Darren X33's Beautiful Blue SS....

**Xplantdad** · #1 03-03-2008, 03:37 AM

Here is a little something.....

I guess it all started when I did the mini restoration on my Z-28. Many might remember that member ssl78 (John P) kindly let me use his Hugger Orange Z-L1 on several occasions while my car was out of service.

After 20 some years of only driving a small block I got the big block bug when I got behind the wheel of John’s car. The car had tons of power, hints of day two items and a great color combo. It was a perfect car. When he was deciding to sell the Z-L1 I tried very hard to come up with some way to fund purchasing it but I just couldn’t swing it. When funding finally allowed unfortunately the ZL1 was long gone so I started looking for something to substitute it which led me to this.

1970 Camaro L78 with M21 and 3.55 rear end. One of 600 made and currently the only car in the L78 Registry in this color combo. This car has spent its entire life in Illinois and is believed to have been sold at El Bauer Chevrolet in Decatur. A very well documented car, I have all the original titles for the car except for the very first one. I have been fortunate to speak with many of the owners and have received original pictures of the car from back in the day.

The car was a 2 build sheet car but only one survived. It was frame off restored in 2000 by member Sixtiesmuscle and finally made it into my collection with the help of Stefano and Jay Rutuli. It is believed that in the early 70’s the 3rd owner blew up the original motor while street racing as was the case with many hi-performance cars back in the day. Leaving the rear end as it’s only remaining original drive train piece. The car was temporarily fitted with an LS6 and M22 during restoration and retains that combination today, while a correct block and transmission are being prepared.

However, this combination turned out to be pretty enjoyable during my first effort at drag racing at SCR9 where I managed my best beginner’s time of 13.87 at 105mph. Now if I tuned it up a bit………

Darren supplied these pics of what it looks like currently!

Here's a few that I added from SCR9(Hope you don't mind Darren)

Darren at the track....

At the indoor show on Saturday

And a few videos! (Click on filmstrip to play)

Postsedan · #2 03-03-2008, 04:51 AM

Darren,

Your car is great and so are you....and I love the Blue/Blue combo. Darren is one of the BEST guys in our HOBBY. Look forward to many more cruises and Lombard`s. I can even bring out Dusty for a Dusting

Dan.

47Hammer · #3 03-03-2008, 06:09 AM

That's a great look'in second Gen Camaro in one of my favorite colors too. Oh, can't forget that Big Block you got in her either, that air cleaner brings me back to the mid seventies when I had my Big Block Nova with the very same deal. Very nice.

**mockingbird812** · #4 03-03-2008, 06:20 AM

Sweet Darren. MTs look fine shod on that fine mount of yours. Thanks for sharing!

Betcha' she'll get sideways in a hurry....

**Salvatore** · #5 03-03-2008, 08:49 AM

Man Darren what a wheel combo!!

**kwhizz** · #6 03-03-2008, 02:44 PM

Great Car for a Great Guy...........

Ken

Z-11 396 · #7 03-03-2008, 04:54 PM

+++ Darren ++ Fantastic car, great color, and lots of /// getty -up - go /// as well...Thanks for sharing....Kasey ..

**ANDY M** · #8 03-03-2008, 06:49 PM

Side note on that first video, that was the first time in his life that he'd ever lined up at a tree.

The car next to his is mine, and it was also my first time ever at a real live drag strip.

What is known in horse racing as a "maidens" race.

Also the only pass that I've ever crossed the finish line first.

If you listen closely at the end of the clip, Darren figures out how to shift gears and almost caught me at the end of the track. He was going 103 mph to my 96 when we crossed the line, but I got there first. 14.42 to 14.44.

Won't happen again, either.

One very sweep ride!

No rematchs allowed.