Author Topic: 1969 Camaro Cutaway Display 'Double-Header'  (Read 30885 times)

ZLP955

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1969 Camaro Cutaway Display 'Double-Header'
« on: May 04, 2019, 11:22:02 AM »
With all the great recent threads of various concepts and show cars, I'm wondering if anyone has more details of the 1969 Camaro cutaway display that was known as the 'Double Header'. It involved 3 motorised turntables, with a LeMans Blue coupe body that alternated between 2 different front ends, showcasing the standard and RS styling, and a cutaway 350 engine and transmission.

This display was apparently built by GM to promote the updated 1969 styling, and appeared at some major shows before ending up down here in Australia. It has been suggested that the car was displayed at one of the big Australian Motor Shows (Sydney or Melbourne) but was then considered to have done it's job and not worth the expense of returning it.

Whatever the circumstances, fast-forward over 30 years later, and a well-known local Camaro and Firebird guy had a tip-off about the car, which had been discovered in a junkyard; he checked it out and realised that it was something special. He bought the car and everything he could find in the yard that looked like part of the display, and then through contacts in the US, sold it all to Rick (former owner of Rick's Camaros, before the sale to Eckler's) of CHQ. A full restoration to the display condition then began once the car arrived in Atlanta GA, but I've been unable to find out any updates since this:
http://ricksclassics.com/restoration/00-Restoration/1969%20Camaro%20Double%20Header.html
and this page on carsinbarns.com:
http://www.carsinbarns.com/bowties%20in%20barns/pg30.html
And finally a photo of the car as displayed.
<Kurt updated with the same picture, but the original GM photo.>
« Last Edit: May 07, 2019, 03:47:38 PM by KurtS »
Tim in Australia.
1969 04A Van Nuys Z/28. Cortez Silver, Dark Blue interior, VE3, Z21, Z23, D55/U17, D80, flat hood.
Sold at Clippinger Chevrolet in Covina, CA.
AHRA Formula Stock at Lions Dragstrip, NHRA E/MP at Pomona Raceway

bcmiller

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Re: 1969 Camaro Cutaway Display 'Double-Header'
« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2019, 11:51:23 AM »
Tim I was going to post about the cut away cars today or tomorrow.
Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016

ZLP955

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Re: 1969 Camaro Cutaway Display 'Double-Header'
« Reply #2 on: May 04, 2019, 12:29:54 PM »
Great! Look forward to whatever info you have Bryon, was there more than one cutaway?
Tim in Australia.
1969 04A Van Nuys Z/28. Cortez Silver, Dark Blue interior, VE3, Z21, Z23, D55/U17, D80, flat hood.
Sold at Clippinger Chevrolet in Covina, CA.
AHRA Formula Stock at Lions Dragstrip, NHRA E/MP at Pomona Raceway

bcmiller

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Re: 1969 Camaro Cutaway Display 'Double-Header'
« Reply #3 on: May 04, 2019, 01:45:16 PM »
Tim, yes each year had at least one.
Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016

bcmiller

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Re: 1969 Camaro Cutaway Display 'Double-Header'
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2019, 01:48:27 PM »
Here is the original photo of what you posted.  Photo credit to GM.

I will try to do a few cropped closer up photos. 

67 and 68 will probably get posted tomorrow or Monday.
Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016

bcmiller

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Re: 1969 Camaro Cutaway Display 'Double-Header'
« Reply #5 on: May 04, 2019, 02:00:03 PM »
Two more.  Photo credit to GM.

Partial car on the right is a 6 cylinder.  The one on the left is an RS/SS 350.
« Last Edit: May 04, 2019, 02:22:35 PM by bcmiller »
Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016

ZLP955

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Re: 1969 Camaro Cutaway Display 'Double-Header'
« Reply #6 on: May 04, 2019, 08:59:53 PM »
Bryon do you have any info on which shows the display was featured at?
Tim in Australia.
1969 04A Van Nuys Z/28. Cortez Silver, Dark Blue interior, VE3, Z21, Z23, D55/U17, D80, flat hood.
Sold at Clippinger Chevrolet in Covina, CA.
AHRA Formula Stock at Lions Dragstrip, NHRA E/MP at Pomona Raceway

bcmiller

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Re: 1969 Camaro Cutaway Display 'Double-Header'
« Reply #7 on: May 04, 2019, 09:10:53 PM »
I am still looking, but the pic had no information attached with it.
Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016

VINCE Z28

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Re: 1969 Camaro Cutaway Display 'Double-Header'
« Reply #8 on: May 04, 2019, 09:19:46 PM »
Tim click on your first link for Ricks , go to What it is ,and how it works. Then click on MORE it will tell you more on this.
" He who knows naught, knows not that he knows naught"  It's not you...  It's just the way my brain is wired.

ZLP955

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Re: 1969 Camaro Cutaway Display 'Double-Header'
« Reply #9 on: May 04, 2019, 11:58:47 PM »
Thanks for pointing that out Vince! I only found that URL just before posting to start this thread, and hadn't spotted it had further links from the main page..... duh.
Tim in Australia.
1969 04A Van Nuys Z/28. Cortez Silver, Dark Blue interior, VE3, Z21, Z23, D55/U17, D80, flat hood.
Sold at Clippinger Chevrolet in Covina, CA.
AHRA Formula Stock at Lions Dragstrip, NHRA E/MP at Pomona Raceway

ZLP955

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Re: 1969 Camaro Cutaway Display 'Double-Header'
« Reply #10 on: May 05, 2019, 12:07:05 AM »
Interestingly the main page for Rick's Classics shows this display car to have been sold..... wonder where it is now, and if the restoration is finished yet.
Tim in Australia.
1969 04A Van Nuys Z/28. Cortez Silver, Dark Blue interior, VE3, Z21, Z23, D55/U17, D80, flat hood.
Sold at Clippinger Chevrolet in Covina, CA.
AHRA Formula Stock at Lions Dragstrip, NHRA E/MP at Pomona Raceway

SMKZ28

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Re: 1969 Camaro Cutaway Display 'Double-Header'
« Reply #11 on: May 06, 2019, 03:23:01 AM »
The first evidence of the Double Header 1969 Camaro appearing at an auto show comes from a picture taken of the display at the 12th Annual New England International Auto Show.  This was held at the War Memorial Auditorium in Boston, Massachusetts between Saturday, October 26th and Saturday, November 2nd, 1968.

Photos:
1 & 2) came from Ebay
3) worthpoint.com
Scott
I don't have a 1st Gen but I have 1971 Z28 RS 4-spd, 1997 Z28 Z4C 6-spd, 2000 SS Convertible, 2010 RS 6-spd

SMKZ28

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Re: 1969 Camaro Cutaway Display 'Double-Header'
« Reply #12 on: May 06, 2019, 03:27:21 AM »
It also appeared at the Detroit Auto Show which took place at Cobo Hall in Detroit, Michigan in late November/early December 1968.  Notice Pete Estes standing inside the display in the first picture.


Photos:
1 & 2) worthpoint.com
3) mustangsandfords.com
Scott
I don't have a 1st Gen but I have 1971 Z28 RS 4-spd, 1997 Z28 Z4C 6-spd, 2000 SS Convertible, 2010 RS 6-spd

SMKZ28

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Re: 1969 Camaro Cutaway Display 'Double-Header'
« Reply #13 on: May 06, 2019, 03:33:47 AM »
A picture taken at the 61st Chicago Auto Show seems to indicate that it appeared at this event as well.  The back of what looks to be the Camaro Double Header seems to be at the top right side of the first picture.  Notice the dark colored Camaro coupe with a white vinyl top above the Chevelle and Z28.  It seems to be pointed upwards at an angle, which leads me to believe that this is the Camaro Double Header.  This event took place March 8-16, 1969 at the International Ampitheatre in Chicago, Illinois.

Photos:
1) https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/history/#1969
2) cropped version of #1
3) https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/history/#1969 
Scott
I don't have a 1st Gen but I have 1971 Z28 RS 4-spd, 1997 Z28 Z4C 6-spd, 2000 SS Convertible, 2010 RS 6-spd

SMKZ28

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Re: 1969 Camaro Cutaway Display 'Double-Header'
« Reply #14 on: May 06, 2019, 03:39:32 AM »
The Camaro Double Header was also displayed at the New York International Auto Show.  This event was held at the New York Coliseum April 5-13, 1969.

Photos:
1) https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=275246&collection=p17257coll1
2) Ebay
Scott
I don't have a 1st Gen but I have 1971 Z28 RS 4-spd, 1997 Z28 Z4C 6-spd, 2000 SS Convertible, 2010 RS 6-spd

 

anything