View Full Version : 1967 Camaro near St. Louis, MO with a unique story.


ninjalogan
Aug 6th, 07, 11:15 AM
Hello everyone!

Normally, if you get ahold of an older midwest car, it's basically held together by the paint. I expected as much when I answered a craigslist ad for a 67 Camaro for pocket change.

When I arrived, I saw her. Her quarters were already removed, but the rear shock mounts had been fixed and the tailpan and lower rear section had been completely replaced. She still needed new quarters welded on and at least one new rocker. The roof was decent, but needed every other piece of sheetmetal.

The scary thing was that the floor didn't have a single speck of rust on it. Neither did the trunk pan, dash, or firewall. Also, the frame rails were more solid than my 99 Z28.

I pulled the trigger and stood talking with the young guy I bought it from when suddenly his dad pulled up in a restored convertible old Caprice. His dad began talking to my friend and his face and voice tickled a memory.

I mentioned where I used to live near Cahokia Mounds and the son kind of started, then called his dad over. After speaking with him I realized that he had known my grandparents and had come to visit once when I was playing with my Hot Wheels (I was about 7 or 8 years old). He had pulled up in his Camaro that he'd owned at the time.

My grandparents had really liked him and thought him a "respectable young man". He had also been very fond of my grandparents, referring to them as "really good people."

My grandfather was actually the one responsible for me WANTING an old muscle car for most of my life. I've always said I wanted a 67 Camaro because they were all muscle, no frills. My grandfather had several old muscle cars (I remember his 442 the most).

I brought the car to store at a place where I do side work in a nice big storage shed until I can get my garage ready for the project. I'm pretty excited and think the restoration will go really fast (considering what I'm working with) once all of the welding is done. I've actually never welded anything before in my life...but there's a time to learn! I know it wouldn't have scared my grandfather any...and the good people I bought the car from have restored more first gens than you can count on one hand and have told me to let them know if I have any questions.

Anyway, I'm rambling, but I'm here to make some new friends who share my passion and whose first gens "talked" to them when they went to see them. I could hear her loud and clear. She told me about when she was new and what it was like back then. She was rust free and beautiful.

She may have been a little L6, but she wants to be a SS 396 with a 4 speed. I'm thinking a lighter metallic blue with black interior and white bumble bee stripe on the front. All muscle, no frills...well...maybe she'll get a radio. ;)

f6mark
Aug 6th, 07, 11:48 AM
cool story and welcome.

Rhino
Aug 6th, 07, 01:12 PM
Congrats on the purchase. I, as well, just picked up a '68 project. I'm going little more modern with an LS1 to replace the long gone original 6 cyl.

In addition to this forum, you'll find a lot more locals on www.mofbody.com

Lucky68
Aug 6th, 07, 02:24 PM
Lets see some pics! Welcome Logan. I'm just over in Belleville.

69X11SS
Aug 7th, 07, 08:20 AM
Welcome to TC. Jefferson City, MO here!!

ninjalogan
Aug 7th, 07, 09:12 AM
Thank you for the welcome! Looks like I already found a couple people from around the St. Louis area. :thumbsup:

I only have one picture at the moment. My fiance's camera (the only digital camera I've ever come close to owning) is on the fritz and she's getting a new one for Christmas. That's a long time to wait for pictures, but I'll post a quick teaser.

Keep in mind...she really is a basket case, but her frame and floorpans are SOLID.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a141/W3ap0n-X/camaro011.jpg

This is going to be fun. :D

Orange_Z10
Aug 7th, 07, 09:17 AM
Excellent project you've got there. It looks like a lot of work, but I'm sure it will be worth it.

Welcome to the forum from another Illinoisian.

-Chuck