Sam Griffith's 1969 L78 Chevelle...WOW!

[mockingbird812]

Thanks Dude! You da man and.... . I was telling Bruce tonight that the cover photo was actually shot at night. Those of you that know Don Spiro's photography work, know what an artist he is. He thinks outside the box. He told me he wanted to do something different - shooting a black car at night is definitely different ! The shot had a 30 second exposure (my son Tyler was working the camera's shutter) while Don was racing completely around the Chevelle with a special strobe light holding it high then low while flashing it intermittently. He actually passed in front of the camera on 2 occasions. I think it turned out quite well. The editor went ga-ga over it and was quite excited.

Speaking of Tyler, I told Terry McGean (editor) that my son took the shot of Wayne and I and Terry gave Tyler credit for the shot.... (one proud pappy! )

[Xplantdad]

As you should be!

[Woj]

Very nice lay out Sam!!

Phil Woj.

[Shevelle]

Black on Red...THE BEST!! Awesome car!

[Verne_Frantz]

Just got my issue today. Probably the best car photography I"ve seen! Congrats Sam.
IF I could have ONE Chevelle in my garage, it would be that one! Black on red, and unrestored..... Couldn't be closer to my heart!

Verne

[mockingbird812]

Thanks Verne - kind of you to say.

I do want to make sure the record is straight on one account. I have still not seen the entire magazine yet, but it appears the editor may have lumped my car in under the "unrestored" category, i.e. a theme of the magazine as per the title of the cover. Is that correct (maybe the contents page reveals this)? If so, I would characterize that as using poetic license. If I were selling the car, I would use stronger language. Although many portions of the car ARE unrestored (paint, interior, trunk, etc.) I would NOT consider my car unrestored as a whole - engine bay and front suspension have been fluffed. As a writer (I use the term loosely) you do not always have complete control over the final product. The editor has unbelievable constraints and as Terry told me he must serve numerous superiors. But I am learning this fascinating trade which has been an enjoyable process thus far. I am completely appreciative of the editor's confidence in me at trying this challenging trade - so, do not construe this as looking a gift-horse in the mouth. It's all good. There are a few minor errors, but essentially the car is depicted as I intended and I hope that I conveyed the interesting story beyond the metal, rubber, & vinyl of the car itself. To me, this is where it is really at!

I'm done blabbing now.

[1969grb]

Sam, That is a beautiful car, can't get much better. Congrats on a great article.
Grady

[Bill Pritchard]

[ QUOTE ]
I have still not seen the entire magazine yet, but it appears the editor may have lumped my car in under the "unrestored" category, i.e. a theme of the magazine as per the title of the cover. Is that correct (maybe the contents page reveals this)?

[/ QUOTE ]

Sam,

Yes, your assumption is correct. Directly above the picture of your car is the word "UNRESTORED" in large font, and then just below it, is "3 Factory Original Muscle Cars". I doubt that anyone here (at least anyone who knows you reasonably well) thinks you're trying to pawn it off as something it's not. We all know you have to take what you read in any car magazines with a grain of salt. The car is what it is....what's truly priceless is the relationship you've been able to establish with the original owner, and all the memories (photographic and otherwise) that he's eagerly provided for you to share