Messages

91

Originality / Re: Correct Hood Hinge Finish

« on: August 28, 2006, 10:25:13 PM »

Guys:

Thanks for the input.  I have looked for pictures and have seen pics that look almost like a gun metal blue and pics where the hinges look lighter gray.  Which is correct?  I have a call in with Palmetto Enterprises and hope to hear back fro them tomorrow.  Are the chemicals expensive?

I may have to wait until over the winter to get the hinges right.  If I do this myself I am assuming I bead blast the hinges down to bare metal correct?

Mark

92

Originality / Correct Hood Hinge Finish

« on: August 27, 2006, 12:34:04 PM »

Sorry if this is a repeat.  I think I have seen this info somewhere but can't find it.  What is the correct finish for the hood hinges on a 68 396 L78 RS SS car?  There has been some input that it is supposed to be a semi gloss black and some that it is supposed to be like a silver plate.   They are about to go back on the car and I want to make sure we get them correct.

Thanks

93

General Discussion / Re: 2009 Camaro is Coming!!!

« on: August 25, 2006, 10:16:23 AM »

GM should learn a lesson from Harley Davidson.  When HD was on the ropes and came ever so close to shutting down, once they got some financial backing from Wall Street, Willie G. and his pals put on their leathers and went to Biker Rally after Biker Rally and formed what is now H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) and met with many of the actual bikers to better understand what the actual bikers wanted in their motorcycles.  Then they set about designing and building good quality motorcycles that the people who rode them actually wanted.  After some help from the government in the form of tarrifs on the rice burners from Japan,  HD started seeing great sales and a return of owner loyalty.  They eventually went to the government and ASKED, yes asked, the government to remove the tarrifs on the Japanese motorcycles because they knew they had turned the corner.  For those of us who ride, we know there is nothing like riding a good Harley, and we are as fiercely loyal to them as we are the 1st gen Camaros.  The proof is in the stock performance of HD over the last 15 years.  Now look at all the bike mfgs trying to copy the Harley with their version of the V Twin.  While they make a good quality bike for the most part, and they are less expensive than the Harley, people spend more money and are willing to go on waiting lists to get their rides because the others just aren't a Harley.

Has anyone seen a GM rep that has design input at the corporate level at any car show, cruise in or club meeting asking us what we wanted in a new Camaro?  I am just a newbie and may be mis-informed but I would be surprised if that has happened.  Yet, the CEO of GM and President of Chevrolet and the other higher level decision makers make how many millions each year because they are so smart?  Maybe a taste of humble pie is needed there.  Unfortunately that piece of pie may be the down fall of what was once a great company with fierce owner loyalty just like HD.  A look at some of the entries in this thread show people talking good about Mustangs.  That is definitely the car lover coming out in us, but who would have thunk it, Camaro owners talking good about Mustangs 

I wonder if any GM marketing types or managers and decision makers even monitor this site to get input?  Geez, that way they wouldn't even have to take their ties off and put their martinis down, and definitely wouldn't have to get grease under their well manicured fingernails, or horror pf horrors, actually have to talk to a "Commoner".  Too bad it has come to this.  The proof is in the pudding.  My grocery getter is a Toyota Avalon.  It is a great car and has 140,000 miles on it.  I intend to drive it to 250,000 just so I can pay for my 1968 RS SS.   If GM offered a comparable car in quality and price I would gladly drive that, but sadly they just do not have such a beast.

94

General Discussion / Re: To stripe or not to stripe? That is the question

« on: August 24, 2006, 01:42:27 AM »

ccargo.  I was reading a post from last November and see that your car is a L78 with an M22 and a 4.56 rear end too.  So is mine although the previous owner changed the rear end to a 3.73.  I may change it back at some point, will have to see after I drive it for awhile.  Sorry for the thread drift but can you tell me the date codes of your car, the transmission and the rear end?  My car and the tranny and rear end are quite a while apart and am wondering if the combination is rare enough that the components sat around for awhile at the factory.

Thanks

95

Site Comments/Discussion / Awesome site and member

« on: August 24, 2006, 01:20:17 AM »

I just want to say this site and the members are amazing.  The wealth of knowledge and the love of Camaros comes through in reading all the posts.  I am constantly amazed and impressed by the level of detailed information all of you are able and willing to provide about Camaros.  I consider myself lucky to have found this site and you people.

Thank you so much

Mark

96

Originality / 5000 vs 6000 redline tachs

« on: August 24, 2006, 01:12:08 AM »

Has anyone heard of 396 cars coming out of LA with 5000 redline?  I heard there was sometimes a shortage of the correct 6000 redline tachs so the factory put whatever was available in the car.  My 396/375 is clearly the original engine in the car but has the 5000 redline tic toc tach.  I am replacing it with the factory correct 6000 redline but it is things like this that drive a type A guy like me even more nuts than I already am

Thanks

97

General Discussion / Re: To stripe or not to stripe? That is the question

« on: August 22, 2006, 11:54:16 PM »

You are correct that the nose and front part of the fender were painted.  I believe the decals started on the fender in back of the wheel well and then went down the door.  I had not heard about the break you are talking about and will have to be more observant.  Nice pic by the way.  Sweet car.  I do not know about the stripe option on non SS cars.

Mark

98

Decoding/Numbers / Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag

« on: August 21, 2006, 01:59:36 AM »

Rich:

Wow, I am impressed by the research!  Too bad I must report that there is no ACC designation on my trim tag.  I was incorrect.  My trim tag is a normal tag for a Los Angeles built car and I have now decoded it properly.  What I do know is that to the best of my knowledge my car is an original 1968 L78 block RS SS, British Green with Black and white hounds tooth deluxe interior.  It has the original numbers matching (not restamped) engine and M22 transmission with a 12 bolt rear end that was originally a 4.56 ratio and has been changed to 3.73.  The car was repainted black about 7 years ago and the whole car was blacked out.  I am replacing the badging and having the correct D90 stripe put back on.

I appreciate everyone's help and apologize for the incorrect information on the ACC designation.  I am just learning so be patient with me.

Mark

99

Decoding/Numbers / Re: Correct Gas Cap

« on: August 20, 2006, 11:41:42 PM »

Phillip:

Thanks for the link and the info.  That is a great story about the possible L-89 convertible.  We all dream of a find like that.  I will post pics of the car shortly.  The ones I have of the car now are too big and I don't know how to resize them down to under 100 kb to be able to post here.  Also, although the car was a daily driver for the previous owner and is in good shape I am having some clean up and restoration work done and as with most things like this it is taking longer than anticipated.  I should have the car back before Labor Day (hopefully) and will post pics after that.  In the mean time it is an opportunity to learn patience

Thanks

100

Decoding/Numbers / Re: Correct Gas Cap

« on: August 20, 2006, 02:31:04 AM »

Phillip:

Yes the original motor is still in the car and is an L78 396/375 hp

Thanks

101

Decoding/Numbers / Correct Gas Cap

« on: August 19, 2006, 10:18:02 AM »

This may be a little thing but what is the correct gas cap for a 68 RS SS?  The one on the car now says RS and runs vertically.  Is this corect or should it be the SS gas cap?

Thanks

102

Originality / 4 or 5 leaf spring?

« on: August 16, 2006, 12:39:30 AM »

Which 68 cars came with 4 leaf rear springs and which came with 5?  Was this an option or did just the Z28 come with 4 leaf springs?

103

Decoding/Numbers / Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag

« on: August 12, 2006, 02:07:09 AM »

I will double check the tag tomorrow to make sure the ACC is correct.  I know the numbers are right and I need to verify the ACC.  When I bought the car I had it delivered straight to the resto shop for some additional work and it is two and a half hours away from me so I can't see it every day.  Another week and it will be in my garage. I can't wait.

104

General Discussion / Re: To stripe or not to stripe? That is the question

« on: August 11, 2006, 09:47:23 PM »

Thank you for everyone's input.  I have decided to put the stripe on.  Even thought he car is black and the original color is British Green I am going to incur the expense to do this as i will keep it black for a few years.  Because I am going back to the original Black/white houndstooth, I think the white stripe will tie in the exterior and the interior as well.  It is also true to the original spirit of the car and I want to keep that as well.  Call me silly if you want to but I want to respect the cars for what they were and are and putting the original stripe back on does this.

Thanks again for the learned opinions.  I am totally impressed with the people on this site and all your knowledge and love of Camaros.

105

Decoding/Numbers / Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag

« on: August 11, 2006, 09:41:01 PM »

Interesing that your car is indeed built in at least the same week if not the same day.  Very cool.  Do you know what the P074 on the top right of my trim tag and the P290 at the top right of your trim tag mean?

The ACC is right under the code for the trim.  I can't see it too clearly on your pic but it looks like your trim code is 716.  Mine is 749 and the ACC is directly under that.  i spoke with Bob at Camaro Specialties and he tells me he has seen this code on several other cars built in LA.  he doesn't know what it means either and he is extremely knowledgeable (sp?) on Camaros.  This has been his business for 20 years.

The picture I have of my trim tag is not very clear and is over 300 mb in size so is too big to down load here.  I may be able to get a picture of it tomorrow and will post or send to who ever wants to see it.

Thanks