New To Site 1969 Z28 Rally Sport Endura Bumper W/ Patina Solo Speed Shop

[Solo Speed Shop]

Hi!
New to site and was wanting to know if old original not restored sun burned paint 1969 Z28 is okay to show here? Most Z'S are restored and real beauty's! I own Solo Speed Shop and like Patina
let me know your thoughts. Tks Bill Fowler

[Solo Speed Shop]

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[Solo Speed Shop]

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[Solo Speed Shop]

Can't get pics to load Sorry!

[Solo Speed Shop]

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[BULLITT65]

Great pics Bill. All the guys here love original cars. What are your plans for it?

[1968RSZ28]

Welcome to CRG, Bill!  You are lucky to have such an original car.

Paul

[Z28Project]

Nice pics Bill!  Please, more details and pics.  What's the build date and where was it built?

John

[Solo Speed Shop]

Hey Guys!
Now Busy I own Hot Rods Plus  & sell all the Tees & Hats  GM Etc!  Mondays are busy! I will fill you in tonight or later today! Van Nuys Car 4Th Week Feb Went from Van Nuys to Marten Chevrolet & Oldsmobile in Reedley, CA Tks Bill

[Solo Speed Shop]

Sorry! Error 4Th Week of Jan 1969

[JKZ27]

Very nice! No Spoilers, No Cowl with VE3. Slick!

[Hans L]

Amazing that cars like that are still out there!   Look forwarding to hearing more about it. 

[Solo Speed Shop]

Okay Guys Here Goes!
This is a very special car! It was made in CA and then shipped to a small town near Fresno, CA named Reedley, CA  The dealer was Marten Chevrolet and Oldsmobile all I know is it came to The San Fernando Valley in 1988 about 5 miles from where it was built! A man named Merle DuPrey bought it Merle was very well known in So CA as a Camaro collector of cars & parts as he had a very large collection of both now advance to 2011 Merle sold the car to, this is where the story is special! Roger Rodas and Paul Walker from( Fast & Furious ) bought the car from Merle sorry gotta get this call more to come! Bill

[ZLP955]

Great car Bill. My car also came from Merle Dupre, back in 1999. He had (and probably still does have) a big place out in the desert that was packed full of interesting cars, mine had been parked there for many years and the combination of wind, sand and sun had given it a unique patina.
Look forward to seeing more of your car!

[Solo Speed Shop]

Okay now Roger & Paul own car so I guess to figure out what they want to do with the Z28 they hired Jerry Macneish to inspect and verify that it was a real LA / VN Car Z28  Well I have a full written report made by Jerry on car and he did that at Roger & Paul's Shop in Valencia, CA Jerry did a great job and we can get to that info later! Maybe you guys are getting bored too long & too winded?
Okay what I have found out is Roger & Paul bought a real crossram for the car and wanted to restore it and possibly sell it as the Roger & Paul 1969Z28 Cross ram Car at Barrett Jacksons Okay more to Come Tks Bill

[Solo Speed Shop]

Roger & Paul decided to take the Z28 to Jack Scanlon out of Post Falls Id and have him do a 100K restoration I think it sat at Jack's waiting to be done for over 2 years and then when Roger & Paul got killed the restoration ideas came to a halt! Merle DuPrey ended up buying the car back from their families! Now advance to July 2017 Merle got very sick & passed away so I purchased the car from his estate! Big question I Have? If you were lucky enough to own this special car would you leave it in the shape Roger & Paul bought it? Or would you restore it & make it like Rogers & Paul's Plans? This car is one of the last projects Roger Rodas & Paul Walker were working on. Your Thoughts? Thanks! Bill Fowler / Solo Speed Shop

[Spooky]

Amazing car! Love to see as many pics as you will post. I never get tired of the original cars that are virtually  untouched!

Scott

[1968RSZ28]

Leave it original!

Paul

[Solo Speed Shop]

That's One for Solo

[HOT3O2]

I personally would leave the way it is. If you could take some detail pictures of the entire car and post them it would be very educational for a lot of us. I too have a LA built 69 RS Z/28 and the pic's you have posted already are a big help. I know there's been a lot of talk about the differences between the Norwood built cars from the Van Nuys and your car would go a long way to clearing some of that up. Thanks for joining Bill and I look forward hearing back from you.

[Solo Speed Shop]

Will do! What would you like pics of? Bill

[Solo Speed Shop]

Start with this!

[69Z28-RS]

Bill,

Thanks for showing us your car; Original *unrestored* cars are the ones we like best of all... 
and of course we always want to see more...

[Solo Speed Shop]

A few things car still has reverse lock out still hooked up kind of a pain you have to put in reverse each time to turn off key, Key buzzer still works & E brake light & bright lights still work on dash! I have had quite a few Camaros & that stuff never worked! Bill

[6667ss138]

You have our full attention, great car and story!
Enjoying the pictures very much!
My opinion is not restore it and to leave it as is for as long as you can. It can always be restored at some point in the future.
Survivor cars are a hot commodity these days!

[69Z28-RS]

A few things car still has reverse lock out still hooked up kind of a pain you have to put in reverse each time to turn off key, Key buzzer still works & E brake light & bright lights still work on dash! I have had quite a few Camaros & that stuff never worked! Bill

The reverse LO parts generally got tossed when headers were installed and 'they were in the way'...    You're lucky to still have those parts.. (Please don't toss them)..

[67conv6cyl]

Cool car the way it is.....I love restored cars that look factory original in every detail. However I think that I would leave this one alone.

[Solo Speed Shop]

Hey Guys!
Okay I have been blessed in life &  own about 22 Classic Cars, Hotrods & Trucks! 6 real Z28'S in my life and have been looking for about 10 years long & hard for a unrestored 69 Z
I got very lucky & this car fell in my lap! I will never restore this car it will stay like it is! Jerry Macneish verified The motor, Trans, and rear end are original to car! Thank you for all the replys & interest in this car! If I can help you with anything please ask!  Tks Bill

[ko-lek-tor]

Bill, congrats! And a big CRG welcome! Very, very nice original car, with patina, history and docs. I have to chuckle though. It is funny how a car like this has become not only accepted, but revered by enthusiasts. Today, we ooh and ahh over "patina". I recall taking my, not so nice, Camaro to a show back in '92. I heard a few out loud purposeful comments that suggested that there should be a screening to keep some cars out of the show (rough ones like mine) Frankly, it is amazing that there are survivors out there. In today's market with 30 years of a restoring craze, but, fortunately, cars like this one exist despite all the restored ones. It is so nice and refreshing to see a car like this one. Please preserve it and document the whole car with detailed pictures.

[Charley]

Merle died a few months ago and all his stuff is being sold off.

[Solo Speed Shop]

Kolektor! Tks! yeah funny you can line up 10 concourse Camaros blk, blu, red Etc & put the Solo Z28 next to them & the crowd goes to the old rusty one! I had a young guy come over and he had a nice RS SS 69 Camaro & said I would die to have my car look like this! He asked how could I do it! I laughed & said put it out in the desert for 30 years! Patina is for the chosen few the older you get the more you like Patina! I'm 62 w/ a lot of Patina!  PS yes Merle passed away and they have to sell everything & that's what happens to us old guys when we leave this world! RIP Merle & it was a pleasure to know you! Bill

[Z28Project]

Like they say, they're not really "our" cars, we are just the caretakers until we pass on.  Then someone else becomes the new caretaker!  And the cycle continues!

[firstgenaddict]

That car was at Merle's a few weeks ago and the price had gone to close to 50k... Paul Walker owned it but sold it back to merle or died before he took delivery or something of the sort, car was offered to a few people in the last 2 years including Dave, when he bought the L78 vert.   

[Solo Speed Shop]

Explained in previous post

Roger & Paul decided to take the Z28 to Jack Scanlon out of Post Falls Id and have him do a 100K restoration I think it sat at Jack's waiting to be done for over 2 years and then when Roger & Paul got killed the restoration ideas came to a halt! Merle DuPrey ended up buying the car back from their families! Now advance to July 2017 Merle got very sick & passed away so I purchased the car from his estate! Big question I Have? If you were lucky enough to own this special car would you leave it in the shape Roger & Paul bought it? Or would you restore it & make it like Rogers & Paul's Plans? This car is one of the last projects Roger Rodas & Paul Walker were working on. Your Thoughts? Thanks! Bill Fowler / Solo Speed Shop

[HOT3O2]

Bill, Being that your car is so original it would be nice if you could post the date codes of all the different parts when you come across them and have a chance. I would be curious as how they would line up to the build date of your car. And thanks again for anything you can share with us.

[Solo Speed Shop]

Hi Here is what Macneish wrote

Engine VO118DZ Asmb Date 618 Block Cast A169 302 Orig to Vehicle
Trans P9A04B Asmb Date 660 Case M21 Vin Stamped Orig to Vehicle
Rear Axle BU0120G1 Asmb Date 12- Bolt Axle housing Casting Date A89,#860NF. 373 Posi Orig To Vehicle
YH Wheels Dated K18-12-18
CB Radiator Tank Dated A
Voltage Reg Dated 9A
Alternator # 1100837 Dated 8L27
Left Rear Shock #851 Dated 003-69
Bill

[firstgenaddict]

How nice is it under the car, from what I remember the rails etc are really nice...
The interior would clean nicely, under the hood has had some amount of rattle can judging by the fender drops and the hinges

The issue is the surface rust on the exterior, can you live with it?
Can you spray something to keep from any further water penetration?

Conversely, if you painted it... where do you stop and would you be happy with the engine compartment and chassis as they are?

[Solo Speed Shop]

Hi!
The underneath of car is unreal No grease or oil maybe from heat of desert! Have found no rust ( Rot) dry desert car! Surface rust? You bet I can live with it! I hate clear coat never will use that! car will stay as found! Tks Bill

[ZLP955]

Bill,
If you get a chance, can you please get some measurements on the rear/decklid stripes? They look to differ from other LA cars from that timeframe in width and position, so if original paint, that's another example of LOS departing from the 'norm' and this time, in mid-production.
I would walk right past dozens of restored cars at a show to check out an original like yours first, love it.

[ZLP955]

Merle died a few months ago and all his stuff is being sold off.

He had a huge collection of interesting stuff, I recall an unrestored yellow '70 Cuda in particular, stood out amongst all the Chevys.
Strange though to hear he passed, as I just happened to spot this ad on Craigslist under Merle's name, says it was posted only 9 days ago and updated just 2 days ago?
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/clt/d/1967-chevrolet-collectibles/6252418466.html

[BillOhio]

southern california you might get away with keeping it like that. Here in ohio it would decay from no protection. Too much moisture. I have a dehumidifer in the garage and basement and both run pretty much non stop.

I noticed the rear stripes too.

[HOT3O2]

Thanks Bill for the date codes.

[Solo Speed Shop]

Hey Guys!
The Z looks to have had a repaint along long time ago so stripes may not be original! Thanks Bill

[BillG]

So, that being said,  IMHO, I would restore it.  This car would be beautiful in concourse shape.  But... no repro stuff.  Properly restore every original part.   The car deserves it.. 

[BillG]

Don't get me wrong.  I'm a purist but, if its that rusty?  Obvious repaint.

[X33RS]

I'm with Bill 100%.  I'm also a purist but there comes a point when you preserve a car and one that is beyond that concept.  I've seen a few cars that people try this approach, and in my opinion the car is already beyond that.  However I like the car.  I also have an RS Z with no spoilers and flat hood so I'm partial, but since this car has had a repaint there is no reason to preserve it.  Honestly in that kind of shape, even if it were original paint, I'd be restoring that car.  Like BillG says, it deserves it.  I've owned/restored a few west coast cars.  If they spend any time near the ocean and salty air it's pretty scary what you find when you dig into it.

[KurtS]

You don't have to restore it. Just put reasonable paint on it and keep the rest original......

[Solo Speed Shop]

Hey guys!
 I just turned rotors & repacked Brgs & replaced brake hoses they were rotted bad but didn't leak car runs and drives like a watch When Merle got it back from Roger & Pauls family he had to go get it at Jacks in Post Falls ID where it sat for 2 years waiting to get a 100K restore & have a Cross Ram put on it! Merle was so glad to have it back he took it to one of his buddies & had it gone thru to be a running & driving car! That car will never be out in the weather it will be very well taken care of! Now you can go to any car show and see a restored Z28 or perfect car maybe two or three! It took forty years of weather to look like it is today! I have been looking for a Z28 W/ Patina & have had about 6 Z28S in my life & when you open the garage & see it sitting by its perfect friend I think I like the natures paint job better than beautiful restored paint! Tks Bill

[Solo Speed Shop]

Other Pic too big another try of Z'S garage buddy

[lynnbilodeau]

Agree with Kurt (and only saying because you asked for opinions).

If it were the ORIGINAL paint there might be a good argument for keeping it as is.   Even then, given the amount of surfacr rust, a good paint job might be in order.   Being that it is a repaint, the decision toward a good paint job is even easier.  It will preserve it much better.  JMHO, but it is moving fast beyond "patina".

[Kelley W King]

I believe you noted you did not like the clear over Patina. I too also thought of rat rods when doing this. However on one of my non Camaro projects (about the same appearance) just to preserve and slow further rust I used a scotchbrite pad and sprayed clear on an area to mainly protect from grease and oil while I was doing work to make it run properly. I kind of liked it and applied more. When I took it outside to do pressure washing,ect. I did not feel the need to rush it back inside for protection. Our course this is not a 69Z but if you like patina you might want to try it on something else first.

[Solo Speed Shop]

Thanks Guys! Bill

[KurtS]

Take a look at Danny's thread and what he did to pull back the paint on his 68 Z.
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=12453.0

[bcmiller]

Bill, any updates?  I agree with Kurt and if you try to do what Danny did, it wouldn't really hurt anything.

[Solo Speed Shop]

Hey Guys! Just been Driving it! Bitchin car! Gonna stay like it is for now! Tks Bill

[Jon Mello]

Bill, you are garaging it and taking care of it. You obviously love it as is. I would leave it alone and drive it and enjoy it.

Here is a link from when the car was at Merle's estate sale. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E66LTnwOas4

[Solo Speed Shop]

Hey Jon!
Yes in Garage! All my cars garaged except Yard art! Nice video Merle sure left a lot of stuff behind! Picking up the Z was a great day! Tks for video! Bill

[Solo Speed Shop]

Drove the Z 28 out to Merles one last time for his auction of everything left! 120 miles ran Solo Bitchin!

[Solo Speed Shop]

Pics

[Solo Speed Shop]

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[BULLITT65]

Was there any DZ blocks in all of his stuff? Did you purchase anything?

[Solo Speed Shop]

Hi!
I was there way before auction & was lucky enough to get The Z28 out of Merle's collection! There was so much stuff it was toooooo much & I went three times before auction!
I got what I wanted for the Z28! There was a 427 1968 ZL1 motor supposed to be one of 50 made it went for 10K online bidder at the last auction no one there bid on it! no DZ Blocks! One good lesson get rid of your stuff before you die IF you can! Tks Bill