Vehicle Description
This 1969 Chevrolet Camaro is one of two known cutaway promotional
display cars used by Chevrolet in 1968 on the Motorama circuit to
promote sales for the new 1969 Camaro model. This Camaro is
referred to as the "Double Header Car" as it has both a 6-cylinder
base model front end as well as an RS/SS 350 front end, which sat
on a series of three turntables and could be interchanged to
display either version of the car with just the push of a button.
The body would raise, the turntables would rotate and, in short,
switch the front ends of the car, changing it from an RS/SS 350
into a 6-cylinder base-model car. The Camaro's body is a "first day
of production" body, and much of the body is in its original
condition from the time it was modified for display. The Camaro has
some dings, scratches, bumps, bruises and touchups as to be
expected with its age, but they must remain in an effort to keep it
original. Additionally, the Camaro is absent any doors to allow
Motorama spectators to peer into the interior without obstruction.
Much of the control circuitry still remains mounted in the trunk
area and behind the front valance panel. The trunk floor is heavily
reinforced so that the body would not crack when it was raised for
the front ends to be switched. Powertrain wise, the Camaro's
engine(s) - a V8 and Straight-6 - originally rotated with the
assistance of an electric motor so the internal functions of the
engine could be viewed be spectators. The car currently rests in a
static condition. In keeping with the car's originality, only parts
unavoidably needing to be restored or replaced have been changed.
The original 6-cylinder front end was discarded by a prior owner
several years ago. Later, an exact duplicate 6-cylinder front end
was built using original and NOS GM parts to bring back the glory
of the "Double Header" display. After a 10-year search one of the
original GM Straight-6 cutaway engines was located, restored and
installed. In short, the heart of the 6-cylinder nose is an
authentic GM cutaway engine. Note: GM removed all casting numbers
from all drivetrain components. The car also still has the original
heavy cover that was put over the car when it was transported. This
car has been kept privately and out of the public eye for 52 years
and, as documented on the title, this Camaro has 2.4 miles.
Included in the sale are some of the original blueprints and wiring
schematics for the display, as well as a Jerry MacNeish Certificate
of Authenticity.
