Okay boys and girls. I've finished the head rest report, but would like to include a picture of the plug used in the 69 head rest delete option AR1. I realize this is going to be almost impossible to find, but if ANYONE has an original 69 with the AR1 head rest delete option, or knows someone that does, or has a picture of the plug used, please email me. My email address is bertfam@verizon.net

It can be from a 69 Camaro, 69 Corvair Monza or a 69 Firebird since they all used the same assembly.

Thanks and merry Christmas

Ed

Wow, I didn't think you could delete the head rests!

i agree

i thought it was a govenment safety issue and the manufacturers had to add them.

Yes, it was a government regulation, but it didn't come into effect until January 1st, 1969.

GM began installing them from the start of production in August, 1968, but because it wasn't yet a federal requirement, they had to put the head rest as a "mandatory option" on the window sticker. Because of this, some people complained of the $16.90 price tag. So, GM offered a head rest delete option (AR1) for these customers. 335 Camaro buyers decided they didn't want the option and for this, they got a plug in the hole and a $16.90 credit.

Of course, after January 1st, 1969 the option was dropped and the price of the Camaro was increased to reflect the now mandatory requirement.

Note that the AR1 option was available for any GM car or truck until January 1st, 1969, but even then, it's very rare to see a head rest delete car, no matter what the division or model.

Ed

Ed, Are you going to include info on the curved vs straight bar headrests too? If so, there have been questions about a different escutcheon plate for the two types.

Kevin, I'm not aware of any differences between the "straight bar" and "bent bar" escutcheons. No changes show up in the P&A and, as a matter of fact, it appears that the only differences at all between the two versions is the bend. Everything else looks to be the same.

Ed

Speaking of mandated items, like smog equiptment were mandated on 69's after the 1-1-69 date?? I got my Z in 12-68, it was not long that I pulled all smog injection equiptment and installed the evaporative system ( air cleaner , stand pipe and right exhaust manifold shielding ) and was still able to get my yearly state inspections. Seems like as long as this car had this equiptment, especially the standpipe, no one ever questioned it as many other 69's had the same set up. Anybody got any information on this? Did I explain this correctly? Didn't mean to change the subject. Maybe this is a question I need to post else where?

Anybody got any information on this?

Try this:

http://www.camaros.org/emissions.shtml

:beers:

Hey Ed, was wondering just how rare the head rests were in the 67/68"s? Have not seen many in my travels...just wondering?

capt68

AS2 for 1967 was only 2,342 out of 220,906 cars.

AS2 for 1968 was only 2,234 out of 235,147 cars.

(More or less 1 percent for each year.)

VERY rare options indeed.

If you have a 68 with the black standard interior and would like to upgrade, there's a SET ON EBAY (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=007&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=170180310324&rd=1) right now! NOT cheap though. I would venture to guess that these will go for a lot more than the current $830.00 before it's all over.

Ed

Thanks Bertfam for the head rest #'s. Paid $25 and had to buy breakfast to get my 68's, so better thank my lucky stars, eh?

capt68

Ebay seats pictured appear just at my 69 12A seats but green. What keeps a person from installing 69 seats into a late 68 and declaring the rare seat? What did I miss?

John, thanks on the emissions link.

Don,

67/68 and 69 standard seat upholstery is different. the 67/68 pattern goes front to back while the 69 pattern goes left to right.

The head restraints are also different between the 68 and 69. Although the pads themselves are very similar and difficult to tell apart (unless you happen to have both in your hands to compare), the bars are the giveaway. 68 bars have 3 holes in them and 69's have only one. Also, the notch for retention is on the left for 68's and on the right for 69's.

Of course you can take an early set of 69 seats (straight bar style), re-upholster them with 68 covers and "claim" they're originals, but like I said before, the bars are totally different and it's very easy to spot a fake.

I have the Head Restraint report completed, but it's not been approved yet, so in the meantime HERE'S (http://mysite.verizon.net/bertfam/headrest.htm) my old page showing the differences between the years.

Ed