Introducing........RAT’S NEST

[R68GTO]

We've been posting alongside on PY/Ames Pontiac Forum for many years,
so don't take this too personal,
but i'm going to need to hate you for at least 24 hours-maybe 48.

LOL, not a problem, my Pontiac Brutha! I'm sure if I post something over on the PY site, I'll get "flamed" for buying a "Crapmaro" as some like to say over there.

I do kinda feel like I hit the "car guy lottery" with this one. I am a Pontiac guy mostly but have always liked all makes/models - really just a car guy, no politics, BS, etc.
I'm not going to try to make this car into something it's not, it's far from being a "survivor" / "numbers matching" or any of those other terms people like to throw out there to talk a car up. Having said that, it does have some great attributes beyond the COPO status which I will post about along the way on this thread. I'm sure I'll make some mistakes along the way since I'm still learning, but I hope the knowledgeable people on this site will help me out when that happens.

[R68GTO]

Aside from what I already posted, here's some other info on the car.
Body: Original body panels date stamped to line up with build date. I can't find a date stamp on driver's fender. I can't read the date stamp on the trunk lid.
Quarter gills & wheel opening trim added by owner #6 when he painted it its current black/gold stripe paint scheme. Owner #7 added the drip rail moulding. Owner #2 added the spoilers.

Interior: Original interior (including carpet) except for dash pad. Owner #7 replaced the pad (bought at GM dealership) when he removed the pedestal tach that was bolted through it.

Engine: VIN stamped 427 "942" block cast in October of 1965. Owner #6 rebuilt it to L88 specs with hyd. lifters. Said he pulled it out of an Impala SS. 840 heads, 163 intake, List 4295 GM Holley carb (factory original, not a reman). Aftermarket distributor (Accel) and alternator (Powermaster).

Transmission: CM Turbo 400 built with a reverse manual valve body by owner #6. I think this codes out to a motorhome trans! Should have a M22 Rockcrusher according to owner #2.

Rear end: original multi-leaf setup with vintage Lakewood traction bars & driveshaft loop. PE (so close, but yet so far!) code 10 bolt posi. Owner #8 (the guy I bought the car from) didn't like the 4.10 unit so he swapped a guy for this rear. Keep in mind, this guy drove the car a total of 3,500 miles in 35 years! Why on earth would you feel compelled to swap out the rear for drivability! I do have a lead on where it went, but it's a weak lead, we'll see.
Here's some photos of seats and door panels. Enjoy!

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Made it through the 48 hour LeMans Blue 4spd COPO hate period.

Engine sounds like a worthy keeper. Congratulations
That interior stuff is NICE !
Sorry about the axle deal. Those things sure have some proud prices on them. Good Luck

Rats Nest was a semi-popular nickname.
Found a few others -
69 Camaro X22 - Missouri - Brent396 owns it now
68 Nova COPO - Missouri
Mid 50's Vette

And saw where Black with Gold stripes was the original 69 Camaro ZL-1 pilot/proto paint scheme.


Keep the updates rolling
You and the Dynamic Duo found in Cali have the front center stage

[R68GTO]

Rats Nest was a semi-popular nickname.

Yeah, but do they have the legit evidence to back it up?

And saw where Black with Gold stripes was the original 69 Camaro ZL-1 pilot/proto paint scheme.

Now why did you have to tell me that? I am already confused enough on what to do with the car....return it to 1972 Rat's Nest trim, restore back to original, sell it, and now ZL-1 pilot clone!

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

LoL
the audacity of some little tiny mouse sneaking into the big bad rat nest !
they just wanted to be a rock star for a little while


I dont know all its heritage - if it has a Big Time winning record local legend on the track - i'd maybe go with Race trim.

If it had a chrysler transmission and a ford rear axle with tubs - i'd go back with Race trim.

Just personally - i'd want a LeMans Blue 4spd COPO first and foremost.
with a rear spoiler, white stripes, and 427 Call-Outs
probably a personalized license plate COPO-427
real low profile and everything.

True story on that Black/Gold pilot/proto deal - report is they did 2 of them.
No sin rocking that scheme while getting all the pedals back in place and sourcing at least some type of 12bolt axle.

OR

have just the stripes masked/sprayed over in white.
Black /White stripes is really my favorite combo all in all.
Might get less of the " hey thats so&so's old Black/Gold Camaro you're driving aint it "

[bbbentley]

Originally Posted by R68GTO

[I]
And saw where Black with Gold stripes was the original 69 Camaro ZL-1 pilot/proto paint scheme.
Now why did you have to tell me that? I am already confused enough on what to do with the car... sell it, ...!

THAT option above is only viable if I am known in the equation as “buyer”?

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

pfffft
that car wouldnt bring enough to pay somebody to mow the lawn !

Quit getting Bentley's hopes up

[R68GTO]

Here's some more photos from prior owners...
Black/gold paint is from owner #7 in the early 1980's. This was taken shortly after he acquired the car. He had not yet added the drip rail trim or removed the big tach on the dash.
The guy washing the car is owner #5. He added the keystones.
The last photo is from owner #2 with the car on his trailer. This would have been 1971/72, prior to accumulating the all speed part stickers