'69 L-89 Convertible Camaro

[tom406]

Logically, it should never happen, but of course it does. Logic doesn't play a part in it. Fanatical preservation sometimes comes into play, but usually its just an ignored or forgotten car that was lucky enough to find a safe and dry place to spend the years.

69RSSS350, being a fellow buyer/seller/evaluator of these things, you should know these things are out there. Your cynicism is understood, but you oughta give the principals on this page some credit-they're always on the lookout for "fakes" and are not easily duped. They know that a "time capsule" car isn't going to look like a fresh car or even a new car-its going to look like an untouched car thats been SITTING FOR 30 YEARS, with all the subtle visual clues that will create. (My friend's 1600 mile Hemi Satellite has that "look".)

I've seen several ultra low mile cars, and most have the same type of history. The original owner, for whatever reason, never drives the car, but keeps it safe for 10 or 15 years. Just long enough to make the car interesting to an enthusiast or collector who then picks it up and continues preserving it. Many of the cars don't get that second owner, but instead get given to a nephew or sold to a neighbor, who then proceed to drive and/or abuse it into the ranks of all the other old cars out there.

But some make it, and serve as reference material for all of us geeks, and keep us humble about what's correct, and whats right. (I like the story about the guy with the 900 mile '41 Lincoln Continental, who sits off to the side at car shows and listens to all the people comment on what a crappy restoration his car has obviously received.)

I think there's probably 500-1000 cars out there, pre-1970, with under 1000 miles. I would love to hear more about this 300 mile Z28, we deserve more than a tease here....