A few B-bodies just lying around

I had heard from a friend of mine about some B-bodies sitting out behind a shop near his work. I was heading out that way for the Mecum Classic Car Auction in Saint Charles, Illinois so I thought I would drive by and see if I could find the cars in question.

The cars were not very hard to find. The directions my friend gave me lead me right to them. If they were all just that easy! I walked in the front door and presented myself and what I was doing. The owner was more then happy to show me some of his projects and drag cars, which he had a few of! Including a original 69 COPO Camaro that was now a full out Pro-Street drag car.

Sitting out back were a few parts cars the guy had. He had actually restored a few Mopars over the years and these were the extra cars he had just lying around in-case he needed anything from them.

The two Chargers were a standard Charger 500 (Not the fastback and flush grille as in 69) and a plain jane 70 sitting next to it. He said that he had a 70 Charger R/T that he was restoring slowly, and had these two to take whatever he needed off of them. At one time he said they were both complete cars, just needed work. But they give their lives for a better cause I guess.

The last car in the group was a plain 69 Satellite. He mentioned that he had a Road Runner stashed away, and this one was for parts as well. But it was very clean, so he didn't know if he was going to end up parting it out or not.

The owner was getting ready to go, and I had the Mecum Auction to get to before it was too late. So I left him my card, he said he would give me a call the next time he has his 71 Hemi Charger in town. I can't wait for that call!

Ryan Brutt

HemiPwr70@aol.com

The Automotive Archaeologist

Before the Daytona on the Farm, there was the SS and Z/28

While heading to find the 69 Daytona sitting in the field I passed by a 68 Camaro for sale. Nowadays you don't normally see a nice and clean 68 Camaro just sitting for sale in a yard. So I had to stop and investigate, even if it did push back locating the Daytona.

The car was a very low mileage example. It had a 307 the sign said, 37,000 miles, blue with blue interior, automatic on the column. Wanted more then I thought. But I don't know GM products well enough.

Next to the Camaro was a bunch of early Chevelles, while looking at the Chevelles, the owner noticed I was walking around and came over and introduced himself. He told me about his cars and what he is doing. I asked to view his collection, and he was willing to show me what he had on hand... which isn't anything to laugh at.

Walking in you are presented with an awesome, extremely low mile mid-70's Nova, and when you look back is when you get the full effect of what he has.

First up was a true 69 Pontiac Firebird with a 400 cubic inch V8. He said it had a bunch of rare options and that he used to drive it all the time. But just hasn't had time for the projects lately. And just behind the Firebird was a 69 Camaro Z/28. This one he said he drove on occation. Further in the back corner of his shop was a early F-body drag project. He said he will get back to it hopefully soon. Just been to busy to get on it.

Then I discovered the car that made my heart go pitter patter. A 72 Challenger Rallye 340 car. It was basically all there, needing to be re-assembled and cleaned up. But a good project. The owners brother used to race it, and then lost interest in the project after the brother had rebuilt the engine. And so it sits for the day when he becomes re-interested.

Walking back to the front of the shop he showed me anotehr low mileage 71 Camaro SS 396 car sitting, he was currently working on this one. It was in really decent shape.

After leaving the shop the owner allowed me to venture onto his property and document some of the other vehicles he had smattered around. None of them were anything really to sneeze at. They were all decent project cars.

Coolest one sitting out back was the 67 Chevelle. It is/was a SS 396 car with a 4-speed. The owner said it was a very rare car. Why let it sit outside if it was really rare? I didn't actually ask him, but wondered.

I thanked the owner for showing me the collection he had there. He said give him a ring sometime with some lead time and he will show me the barn with the rest of the items. I told him I would. Said goodby and went on my way. Just before finding the Daytona though I came across another cool car, a Corvette in the weeds that had been there for atleast 15 years the neighbor said.

Shortly after seeing the Corvette I found the Daytona from http://carsinbarns.blogspot.com/2011/09/daytona-in-farm.html and the rest they say is history!

Ryan