Hey all,

I started a thread a couple weeks ago about an LM1 Camaro out in California my parents were planning on buying for a grad present for me. Well, it's on the way now! Last I heard it was in New Mexico...Quite a drive to South Carolina! Anyways, I have a question for you pro's out there. I plan on starting another thread when it finally arrives as well as registering it (I hear LM1's are kind of rare).

As you can see in the pictures, this car has added SS hood and badges. The only SS badge that's missing is the one on the fender right under the word 'Camaro.' I'm thinking that if this is to be an SS clone, then I might as well add the extra badge. But then again I'd like to restore it to original one day and get a real SS or z28 when I have cash of my own. What do y'all think? Is it difficult to cover up the holes in the side that adding the badge would create? Restoring back to original would be pretty easy considering the seller also included the original hood and hubcaps in the deal.

Here's a description of the car from the seller:

1969 LM1 Camaro with its original MATCHING NUMBER DRIVE TRAIN from the 12 bolt rear end all the way to the carburetor. The ORIGINAL #s MATCHING 350 ENGINE (HS CODE, 255 HP, 4 BARREL CARB) runs excellent, and the car has only 122k original miles on it. It has the original T350 automatic transmission. The car still has original #’s matching 12 BOLT REAR END (3:08) w/ multi leaf springs. The car has been upgraded with SS options (hood, disc, badging). This Camaro is painted the original Olympic Gold color with added black Z/28 stripes and the paint is EXCELLENT. I would say it is a good 9 out of 10. It comes with the original PROTECTO PLATE and TONS OF PAPERWORK given to me from the previous owner, including many old documents dating as far back as 1971. It still has the ORIGINAL INTERIOR which is in amazing condition. Even the ORIGINAL CARPET is in great shape, the heel pad and arm rest on the door panel seem to be the only pieces that have been replaced. All the original windows are still on the car, which are all in very good shape. Even the ORIGINAL WINDSHIELD is still in nearly flawless condition. The car is completely rust free and has original quarter panels and floor pans. The dash is in excellent shape. The original radio is still in place and is functioning. It has a center console w/ gauge package. The car has a new vinyl top. It has new factory disc brakes and power steering. It has aftermarket dual exhaust. The suspension is original and is in great condition. The engine is all original, it has the original stock hydraulic cam that drives very smoothly. Every piece on the car lines up excellent. The car shows no sign of being in any major accidents, frame rails are absolutely flawless. It still has the original black and gold plates. This Camaro is investment quality and an extremely rare find. It has always been garaged its whole life and sat in storage inside for the past 20+ years, and it definitely shows. I purchased the car from the second owner, who had owned the car since 1971. The car was lady driven nearly its entire life until it was put into garage storage back in the 80's. The car lived inside for another 20 years protected from the elements. This is why it is in the amazing condition that it is in. This car will not disappoint and must be seen to be believed.

We got it for 26k-- Is that a good deal? Anyways, I'm really excited about this getting here! Please check out the pictures and see if there are any other badges/other things SS cars would've included. Thanks!

I would have paid 26K for it. No problems at all. Car sits well. If the car was mine I would put it back to original order. Thats just me....I have a plain jane that is no longer the plain jane when I first bought it. Can i have it?

Congratulations on your new car :thumbsup:

btw - that's not an "SS Hood" ;)
It's a RPO-ZL2 'Cowl Induction' Hood :yes:

And I would leave the additional "SS" badges off, less you run into one of us in the future and we inform you it's a very desirable RPO-LM1 and not an 'SS' :D

hey thanks for the replies guys. i was just thinking that if its going to be an SS clone of some sort then it might as well have all the badges. vintage-- what does the SS hood look like? did the cowl induction hood not come on the SS cars? someday i do plan on restoring it back to original but right now id like a pretty, reliable car. im guessing it would hold its value better as an LM1 and not an SS clone? thanks again!

I would take the front SS emblem (in the grille) off and leave it with no emblem there.
I also would have a custom LM-1 emblem made to replace the rear SS emblem.

This is a picture of a car with an SS hood.

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii152/tjs69_photos/69%20Camaro/sunnyday001.jpg

ahh i see. so the SS hood kind of looks like the plain jane hood except for the 'grills' in the middle. the custom LM1 emblem on the back is a good idea. its also got an SS steering wheel so id have to do something about that.

The car looks good as is. There is more wrong than just the emblems.

1) The Hood is the cowl hood and not the SS hood.
2) the black stripes are z-28 stripes.

Enjoy the car as you want it to look ! My LM 1 has z28 stripes and badges !

... what does the SS hood look like? ...


Like this - 23114
(btw - good picture but bad example ;) )

Sure, it was a factory option on an RPO-Z27 (and -Z28). But only after Dec. 68 and due to normal lags in info becoming available and dealers beginning to order it, most orders for it didn't hit production 'SS' vehicles until a few months later.
Still not a common option for one though ...

thanks for the help everyone. im glad the original hood and hubcaps are coming with the car so when it is put back original ill have those parts. so it seems like the consensus is to take off the SS badges...anything else besides that and the hood? were also going to put an AC in it. probably will be vintage air. is there another company people around here use that they recommend? thanks again!

... were also going to put an AC in it. ... is there another company people around here use that they recommend? thanks again!

:yes: Classic Auto Air :thumbsup:
Link - http://www.classicautoair.com/

I've installed several and they are a much better built system for the same $$$
They will customize your set-up exactly as you want/need.

Vintage stuff is 'flimsy' IMHO ...
And if you have a problem with the heater core or evaporator the unit is junk - can't be repaired by you and cost by them is way to high - ask me how I know this ...

Hey Griffin - Congrats ! I was wondering what your decision was on this LM1.
Seems like a good fit for you. Enjoy the ride.

Don't forget to update your signature settings here with her specs :)

IMO: I would add the missing "SS" badge on the fender and leave it at that.
You have too much other SS stuff to remove to get it back to factory condition.
You can do all that when you get to the restoration.

You could remove the pins from the SS badge and stick it to the fender with some sticky material. This would allow you to sport the badge now and remove it later without drilling any holes in the fenders.
That is a nice car even with the discrepancies of stripes and badges.

Hey Griffin - Congrats ! I was wondering what your decision was on this LM1.
Seems like a good fit for you. Enjoy the ride.

Don't forget to update your signature settings here with her specs :)


thanks! i appreciate it. judging by some of the reactions im starting to worry if we paid too much for a non-SS or z28 car. everyones comments have been supportive but i kind of get that hint. is it 'lame' to have a non SS car dressed as an SS? i thought it seemed kind of like a fraudulent thing to do at first but judging by how much of this car is original i thought itd be okay. please share your thoughts. thanks again for the advice everyone! ill look into that vintage air alternative as well.

... is it 'lame' to have a non SS car dressed as an SS? ...

IMO: No, it is not lame.

I'd be willing to bet that most of the Z28's and SS's that you see are actually 'clones'. Mine is probably a clone(I bought it that way). I cannot prove it one way or the other. I just enjoy it as is.

thanks! i appreciate it. judging by some of the reactions im starting to worry if we paid too much for a non-SS or z28 car. everyones comments have been supportive but i kind of get that hint. is it 'lame' to have a non SS car dressed as an SS? i thought it seemed kind of like a fraudulent thing to do at first but judging by how much of this car is original i thought itd be okay. please share your thoughts. thanks again for the advice everyone! ill look into that vintage air alternative as well.

Hey you will get opinions on each side of the fence. What matters is what you plan on "marketing" the car as to people. IMHO you have a more valuable vehicle without the fake SS bling. Celebrate what she is and what is is not.

Like I said a while back to you ...if you are planning on just driving and enjoying your caretaker role without trying to pass it off at shows as a borne Super Sport leave it alone if you like it as it is. If you want to be accurate and go to a few shows which are a blast by the way, the moral and ethical thing to do would be to remove all the SS badges. As to the cowl induction hood - I would keep it as it could have been dealer installed in 69 with no restrictions. But in any case in a show disclose and document everything done in your restoration and research.

If you keep it a clone advertise it as such. Honesty is way too short these days and in particular with these cars - again - IMHO so be upfront and be proud of your LM1.

On the subject of adding A/C - Take a look at http://www.oldairproducts.com/catalog/ - Hear good things in general, but then again I have a ragtop so no need for A/C :)

Brian

My LA built LM1 was also tagged with the SS badges everywhere. Luckily mine is also an RS so I replaced the front and rear badges with RS...they fit in same holes... left the SS on the sides so I dont have empty holes. Just drive it :) the minion experts will point out the things that are 'wrong' but who cares, right? Its yours.

http://carsbyjim.com/storage/BodyShots/DCP_0004.jpg