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« on: June 24, 2021, 08:57:28 PM »
Hi guys, I'm new here, did a bit of research before posting but still have a lot of doubts.
I'm initiating this new topic under originality but it mixes with other categories.
I live in Brazil and came across a '69 Camaro Coupe, built in Venezuela. Needs total restoration but it is in decent shape. Im in the process of buying it, pending only a phisical inspection (likely to happen early next week as the car is 2,500 miles from me) and your oppinion/answers to my questions here.
A little bit of the information i could get from the car so far:
Dash Vin and Cowl tag match, picture attached.
Engine stamp matches VIN: 1JC109304 TII05HP
Auto Transmission, couldnt get the stamping/pictures yet.
12bolt rear end, axle stamp says: ?N 0402 G1. First letter has a dent over it, ressembles a B, D or P (based on my reserach i believe it will be a BN, 3.55 ratio).
Car is currently painted red, it is obviously not the original color as you can see signs of the old paint, that to me (based on 69 color options) resembles Burgundy (code 67). The owner has a Venezuelan document (only documentation available) dated 1985 saying it is "Marrón" (brown in spanish). I suspect it could be a mistranslation of Maroon (burgundy)as the little pieces of old paind dont look like Burnished Brown (code 61), the only '69 color that could be translated to "Marrón" (brown).
Car has black interior which matches the "711" code on the cowl tag.
It has the RS package, drum brakes all over, power windows, AC.
Drivetrain is reported to be original, i couldnt get pictures of the cast dates to confirm, will probably get only at the phisical inspection.
That being said, my questions:
1 - Is there any place I could find/request information about this car, how it left the factory, invoice, bill of sale,... Something like the Chevy Muscle Docs or anything similar for Venezuelan cars? Im afraid of the answer but have to ask.
2 - The HP engine suffix (L48) and the auto trans make this drivetrain a special order, right? Its true that the drivetain could be original and left the factory that way I suppose.
3 - Can anyone decode the 926-99006 that appears on the cowl tag? I suppose its a DuPont paint code but couldnt find any reference to that. Can it be anyhow linked to Burgundy or Burnished Brown?
4 - Without having the cowl tag info and RPO list I believe i'll be "free" to choose the exterior/trim of this car when restoring it but anyone can guess how it possibly left the factory? (exterior trim at least, any stripes, vinyl top, badges/scripts, anything else apart form the RS conventional stuff). A picture of the "guess car" would help me to imagine it when ready.
5 - Being a car assembled in Venezuela I know its rare (not necessarily more valuable) but, if original as reported, how rare is this combination? I'm asking that because if its "super rare" i will try to restore it to original, if not I might make some upgrades, specially on brakes and engine performance.
6 - Last but not least, what would you recommend me to inspect when I'm face to face to it next week? Anything that could help me find out its origins, answer the questions and help me on the restoration?
Anything else I'm missing?
Many thanks for the patience to get to the end of this message and thank you in advance for your assistance.
Regards,