats. After talking my dad out of getting a Mustang GT (because he used to have a Mach 1) after reading many articles of the new LT1s, he decided to stay Chevy, since that's what we'd had for more than a decade worth of new cars. We just brought it home, I was 17, and my dad gives me to keys to go pick up some Taco Bell, or some 'ish. I pull onto the boulevard, it's raining, and I got WOT at about 25 and the funniest feeling overwelms me... OH - it's the rear of the car swinging to the side trying to pass the front! I never experienced a sensation like that before and was just immediately in love with speed and Camaro.

November of '97, I buy my first car: a '95 Z28 with an M6 and everything up to T-tops. I found the car in near-perfect condition with 7000 miles with all the options I wanted. I spent all day at the dealership and the first place I went to was my girlfriend's house to show it off. About a hundred passes at my local dragstrip, a few thousand dolars, and many good times later, I got my next Camaro...

An '02 Z28 in May of '03 with 4000 miles. It's an A4 with 3.23s, and all the options except the 12-disc changer which I added later. Low 13s were easily obtained on street tires and a year-and-a-half later, I scratched into the 12s with a lid, mild exhaust, and even more weight with chassis and suspension changes. Another year-and-a-half later, I finally get some drag radials and almost pull my head off my shoulders with a big stall and 1.6 60-foot times.

I've had nothing but great times with my Camaros. I even lured my wife with my '95 and hope I can give my year-and-a-half-old son some good times too with my 5th Gen. (when I get one). As always - thanks 'Father for sharing what Camaro has meant to you and how it's influenced you. Thank you for your influence, also

[Edrock]

:flag1:

[Badger]

[King Mouse]

Congratulations!

[Embalmer]

Wow, I didn't think I was capable of getting teary eyed about a "car". I stand corrected....

Thanks Fbod.

[GothamCamaro]

Scott,

Beautiful write-up and "passion" is the biggest thing I get from your post and passion runs through most of us, definitely in my veins. I thank you for letting me into the Camaro Family by bringing the Camaro back.

I was never able to buy one in my younger adult years and now I can. Camaros have been around me in my life from my dad and ex-girlfriend owning one and a few other friends.

I'm proud as hell for being a pre-order nut and will be proud telling people when they ask what I'm driving... It's American and I'm driving a Chevy Camaro!

[Inspector 17]

Great post Scott. I am glad to be here to witness all that has happened and all that will happen still. I am glad that phrase “and so it is done” now has a new meaning. But I would argue that it would be more appropriate today to say "and so it has begun, again..." Thanks to you and the Camaro team for keeping the faith.

[NAHURRY]

Thanks Fbod for a GREAT write-up, you are truly a cool guy!

[MerlinZero]

Originally Posted by gtahvit

I don't pretend to know what The Camaro Team, at GM is going through. Especially those that saw the end of an era and now see a new beginning.

I will probably never know.

But, I can't deny the excitement in my heart, when I woke up this morning. I can't concentrate on what I'm supposed to be doing today. I can't help but stare out my office window and think about going cruising with my Dad in the many different Chevy's he's had over the years. Not to mention a yellow 69 RS/SS. I look forward to the days when my wife and two children will pile into our first Camaro to go to the beach, or get ice cream, or to a local weekend car show. Or to just get some milk from the Walgreen's less then a mile from the house...

I don't know what Scott and others are going through. But I do know that as a fan who's been included in this wonderful event, I'm encouraged, excited and so very happy that GM and Scott have shared so much of this with us.

My first Camaro will be the continuation for my kids of what my Dad began with me. This car will be a wonderful part of my future with those that I love more than any on this earth. My hope is 30 years from now, I can look to my wife and say, "lets go see the grand kids." And pile into the Camaro and go see those I love most.

So, thanks Scott, GM, everyone on the Camaro Team, Oshawa, Camaro5, My family, and Dad.

Can't wait to see what the future holds, and to share it with all of you.

Sincerely,

Chris

Amen brother.

The thing I think I remember the most has to be highschool... there was only ONE camaro at the school (this is in 2000) it was an 80's IROC-Z... I loved that car (even though it wasnt mine). Just to be able to hear it leave the parking lot every day, it was just awe inspiring.

I am with you man, loading everyone up into this car, taking a drive... just anywhere.. thats what i look forward to the most.

[mike302]

Originally Posted by Stingr69

I remember the Camaro I had drooled on every morning as I drove past on my way to high school back in 1979. It was all black and had skinny Cragars on the front with fat Cragars on the back. It had huge rear spring shackles and some very heavy slapper bars on the rear. After a door knock and a few phone calls to my family members I was able to purchase this car for $1600 which was not a small amount of money back then. Even though I had never driven it or even started the engine, I just HAD to have it. It was a very cold day when my Mother hooked up a long rope to her 1977 Ford Granada and I sat in the front seat of my recently purchased project '69 Camaro as we carefully towed it to our house. I would do the braking and she had the pulling to do. Think of the scary things we do to chase our dreams. Drag racing, midnight traction tests, others things I can not publish. If there was anything in my life that made me love the Camaro - this was the reason.

Fast forward to today - I still own it. The car is currently restored to look like a day 2 car with mostly all stock appearances. It still has Cragars even if they are a more reasonable size now and I get to drive it on nice sunny days.

Not for sale, never will be.

-Mark.

Here she is fresh from the resto.

Attachment 17574

Wow a 69 RSZ28 for $1600 bucks! I know that was a lot back then but what a hell of a deal that would be now just for a rolling shell junker. That is one beautiful car!

My love for Camaros came way back in 1985 Just before I got my drivers license. I was at the L.A Marathon standing on a freeway overpass watching the cars go by. My buddy who was into Camaros kept pointing out these cool looking cars with two black zippers on the hood. It was the IROCZ. I was an instant GM and Camaro fan. As soon as I started driving I bought an 82 Z28. Not an IROC but close enough and the only 3rd gen I could afford at the time. I went through three more 3rd gens until I finally found a deal on an 87 IROC. It needed work and after about 6 months and a lot of sweat and money, she was finished. Only to be stolen, stripped and left out in the rain with no T-Tops a week later .

Back in 2003, I decided to buy a lemans blue 69 RS Z28 from a guy in San Diego. It had a white hounds tooth interior and cost me 36 grand but man it was a great car. I drove it a lot until it got it's first paint chip. After that I was afraid to drive it and it sat under a cover in my garage. I ended up selling it for what I paid for it. What a mistake. I am having a tough time pulling the trigger on another Camaro because of the current economy but man I want one bad. When the time comes though I will have a difficult time deciding wether to buy a new one or another IROC or maybe even another 69Z.

[tandtperformance]

so scoot my dealer showed me on his computer last thursday my event code was a 3000 what does mean in a time line for mine to be built