Saturday, January 31, 2009

Those Where The Days My Friend

In 1969, Steve was driving to work one morning in his 442 (a 1967 Oldsmobile). He drove by the Big R Chevrolet dealership daily. But this morning he glanced over at the dealership and they were unloading an orange and white 1969 Z-28 Camaro off a car carrier. It was Lust At First Sight! He immediately stopped at Big R and my ever impulsive husband traded on the spot.

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They hammered out a deal. Then the smiling salesman loaned him a brand new demo, an Impala, while the Camaro was being prepped. He picked up his new car two days later (he had to wait on all the usual financial shuffling, etc.). Then he drove home a happy boy, uh, man.

From all the tales I've heard this Camaro was something else!

Chevy built the new Z-28 so that they could qualify it for the TransAm Series Race. It had the only 302 cubic inch V-8 that Chevy ever made. All the parts of the motor where straight from the Chevrolet racing catalog. It would only run on Sunoco 460 Premium fuel or it would knock and fuel economy was not a factor (15 highway, 10 town). It had no air conditioning or any of the now common amenities because the motor turned over 6000 rpm. Chevy wouldn't guarantee the air conditioner motor at such high RPM's. It didn't have power steering, so it was a bear to drive at slow speeds and in parking lots!

He once drove it from Jacksonville to Daytona Beach Speedway, which is approximately 90 miles one way, in under 55 minutes. By the time he got there, none of guys in the car could hear and they all felt like their insides were shaken not stirred!

It was definitely a man's car. A true muscle car.

Unfortunately, he had traded the Z-28 by the time I came along, but I get to hear all the fun stories about his shenanigans.

These old autos where uncomfortable as can be, but I miss really fast cars. They had character.


♥ ∞

13 comments:

  1. OH OH..The boy(my son) goes, "SWEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTT!!!!"

    Were all Camaro junkies. He is eagerly awaiting the new one to come out. His screensaver and background are of Camaros.

    SWEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTT! Indeed. Blessings

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  2. OOOoh car lust - there's nothing like it! The Mister's lustiest car was his GT40. He had to sell it when our first daughter was born. It paid the bills then - It would pay for our entire retirement if we had it to sell now.
    Your reward is in the mail today - should have it early next week.

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  3. Eh, it's a car. My Man Beast wants the car from Supernatural. Sure, it's a sweet ride...but I'm more interested in electronics and computers. (we are such geeks)

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  4. Your son is so cool Linda. :o)

    Hi Cindi, Unfortunately, car lust transcends all genders. I get it from time to time too. I do wish we had the old Camaro. I wonder what they're worth now? Might be worth Googling that one ... or maybe not. I might start crying when I see how much they're worth! LOL Thanks for the mystery gift. Can't wait to see what it is ... [puzzled look]

    I'm into motorcycles, digital cameras AND electronics now Iva. When will the madness $$$ stop!? ROFLOL

    Thanks y'all for stopping by. A comment is like a warm hug on a cold, blustery day.

    Dang, I just noticed several misspelled words. Sorry y'all. I'll fix that or it'll drive me crazy. ha ha ♥ ∞

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  5. Awe cute story! If he kept it a little longer, you could have been his Daisy Duke! Yee Haw!

    Cute post, gives me an idea too!

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  6. Yeee Hawww!! HA HA HA
    Hope you're over your cold soon Janeen and back to posting again. Stay warm. ♥ ∞

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  7. You are killing me, because I learned to drive on a '77 Impala and I swear I almost put this exact Camaro photo on my Blasts From the Past blog earlier today.

    You might enjoy my "Hot Wheels" post (check my sidebar, if you're interested.)

    Actually, my main blog is "Invisible Keepsakes". I'd be pleased if you visit.

    Kat

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  8. Oh - I fixed the colour of the text - I hope you can read it now.

    Kat

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  9. When I met Dirt he had a '78 canary yellow Camaro. Shortly after we married he sold it. He didn't need his chick magnet anymore. But funny thing was I was magnetized before I knew he had the car! We bought a Ford Uni-body, cool looking old truck, hauled dirt (soil) and other stuff well but didn't handle the hay hauling when we moved to the farm.

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  10. Nice car and fond memories. Sparky, I wanted to let you know that prayers will offered for you and Steve during this week. I pray the Lord will guide the surgeon's hands and your subsequent recovery with be complete and free from pain. I am also glad to hear Amberlee is on the road to recovery.

    And make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Hebrews 12:13 NAS
    For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds. Jeremiah 30:17

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  11. Oh, man, I'd kill for an old Camaro! Well, not really, but a Z-28??? Unbelievably cool. My honey had a Plymouth Duster when we were first dating, in 1976. It was really fast! Later he got a red Mustang that was pretty cool. The Duster was our fav tho, and if I'd had money, I'd of bought him the one I saw at a vintage place a while back.

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  12. Oh how it brings back memories of my youth! Drag racing up and down long streaches of empty country highways...uh...other things... probably best left unsaid, but remembered all the same. ;-D I loved those cars... and the guys that drove them!

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  13. Seems that everybody 'our age' has fond memories of muscle cars. I'm always amazed at how many of us gals liked them too. Groovy! LOL

    Thanks for the Holy Scripture Carey. I will treasure God's word in my heart as I prepare to go under the knife (what a drama queen, huh?). I do trust Christ and know that 'all things work to good' for those that believe in Him.

    Thanks y'all for stopping by!! ♥ ∞

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⭐ A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out. ~ Walter Winchell