Messages

1

Originality / Re: Astro Ventilation Window Markings

« on: September 05, 2013, 01:21:00 AM »

I suppose its possible that both windows were replaced at some point within the first couple of years of its existence. It  seems unlikely, however,  but I guess anything is possible. What are the chances that the factory had left over windows from 68? After-all, the car was built in Sept of 68? 

2

Originality / Re: Astro Ventilation Window Markings

« on: September 02, 2013, 11:05:57 PM »

For what its worth, see attached photo of window markings.

3

Originality / Re: Astro Ventilation Window Markings

« on: September 02, 2013, 03:46:27 PM »

John Z; the car was built in Sept. 68.

4

Originality / Re: Astro Ventilation Window Markings

« on: September 02, 2013, 03:45:01 PM »

Thanks Dutch, I have the documentation package from Vintage Car Services. Unless I'm missing something, however, it doesn't get into enough detail that would explain the glass used in production.

5

Originality / Re: Astro Ventilation Window Markings

« on: September 02, 2013, 03:41:09 PM »

Sorry, I listed the incorrect date codes. The driver's side window should have been CZ which I believe is Nov. 67. The passenger side is NX or Jan 68 while the left rear windows are both UX.

6

Originality / Astro Ventilation Window Markings

« on: September 02, 2013, 03:28:25 AM »

All of the research I've come across  indicates that the Astro Ventilation markings on the  passenger and drivers side windows was discontinued part way through 1968. However, I recently looked at a 69 RS SS Convertible I'm considering buying that has the "Astro Ventilation" markings on the driver and passenger side windows. The car has 86000 original miles on it and has been parked by the current owner since 1983. She bought the car in 1972.  I grew up in the same town and remember the car well.  Everything about the car appears to be completely original and I have no doubt the current owner is telling me the truth when she says she has never had the windows replaced which might have explained why "Astro Ventilation" appears on the windows. The car, built in September of 1968 was sold through a dealer in Canada. Any help in figuring out this mystery would be appreciated. Even the codes don't make sense to me.  It's possible, the original owner might have had the windows replaced for some reason but that seems unlikely. The original owner bought the car new in the same town where the current owner lives. It's a smalll town and no one I've spoken to remembers anything ever happening to that car before the current owner bought it. If anyone could help with these codes I'd certainly appreciate it. The drivers side window is a Soft-Ray Solid Tempered Window with:  AS 2 ,  UX  and M55 stamped on it. The passenger side is also a Soft-Ray with AS 2, NX and M74 stamped on it. Any assistance in figuring out this mystery would be greatly appreciated. I have photos of the windows if that would help.

7

General Discussion / Re: Floor shifter versus column shifter

« on: February 05, 2010, 03:46:21 AM »

Thanks for the advise everyone,  I certainly appreciate it and to 69houdini; your post above makes perfect sense. You put it well; the bottom line is being happy with the car. That being said however,  I  have a lot to learn so I hope you guys don't mind a one sided relationship, at least for the time being. I've already learned a lot from this site, but I haven't got a whole lot to offer in return. It's good to know there is a site dedicated to those that seem to have a real passion for these cars. The knowledge on this site is incredible.  For guys like me it's a steep learning curve but before I buy anything I want to have a good understanding of  what it is I'm actually buying. Like all of you, I'm sure,  I've worked too hard to give my money  away to someone who's basically a crook. Sooner or later I'll get a handle on this crazy market.  For example, here's one I looked at:

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-1969-Camaro-SS-396-Barrett-Jackson-Quality-W0QQAdIdZ182607499

For all I know it could be the perfect car, (apart from the price) but until I learn more, I have no way of knowing that.    Tom makes a good point in his post above; sometimes it's worth paying for the advise of an expert. I still want to  learn all I can, however. There's something about cars from that era that gets into one's blood. It was truly an exciting time in automotive history and I think a first gen camaro represents that better than most.

8

Test Drive / Re: Testing

« on: February 05, 2010, 02:59:59 AM »

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-1969-Chevrolet-Camaro-SS396-Coupe-2-door-W0QQAdIdZ182651666

9

General Discussion / Floor shifter versus column shifter

« on: February 04, 2010, 01:24:42 PM »

Good day all, first off; I'm relatively new to this forum and I want to start out by saying how great it is. It's a fantastic site for a guy like me who's in the market for his dream car (69) and needs to learn all he can. I owned a 69 SS BB in my younger days and when I sold it I swore that one day I'd own another. That was 30 years ago and now that I think I'm getting close to making it happen, I'm doing all I can tore-educating myself. Of all the sites I've stumbled upon or from all the books I've been reading, this site is by far the best place to learn. It was a lot simpler back then. I think the only question I had then  was: "Does it go fast?". Today however, the market is crazy. It's getting extremely difficult to tell what's real and what's not, let alone what should be real.

 Anyway, I'm looking at a 69 SS 396-325hp. I'm assuming column shifters were relatively rare on these cars. If so, does anyone think that a column shift adds anything to the value of the car? I'm being told it does (by the seller of course) but I'm not so sure it does. It may be rare, but I can't see it adding anything to the value? In my mind, there's a reason it's rare, no one wanted it and I'm not so sure I do either.

Thanks everyone.