ALT-1 Automotive History Chevrolet Camaro
The summer of 1968,I starred in awe at the most beautiful automobile to ever lay tread on the American highway. Growing up in a small Texas town, we only had one car dealership. Of course, it was Chevrolet. As my Parents were signing the papers on their new Impala,I stood alone in the show room knowing that this was the car for me. It was the all mighty 1968 Z28. Green with white racing stripes, it screamed "Muscle Car" before the phrase was ever coined. The sticker price was $3298, a lot of money for a car in the 60's. The sleek F Body design begged me to take it for a test drive. As I sat behind the wheel, dreaming of the open highway, my Father walked slowly around the car with a big smile on his face. He too, could appreciate the grace and beauty of such a fine machine. "She's a beauty." He remarked. My heart raced with anticipation, after all my 16th birthday was in a few weeks. He cringed as he looked at the sticker and lovingly motioned for me to get out of the car. My heart sank as we walked away. As I looked back, I knew some day I would own such a car.
The summer of 1969, while doing my chores and watching TV, a new commercial debuted. "See the USA in a Chevrolet!" There She was, the new and improved 1969 Z28 Camarao. WOW! This car owned the road. Candy apple red, sporting black racing stripes, this car would be mine. Ditching my chores, I jumped on my bike and flew down to the Chevy dealership. Disappointment engulfed me as I looked at the empty showroom. As I darted through the door, the salesman ignored me. Marching straight towards him I shouted, "Where is it? Where is the new Z28?" He laughed and said "You don't really think that a car like that would be in a town like this?" He shook his head and handed me a brochure. "Dream on, Kid." He said as he walked away. My enthusiasm faded, but my dreams lived on.
The summer of 1970 brought great disappointment with the body style change. Aerodynamics was on the horizon. The sleeker 70's version could not hold a candle to the original 60's design. It just wasn't the same.
As the years went by, I settled for several "other" sports cars, none of which could fill the void. In 1980, quite by chance, I spotted a 69Z at a corner used car lot. I bought it on the spot. Candy apple red with black racing stripes, my dream had been fulfilled. She had a 350, balanced and blue printed, small block engine, with a 4 speed Hurst shifter. I was complete. Giving Her the attention ed She deserved, I had Her completely restored. After twenty wonderful years of driving my dream car, I retired Her to my Sunday car and purchased the last Camaro built in 2000. I will keep both of them until I die.
