50th anniversary of the first Z-28

[Jon Mello]

Thank you.  Not sure if I will go to Hershey next year, Doug.  I guess we'll see when the time comes.

[69Z28-RS]

Jon,

I'm curious about a statement that occurred in both articles you linked...  "The car was built in 1966 as a race car and sold to a VW dealer in Virginia." ...   I don't understand the significance to a 'VW dealer in Virginia'...  What time frame was that?   Did you buy it from the VW dealer after it was traded in?   OR was the original purchaser of the car a 'vw dealer'??   OR?

Gary

[Trans Åm]

"And it's too loud to be driving around on the street," he added with a laugh.

Nonsense, absolute nonsense.

[Jon Mello]

Gary,

The original purchaser was a VW/Porsche dealer from Arlington, VA and he ordered the car back in 1966. I never bought it from a VW dealer. Sorry if that got a little confusing.

[Jon Mello]

"And it's too loud to be driving around on the street," he added with a laugh.

Nonsense, absolute nonsense.

     OK, you got me. 

[69Z28-RS]

Gary,

The original purchaser was a VW/Porsche dealer from Arlington, VA and he ordered the car back in 1966. I never bought it from a VW dealer. Sorry if that got a little confusing.

Thanks Jon...     Then is it more accurate to say the original purchaser was a Chevy/racer/Camaro fan 'who happened to own a VW/Porsche dealership'??   (since I can't imagine a VW dealership purchasing a new Chevrolet to sell on their lot!)..

[Jon Mello]

Yes Gary, that would be more accurate, which is not to suggest that he didn't like VWs or Porsches either. Mr Heishman also had a Butternut Yellow '67 Z-28 street car briefly which can be read about in this thread http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=8407.0

He also had a '69 race car that you will appreciate. A Hugger Orange Z/28 RS that he raced in the A/Sedan class and IMSA.

[69Z28-RS]

Thanks Jon!~    that was an interesting read..  not sure how I missed that one in the past! 

note:  I also raced against another butternut yellow '67 Z28 in early 1970...  ..   but it was at a drag strip on Dauphin Island (south of Mobile AL)...   we both ran in the 'G/SS' class (strictly stock).. and I usually nipped him thru the quarter..

PS.  Any idea what happened to his orange '69 Z28 racer (#74??)... 

[Jon Mello]

Gary, I heard it was sold to somebody who put it back as a street car. Unfortunately it's not known what became of it after that.

[Jon Mello]

For those who may not have seen it elsewhere, they have made a model of my Camaro...

http://www.diecastsociety.com/acme-chevrolets-1st-ever-z28-camaro/

[69Z28-RS]

Extremely neat, Jon!!      but we need to correct the subject line...    50th Anniversary..

[Jon Mello]

Not quite there yet for this car but will be on 12-29-16.

[X66]

Wow Jon what a thrill it must be for you to be bringing this car back to as raced condition. This is such a significant car for our Camaro hobby. I am amazed this car survived and am very happy to see it being brought back to life as a race car. I feel honored that you would share this restoration us. Please keep sending pictures and good luck.

[maroman]

The RIGHT guy owns it!

[Jon Mello]

Thanks guys!