why are '69 Camaros so popular

[evilzee28]

hi guys, here's a daft question for you. Why do you think that '69 Camaros are so popular amongst the G-machine people? It seems as if there are more '69's than any other make, why? Just thought I'd start a small debate. :thumbsup:

[zbugger]

Oh..... You really don't wanna go there. I think it's a case of the metoo's. :yes:

[evilzee28]

Oh..... You really don't wanna go there. I think it's a case of the metoo's. :yes:

oh, ooh!......... have I opened up a can of worms? oops!:_paranoid

[BC69]

Its kinda like asking, "Why do you like tall blondes with big breasts?" The answers are plentiful, but there are always two big reasons sticking out at you...

I dont know what those two are for 69 camaros....but I do for the blonde.

[XcYZ]

Well, IMO, the 69 Camaro has the best body lines ever. It's a true classic like a 57 Chevy; you just can't go wrong. The 69 always gets a lot of press, go look at any old Hot Rod or Car Craft magazine from 10 or 15 years ago and you'll see there's an example in every issue.

It's always been popular for drag racing, and now that the g-machine culture is really taking off, the popularity is just carrying over. :thumbsup:

[Steve Chryssos]

I have a 68, so maybe I can be objective:
-They are the last of the 1st gens as well as a one-year-only body style.
-The squared off wheel arches make it easy for them to look lowered without as much work.
-The headlights are pulled in towards the center of the vehicle, so they look inherently wide.
-They are in fact wider than the 67/68's
-Legendary 69 DZ302's had all the right goodies--considered by most to be the high water mark for Camaros.
-In 69, the Camaro was still a relatively new platform. But it was just coming into its stride. So most enthusiasts connect with that year.

I'm sure there is a long list of reasons including numerous high visibilty 69 Camaro hot rods and one legendary race car: Mark Donahue's dominant Penske Racing 69 Camaro.

[Derek69SS]

Only because they are lighter than their better looking '69 Chevelle brothers :_paranoid :D

[XcYZ]

Oh, and there were 243,085 produced.

[jannes_z-28]

This topic is going to be fun :D

Well, it's simple. They are the best looking cars ever built for this purpose. They look mean, brutal and fast. They get attention where ever you go. The '69 Camaro will give you the 1000 yard stare from people who have had them earlier in their life. It was an easy car to make a winner out of at the dragstrips.

The '69 Camaro has a long reputation (even from its debute) for being a fast, cool car. Especially for the Z/28. Even though the Z/28 was available in 67 and 68 it really took off in 69 which is one of the years were most Z's were ever produced.

To make a Pro touring car from a '69 Camaro only accents its original lines.

I am very glad that I have one, and it is a true X77 :thumbsup:


Jan

[evilzee28]

Mmmmmm,......... it's strange that over here in Britain the Mustang is far & away the most popular of the muscle cars, ....period. There are clubs for them, the largest being the MOCGB (Mustang Owneres Club Great Britain) & number of companies specialising in parts for them. As to the Camaro, .....zippo ! No club & no-one specailising in bits.There are probably far more 2nd Gen Camaros than 1st, & of those 1st Gens the '67-'68 are probably more prevailant.'69's are more popular for drag racing for some reason. I guess it may be the the Americans must have always had a love affair with the '69, 'cos most of our early cars came over with American Servicemen back in the '70's & were sold here before they left to go back to the US. Maybe they just couldn't bear to leave without their '69s lol :D

[XcYZ]

I love them all. I'm a Chevy guy, but I have a poster of Eleanor in my shop. :D

[BC69]

I love them all. I'm a Chevy guy, but I have a poster of Eleanor in my shop.

Blasphemy!!!!!!

No, I am with you Scott...love them all! I drive a Ford for my daily driver...my mom owns a Honda Pilot! I cant really pretend to be loyal to anything!

[evilzee28]

I love them all. I'm a Chevy guy, but I have a poster of Eleanor in my shop. :D

Hey Scott, thats a bit perverse huh? I'm a Chevy man & can't even spell, Frod, Fdor, Fodr..... :unibrow:

[XcYZ]

LOL, don't forget fodor.

[jannes_z-28]

That's strange that you don't have anything for Camaros in Britain. In the Swedish Camaro Club the '69 is the most popular model among the members by far.

Jan

[evilzee28]

LOL, don't forget fodor.

Oh yeah forgot that one, but I can't spell Fdor either. I guess you know that FORD stands for "Fix Or Repair Daily" huh? or...."Found On Roadside Dead". :yes:

[jannes_z-28]

Oh yeah forgot that one, but I can't spell Fdor either. I guess you know that FORD stands for "Fix Or Repair Daily" huh? or...."Found On Roadside Dead". :yes:


Or this one:
"I rather push my Chevy than drive a Ford"

Jan

[XcYZ]

This could be the most entertaining Friday thread we've had yet. lol

[evilzee28]

That's strange that you don't have anything for Camaros in Britain. In the Swedish Camaro Club the '69 is the most popular model among the members by far.

Jan

Hi Jan, going back a coupla years there were a few guys from Sweden buying up a load of our muscle cars & taking them back to Sweden, thankfully they left a couple, must've left us with the Frod's, Fdor's Fodr's ...Oh you know, those Fdro's !! There was a very heavy underground scene there at one point wasn't there? It's hard to get bits when no-one specialises in them & knows EXACTLY what you want. :)

[evilzee28]

Oh yeah, it also stands for "F****d Old Road Digger" :P

[jannes_z-28]

There are a few guys over here in Sweden that specialize in Chevy parts.

Check this out: http://www.crossramtrading.se/ He can help you with most parts.

Jan

[XcYZ]

Besides muscle cars, is there much else for US cars/trucks in Europe?

[Derek69SS]

You guys gotta learn to spell... it's "DORF" ;) :_paranoid

[jannes_z-28]

Besides muscle cars, is there much else for US cars/trucks in Europe?

You will find all kinds of American automotives over here. From 1904 FDORs to 2005 Dodge, Chevy and Ford trucks. Some people over here claims that Sweden is the 51st state. Britain was of course the very first one :unibrow:

Jan

[evilzee28]

You guys gotta learn to spell... it's "DORF" ;) :_paranoid

Cants spell "dorf" haven't got enough capitals on my 'puter :thumbsup:

[evilzee28]

You will find all kinds of American automotives over here. From 1904 FDORs to 2005 Dodge, Chevy and Ford trucks. Some people over here claims that Sweden is the 51st state. Britain was of course the very first one :unibrow:

Jan
Until you stole our cars ! :) lol

[evilzee28]

:patriot: Besides muscle cars, is there much else for US cars/trucks in Europe?
We're finding that there are far more late model cars & trucks here now, with a lot of specialists for them. There was an advert in one of our magazines for a show & it ended with the words " There's a little Indian in all of us" Didn't make much sense to me, went to the show (A very big one as it happens) & found everyone dressed up as cowboys & indians....WEIRD !there was a TOTAL lifestyle thing going on, tents, wigwams the whole nine yards. Seems that these Americana shows are getting really big with the emphasis leaving the cars & going more to the US lifestyle (or imitation as it's interpreted to be) kind of thing.I'm sure you'd all wet yourselves with laughter if you saw it,...Yeah, Brits trying to be Yanks! :unibrow:

Oh yeah, line dancing...loads of line dancing!!!!! :patriot:

[jannes_z-28]

Until you stole our cars ! :) lol

Yeah, we had the Vikings over there first to do the reconnaissance. :D What they found out was only worth having was the musclecars 1000 years later. That's the secret message on the Runstones.

Jan

[evilzee28]

Yeah, we had the Vikings over there first to do the reconnaissance. :D What they found out was only worth having was the musclecars 1000 years later. That's the secret message on the Runstones.

Jan
Here was I thinking they foretold the future. Mmmmm..... guess they did then!

[XcYZ]

Ahhh, the Vikings. Don't get me started! LOL

[evilzee28]

Ahhh, the Vikings. Don't get me started! LOL

Eh? don't get it! :_paranoid

[XcYZ]

lol, that's in regards to those worthless Minnesota Vikings... could be worse, I could be a Steelers fan. :D

[jannes_z-28]

Here is a Brittish '69 Pro Touring Camaro that were at the Power Big Meet in Sweden last year, do yo know this guy?

http://www.colorconsult.se/users/camaro/PowerBigMeet_106.jpg


Jan

[evilzee28]

lol, that's in regards to those worthless Minnesota Vikings... could be worse, I could be a Steelers fan. :D

Ahhh, now I get it,..... that game where men run around playing with funny shaped balls !! You can get treated for that now apparently :bow:

[XcYZ]

Ahhh, now I get it,..... that game where men run around playing with funny shaped balls !! You can get treated for that now apparently :bow:

LMAO!!

Jan, that's a beautiful car. Have any more pics/details?

[BC69]

Jan,
You have more pictures of that 69!??!

EDIT: Scott is too fast for me!

[evilzee28]

Here is a Brittish '69 Pro Touring Camaro that were at the Power Big Meet in Sweden last year, do yo know this guy?

http://www.colorconsult.se/users/camaro/PowerBigMeet_106.jpg


Jan
Yeah, I know the car but I've never met the guy that owns it.His name's Stephen Warnes & lives in Norfolk England.The motor's a 427 with about 510 bhp, 4.88.1 rear with a ZL1 6 speed. Wheels are by Centreline. Really well put together car :)

[XcYZ]

Cool, you need to track down Stephen and send him here so we can get more details on his car. :thumbsup:

[evilzee28]

Jan,
You have more pictures of that 69!??!

EDIT: Scott is too fast for me!
you're all too fast for me. I reply to a question & find there are 3 more before I post my answer Doh! The car was featured in Custom Car magazine over here in 2003.There are a couple of nice G machines here at the moment, maybe it'd be an idea for me to get these guys together at some point, you know, your colonial cousins arm of Lateral-G :)

[evilzee28]

Seems like an aaaawful lot of silver '69's out there, Jody,...you really need to paint your car black you know. :)

[XcYZ]

Isn't silver the new red?

[BC69]

Isn't silver the new red?

Isnt that the truth...you know for some much complaining that all people see are Red Camaros, I sure dont see any around here. But Silver! Oh yeah, they are around.

Jody, maybe you will have to go back to that Original Orange color.

Tim

[evilzee28]

Isn't silver the new red?

Yeah, I guess you're right with that one, I was just sooooo looking forward to seeing Jodys' car in black. Variety, yep, that's what we need, other wise they all become very much of a muchness & you'll end up getting punch drunk on silver. As my gran used to say, "if all you eats is choclolate you're gonna be ill". ;)

[evilzee28]

Don't any of you guys have work to do??? :_paranoid

[XcYZ]

I know the level of the fit and finish of Jody's car will be incredible; the color will be secondary.

Since you like black, you might be happy to hear that Jim is going to run with the Stealth paint scheme on his 69 Vert.

http://www.lateral-g.org/rendition/jimhall5.jpg

[BC69]

That looks sick!!! He was gonna go with blue originally right?

Don't any of you guys have work to do???

I am at work. They dont pay much attention to the interns. I get my financial reports done, and they just smile and say great job! Pay is incredible too...

[evilzee28]

That looks sick!!! He was gonna go with blue originally right?



I am at work. They dont pay much attention to the interns. I get my financial reports done, and they just smile and say great job! Pay is incredible too...
Get me a job like yours :thumbsup:

[evilzee28]

I know the level of the fit and finish of Jody's car will be incredible; the color will be secondary.

Since you like black, you might be happy to hear that Jim is going to run with the Stealth paint scheme on his 69 Vert.

http://www.lateral-g.org/rendition/jimhall5.jpg
That looks sweet !!

Yeah, but with excellent fit & finish & a mirror like paintjob on a straight body it reaaaaally gets the WOW factor going. Downside with silver in my opinion is that it'll never give enough reflection to show how straight a car is, plus you lose the effect of any chrome like bumpers, arch & 'screen trim etc, I just luuuurve black cars with chrome. :)

[steemin]

Alright I have had about enough from you Chebby guys..
Everyone knows that FORD stands for First On Race Day!
I was looking for almost a year for a 69 Camaro.
I just couldn't find the "right one".
So I bought a 65 Fastback. No regrets.
I love all american muscle cars.
Scott

[BC69]

I swear this is my last post, I am going to lunch!!

But I think Silver may not do what black does for a car, but black cars have to be Perfect cars. But silver is just sooo clean! I love simple cars, not alot of chrome, not alot of lines, just smooth and simple inside and out. I think that silver with the chrome or billet stuff is just really clean. I know "clean" isnt always the best compliment, but in this case, I think it really sets the cars apart.

And if you pant a car right any color you will get the reflection you are looking for.

Okay, Im done for now...it has been fun, but so will Subway be when I am eating it for lunch.

[Musclerodz]

Damn, 50 posts all before lunch. You guys must have an eye problem, and can't see any reason to work any today.

Besides the '69 having the nicest lines of any Camaro, it was also one of the easiest to modify. Ten years ago our parents were buying up all the 55-57 shoebox's they could find. Now its our generation whether its the guys who had one in high school or the next younger kid who always wanted one but couldn't afford one until now.

I looked for a long time for a '69 that did not need a bunch a bodywork and ended up with my '68 12 years ago.

Mike

[evilzee28]

Alright I have had about enough from you Chebby guys..
Everyone knows that FORD stands for First On Race Day!
I was looking for almost a year for a 69 Camaro.
I just couldn't find the "right one".
So I bought a 65 Fastback. No regrets.
I love all american muscle cars.
Scott

How come the Penske Camaro's won the Trans Am championships ahead of the Fdors? I thought it was "Fix On Race Day" lol. I shouldn't take a swipe at Fodrs really as I "crew" on my mates historic '69 Mustang race car & in truth it does perform exceptionally well.


I did hear a guy asking how he could make his Frod do a 140mph & the answer was "throw it off a cliff" :)

[XcYZ]

Damn, 50 posts all before lunch. You guys must have an eye problem, and can't see any reason to work any today.

Yep, it's Friday. :D :thumbsup:

[evilzee28]

Yep, it's Friday. :D :thumbsup:

I'm using braille now :) It started out as a tongue in cheek posting, but got a little outta hand, but I guess it lightens up a Friday huh? :thumbsup:

[XcYZ]

It sure does. We have to have some fun, too. :thumbsup:

As for why 69 Camaros are so populer, maybe we should start a thread asking people.....

IF you were to build another car and it couldn't be a 69 Camaro, what would it be?

For me, it would be either 66 Chevelle or a 70 ~ 73 RS Camaro.

[jannes_z-28]

It sure does. We have to have some fun, too. :thumbsup:

As for why 69 Camaros are so populer, maybe we should start a thread asking people.....

IF you were to build another car and it couldn't be a 69 Camaro, what would it be?

For me, it would be either 66 Chevelle or a 70 ~ 73 RS Camaro.


I'll have a Cortez Silver '69 Chevelle SS 396. Must be the habit :D

Edit: With black stripes that is.

Jan

[BC69]

Something big!!!

A 57 Cadillac done pro-touring style. Take some of the new cadillac components and plug it into an old boat!!! Thats next!

Tim

[Payton King]

If I had to build another car and it not be a 69...assuming it was a pro-tour 70 Cuda (because it looks like a 69 camaro) 69 fast back mustang or 55 chevy convertible.

Although it would be a tank. I am still diggin' a 59 chevy. A deck lid that seats 12, is there anything better? well maybe a 59 caddy convertible.

I will tell you that guy in Cali with the 93 RX-7 with the LS1/T56 swap has me thinking. Car weighs 2800 lbs and I think he pulled like 1.12 on the skid pad. He goes by GnX7.

That reminds me, where are those lottery tickets that I need to check. I may have a few new projects for the future if they pay off.

[Rybar]

I already know what my next project would be: either a '55 or '56 Bel-Air done pro-touring.

[Little Bob]

Oh, and there were 243,085 produced.


:yes:

[evilzee28]

I think Rick Kirkindalls' 2nd gen Camaro hits the nail on the head pretty good. What a nice piece of equipment. I reckon a gull wing Impala would look good done pro touring as would, dare I say it, a Fodr Galaxie :)

[69rs]

I saw this post this morning before anyone had answered and thought I had better wait to answer. It sounded like a challenge! Then I actually did some work (unlike the rest of you), and when I came back I had to read for 30 minutes just to get caught up! To answer why-as others have stated- it is the best looking bodystyle ever produced. And I'm not biased. :_paranoid No metoo-ism factors in here! :P And when they are "done" right....man they look great! :unibrow: Unfortunately, mine still has the factory lift kit on it!

[69rs]

If I were to do a car other than a 69 Camaro, it would have to be a........69 Camaro, I guess. How's that for a one track mind?!?! :willy:

[Mean 69]

My guess as to why the Camaros are less popular in Britain than the Mustangs goes back to racing in the day. The Camaros came on as we all know in the later part of the 60's, and from a racing standpoint, the most popular forum was the Trans Am series. They didn't race T/A in Europe.... They did race a lot of the early Shelby modified Mustangs overseas though, alongside the Cobra's (which were made, where?), Jags, Ferrari's, etc.

I will agree though, I love them all. I have a 65 Mustang project car that will start life in a year or so, and after that, I would LOVE to do a Mopar car. I was about ten seconds away from buying a really nice Sport Fury a few months back, it was sweet and I shouldn't have let it get away. But I do love my 69, it just looks so damn mean. Love it.

Mark

[T Bell]

because they ran out of 442's.

[Steve1968LS2]

If I were to do a car other than a 69 Camaro, it would have to be a........69 Camaro, I guess. How's that for a one track mind?!?! :willy:

Yea, I decided to push the envelope and do a '68 Camaro.. I AM NOT A SHEEP!!!!!

bahhhhh bahh ba

;)

[Steve1968LS2]

Oh..... You really don't wanna go there. I think it's a case of the metoo's. :yes:

WHAT THE #$#@@%% ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!?!?!?!?

HA! just kidding..

I do think that is part of it but the other part is a circular deal where Mfg's make parts for the car so people buy the cars with the good aftermarket so the Mfg's make even more parts.. yada yada..

Plus the one-off-year looks of the '69 really lend themselves to looking modern.. it's a classic body style that has a lot of lines yet is appealing to many people.

ie.. its a good looking car and it is a good size that lends itself to handling..

[clill]

The 69 Camaro has been on every little kids wish list. It is a timeless design that looks as good today as it did 30 plus years ago.

On a side note... Dynacorn was showing off their new 67 Camaro coupe body today at Hot August Nights. 68 69 are to follow.

[vanzuuk1]

I would build a nascar style early 70s torino gt , charger, or roadrunner.I think the early 70s had a few nice body styles, overlooked cause of the decline in h.p. A protouring, nascar or trans am look would look great on:

Torino gt

roadrunner or charger71-73

monte or malibu 70 - 74

camaro iroc replica 76 (the race car)

dodge magnum nascar style 78-79 (i did this already)

[zbugger]

And now you see why I said what I did.... And I, unlike some others here, got some work done today. Nerds....

As for what I'm building.... It's a '77 Camaro. My dream would be to build a '68, but I've grown to love the second gen Camaro more and more. Now I prefer it. I only like the number 69 though. Yeah, I'm a perve..... :yes:

[jonny51]

I like the 69 because everybody has them and I just want to fit in and be cool!

[Musclerodz]

The 69 Camaro has been on every little kids wish list. It is a timeless design that looks as good today as it did 30 plus years ago.

On a side note... Dynacorn was showing off their new 67 Camaro coupe body today at Hot August Nights. 68 69 are to follow.
Well that was quick. Does anybody know anybody that has one of the new '69's yet. Did you get to see it Charley?

Mike

[Ummgawa]

I know the level of the fit and finish of Jody's car will be incredible; the color will be secondary.

Since you like black, you might be happy to hear that Jim is going to run with the Stealth paint scheme on his 69 Vert.

http://www.lateral-g.org/rendition/jimhall5.jpg

Dang thats a good lookin Car!!! :unibrow:

You guys will not believe the thumbs up and the criticism I have gotten for F*&^%$G up a "Nice" convertible. My body man is quick to show them the 6K worth body work that has been done SO FAR. He always tells them too that "The Owner will be here in minute, tell him. He's only 6'4" 325 and loves to talk about cars"
I don't really give two hoots and a Poot about opinions, They are like Asses, EV'BODY GOT ONE! lol

[Steve Chryssos]

Mmmmmm,......... it's strange that over here in Britain the Mustang is far & away the most popular of the muscle cars, ....period. There are clubs for them, the largest being the MOCGB (Mustang Owneres Club Great Britain) & number of companies specialising in parts for them. As to the Camaro, .....zippo ! No club & no-one specailising in bits.There are probably far more 2nd Gen Camaros than 1st, & of those 1st Gens the '67-'68 are probably more prevailant.'69's are more popular for drag racing for some reason.

I guess I misunderstood the question. I thought you were contrasting 69 Camaros with other-year Camaros. As for a Mustang vs. Camaro comparison, the same holds true here in the states: More Mustangs than Camaros. ...and I'm sure the reason is the same: Ford made a bazillion Mustangs--Something like 1 million in it's first year??

But we have yet to see Mustangs emerge as a dominant platform for g-machines here in the states.
/Steevo

[Musclerodz]

What happened to the green Jim. Change your mind?

Mike

[Bill Howell]

Alright I have had about enough from you Chebby guys..
Everyone knows that FORD stands for First On Race Day!
Scott


Until his death I always thought it was
Forget Out Running Dale. :yes:

[Huxsol81]

how did I miss all this fun???? :eek:

[shanekennedy]

69's do have 1 flaw, the shark gills (fake side vents). i hate fake stuff. don't like the chrome trim on the 69 RS headlight covers either. i spent several months looking for a 69 project, but the more i looked @ the shark gills, the more i disliked them. i decided on a 68 instead.

not trying to start anything here. 69's are beautiful cars. they just have a couple of turn-offs for me.

[69rs]

It would be cool to make the gills functional as brake cooling ducts.

[trapin]

lol, that's in regards to those worthless Minnesota Vikings... could be worse, I could be a Steelers fan.
Or a Lions fan. At least you have Culpepper and not Joey 'check down' Harrington.