25 Camaros For Sale at Estate Sale

[VINCE Z28]

Does anyone know what happened to all the cars and thousands of Camaro parts for sale last year in Sol Cal? Rare Camaros for sale Estate. youtube

[ZLP955]

That was Merle Duprey's estate, lots of good stuff but I heard it was picked over well before the final clearance sale happened. Pretty sure several members here went out and had a look. My car came from Merle in 1999 and I often wondered if any other loose parts from it were still on his place somewhere - there wasn't enough time to go through the acres of parts stacked everywhere......

[VINCE Z28]

He parted out as many as 400 first gen camaros and sold a thousand camaros over 40 years.

[ZLP955]

A member here bought an RS/Z from Merle and has posted here about the car, very cool with plenty of desert patina. I also recall Jon Mello may have gone to the clearance sale? And a guy in Camarillo had something like 18 or 19 first gen Camaros in primer for sale on ebay and Craigslist recently, looked like they may have come from Merle's collection too - many seemed familiar.

[VINCE Z28]

Yes the ad said 1969 RS Z, two 67 L-78 Camaros, one X66 convertible to name a few. Plus 200,000 used original  Camaro parts

[68 Ragtop]

https://www.proxibid.com/aspr/Vintage-Camaro-Parts-Collection-1967-1968/137268/Catalog.asp?aid=137268

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhGeqjf8wE0

[VINCE Z28]

Looks like some deals on parts, camaro fan motors all 20 for $10.00. Drive shafts 20 of them all for $95.00. Fan shrouds all 10 for $20.00.A/C units w/controls all 6 for $20.00. I'm a dollar short and a day late again

[Solo Speed Shop]

Yes! Tons of stuff! I got very lucky Bill @ Solo Speed Shop

Taking car to memory of Paul Walker Show May 20th Valencia CA

[BULLITT65]

Clean off that surface rust, and clear coat that Z!

[Solo Speed Shop]

Hey Bullitt!

No!!! I hate clear it stays in a garage and likes the paint job NATURE gave it! Plus when I take it out everybody asks when RU going to restore or paint it! I would get bored if I didn't have to answer all the same questions! Tks! Bill

[VINCE Z28]

Bill does the Z have the original drive train? and did you get in on the Auction in January.

[Solo Speed Shop]

Hey Vince!

I knew Merle and got to be one of the first on his property! I bought the car in July it took a while before the estate could sell cars as state had to okay it! Yes car is very original numbers matching! Merle sold to Paul walker & Roger Rodas from Fast & Furious in 2011 They took it to have a 100K resto done and bought a orig Cross Ram for it and car was in line to be restored! Before they did anything they paid Jerry McNeish to verify it as it's a Van Nuys Car! They had their fatal accident Nov 2013 and family asked Merle if he wanted it back  so he went to ID and picked it up and kept till his passing! Whats really strange is Merle brought it to my house I think in 1982 when he bought it to show it to me and 35 years later it's back in my driveway and I now own it! Also when guys on this site see it they say you need to restore it and save it! This car is saved! It is unreal to drive it runs perfect! Guys think its a rust bucket It's not the car sat for 20- 30 some years in the desert under a car port the elements blew over it and it got surface rust but you open doors and still orig carpet dash not cracked and trunk perfect it was all saved by car port! No rust through any where! It will be very hard to find a original Z28 RS Endura Bumper Camaro in this shape! Tks for the interest and Mr Merle Duprey I Thank You! Bill

[BULLITT65]

I just wouldn't want any surface rust to spread, and would want to preserve the rest of the original paint remaining.

[VINCE Z28]

Bill I wished I had met Merle Duprey sounds like a great guy plus a first gener. Glad you got the car, do what makes you happy with it. I just found out about the auction that happened in January. I would have bought many things if I was there. Due you know who got the x66 car? 

[Solo Speed Shop]

Hey!
Sorry no I do not! Bill

[firstgenaddict]

Dave Beem went out there and got at least one and helped load another 28ft enclosed trailer loads...  end of last summer...

[HawkX66]

Hey Vince!

I knew Merle and got to be one of the first on his property! I bought the car in July it took a while before the estate could sell cars as state had to okay it! Yes car is very original numbers matching! Merle sold to Paul walker & Roger Rodas from Fast & Furious in 2011 They took it to have a 100K resto done and bought a orig Cross Ram for it and car was in line to be restored! Before they did anything they paid Jerry McNeish to verify it as it's a Van Nuys Car! They had their fatal accident Nov 2013 and family asked Merle if he wanted it back  so he went to ID and picked it up and kept till his passing! Whats really strange is Merle brought it to my house I think in 1982 when he bought it to show it to me and 35 years later it's back in my driveway and I now own it! Also when guys on this site see it they say you need to restore it and save it! This car is saved! It is unreal to drive it runs perfect! Guys think its a rust bucket It's not the car sat for 20- 30 some years in the desert under a car port the elements blew over it and it got surface rust but you open doors and still orig carpet dash not cracked and trunk perfect it was all saved by car port! No rust through any where! It will be very hard to find a original Z28 RS Endura Bumper Camaro in this shape! Tks for the interest and Mr Merle Duprey I Thank You! Bill

Such a cool story and history on your Z. I love how you're keeping it the way you found it. If you're able to do it in your climate great. Around here and down south you probably wouldn't have a car left after a while. RIP Paul Walker...

[Jon Mello]

I got a '68 from Merle's estate. It was an original LeMans blue '68 Z with 714 interior, repainted Nantucket or Grotto blue at one point and finally black somewhere along the line. An 07B car, VIN 124378L347636 , the NCRS report says it was sold new at Dana Chevrolet in South Gate, California. Title looked like Merle got it in 2001. Blue CA license plate ( 388UEG ) shows registration expired in 1989. I don't know any history prior to Merle's ownership but would love to find out. The car had slot mags prior to the 5-spoke mags.

[ZLP955]

Nice car Jon! Any of the original drivetrain present?

[Jon Mello]

Thanks, Tim. Just the original BU 12-bolt with 4-leaf springs. I bought a CE engine for it from a guy who used to drive the parts delivery truck for Dana back when he was 18 years old.

[ZLP955]

Now that's a cool connection to the original selling dealer!

[janobyte]

Jon, didn't you cut your teeth, so to speak, on a 68 Z? Plan on creating another masterpiece with it? Or more of a "gear grabber?" Or both, lol.

[Jon Mello]

It's going to be a fun car I will not be afraid to drive. No worries about wounding an original engine. It will not be 100% stock but will be period correct for late '60s/very early '70s. It will run headers with no smog and I have an original design Hurst shifter for it. There will likely be a few other goodies but I have NOS stock Z valve covers for it and will run the stock Z air cleaner. It is a non-spoiler car, which is a look I prefer. I have dated DF wheels and a few sets of mags to change up the look if I feel like it.

[BULLITT65]

Looks cool in the pic, with the Torq Thrusts. I will look forward to you and Darrell with these 68Z cars on the road in the future.

[70z28lt1]

Hey Bullitt!

No!!! I hate clear it stays in a garage and likes the paint job NATURE gave it! Plus when I take it out everybody asks when RU going to restore or paint it! I would get bored if I didn't have to answer all the same questions! Tks! Bill

Natures "racing stripes"

[VINCE Z28]

Great find Jon, did you pick up any parts for the Z at Merle's auction?

[68 Ragtop]

I must have run into this Merle guy at some point in the 90's. I used to attend Pomona and Long Beach swap meets all the time. Does anyone remember if he had a regular spot selling at the swap meets?
I do know another guy that bought a car from him and was not so lucky. He didn't know as much about Camaro's as ol' Merle did, lol.
I also used to get up early on publishing day and go get all the Recycler's to look for Camaro's, long before Craigslist. Lost out on a few deals to a guy that showed up with a trailer just before me. Maybe it was him too.

[VINCE Z28]

I think he was more into selling the cars and keeping the parts,

[68camaroz28]

It's going to be a fun car I will not be afraid to drive. No worries about wounding an original engine. It will not be 100% stock but will be period correct for late '60s/very early '70s. It will run headers with no smog and I have an original design Hurst shifter for it. There will likely be a few other goodies but I have NOS stock Z valve covers for it and will run the stock Z air cleaner. It is a non-spoiler car, which is a look I prefer. I have dated DF wheels and a few sets of mags to change up the look if I feel like it.

That is going to be one very fun car and like how Jon is working it that as a "fun car to drive." Love them 68Z's!

[Jon Mello]

Thanks, guys.  Yes, I did also buy some parts from Merle's estate sale but not nearly as much as my friends did.

[firstgenaddict]

The Desert Rat 68 Yenko was out at Merle's when Dana bought it & the loaded matching numbers 69 L78 Convert was there when Dave bought it a few years ago... then I tracked the original owner down and he had the window sticker and order form.

[x66 714]

Pretty nice car James. All those options. No spoilers, ducted hood or special wheel appointments other than white wall tire.....neat....Joe

[169INDY]

That is going to be one very fun car and like how Jon is working it that as a "fun car to drive." Love them 68Z's!
[/quote]

I second THAT !!

JIM

[Jon Mello]

Thanks.  The '68s are great cars and of course I still love the '67s.  I'm looking forward to getting this car running.

[Jon Mello]

The '68 Dana Z28 is going to get some rust repair and body work done. I got some California black legacy license plates for it and was surprised DANA Z28 had not already been taken. I only know of a total of four Z28s that came from Dana Chevrolet, all '68s. Two are special paint orange, one is special paint red and my LeMans blue one. Anybody know of any other surviving Z28s from Dana?

[169INDY]

Movement is Great, notice the Rally's.
Keep your Eye out for another 1-1/8" slot DF, I am down to needing one, I saw you snag the one on Y.NET

Gosh did someone use a roller & black paint on that,,,, notice the LA cowl whiteout,,,,

JIM

[Jon Mello]

I had to return the DF I bought from the Yenko site. Two of the lug nut holes had too much wear and I would not have felt safe using it.

I may end up having a spare DF wheel. What is the build date of your car?

No, the black was not applied with a brush. I sanded through the various layers of paint to see how many paint jobs it had. First was the darker LeMans blue, then the lighter Nantucket or Grotto blue, then a layer of light gray primer followed by the final black.

[ZLP955]

Stunned that plate content was still available! That will look awesome Jon, congrats.

[169INDY]

Thanks.  The '68s are great cars and of course I still love the '67s.  I'm looking forward to getting this car running.

You are going to have  a blast Keep posting pics & ideas and methods.

Message sent

JIM

[Jon Mello]

Thanks Tim and Jim.  Looking forward to getting more done on the car.

[JKZ27]

Exciting build! Nothing like a car built to drive and take a little beating. DF/Bias ply is my favorite look. Good luck with the progress, Jon.

[Jon Mello]

Thanks John. I have mags for it also, plus headers and a few other "correct to the era" goodies. It will be a fun car with a personalized touch.

[Jon Mello]

I found some past history on my Dana Z28 back to 1984 and got some old pics. Here's a link...

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=155237

If anybody can help with earlier history I would really appreciate it. Pass it along to others if you think they might be able to help. Thanks!

[ZLP955]

Great update Jon. This car is going to be awesome to enjoy and I hope you get some good leads from posting what you've already unearthed.

[Jon Mello]

Thanks, Tim.  I appreciate it.

[crossboss]

I got a '68 from Merle's estate. It was an original LeMans blue '68 Z with 714 interior, repainted Nantucket or Grotto blue at one point and finally black somewhere along the line. An 07B car, VIN 124378L347636 , the NCRS report says it was sold new at Dana Chevrolet in South Gate, California. Title looked like Merle got it in 2001. Blue CA license plate ( 388UEG ) shows registration expired in 1989. I don't know any history prior to Merle's ownership but would love to find out. The car had slot mags prior to the 5-spoke mags.

Jon,
I knew Merle quite well. Bought parts from him, and also dated his daughter in the 1990's. His business/shop was called ABC Mobile Brake on Deering Ave in Canoga Park. This is were he stored all of his cars/parts before his divorce. I do remember your car! Sorry, I can't offer anymore info.

[Jon Mello]

Thanks, Scott. I did know about Merle's brake business but never went there to check out his cars back in the day.

[Jon Mello]

I found more history on the car. I know several guys who worked for the old Petersen Publishing Co and still work in the magazine business. Since some of them lived (and still do live) in the San Fernando Valley, I asked them if they recognized the car from my 1984 pictures. One said yes, that looks like my friend Doug Starks' old car from Canoga Park. We checked with Doug and he agreed it was his old car that he bought back in 1977. He saw it advertised in the LA Times (Sept 25, 1977) and it was down in Orange County. The phone numbers appear to be from Westminster but they got the car in Placentia which is next to Fullerton and above Anaheim. They went down to buy the car driving in my friend's '69 Z28 and said the seller looked to be about 19 years old. The price in the ad said $3100 but the recollection was they paid about half that. That advertised price was way above average for the time. The 302 engine was not in the car when they got it and may have been yanked to bring the price down. It had a more generic small block in it, maybe even a 307 but they don't know for sure because Doug resold the car pretty quickly. He does not recall who he sold it to and Frank Brown does not recall who he bought it from but it did stay in the San Fernando Valley by all accounts. The black paint job was pretty fresh in 1977 and the rims on the car at this time were Chevy rally wheels. Interestingly, the blue CA personalized plate read MR Z28. The plate was changed to 388UEG by whoever bought it from Doug.

Hopefully this new information will lead to further ownership history. Maybe somebody down in northern Orange County remembers a car with the license plate MR Z28 on it back in the 1970s?

Does anybody have a cross-reference telephone directory like a Polk Directory from that area that could put a name with those phone numbers?

[ZLP955]

Excellent detective work Jon, another piece of the puzzle completed!
Interesting to hear about Merle's business in Canoga Park; the original owner of my car ran an auto parts store in Canoga Park too, and Merle was the second owner - quite possible they knew each other.

[crossboss]

FWIW,
Merle had several businesses in the 'Valley' besides his mobile brakes. He owned several small auto parts stores, one was in Reseda that I always bought my auto body supplies and PPG paint for my cars.
Jon,
You mentioned a Frank Brown, was he a former prop guy for the studios, and had two daughters? IF it is I did know him and the girls!
--Scott

[Jon Mello]

Thank you both.

Yes Scott, Frank was a "prop guy" for the movie studios. He also bought and sold a lot of cars as a fun hobby and for profit.