Guys I'm new here, I'm in New Zealand. Owned the car for 26 yrs
2 days ago my 69 original Z28 (match numbers, warranty papers, protecto-plate etc etc was stolen...and recovered by police with in 2hrs with the **** thieves in the car...they had to tow it behind a japper (kiwi slang for a japanese car) to steal it
A camaro, in NZ stands out like a sore thumb.
They destroyed the door locks steering wheel, usual stuff that can be fixed/replaced (I usually deal thru Classic Industries)
I can get most parts except the ignition tumbler housing, linkages , and the 2 top outer housings for the ignition switch and the trans part that turns (on the floor auto trans mission)
I would like to keep to original rather than aftermarket alternatives.
Being in NZ it is difficult to do a phone 'ring around' so I am making a big ask...I need to locate a column new, rebuilt or in damn good condition...we can paint nps.

The damage can be seen here
www.kakariki.net/camaro/column1.jpg
www.kakariki.net/camaro/column2.jpg

Before the experts start to ask..Z28, auto, 350, no Z28 bonnet no rear spoiler???
It was an ex show room car out of De Anzo Chev in Ca. It is quite a mix of options including seat belts, suspensions on a base Z28.

PS just got the OK from insurance Assessors for complete new steering column...steering wheel to base of column.
We really need help on this one guys

Thanks
Steps

Steps -

Welcome to the best 1st gen site on the planet!

What is it exactly you'd like us to do? Rick's First Generation sells rebuilt OE columns, and has a lot of the other stuff your looking for. I have a guy there that is very responsive by email, so if you want to PM me I can pass along his contact info.

If you're hoping someone here has what you need, you'd want to post a Wanted ad in our Forum member classifieds (below Bench Racing on the Index page). You may get some responses here as well.

Cheers thanks..yep my wife found that site same time as I did...
Emailed them re details of the column ..if complete whatever...and they have replied (time zones a bit of a problem lol) Any way they are shells, so have emailed back a few minutes ago if they could supply a full assembled unit from steering wheel decal to spline at the bottom.
Being international shipping to a remote little island in the south pacific, one has to make sure it is the Right stuff 1st time around. They echange rate is a bit of a killer, then when the parts get here we get hit with a tax, 12.5% in NZ dollars, on insurance, shipping, and the parts...then if they are rubber or have rubber another 10% on those.
If u could put a word in, we would certainly appreciate it m8 ...Im currently dealing with a person Kelley.
Steps is my real life Nic...Im using Keith Andrews (real name
)in corrospondence with 1st Gen.

Cheers Steps

Just in case you need to know. I think you ment to type De Anza Chev. I am pretty sure they are located in Hemet Ca. To the best of my knowlege they have always been a family owned store. For any info about your Z you might want to contact them. You never know what they still might have around, they were into some perfromance parts and cars when I was growing up in Hemet.

Joe

There are a bunch of members in NZ, check around locally, they might have a spare! I did an advanced search in the user list under NZ and zeal. You cna then email or PM some of the closest. Luck!

BrianW
Senior Tech May 10th, 01 165 NZ

stano1
Apr 17th, 00 10 hamilton NZ

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yep thats them....according to the docs they where in riverside or san bernidino sry on spelling...all the docs are stored away with other docs for safe keeping.
The guy who purchased it new (and imported to NZ in 1972) lived in one and the dealer the other.
I contacted them back in the 80s didnt get much of a response at that time....

A bit about the car.. (off subject)
I have made a few changes over the yrs....BUT EVERYTHING down to orginal worn brake pads/shoes are stored away.
Was green, now blue
In 86 I did a full rebuild from wheel cylinders even if they didnt need it...anything that could wear was replaced...
At the time the Gov was talking about messing with our gas..so did a bit of asking around...I now run dedicated 115 octane fuel with everything down to ring gaps, cam, dizzy curve optimised for it....we have LPG (propane at the pumps.) heaps cheaper to run, heaps more grunt...the car was for street use, and built engine for about 5500 to 6000 max rpm. Using impco carbration on a holly 450 base.
Dizzy intial is 6 deg, 32deg all in at 2400 rpm, no vac adv. idle at 550 rpm
In drive (auto) gears change @ 5200 rpm. tool box and picinic gear in the boot (trunk in american)..crappy worn t/a s hard as that where under the house for a few yrs...then add inexperiance, pulled constant 14.2s

Around town she is a bit heavy, about 19 g/m...open road 60 to 90 mph cruising just under 30 mpg
Keep in mind, u guys thru the british out a few years ago and made your gallon a diff size to spit them lol...the above is imperial galls =4.54 liters
So The camaro has run lpg for 20 yrs..we pulled the heads last easter..did a 400 mile trip, used a liter water...something wrong and it wasnt a hose...rebuilt them.
If u guys want to know a little more about lpg ask ok..I have been there still doing it, and know what to do AND NOT to do...no starter motor probs, no valve ressetion, runs at 160 deg, no plug probs, no mains problems.
These are the draw backs IF NOT dedicated.

More changes
Put a 308 diff in, hei dizzy, after market radio/cd player, toyota speaker cases in back shelf..the oval ones suit shape of the car and painted to match interior. Made new shifter gate...cant hit N or 1st accidentally. Engine bay wiring routed under guards out of sight, ss cragers, 235/60 rubber, late model alternator, performer duel plane manifold, the small cast ram horns (lpg didnt like the headers...think was 32inch primaries, shortened then to 28, helped...but the ram horns dropped time .6 sec on the strip.) and a few bits of chrome scattered around the place.
Oh yeah...all body panel screws bolt interor (where appropiate are 316 stainless)
Body gets stripped, panelled, painted every 6 to 7 yrs..any interior that needs updating gets done to...last time was hood lining, carpets, dash/pillar panels...upholtery is still orginal and mint...always used pledge...not the crap they put out for jappers...all shine no condition.
Any way hope u guys find that interesting, and havnt bored u...finished my coffee and back to work now.

De Anza was in the riverside auto center and now is Singh Chevy and has beed for 7 or so years.

Here is the guy you want to use..(cut out the middleman)...I just got a column from him for my 69......first class & first quality....They are real Pro's at rebuilding these columns....They literally look & work like brand new!


Gary's Classics @ 903-338-2505

He also has an Ebay Store - But I thinks Its easier just calling him to make sure you get exactly what you want.


http://stores.ebay.com/Garys-Classics


Dan

I rang Ricks 1st gen this morning (their knock off time) spoke to Kelly...didn't have any and didnt know when in stock....
he passed me onto Shane in Aussie, a friend of his.
Spoke to him for 1/2 hr...(insurance pays the toll calls lol)
AND he has several columns....Sweet!
Plus quite a few other bits in pieces.
We can ship to another city close to him in Aussie, have a friend who also breeds endangered Parrots ( my web site www.kakariki.net ) His wife is into a shipping company, who can then send here.
It has been a long intensive search, that the right path was found here with a forum search a few days ago.

There are web sites and web sites....ours (above) has a great international community...the best on the web #1 search engines (fact... to hell with modesty lol)
To create such a community, and keep it great takes a hell of a lot of bloody hard work and unpaid time by admins and snr members. I KNOW this because I created, Own and host ours from scat ch.
So when I say " thanks guys" it goes beyond the normal statement of appreciation and I hope other members read this and appreciate even more.

Cheers
Steps

I'm glad you got it back.

Police picked it up within 2 hrs from security camaras showing it stolen.
What really p155ed me is going into police secure compound , could (not be started by theives) I managed to take milage, fuell level, photos bfore it got to the compound. They (contractors to police) managed to start it. When i got it transported to the workshop,
enough gas for a few miles was gone (rem LPG)
1/4 mile on the clock
new tyres/ ss cragers less then 3 weeks old and 300 miles of granny driving...
Killed tyres and chips tru the mags with heavy brake dust on front mags
Rubber several mms thick up under the gaurds and ding in rear bumper.
Told insurance company, they also aggreed to pull trans and engine to check out, looks like new mags tyres about $3500 NZ ....more than the theives!!!
These had just been replaced by the insurance 3 weeks before...I swerced to advoid a guy , hit a center island, blew both right tyres, bent the mags....that claim has gone against the other drive.
26 yrs and 2x in 3 weeks.
All sources so far for column...steering wheel decal to bottom o the shaft...have come up dry. Got 1 company in States left who are on holiday at the moment.

Really? I would have thought someone would have a column or parts you needby now. I have the parts(or whole column) you need as a last resort. Shipping from NJ would kill though. Send me a PM if you want to talk more.

Cool thanks. Will know in next couple days and will get back to u m8
At the moment Im looking at (rebuilt column) around US $400 +$250 shipping + insurance +12.5% on all that for sales tax here.
Exchange rate is about .68c at the moment So that makes just over NZ$1000.
Top that off, door locks, steering wheel kit, weather strips and other stuff directly attributable to the break in, that has to be imported Another US $510 plus freight +insurance + sales tax.
I will be bring in a few bits and pieces for general maint. up keep, like a interior mirror, sunvisor bushes, front disc pads, lower radiator hose. (about US $170 +)These will be due in the next 12 months, heater motor (died a month ago lol).
So as u guys may see, Us Kiwis (New Zealanders) have a special commitment to our muscle cars.
I have a friend with a very nice '70...hes been looking for the wood grain inserts for door panels for a few yrs now. Hes one of those 'just a real nice quiet family guy' who just helps ppl for the sake of helping. I would really like to say to him over a coffee.."hey found a couple inserts"..he deserves that even thu Im not one of those hes helped out ...yet lol
Shipping from Ca is a lot cheaper than mid/eastern US, and believe it or not Aussie!

Update...
After chassing 1/2 way around the world, a Customer of Chuck's Restos in NZ is 'upgrading' to a tilt column, so finally locacated one on the other side of town and have it.
Rest of the parts from Chucks and ordered rest from Classic Industries who I have delt with for 25 yrs nps
And now when the cards are down they screw up...theres someone there who if they 1/2 brain would die of confusion.
See here
http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?p=500632#post500632