Cars By Jim - Camaros Chevs Cars

"Our 69 Camaro RS LM1 ...Oct of 2003"
35 years after its birth in the 4th week of October 1968

Be sure to visit Team Camaro where Jim (nickname there is Click) is a moderator of the Interior Section.

This is a 1969 RS Camaro originally built in Van Nuys Calif. in October of 1968. It has the LM1 engine which is a 350 c.i. V-8 with a Rochester 4 barrel carb. and dual fuel lines, its rated at 255 h.p. from the factory. The block is a 4 bolt main bearing block # 3932388. This engine had been rebuilt prior to our ownership, it was bored .30 over, TRW forged pistons installed as well as a mild cam. It retains the orginal style intake and exhaust manifolds. It has power disk brakes up front, quick ratio power steering, cowl Induction hood system. The original tranny was the TH-350 - 3 speed automatic. I replaced that in 2008 with a 700R 4 speed overdrive/automatic for even better mileage.

The RS option consists of hiding headlights, headlight washers that were unique to 1969 RS camaros only. Chrome trim around wheels and along roof edge, backup lights below the rear bumper and RS badging on sides, front, rear and steering wheel.
We had a new dual exhaust system installed as well as new 5 leaf Eaton springs and new Eaton 3.08 posi rear end, which is what was first in the car at birth. Our highway mileage now runs a pretty steady 20 mpg at about 63 mph. The car has the am/fm flip face radio, I added MultiDisk CD player. Console with guages that all work including the low fuel flashing dash warning light. The carpet has been replaced and the bucket seats have new padding and springs. The car has the rare option of 'fold down rear seat' which is very handy for trips. This is only a summary of highlights of our Camaro as we begin this website. 3-19-04

We bought this Camaro in Feb of 2002 and started "fixing" it. There will be pages added here to show the process as we moved from new Vinyl top to interior reconstruction, sound deadening, rust removal, gas tank replacement, use of POR rust product, trunk detailing, wheel work, wiring, seat rebuilding, and general cleaning and touch up.
The following has been done so far to our Camaro... New wheels painted gray, 15" BF Goodrich TA/Radial tires, replaced front and rear SS badges with RS. New vinyl top and new Dover white paint along roof edge and whole rear from door edges back. Trunk was sanded, holes filled with POR putty, then POR gray paint covered with GM splatter paint. New carpet was installed, but first, floors were sanded, painted POR gray, small holes filled with POR putty. Then sound/heat proofing foil was stuck down before new carpet was laid. The whole dash was removed and painted interior matching color Blue. Wiring harness was repaired in many places. New elec. spade fittings installed where needed. New A/C fan switch in cluster replaced. POR gray paint used up under and behind dash. Floor console had a new 'low fuel' warning system repaired and it works perfectly now. Rear window mechanisms were removed, cleaned, painted, re-greased and the plastic rollers replaced and they work great now.
In 2004 the front end was worked on, replacing parts on the headlight doors, sanding of subframe and major reachable parts under the engine area were sanded and painted POR chassis black. General clean up of engine bay too. A new evaporator was installed in the A/C suitcase and the system charged again with R134 freon. The headlight door vacuum canister was relocated to correct place on inner fender and hoses check for vac tightness.
Our Camaro made it to Seattle in August of 2003 for the West Coast All Chevy Show In Belleview, then a trip through the Cascades with a very unique trip up to the top of Mt.McKenzie to commemorate the last place my uncle was photographed before he left for the Phillipines in WWII were he was lost, MIA, in the Death March of Battan. On the way back in 100+ degree heat the car never sputtered. Total miles were over 5000 for this one trip. Floor temps on the trip exceeded 110 degrees with the A/C not working but the engine purred like a kitten, never overheated and pulled strong and steady going over the Rockies and Cascades. This photo is at the Bellevue Community College parking lot where the Car Show was held.

In July of 2005, we cruised to a huge all GM show in Billings, MT and the following day rode to Red Lodge for lunch and then across the Bear Tooth Pass and ended up in Cody, WY for supper. A most beautiful trip and worth doing again. This trip was over 2500 miles and by the way, there is snow at 10,000 feet in July.

What would a vacation be without some "interesting" moments, like when the old Qjet carberator didnt like the altitude over 10,000 feet and stopped dead cold on a twisting mountain curve outside of Red Lodge.

Small projects remain such as headlight relays, more subframe work and getting to more car shows.