1969 Chevrolet Camaro
Personal story and photograph submitted by owner Troy Gould
for participation in the the 2008 GM Century Cruise
In 1985, at the age of 15, my father and I bought my first car. It was a 1967 Camaro RS coupe (which I still own today). Over the years, several other Camaros have come and gone in my life. In 2000, I wanted a new project car and came across my 1969 Camaro convertible that I wound like to discuss for your contest. My passion for this car has matured over the years, much like my love for my wife that has grown deeper with every passing day.
It was purchased from a co-worker and our original plans were to just repair the dented front fender and install new carpet. BUT, as most projects go, somewhere along the way things started to snowball. The "plain jane" Camaro ended up receiving a multitude of upgrades. I have always had a soft spot for the RS Camaros with the hide-away headlights, so the decision was made to convert it to full RS trim. The cowl hood, console gauges, power disc brakes, a GMPP ZZ383 engine, and ultimately the eye catching yellow houndstooth interior, were other items added to the overall project. From there, the original Daytona Yellow paint was replaced with a deeper, brighter yellow paint that perfectly matches the yellow interior. To me, it is breathtaking when the top is down.
The first time that I drove it, after it was completed, I knew that it was going to be a car that would turn some heads. What I didn’t know was whose heads that would be. It has done very well at the handful of car shows that it has been to over the years. The real pleasure and honor for me has come from events associated with our great company, GM.
This little Camaro has introduced me to people and taken me places that I never dreamed possible. We have enjoyed several GM invitation only parking spots at the Woodward Dream Cruise that have generated feelings and memories that I will never forget. One of the most memorable was meeting Mr. Rick Wagoner and getting my photo taken with him by my ’69 at the 2002 Dream Cruise.
As I stand in my basement and look at the picture of my 69 Camaro on stage in Las Vegas (at the 2006 Chevrolet Dealers Business Convention) with the silver 2006 Concept Camaro, and next to that is a photo of it with the “Bumblebee” (from the Transformers movie) that was published nationally in Camaro Performers magazine, I realize how lucky and deeply honored that I am. It has been events like these that have helped to deepen the roots of passion for this vehicle and heighten my sense of pride toward this great company that employs me.
There are no words to describe how I feel when I flip the cover off of this car to take it out for a cruise. Both of my little Camaros mean the world to me and I couldn’t imagine life without them. They are as much a part of me as my own daughter and will never leave our family....
GM’s Century Cruise pays tribute to GM’s past and the passion owners have for their vehicles. On Saturday, August 16, 2008 this vehicle and more than 100 other classic GM vehicles will cruise from the GM Global Headquarters at the Renaissance Center up Woodward Avenue to the heart of the Woodward Dream Cruise in Royal Oak and the surrounding suburbs. One of these vehicles will be crowned “top cruiser” based on a text voting campaign.
Next GM Century Cruise Participant
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