1969 Camaro Cutaway Display 'Double-Header'

[SMKZ28]

Apparently the Camaro Double Header was also displayed at local Chevrolet Dealers.  Here is a color picture of the display at Serra Chevy in Nashville, Tennessee.  I found it a while ago on Facebook.

I believe they made more than one of the 1967 Camaro "Cut-Away" cars so they might have also made more than one of these 1969 Camaro Double Headers.

[SMKZ28]

The write up on the car which is posted in the first link indicates that 8 were built.  It states that "Seven of these “Double Header” Camaro Exhibits toured and remained in the USA....one was sent to tour the Australian continent where Camaro’s were then, and remain today....hot!"

http://ricksclassics.com/restoration/00-Restoration/1969%20Camaro%20Double%20Header.html

[SMKZ28]

I just found another picture of the Camaro Double Header at the Indianapolis Auto Show.  I believe this event took place January 1-10, 1969.

worthpoint.com

[cook_dw]

Apparently the Camaro Double Header was also displayed at local Chevrolet Dealers.  Here is a color picture of the display at Serra Chevy in Nashville, Tennessee.  I found a while ago on Facebook.

I believe they made more than one of the 1967 Camaro "Cut-Away" cars so they might have also made more than one of these 1969 Camaro Double Headers.

Very cool.  Serra is still in business today.  I assume they moved to their current location after this photo.  Also I would have thought they would have went to EB Smith, Capitol or one of the other larger dealerships at the time.  Or maybe they did those as well. 

[ZLP955]

Thanks for posting all those pictures Scott, very interesting. Those moving displays must have been impressive indeed to see up close.
I'm wondering what the cost of building each of the 8 displays would have been, and especially for the one that was shipped down here. It seems strange to me that GM targeted Australia, where only a handful of 'new' Camaros were sold (due to prohibitive RHD conversion costs) and not the European Motor Show circuit; given the relative proximity of London, Paris, Geneva, Rome etc and the fact that there was an established market there via GM Suisse and Antwerp assembly......

[crossboss]

Thanks for posting all those pictures Scott, very interesting. Those moving displays must have been impressive indeed to see up close.
I'm wondering what the cost of building each of the 8 displays would have been, and especially for the one that was shipped down here. It seems strange to me that GM targeted Australia, where only a handful of 'new' Camaros were sold (due to prohibitive RHD conversion costs) and not the European Motor Show circuit; given the relative proximity of London, Paris, Geneva, Rome etc and the fact that there was an established market there via GM Suisse and Antwerp assembly......

My 'take' on the limited Australian market, as you mentioned the costs involved to RHD conversion would be one. However, remember the Aussies were producing their own 'Muscle Cars', like the extremely popular Falcons at that time. Sales from this brand of competition would be tough, in my opinion. That said, a few American cars were imported like the ever popular Camaro and Mustang.

[SMKZ28]

Thanks for posting all those pictures Scott, very interesting. Those moving displays must have been impressive indeed to see up close.
I'm wondering what the cost of building each of the 8 displays would have been, and especially for the one that was shipped down here. It seems strange to me that GM targeted Australia, where only a handful of 'new' Camaros were sold (due to prohibitive RHD conversion costs) and not the European Motor Show circuit; given the relative proximity of London, Paris, Geneva, Rome etc and the fact that there was an established market there via GM Suisse and Antwerp assembly......

Thanks Tim.  Perhaps they did also send one of the 8 to the European market.  I have not been able to find any photos of the display at any of the large European shows but that doesn't mean that it wasn't there.

[KurtS]

I remember talking with Shane when he first found the car. That was 20 years ago!!  My notes say that the car was converted to RHD in 69. No trim tag, multileaf rears and plastic front springs. Front clip was in a museum and rear clip in a junkyard. I kinda think one of the engines was in a shop class, IIRC.
Here's another shot of the 69 Chicago show that shows the cutaway car.
And a shot I grabbed years ago (credit unknown). Notice the flash lights up the battery and the tire stencil. And this trans has a chrome yoke. In other pics, it's missing.

[cook_dw]

Was the blacked out PA2 covers ever offered by GM on other models? 

[ZLP955]

That's interesting to hear about the RHD conversion, it still looks LHD in the 'as-found' condition shown in the photos at the bottom of http://ricksclassics.com/restoration/1969%20Camaro%20Double%20Header/Aussie-Arrival.html

[KurtS]

I know. That's what my notes said. I'd have to dig to find the 20 year old email exchange with Shane....
And seems unlikely if it was just a show piece.

[SMKZ28]

I just found this fantastic ad for the 1969 Chevy Show featuring the 1969 Camaro Cutaway Double Header display. 

It is currently for sale on Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/VERY-RARE-1969-RS-SS-CAMARO-CUTAWAY-CAR-CHEVY-SHOW-DEALER-AD/352658337430?hash=item521c132e96:g:pGAAAOSwj61crOkv

[WorkinProgress]

A friend of mine drove to New Jersey last year to buy some NOS Chevelle parts. Come to find out the guy had a Cutaway '69 Camaro. VIN is N500024. Story goes, Chevrolet donated it to a school. Guess over the years it somehow was put behind a false wall. Contractors were doing work and said the measurements didn't add up. They took the wall down and found the car.

Was told the Cutaway in Australia is N500046.

                                                             - Warren

[ZLP955]

Was told the Cutaway in Australia is N500046.

What a great find Warren!
I hadn't heard the VIN of the Australian-found cutaway before, only that it was within the first 50. I know the guy that found and saved the car, and ended up selling it to Rick for restoration. There's some interesting pictures and details available of that process here: http://ricksclassics.com/restoration/00-Restoration/1969%20Camaro%20Double%20Header.html
From the 'main page' link, it appears that Rick has sold the cutaway car.

[KurtS]

Merged the posts.
Warren,
What condition is the cutaway in? Hadn't heard of another one surviving....