Took my 69 to its original owner for a visit

[JKZ27]

This past weekend I drove my 69 RS/SS over 100 miles to visit its original owner. What a great experience. I had been in contact with him for about 8 years now and finally got the guts to take the car on a 220 mile round trip in the 90+ degree heat. My only regret is that I was unable to get the A/C operating before hand. The drive was great and the car drove wonderful. But, even more wonderful was the man himself. The man who met his wife-to-be shortly before taking delivery of his new Camaro which they would drive on their honeymoon in New England a few years later. The guy now caring for his ailing wife was able to take a break for a ride down memory lane behind the wheel of his old weathered, but solid Camaro. It was a good time!

John

[69Z28-RS]

That's a neat story, and neat photos..   44 yrs apart? *S*...    can't even tell they aged.. 

[69Z28freak]

Wow love this thread. So cool. What a great thing to do. Well done. Love the car as well, it's the right colour!

[ZLP955]

Awesome reunion, congratulations to you for setting that up - must've been a great day!

[cook_dw]

Very cool.

[69houdini]

Yeah that's cool.

[janobyte]

Love the pics and connection. Cool how you left the shoulder belt hanging like he did years ago. How many change of hands?

[68camaroz28]

I'm sure that made both his day and yours! 
congratulations for doing what you did as it will bring back many memories for you as well as time marches forward.
Good on ya!

[69pace]

Very nice! I love happy Camaro stories like this. I'm sure Scott must have enjoyed the break.

[JKZ27]

Thanks guys! Yes, it will be a great memory. I've had many phone conversations over the past few years with him and even a few offers to buy it back. I know I'm one of the lucky car owners that actually got to hear about why his car was ordered the way it was, why they went to a particular dealer, who they tried to race on the beltway, and how it got hit in a icy parking lot. We were planning to meet at this year's Camaro Nationals but his schedule caused a last minute change of plans so I told him I would come to him...I think that worked out better. He is still very much a "car guy" as he has a small collection of cool stuff including an 87 IROC convertible. As we drove around his neighborhood, stopped at traffic light in the seering heat, he looked down and said "I don't know why I didn't order gauges"...Probably for the same reason he didn't order a 4th gear or power steering.
I am also in touch with the second owner (I'm the 3rd) and I suspect at some point the three of us will hang out one afternoon.  

John

[mickeystoys69RSSS]

You should try and get custom tags ED 9090 if you can 

[BULLITT65]

Thats what I was thinking, you should ask both owners what happened to the original license plates. Hopefully my original owners wife could locate mine.

I am trying to plan a similar trip to the original owners wife and son (owner passed thats why the car got sold). The original owner cherished the car, kept every piece of paperwork, other than a possible window sticker.

I was amazed at the level of preservation all the documents were in as well as the car.

[BULLITT65]

thats the grandson behind the wheel, the original owner is in the wheel chair with his son in the green shirt. This was taken shortly before he passed, and right before I purchased the car. *correction* The car was actually sold soon before he passed.
Wish I could of thanked him myself for how well he kept the car up.

[jmcbeth]

We were planning to meet at this year's Camaro Nationals but his schedule caused a last minute change of plans so I told him I would come to him...

John,

Like the others, I love reading stories like this. Thanks very much for sharing. If there is any chance you can meet next year at Nationals, let me know. I suspect we could do something special...

Best,

John

[1969L89JEFF]

Isn't that a great feeling? I'm now friends with the original owner of my L89 69. I was invited to attend last months Norwood Assembly Plant  Reunion with the workers who built my Camaro. They couldn't believe she only has 2076 miles on it and it almost felt like a parent being re-united with a child after 45 years! (December 68 build date)

[BULLITT65]

great pics, good story. Welcome to the site!