Eckler's Camaro World

All my life I’ve been a die hard American Car, Apple Pie type of car guy. If you had a Toyota, Honda or any other type of foreign car you just did not fit into the performance car scene. Well let it be written that I’ve change my mind about these cars recently. I attended a race in Bradenton Florida where there were 99% American race cars and one Toyota. This lone Toyota was a four cylinder turbo charged package of dynamite running in the low 7 second zone at more than 170 miles per hour. Just watching this Toyota run was very entertaining and even better was watching to low key approach to prepare the Toyota for the next round of racing. The race team members were not rushing around the vehicle with tools in hand; they simply checked the oil, drained the turbo cooling water and replaced the fuel. Now don’t get me wrong I still love the sound of a 632 cubic motor roaring down the race track but watching these little foreign cars run was very entertaining. Of course there’s no way I would trade my Camaro for any foreign model since none of the stock type cars appeal to me. I just want to inform those that enjoy racing to watch these race cars run, it’s very entertaining.

After deciding to order a particular part, you call the company that carries the part and speak to a sales representative and request additional information about the part. After receiving the requested information you decide to order the part and its smooth sailing from this point on right? Wrong, your part arrives and after reading the instructions you began to remove the old part and check it against the new part. While installing the part you realize that something is not quite right with the part you’re trying to install. You then read the instructions again, and decide to call the vendor for tech assistance. Now your problems start to multiply because the person you’re speaking with is not as knowledgeable about the part as you thought he should be. You now have a part that’s missing a component, your vehicle is disassembled and it’s nearing the end of the business day. You now need immediate help and you call a Camaro club member who’s made the same modification on his car. He provides you with a solution and it works, and you will once again be able to attend the next car show. Every car guy has experienced problems like this and understands the frustrations, so it’s awful nice to have help available when you need it. This is the beauty of belonging to a car club where help is available rather than waiting until the next business day to resolve issues. Join a club now!

Often while watching the news I see reports of guys “Street Racing” with their small foreign cars getting involved in accidents. The first thing that’s reported was the guys were “Drag Racing” and one of them lost control of his vehicle and was killed. This is not Drag Racing; this is Street Racing plan and simple. Drag Racing is held in a controlled environment at a racing facility where cars and drivers are checked for appropriate safety equipment, and licenses prior to racing on the drag strip. The news media is quick to report street racing but very slow to report actual racing events that bring thousand of people to the racing facility. As an example, each year the largest “door car” racing event called the World Street Finals is held at Orlando Speed World. This event brings people from all over the United States as well as foreign countries, and very little is printed in the news paper or reported on TV. Of course guys that participate in this event are not actual street racers; they simply own cars that in most cases can be driven on the street. Many local police agencies have taken steps to curb illegal street racing and it appears to be working, since more and more of these kids can now be found at weekly test and tune events held at drag strips. You still have that 1% that believes he can drive his vehicle at insane speeds on the street just to prove how fast his rice burner is. A better headline would be another “Insane Driver” was exhibiting speed on a city street when he crashed into a wall and was killed. To the news media I say two things; one visit your local drag strip once to have a better understanding about drag racing and street racing and two stop reporting street racing as drag racing. Those of us that are actively involved in the sport of drag racing as well as fans would greatly appreciate it!

Saturday night I attended a car show at our local Stake & Shake restaurant and this show drew a larger than normal crowd as well as some real nice hot rods, classics & street performance cars. During the show I observed people walking around looking at cars and trying to talk to some of the owners of these cars. The thing that bothered me most was how rude some car owners are towards questions by spectators. Often people attending car shows are former car enthusiast or new ones desiring to get into the hobby and have questions. I personally make it a point to answer questions about my car when asked since my answers may help someone start the same project. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard the comment “Did you use a shoe horn to get that big block in your late model Camaro”? I laugh and inform the person how it was done and this hopefully may encourage him to join the fun. There is simply no reason to be rude. We as car guys tend to think that everyone thinks like us and of course we think that we know everything when it comes to cars. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked questions at the race track from racers with vehicles like mine and have gotten honest straight forward answers. There’s no one with all the answers, so if you’re a car guy who attends car show to display your vehicle remember that we’re all human, and your answers just might help someone in the hobby.

We received calls daily inquiring about special parts not found in our catalogs or web sites but the caller can provide little information about the part. I’m happy to order any special part provided it cost at least $50.00 or more since lower cost parts are not cost productive. Steering wheels, special wiring kits, engine components and complete engines can be order thru Eckler’s Camaro Parts. Many customers are surprised when I informed them that although their requested part in not in our catalogs, we can look for a source and order the part if it’s available. We understand how difficult it is to build a car and not know where to locate that much needed door vent or other parts and we try to make your search a little easier. We don’t carry used parts, which I feel is a good thing because often they are so worn out, it would be better if they were thrown away. Reproduction parts are by far the better choice in most instances and the reason I say most are that some original parts come complete with installation tabs that are missing from the reproduction parts such as some weatherstrip parts. So if you need assistance with your parts search please feel free to call us and request help from our sales reps.

Each year we (Classic Chevy & Worldwide Camaro) start our show season with our Winter Nationals event. This year’s show was extremely successful due in part to the members of the Classic Camaro Club of Central Florida.

They performed admirably by monitoring show entrances, making coffee for our guest, tech and classification. Equally as important was the judging sheet calculations that club member’s wives performed with accuracy and speed. It was pleasure working with such a great group of men and women that wanted to ensure an enjoyable Winter Nationals show for everyone in attendance. If you’re looking for a Camaro club to join and you live in Central Florida you can’t go wrong joining the Classic Camaro Club of Central Florida, what a great group of folks.

We at Eckler’s Classic Chevy International and Worldwide Camaro Club would like to thank everyone in the Classic Camaro Club that participated in our show for their assistance.

Living in Florida and being a car guy has many advantages; attending cars shows in January, watching live racing in February and being able to wear shorts during these months. Well Camaro enthusiast recently this has not been the case because it’s cold down here and I mean really cold. When temperatures are below 60 degrees to me, that’s cold, and recently our temperature fell to 31 degrees in Orlando. I can’t remember how long it’s been since I turned on my windshield wipers and ice was on my windshield.
Many years ago I decided that it was easier for me to remove clothes than to add them, and I did not like the thought of wearing heavy coats, shoveling snow, and removing ice from my windows. I like the thought of being near the ocean, seeing sunshine on a daily basis and wearing light clothing, i.e., t-shirts and shorts. These past few days of cold weather caused me to reflect my thoughts towards my Northern buddies, and how you guys endure the winter weather day in and day out. I like most of you turn on my heat grab a good book and tried to relax at home instead of being outside in the cold. Now I certainly understand that this cold front we’re experiencing is temporary and I hate to rub salt in the wound but this weekends temperatures will be in the 80’s again, but I do empathize with many of you. I know that most of you can’t wait until the beginning of spring when you can once again driver your pretty Camaros and enjoy those outside activities.
Having lived in a cold climate many years ago, the month of March was always the turning point for me. My spring time attitude came out and I was more cheerful and thankful that I survived yet another winter. So as I close I would like to tell all of my cold climate buddies to hang in there, spring is not that far away!

The 1967 Chevelle Race Car that was reported stolen was recovered minus the engine and transmission and interior gauges. Only minor damage to the body was reported and the wheels & tires and all the suspension components were intact. A word of caution to every car enthusiast, make sure that your vehicle is secured and locked up in your garage. Thieves make stealing cars their full time job because they’re too lazy to work!

Well another super CCI/WCC Winter Nationals is in the books and the beginning of 2006 show season is underway. Each year the Winter National event gets better and better and this year was no exception. The quality of cars was unbelievable with many first time attendees winning awards for best paint, interior or best engine compartment. I can’t ever remember receiving so many wonderful comments about the way the show was conducted from tech and classification to the judging. Some of the new comers enjoyed the show so much they signed up as new members because they wanted to continue being a part the Worldwide Camaro Club. One Camaro owner could not say enough good things about the club and that he and his family were glad they chose our show instead of the Super Chevy Show. When there are other Chevy shows scheduled during the same time we always worry about attendance. Our attendance was down slightly because of the other show, but the parking lots were full, and many late attendees had trouble finding parking spots Saturday morning. What ever type of Camaro you like, it was at the show, from full blown and injected Camaros to a stock original ZL-1 Camaro valued at more that $800.000. One of the most impressive Camaros at the show was the Retro Ride 69 Camaro on display. This car has a 4th generation frame and 1st generation body panels and this display was the star of the show for Camaro enthusiast. Sunday morning was awards day, and many braved the extremely cold weather to receive their awards then head for home with many memories and new found friends. Show photos will be posted on both the WCC and CCI web sites soon.

Are Camaros built after 1972 considered muscle cars? This argument recently surfaced its ugly head again and although most would agree that LS1 Camaros are faster, get better fuel economy, and handle better than first generation Camaros it’s not a muscle car. The term muscle car originally came about when the big block Chevelles, Camaros, Pontiac’s Mopars, Oldsmobile 442’s and Fords were pounding the streets with their loud exhaust, shaker hoods and all out street ripping power. These cars were the king of the streets and if you drove a small block anything you were dog meat in the driver’s eyes. As a former owner of a Chevelle with a big block 427 it was a great feeling each time I started this beast. I looked forward to Friday and Saturday nights, cruising the streets listening to the sounds of that solid lifter cam and the exhaust sounds. Although I had a radio, that was used very little when I drove because the engine made all the music I wanted to hear. Now street racing wasn’t my thing back then, but slight exhibitions of speed occurred from time to time when the need to prove my car was a real muscle car. Those were great times with cheap quality fuel and a slew of performance parts to make these muscle cars even quicker. Cars built after 1972 were built with another purpose, to save fuel so the factor reduced the compression, added safety bumpers, and started really getting on the emissions band wagon with the urging of the Federal Government. Today’s vehicles are in a totally different league and cannot be considered muscle cars but street machines. Street machines are vehicles that have been modified from their normal production state to enhance handling, quarter mile and road racing performance. What are your thoughts?

Well from the overwhelming response to the new Camaro it’s clear that the general public as well as the enthusiast want this car now! According to Automotive News that quoted GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz, the Chevrolet Camaro concept car tops the automaker’s lineup of mid-priced to premium priced, rear-drive cars for North America. GM will select vehicles for the program within six months and production will begin in 2008 or 2009. Mr Lutz said “I know where it fits in the overall enthusiasm ranking. If it was a question of what would you like to do, I would obviously do this one first.” But he added, “We can’t always follow our enthusiasm. We have to do what’s right for the business.” Now I truly don’t get this way of thinking, since Ford and Chrysler has made millions selling Ford Mustangs and Chrysler 300’s. I only have one voice, but many, many Camaro enthusiast voiced their opinions and this car should be built now!

Only three more days until the upcoming 14th Annual Winter Nationals and everything is in place to have the best Winter Nationals ever. Although not on the schedule, several members of the Maryland Classic Chevy club are bringing their 55-57 Chevy’s down to race Friday evening. We will race at Lakeland Dragway Camaros again Classic Chevy’s and 1st against 4th generation Camaros. The weather is going to be great for drag racing with 55 to 60 degree temperatures during the evening. Of course those schedules for judging on Saturday morning wouldn’t want to get their cars dirty and I can understand this, but you can join a buddy and watch the fun.
Old Town Kissimmee is a wonderful place to have a car show, and it’s always a great place to kick off our show season each year. See you there!

Please be on the lookout for a 1967 Chevelle Bright Blue Race Car stolen from the Lockhart area in Orange County Florida last night (2/3/06)Also stolen was an open car trailer. This car was recently completed and has a tube chassis and a Big Block Chevy motor. If you see this car traveling on the streets or highways please report the location to the police immediately. Thank you for your assistance. This car was supposed to be at our Winter Nationals on display, it is first class in every respect!

Just nine days remaining until the 14TH annual CCI/WCA Winter Nationals held in Kissimmee Florida. If hotel reservations and pre-registrations are any indication this show will be even bigger than previous shows by a wide margin. The Colton Camaro is here and ready for display. For those of you who have not heard about the Colton Camaro, this car was a project between a father and son and the father Chief Warrant Officer Colton was killed in Iraq. The project was completed with cash and parts donations from numerous restoration dealers throughout the country. (Look for a full story in January 2006 Camaro World magazine)
I was also informed that a ZL1 Camaro (#15) will be on display this year. This Camaro is reportedly valued at more than 1 million dollars. Another Camaro of interest is the 1969 Camaro Retro Ride. This car is a combination of two generations, 1st and 4th generation Camaros. On the outside the car looks like another 1969 Camaro, but underneath all of the suspension components and the frame is from a 4th generation Camaro. Now it is possible for enthusiast for purchase a 1969 Camaro with the great handling of a 2002 Camaro. The starting price for this Camaro is $95,000 depending on the options. I always look forward to this show because it’s held in such great surroundings. There’s something for everyone at this show. If you like to shop, see the sights, visit theme parks or spend hours talking with other car guys this is the place to be. It’s not too late to make last minute plans to come; I hope I see you there!