A Stock 1970 SS350 Camaro - Million Mile'maro
Emma Ely Is The Original Owner Of This Nassau Blue SS350.
writer: Lorrie Delk Walker
photographer: Patrick Hill
This is the tale of a Nassau Blue Camaro. There are no stories about its detailed lineage or the number of times it's changed hands among family members and classic car collectors. Emma Ely bought this Chevy Camaro SS350 in 1970, and that's where the story ends.
Well, not exactly.
Emma began her Camaro love affair when she purchased her first new one in 1968. A woman ran into that car and totaled it, so Emma purchased a new Camaro in 1969-a stick shift-equipped model that leaked when it rained.
On April 13, 1970, while shopping for plants at Doty Farm and Garden Supply in Winter Haven, Florida, the Mobile, Alabama, native saw her baby across the street at the Winter Haven Chevrolet Center. The solid blue Camaro had just arrived and was being unloaded from the hauler.
"Hold that thought," she remembers telling the garden supply clerk before marching across the street to claim what was hers. Emma told Bob Beckett, a salesman at the Chevrolet Center at the time, she would buy the car if he would put some white stripes on it. He did. The car cost $2,958.50, plus an additional $1,459.45 in optional equipment and accessories-including $40 for those white stripes. She made 36 payments of $107.01.
Soon after her purchase she set out for a road trip to Perry. On the way, she decided to test the 300-horsepower car's top speed. "I drove it as fast as it would go," Emma said. "That was about 130 mph."
She has driven her Camaro nearly every day since then. Her odometer registers more than 104,000 miles. But it's actually more than 1,104,000 miles, all on the original motor, transmission, and rear end. That's right, Emma has managed to flip the odometer, surely a feat few car owners do nowadays. Emma chalks up regular oil changes every 3,000 miles, routine tune-ups, and a trip to the mechanic every time she hears an odd noise to keeping the car in good running condition through the years. The F-body has made hundreds of trips from Florida to Mobile, Alabama, and she still puts between 15-20,000 miles on the car annually.
The last time she had to replace the muffler, she purchased a Midas with a lifetime warranty. That was 25 years ago. Although Emma has always taken precautions by parking away from other cars or in a handicapped spot (which she does legally), her baby has not escaped harm throughout the years. A woman rear-ended her about 10 years ago while Emma was at a stop sign, and the woman never stopped. "She pissed me off," Emma said. "I felt like choking her."
Thirty-seven years, three paintjobs, and more than one million miles later, Emma still drives her Camaro daily. She likes when people look at her, point at her car, and wave. She appreciates that it isn't every day people get to see a 72-year-old woman driving a '70 Camaro SS350 around town.
Emma's Camaro recently got a fresh paintjob and some new parts thanks to Rob Keenan at Precision Collision in Winter Haven. Rob says he'll never forget the day he met with her to discuss the project. Emma explained what she wanted Rob to do and pointed to a box of parts she had purchased for him to put on the car. Before he left, she issued this warning: "I'm gonna tell you right now, young fellow, if I don't like it, I'm not paying you." That comment didn't surprise Bob, who sold Emma the car and is friends with Rob. "There's always one customer you never forget," Bob says. "Mine was Emma Ely."
When Bob saw Emma's car being repainted at Precision Collision, his heart sank. He thought Rob had purchased the car. "I always hoped to have first dibs on the car if Emma ever sold it," he says. When Bob learned Emma was having the car restored, he and Rob devised a plan to have Bob once again present the keys to her car when she picked it up.
That was a surprise Emma had not anticipated. The mini-restoration cost the retired nurse about $6,000-nearly twice what she originally paid for the car, but that's OK. "I love it," she said. "It probably looks better now than when it was new."
When Rob teased her about selling the car to him, she used that 25-year-old Midas muffler as an excuse to hold onto the car a while longer. "I have a lifetime warranty on that muffler, and I'm going to make sure it lasts," Emma said.
In addition to her muffler paperwork, Emma now has to keep track of the paperwork for her paintjob. Rob gave her a lifetime warranty on that, too. "She's had this car so long, I don't think she should have to pay for another paintjob," Rob said.
Rob tried to convince Emma to allow him to replace the Camaro's original hubcaps with Rally wheels during the restoration. Emma said no. It isn't a "less is more" attitude that keeps Emma from adding the sporty touch to her car. For her, less is just right.
(http://images.superchevy.com/features/camaro/sucp_0807_01_z+1970_ss350_camaro+front_view.jpg)
(http://images.superchevy.com/features/camaro/sucp_0807_06_z+1970_ss350_camaro+interior.jpg)
(http://images.superchevy.com/features/camaro/sucp_0807_07_z+1970_ss350_camaro+back_view.jpg)
(http://images.superchevy.com/features/camaro/sucp_0807_02_z+1970_ss350_camaro+engine.jpg)
Link: http://www.superchevy.com/features/camaro/sucp_0807_1970_ss350_camaro/index.html
:rockon: :rockon: :rockon:
Wow, that's in great condition.
Ugly car though.
I've long said that preventative maintenance is key - if you catch something while it's still a minor issue, then it doesn't have a chance to explode and cause more damage. All my cars have made it to well over 100K miles still running strongly.
Still, one million miles is very impressive!
Quote from: thecarnut on July 16, 2008, 02:02:15 PM
Wow, that's in great condition.
Ugly car though.
(http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/traurig/sad-smiley-028.gif)
Saw this on Miata.net too. I must agree that that year Camaro is ugly. But they must have been good cars.
http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=129823
Who still buys white walls?!
My moms Camaro of that vintage made it's last pathetic mile just shy of 90,000. Of course, it was a V6, so something tells me the Camaro gods were punishing her for the unwise, and blasphemous engine decision she made. :lol:
Regardless, thats a very impressive accomplishment. :praise:
Quote from: 93JC on July 16, 2008, 02:10:05 PM
(http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/traurig/sad-smiley-028.gif)
I think it's ugly too, compared to the '69.
It's gorgeous! :wub:
Quote from: 93JC on July 16, 2008, 02:10:05 PM
(http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/traurig/sad-smiley-028.gif)
This is a beautiful Camaro:
(http://www.collectormotors.com/carsoldpix/1969CamaroSS.jpg)
Not that fugly turd.
For a 1 million mile car, I am awesomely impressed by the condition of those seats.
Quote from: thecarnut on July 16, 2008, 07:35:40 PM
This is a beautiful Camaro:
(http://www.collectormotors.com/carsoldpix/1969CamaroSS.jpg)
Not that fugly turd.
:hesaid:
"Her odometer registers more than 104,000 miles. But it's actually more than 1,104,000 miles, all on the original motor, transmission, and rear end. That's right, Emma has managed to flip the odometer, surely a feat few car owners do nowadays."
Umm, Okay. I've never seen a car of that vintage with a six-digit odometer. They all flipped at 100,000 miles. If there's an odometer in that car eading anything its 4000 miles.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on July 16, 2008, 07:48:53 PM
"Her odometer registers more than 104,000 miles. But it's actually more than 1,104,000 miles, all on the original motor, transmission, and rear end. That's right, Emma has managed to flip the odometer, surely a feat few car owners do nowadays."
Umm, Okay. I've never seen a car of that vintage with a six-digit odometer. They all flipped at 100,000 miles. If there's an odometer in that car eading anything its 4000 miles.
This is what I thought, too.
At one point, American car manufacturers would've preferred their cars not make it to 100,000 miles.
Quote from: Northlands on July 16, 2008, 07:44:46 PM
For a 1 million mile car, I am awesomely impressed by the condition of those seats.
"That was a surprise Emma had not anticipated. The mini-restoration cost the retired nurse about $6,000-nearly twice what she originally paid for the car, but that's OK. "I love it," she said. "It probably looks better now than when it was new."
Quote from: the Teuton on July 16, 2008, 07:51:25 PM
This is what I thought, too.
At one point, American car manufacturers would've preferred their cars not make it to 100,000 miles.
I know that it was at least after '84 before GM started adding that digit- I remember my Toronado "flipping" the odometer on the Chrysler freeway.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on July 16, 2008, 07:54:35 PM
I know that it was at least after '84 before GM started adding that digit- I remember my Toronado "flipping" the odometer on the Chrysler freeway.
Our 1985 Astro had a 6-digit odometer and an 85 mph speedometer. That was the first year of production for it, so it might have become popular right about that time.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on July 16, 2008, 07:48:53 PM
"Her odometer registers more than 104,000 miles. But it's actually more than 1,104,000 miles, all on the original motor, transmission, and rear end. That's right, Emma has managed to flip the odometer, surely a feat few car owners do nowadays."
Umm, Okay. I've never seen a car of that vintage with a six-digit odometer. They all flipped at 100,000 miles. If there's an odometer in that car eading anything its 4000 miles.
Good catch. My Ford Ranger had a five-digit odometer as well. This was in 1991.
(http://www.tachman.com/flens.jpg)
This is supposedly an instrument panel from a 1970 Camaro.
If the last one is a tenths of a mile counter, then this person miffed the article a little.
Quote from: the Teuton on July 16, 2008, 08:06:49 PM
If the last one is a tenths of a mile counter, then this person miffed the article a little.
It is. That's what they used to do, the last digit would be black-on-white and read the tenths. The rest would be white-on-black.
For a long, long time I lived and breathed 2nd generation Camaros ('70-'81) and owned one myself for 10 years, having modified, for better or worse, just about every inch of it (and some of those inches multiple times). Irrespective of the reputation they have, to this day they are my second favorite cars (specifically the '70-'73).
As such, I have no choice but to call BS. There's NO WAY a second generation Camaro will make it 1,000,000 miles with basic maintenance; most certainly not its power train. I've lived that world for too long. Those cars, as were most all of them from that era, were not designed for more than 100,000 miles or 10 years of life.
Quote from: 93JC on July 16, 2008, 02:10:05 PM
(http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/traurig/sad-smiley-028.gif)
Honestly, I don't particularly care for this generation either. I don't think it's ugly, but its predecessor was much better looking.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on July 16, 2008, 07:53:16 PM
"That was a surprise Emma had not anticipated. The mini-restoration cost the retired nurse about $6,000-nearly twice what she originally paid for the car, but that's OK. "I love it," she said. "It probably looks better now than when it was new."
I knew I skimmed too quickly. I read much slower when I'm not at work. :mrcool:
We had a '76 and a '78 Camaro way back when and neither were particularly reliable. This person must get oil changes from Mr. Goodwrench himself.
Must be one of those freaky lucky things. Seriously...a million miles on that? I don't believe it 100%. Not even 75%. I'm 50/50.
My mom had a green 1970 Camaro also. She traded it on a '72. I guesse it runs in my blood. :praise:
Quote from: Submariner on July 16, 2008, 03:58:52 PM
My moms Camaro of that vintage made it's last pathetic mile just shy of 90,000. Of course, it was a V6, so something tells me the Camaro gods were punishing her for the unwise, and blasphemous engine decision she made. :lol:
Regardless, thats a very impressive accomplishment. :praise:
You sure about that V6 part? ;)
I would be willing to bet she has the service records to back up the million plus total miles.
It appears she has done a lot of rather benign highway miles. A million miles in urban traffic; no way. A million with the majority on the highway; possible.
I'd love to know what all has been replaced, repaired under the hood.
I find it interesting that some of you have mentioned that some American cars in the '70s and '80s only had 6-digit mileage meters! It's like the manufacturer thought his product would fall apart at 999,999 miles! :thumbsup:
Quote from: Byteme on July 17, 2008, 09:13:43 AM
I would be willing to bet she has the service records to back up the million plus total miles.
It appears she has done a lot of rather benign highway miles. A million miles in urban traffic; no way. A million with the majority on the highway; possible.
I'd bet the same thing.
Anyone remember the craigslist listing of the 900k mile 1990's Civic? (I think it was a 94/95 Civic with 938k to be more precise)
That guy put on those miles making interstate road trips on a regular basis, just like this lady. Makes sense if you think about it: covering distance quickly in a low-stress state would enable you to reach such high odometer readings; and it's the exact same reason cars get better mpg on the highway.
Quote from: cawimmer430 on July 17, 2008, 10:57:59 AM
I find it interesting that some of you have mentioned that some American cars in the '70s and '80s only had 6-digit mileage meters! It's like the manufacturer thought his product would fall apart at 999,999 miles! :thumbsup:
There weren't many cars back then that made it past the 99,999 mark. It had to do with planned obsolescence. In the '50s, a car would last about 3 years of average driving before the maintenance costs would start escalating. I remember seeing quite a few Mercedes in the '50s and '60s with huge rust holes in the door/fender panels. Same with Citroens. The NA models weren't much better.
Quote from: cawimmer430 on July 17, 2008, 10:57:59 AM
I find it interesting that some of you have mentioned that some American cars in the '70s and '80s only had 6-digit mileage meters! It's like the manufacturer thought his product would fall apart at 999,999 miles! :thumbsup:
Ummm, 5 digits, not 6.
And the same was true about the Mercedes 240D we owned for a while.
Quote from: thecarnut on July 16, 2008, 02:02:15 PM
Ugly car though.
Take it back.
Now.
(http://www.militarypictures.info/d/692-6/M40A3_sniper.jpg)
:evildude:
Quote from: hotrodalex on July 17, 2008, 08:02:13 PM
Take it back.
Now.
(http://www.militarypictures.info/d/692-6/M40A3_sniper.jpg)
:evildude:
Just because you have one. :devil:
Quote from: thecarnut on July 17, 2008, 08:05:08 PM
Just because you have one. :devil:
And it's amazing. :praise:
:tounge:
What a briliant thread. The world would indeed be a happier place if we all drove around in Camaros and Mustangs that lasted for a billion years.
Quote from: omicron on July 17, 2008, 10:18:39 PM
What a briliant thread. The world would indeed be a happier place if we all drove around in Camaros and Mustangs that lasted for a billion years.
lol now you have me wondering if I'd still be driving my piece of crap 1986 V6 Mustang if it would keep running for that long.
come to think of it, I'd probably have died in that car when the Excursion came barreling into me on the freeway :mask:
Quote from: omicron on July 17, 2008, 10:18:39 PM
What a briliant thread. The world would indeed be a happier place if we all drove around in Camaros and Mustangs that lasted for a billion years.
Would we have to run whitewall tires too?
Quote from: 280Z Turbo on July 18, 2008, 12:35:02 AM
Would we have to run whitewall tires too?
On some models, yes. Vinyl roofs, too.
Quote from: omicron on July 18, 2008, 12:38:41 AM
On some models, yes. Vinyl roofs, too.
What you're describing sounds like a grim dystopian society.
Quote from: 280Z Turbo on July 18, 2008, 12:42:02 AM
What you're describing sounds like a grim dystopian society.
3-speed automatics and strip speedometers!
Quote from: omicron on July 18, 2008, 12:45:09 AM
3-speed automatics and strip speedometers!
Strip speedos are a great retro idea, but I would rather run my engine through a set of bicycle gears with a huge chain linking it to the differential than to put up with the worthless 3-speed auto my old Mustang had
Quote from: thecarnut on July 17, 2008, 08:14:42 PM
Autotragic?
I would prefer an automatic for this type of car.
Quote from: Vinsanity on July 18, 2008, 10:03:16 AM
Strip speedos are a great retro idea, but I would rather run my engine through a set of bicycle gears with a huge chain linking it to the differential than to put up with the worthless 3-speed auto my old Mustang had
You evidently don't remenber the Powerglide; Chevrolet's two speed automatic which was available until the early 70s.
Quote from: Byteme on July 18, 2008, 12:28:17 PM
You evidently don't remenber the Powerglide; Chevrolet's two speed automatic which was available until the early 70s.
And is still a dragstrip icon...
call me a spoiled n00b, but I really can't imagine what it's like driving a car with only two gears.
IIRC, my aforementioned 3-speed auto Mustang turned just under 4000 rpm at 85 mph (the highest speedometer reading), and the old pushrod six sounded like it wanted to asplode.
Quote from: Vinsanity on July 18, 2008, 03:25:43 PM
call me a spoiled n00b, but I really can't imagine what it's like driving a car with only two gears.
IIRC, my aforementioned 3-speed auto Mustang turned just under 4000 rpm at 85 mph (the highest speedometer reading), and the old pushrod six sounded like it wanted to asplode.
That's because it was a clumsy old six, not a space-age-smooth Special Super Turbo-Thrust V8.
Quote from: omicron on July 19, 2008, 01:39:45 AM
That's because it was a clumsy old six, not a space-age-smooth Special Super Turbo-Thrust V8.
lol, hopefully it would at least turn fewer rpm's on the freeway