Looking for info on my old 1968 RS/SS L89 ragtop??

[hubleyman]

Hey guys…. If you have some time to kill, here’s a little story and perhaps a search-project for you:

Just stumbled across some data I had buried in a folder in the attic and found the VIN of a ragtop I used to own back in the late 70’s. I only frequent a couple of car forums (this one being number one!!) so I thought perhaps I would post this info here and you guys can do what you want with it……

VIN: 124678N412207 Ca license plate 070 WIV

The car originally left the factory with at least the following options: Maroon exterior, black deluxe interior, black power top, L89 engine, smog equipment, close ratio four speed, tilt column, wood-grained (plastic) steering wheel, tic-toc-tach (Hi redline) and console guages, Speed warning, four speaker stereo system with some sort of amplifier or multiplex unit under the dash (I think I still have that unit somewhere), 4.11 12 bolt posi, power front discs, RS and SS package options and spoilers.

Back in those days I pretty much played musical engines and drivetrains with just about every car I owned (sorry guys!), so the first time I owned this car I removed the aluminum headed 396 and M21 and replaced it with an aluminum-headed 435HP 427 and M22 from one of my Corvettes (hey, bigger is better!). I put the Camaro L89 drivetrain in a triple black 1969 Nova in case you guys wish to look for that engine…. I then traded this convertible for a Jewell Blue 1961 Fuelie Corvette. I never bothered checking any numbers on the engine I previously removed, but the car was pretty stock and complete so it was probably original.

I bought the Camaro back shortly after, because the next owner ignored a badly leaking carb, caught the engine on fire and burnt everything under the hood. So much for all that detail work I did…

Since I had a dozen other Camaros I could use the parts on, I decided to strip the convertible to finish some other projects. I removed every High performance part (and just about everything else for that matter) from the car and reduced it to a bare rolling metal shell with a mono-leaf 10 bolt and a drum brake subframe assembly up front. No interior items at all, no top assembly, no trim, no body parts except doors and decklid. Sold it at a swap meet and delivered it to a body shop in Richmond, Ca. FYI, it was a yellow shell at that time with a poorly half-spliced right rear quarter panel (I didn’t do it). The drivers floor was cut out as well, but I think the body was rust-free.

I realize that a “missing everything” High performance car isn’t much of anything special (anymore) but I had some great times in that car (I.e. running Sears Point without a top assembly or roll cage was a bit stupid, but they let me do it…) and I wouldn’t mind owning it again, in any condition.

Maybe more importantly, whomever may own that car now probably would like to know what options the car originally had, perhaps just for nostalgic reasons if anything. If they found the factory black-out on the tail panel they could probably deduce a B/B S/S, and a couple other tell-tale items could lead them to other conclusions but not everything. Since 1968 is one of those models that can’t be verified without Doc’s, etc., it really doesn’t make much difference dollar-wise at this point in time. But then again, you guys seem to have managed to pair up many original engines to original cars over the years, so here’s another challenge for your number hunting skills…….

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it……….. Charlie

[Kurt S]

Charlie,
So far, haven't seen the engine nor the shell, yet. Will let you know if we run across it.
That was a nice car!

[JChlupsa]

Maroon vert here on Island that the owner told me a few years ago was an Alum Headed car but never said it was org. Next time the company he works for drops off a delivery I will ask to have him get with me about the car.

I do remember him saying it had a Factory 8 track

[Xplantdad]

Very cool....

[Hylton]

This is a perfect example of how someone could stumble across what first appears to be a nothing car and have a very rare car on their hands. If I stumbled across this car as a bare shell with a 10 bolt and drum brakes up front, I certainly would have been fooled.

[bertfam]

Charlie, any pictures????

Ed

[rich p]

Wow !! Coool car.. Thought I might be selling your car until you said black interior. Same 68 L89 convert but different interior..

Wish you luck finding your car

[hubleyman]

Hey Ed....

I'm glad you asked about pictures.... I know there's an old photo album stashed in the attic somewhere that should have a handful of photos showing quite a few of my muscle cars from long ago.

So now I need to go searching for it (maybe tonight) and then figure out how to get my darn scanner programmed.....

[69hurstSC]

your best bet is to try and remember where the Nova went. do you remember if it stayed local or was heading out of town?

[rich p]

Nova