1970 Camaro Rally Sport: Son delivers Dad a time machine

Tribute time! No, I don’t mean time to get your garage band to cover a great Zeppelin song. I mean a tribute to family and automotive heritage. The reason that most of us are into cars to begin with. Family.

In this case Hunter Mitchell, a nineteen-year-old gear head who has so many ties to Junkyard Life, that he may as well be a staff member. When he was fifteen, he took us on a trip to Georgia and had us bring a trailer because he had found a 1971 Camaro and had aspirations of bringing it home. That Camaro wasn’t meant to be (true basket case) and he was somewhat disappointed if not heartbroken. Why? You may ask what draws this mainly Mopar guy to the GM camp? You guessed it! His dad had one. I (Ron) can attest to that because Hunter’s father, Lec, and I went to high school together and that 1972 Camaro was one of my favorite cars to ever grace the high school parking lot in the 1980s.

Lec Mitchell in 1986 ready for some prom festivities with his 1972 Camaro.

Keep digging
History was destined to repeat itself. Four years later Hunter hits F-body gold. A real 1970 Rally Sport Camaro. Hunter was invited to take a look at “that old Camaro in the weeds” and could not believe his eyes when he first spotted the 1970-1973 Camaro clues. Then it just kept getting better as the forgotten Rally Sport got the attention it has not had in years. Hunter could only think of one person as he negotiated the Rally Sport’s new home – his dad.

Hunter Mitchell with his dad Lec.

Look what I found

So what does he have? One of our favorite cars of all time… A 1970 Rally Sport Camaro in paint code 75 Cranberry Red. We know not a few emblems does a Rally Sport make, but it also has the indigenous Rally Sport front nose piece, the split bumper with the parking lights ABOVE the bumperettes. It also has the way cool RS steering wheel. We have no reason to believe that this is not a real Rally Sport. We are inclined to believe that it is real. It has the original back seat (see Fun Facts below) and the things it does not have are not going to be hard to obtain.

Not having the original engine can be both a curse and a blessing, depending on how you look at that. To Hunter, it is a blessing. Some 1970’s street machine parts and some factory equipment will work beautifully together for this family. 

Cockpit of a 1970 Camaro RS.

How much love does it need?

  Of course it needs a lot. That seems to cancel itself out when you consider all it has going for it. The doors open and close better than we have ever seen. The rust in this car seemed to have crept in from the top downwards instead of the usual start at the bottom and eat the car upwards. It just makes us all happy to say “70 model Cranberry Red Rally Sport.” The Mitchell party is destined to continue. Why break tradition?

Ron Kidd
— Junkyard Life

Some rust and a later model rear spoiler found their way onto the 1970 Camaro.

Lec and Hunter’s 1970 Camaro Fun Facts:

• 1970 was the first year for the second generation Camaro, therefore, some things are very 1970 specific. 
• When removing the correct 1970 rear seat to look for a build sheet (which we didn’t find), we did find things we have never found in back seat ribbing before. Things such as spark plugs, a valve cover gasket, a comb and a cool compass thermometer combo. How did all that stuff get to where your back would be? Under the seat? Sure. Up there? How?
• Lec bought his 1972 Camaro in 1986. It was silver with a black vinyl top. We loved that car.
• Hunter began the search for this car in 2016. History does repeat itself.
• Rally Red has a 10 bolt open end differential. Hunter has already located a 10 bolt positive traction rear end with disc brakes. Everybody check your 1979-81 Trans Ams. Especially if Hunter has been around. He didn’t say where he found it!
• Lec’s high school Camaro came sans rear spoiler. Rally Red has a spoiler from another second generation Camaro, which it will likely lose during the paint and body work. They prefer the clean sweeping lines of the spoiler-free Camaros. 
• 1970 was not the first 350 to be put into a Camaro, but it was the first year a 350 was offered in the Z28. “Offered” may not be the right way to say it. The 1970 Z28 LT1 was a 360 hp tire smoking crazy powerful car. 
• Since the 1970 Z28 was already decided for you, if you wanted a 396, you had to turn to the Super Sport or the Rally Sport. You could even combine the two with what became known as the RS/SS. 
• The 1970 Rally Sport had a luxury appointed feel. They really made one for every buyer. The economy minded had a 250 c.i.d. 6 cylinder and the need for speed could be met with a 375 hp  396-V8. Most cars were equipped somewhere in the middle with a 307 or a variety of 350 engines available. Lec and Hunter’s Rally Sport came with a V8 according to the VIN, but we just don’t know which one.
• The 1970 Camaro was not released until February. That is why some collectors insist on calling them 70 and ½ models.

Core support still intact! Bring on the big radiators - maybe an aluminum 4 row?

Doors open and ready to fly in a1970 Camaro RS.

Behind the wheel of a 1970 Camaro RS.

Camaro name on the glovebox.

Rear seats are looking good.

Interior of 1970 Camaro RS.

Lec Mitchell's 1972 Camaro that lives in his memories and a few snapshots.

Lec and Ron reliving 1987 - watch out, ladies!

Split bumper? Yes! On the Rally Sport.

Hunter Mitchell and Ron Kidd celebrate the ’70 RS with a high-five.

Hunter Mitchell with his latest find – for his dad.

Ron Kidd and Hunter taking the 1970 Camaro RS on a fantasy spin.

Hunter and Ron discover a 1970s-era GPS in the Camaro.

Dad, I got you a time machine.

You never know what you'll find behind and under the seats of vintage iron.

Rear bucket seat looks great for its age and considering the years of neglect on the body.

Many argue that the split bumper Camaro is the best design of any generation.

Detail of the 1970s-era GPS. We are only halfway joking.

Know a junkyard that we need to visit? Got a car story?  
Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com or Ron Kidd at Kidd403@bellsouth.net.

Hunting the perfect 1970 Mustang Mach 1 project

Now He is Just Mach(ing) Us! Raised in a car enthusiast family and continuing to infect his family with the JYLD (Junkyard Life Disease), Alabama's Mike Clay began a search for his elusive Waterloo… a 1970 Mach 1 Mustang. Arguably, one of the finest looking in the vast history of Ford Mustangs. Searching hither and yon with a full understanding that he may have to travel a hefty distance to find this soul pony, the search began!

  The search seemed futile at times. Mike and his wife, Val, started looking about seven years ago, but got more serious about searching for the past 18 months for the perfect vehicle. Val, although admittedly is not a “car girl,” but has seen several at the cruise-ins, agreed they are attractive vehicles. And as we all know, when mama is on board, the project is more likely to be completed. Game on!

  "I scoured online venues but they are mostly rusted out cars with no engine, in the $10k range, or “finished” (are they ever really finished?) vehicles for $35K and up," Mike said. 

  Mike even “settled” on a couple of Mustangs of the 1965 and 1966 era. We at Junkyard Life would have been happy with one of his Pony car substitutions. At one of Mike's Christmas parties we even snuck one out of the garage. Included with the holiday cheer only a 4-speed can provide. Mike decked the halls and burned the tires all in the same night.

Mike Clay ready to unload the 1970 Mach 1.

  Fast forward to a search finally gone well. Call off the automotive bloodhounds that Mike alerted all over the country. Why? Because his Mach 1 search ended (somehow) within an hour of his house! And this wait was worth it! He found a willing seller of a red 1970 Mach 1 in the hands of the same lucky owner since 1986. It served duty during his high school and college years and he always held on to it. 

  Southerners are by design great storytellers. However, try as we might, we couldn’t squeeze a single story out of the seller. To his credit, it probably was a rather emotional day. Grand moves and storage issues dictated that it was finally time to let it go to a new owner, Mike had a great idea of where it needed to go… his house. So a new adventure and a new life begins for this pony.

Twist type hood pins were new for the 1970 Mustang.

Look what I found

  Having done his homework on 1970 Mach 1 knowledge, Mike spotted something that indicated it may have had a shaker hood at one time, which was available on the 351C-4V. He also has reason to believe the mystery hood the car is wearing now may not be the original one. It does have the twist pins like it should. Here is a case of no bad options. Everything this car could have had would be very welcome. The Shaker hood, the single black stripe hood or even the flat black hood. They all would look awesome on this color. Paint code T tells us Candy Apple Red was the color. Stunning.

Do I spot a Shaker hood air cleaner assembly?

Hood up!

  Under said hood awaits a 351 Cleveland with a Holley four-barrel atop a vintage Edelbrock Torker intake. Also present are some 1980’s speed shop finds such as Mallory ignition. The books claim this monster to make 300 hp, but keep this in mind… 1970 was the pinnacle year for Detroit’s historical horsepower war. They were also fighting the insurance war and purposefully under rating power figures to keep wives, mothers and insurance salesman happy*.

Inside

  The interior is present, but not installed. This was fine for Mike, because it allowed him a true view of what he was buying and he liked what he saw. The bucket seats are beautiful and the Teakwood accents really harmonize with the black on the dash and door panels. We love the famous Mach 1 siding.  The most important black accent on the car to us is the deck spoiler and the louvers.

Original Magnum wheels were stashed away 35+ years ago.

Father knows best
  When the previous owner first acquired the car in 1986, the original Magnum wheels were yanked and replaced with some sporty aftermarket aluminum wheels. Although when this pony was  extracted, Mike also scored the original wheels. The owner still had them! He recalled his father telling him NOT to discard the original wheels.

  “Somebody will want them someday,” he recalled his dad saying. 

  Well, someday is now and the somebody is Mike. Sage advice from Dad.

What next?

  We may not see Mike for a while. He has big plans for this Mach 1. He is no longer in fantasy mode, this is real. Paint and body work are already scheduled. The plans for a five speed manual are already in gear (get it? “in gear?”) Very cool, Mike. The equestrian pursuits have been very kind to you. Congratulations. This is truly a great find.

 

Ron Kidd

— Junkyard Life

A rim blow steering wheel frames a host of gauges for the driver.

Junkyard Life Fun Facts with Mike, Mustangs and More

• Long ago (a couple of Mustangs back) Mike’s wife Valerie asked us to help her find a 1970 Mach 1 to surprise him. We failed and wished her luck on this elusive car.
• 1970 Mustangs had a new steering wheel not carried over from the 1969 model that was supposed to allow for easier entering and exiting.
• Mike once drove a 1976 Cobra II from California to Alabama with no clutch. Nothing stops this guy except Nevada.
• Oddly, the 428 Cobra Jet was not offered with a Shaker hood in 1970.
• Only 22% of Mustangs were of the Mach 1 pedigree in 1970.
• 1970 Mach 1 hoods came with a new “twist” lock design instead of the hood pin the 1969 models had. A little safer in theory. Mike’s is correct for 1970.
• Advertising for the 1970 Mach 1 hinted their marketing intent with an ad that helped you pronounce it in context….”Mach Won” and sometimes “Mach One”.
• County Police once caught Mike and Ron street racing in Mike’s Cobra II. As punishment they made Ron do push ups on the side of the road because he was driving when they busted them.
• Years later the same County showed up to arrest Mike and Ron again when they had a newly purchased Ford Falcon jump off a faulty car dolly. That doesn’t sound illegal , but the elderly farm owners who witnessed the entire accident thought it must be. “Arrest them.” Maybe they were not Ford people.
• Ford enjoyed a variety of high performance options for their 1969/1970 Mustang buyers. Boss 302, Boss 351, 428 Cobra Jet to name a few were ruling the sanctioned racing on the tracks and quite a force to reckon with on the streets. 

 

(Editor’s note 1: Junkyard Life has never mentioned “wives, mothers and insurance salesman” in the same sentence before. Without Ron my job would not be as exciting and a lot easier)

(Editor’s note 2: The CDC has not officially named Junkyard Life Disease, but it is a real thing nonetheless.)

Speed parts found their way onto the 351-V8 decades ago.

Solid looking all around and underneath the ’70 Mach 1.

Back when Mustang emblems looked dangerous.

90k miles showing on the 1970 Mach 1. An aftermarket tach held tight by a hose clamp on the column.

Redesigned headlight placement

The 1970 Mach 1 is Ford paint code T - Candy Apple Red.

The interior was loose and scattered in the cabin allowing for close inspection of floor pans.

Billboard-sized rocker molding announce this a Mach 1.

Aftermarket aluminum rims sent the original Magnum wheels to the storage shelf.

Everything ok down there? A shock absorber lost its perch.

Muscle car pinnacle? Yes, at this angle we agree on 1970.

Owner's view: What makes a 1970 Mach 1 your dream car?

A quick Q&A led to a deep discussion on the virtues of Ford's finest 2-year period building Mustangs. Mike Clay, new owner of our featured find shares his thoughts:

  

  "I’ve owned three early Mustangs (two 1965’s and one 1966), four 1964 Falcons, one 1974 Mustang II and one 1976 Cobra II. In the Navy, I drove a friend’s 1972 coupe all the time. I’ve enjoyed each one for what they are but the early Mustangs were constructed on a budget by Ford; so, while they have good acceleration, many upgrades, such as disc brakes need to be performed to bring them up to the handling and safety one would expect. On the other end of the spectrum, the Mustang 2’s handled and braked very well, but lacked performance, so you had to do many engine upgrades (and remove the smog equipment) for any hope of acceleration.  In the middle, the '71-'73 Mustangs are huge and float like a Buick Roadmaster. 

  To me, the 1969 and 1970 Mach 1’s were the epitome of performance and style; they were larger than the first Mustangs, but not too large and Ford finally paid some attention to the handling with large sway bars and disc brakes. On the performance spectrum, you could get anything from a small block 302, to the huge 429. The former lacked sufficient performance; the latter really affected the handling of the car. The 351 Cleveland was the best compromise, as it was not much heavier than the small block engines but packed much more performance. Granted they were not a 428 SCJ, but I want a car to drive not necessarily to drag race."  

As found in the garage when answering the ad on Craigslist.

Black roof slats and rear spoiler enhance the tough, go-fast vibe on the Mach 1.

This 1970 Mach 1 is on the fast track to a restoration, stay tuned for more!

Know a junkyard that we need to visit? Got a car story?  

Send emails to junkyardbull@gmail.com or Ron Kidd at Kidd403@bellsouth.net.  

Cars in Yards: 1978 Chevy Camaro Type LT

A Camaro with abandonment issues? Someone in the market for a nice Camaro made a really good choice somewhere between mid-1977 and 1978. Out of all the choices, and there were several, they wound up with a decked out Type LT. One of our favorite Camaro packages. This one eventually got left behind. Cue… Junkyard Life!

1978 Camaro featured restyled, larger, wraparound tail lights.

See the USA in your…in your…um, tow truck?

As the world turns, we really don’t know very much of the story behind this silver Type LT. It reels us in with more questions than we have answers. We gave it a Hardy Boys worthy investigation and found that it was born in California and lived most of its life in southern Tennessee. After several different mechanics liens, unpaid repairs, towing expenses and storage fees, it found its way to North Alabama and is now finally going to a new home. Just not ours. We had aspirations and momentary illusions of  jumping camp and rescuing this 1970s icon. Someone beat us to it. 

This Type LT Camaro was loaded with options, including a 350-V8.

And So Begins the Questions

This Chevrolet showed signs of leading a pampered life until the last few years. What happened? If you are thinking it donated some of the missing parts to someone’s Z28 project, it didn’t. Everything that was removed was essentially still there. Why? The interior was in good shape. All still there. Although, someone had gone to the trouble of removing the bezels on the dash and only started to remove the factory tach. It was all still there. Other than showing signs of a repaint and a factory wheel missing, this car was all present, including 95% unmolested power train. Why 95%? The A/C had been converted to R-134 several years ago. Does that even count? Why the disassembly? Perhaps by intent of restoration?

Custom cloth Carmine interior is in great shape in the 1978 Camaro Type LT.

One for the Money or Two for the Show?

Junkyard Life’s roundabout way of asking if it had a posi rear differential. We could not verify due to the darn ground being so close to the car. But being the Sherlocks that we are, Keith and I (Ron) played a quick game of Rock/Paper/Scissors to see who got to take a belly flop in the ant beds and tall grass to investigate. Keith won and I did verify a rear sway bar. Cool! 

A blue Type LT horn button on the red steering wheel is an uncommon sight.

What You See is What Someone Else Got

A quick glance over the car, there is much to see. A very original interior in a rare deluxe pattern. We quickly spotted the tachometer and all of his friends. Rear defrost, power windows, power door locks, tilt wheel and cruise control meant the driver didn’t do a lot of work themselves. We found the F41 suspension with a rear sway bar following out back and a beautiful sport steering wheel with “Type LT” badging to guide you. The code 15 silver paint was sans pinstriping (Note: it may have been wearing some sporty stripes on at one time, because we did note that it had been repainted). 

The “L” in the VIN indicated that it was a 350-V8 engine. Rated at a wheezy 170 horsepower, we hope it doesn’t have the California emissions that would have robbed another 10 horsepower, which it could not afford to lose. Amazingly, it was all there-down to the AC belt!  It even had most of the 14-inch wheels (only three). The only things we did not see here were T-Tops and a rear spoiler. 

Three of the original custom urethane/steel wheels are still mounted on the Type LT.

Goodbye for now

Though not destined for our stash, we are really okay with that. The silver f-body vanished from the roadside yard where we found it parked. We do hope the new owners realize what they have and make the effort to save this luxury Camaro. It really doesn’t appear to have far to go to get back on the road. We would have to add a little more punch under the hood and I always loved the fin style wheel introduced on the Z28 that year. I could go on and on, but I will leave those decisions to the new owner and we at Junkyard Life wish it only the best of times ahead.

Ron Kidd

— Junkyard Life: The Story Beneath the Rust

The top of the line interior has the coolest pattern in a Camaro, more so in Carmine Red.

Junkyard Life’s Camaro Fun Facts

• “Type LT” stands for “Luxury Type”. In this model you were more likely to find options associated with high end cars. 

• 1978 was the first year for the new bumper cover in front and wrap around tail lights in the rear.

• Technically introduced in 1976 on certain Firebirds and a few other GM cars, T-tops found their way onto the Camaro. By 1978 T-tops hit the market with raving success. T-Tops… the option you are often glad you have, but at times wish you didn’t. They were prone to leak and the car required proper storage or the rust monster would have a better chance of getting you. Still, so much fun.

• 1978 was the LAST year for the Type LT package wearing that name in a second gen Camaro.

• The Type LT package was replaced by the Berlinetta option as the luxury-appointed Camaro in 1979.

• The Type LT could be combined with the Rally Sport package, which gave you a groovy two-tone paint scheme. This was the rarest of all models in 1978. A total of 5,696 units sold. 

• The Type LT Rally Sports would have “Type LT” on the steering wheel and door panels. In some cases the “Type LT” emblem on the sail panel was also present.

• Although this car does have an AM radio, I somehow think it may not be the original radio to this car. Fear not, Van Halen, for we have your back always. 

• 1978 Camaros were equipped with a 130 MPH speedometer. The 130 MPH face carried over one more year to 1979, but the needles were thinner on the 1978 and looked a little more muscle car appropriate than the thicker 1979 needle. The government mandated an 85 MPH speedometer for the 1980 models. Boo! 

• 1978 was the last year “Camaro” was written in script on the glove compartment. 
• The Z28 was back on the market after a brief disappearance in 1975 and 1976. Chevrolet built enough to advertise in the latter part of 1977, but they indicated they would not make many. It is speculated that many early 1978 buyers did not know the Z28 was available. On that line of thinking it is understandable that the Type LT outsold the Z28 in 1978. A total of 54,907 Z28s sold compared to the Type LT’s at 65,635. You can’t buy it if you didn’t know about it.

• The Z28 had about 15 more horsepower and readily available with a street fighting 3:42 rear gear ratio on automatics and even a 3:73 rear gear ratio behind the manual four speed. It didn’t do much for fuel mileage, but came in handy for red light to red light street battles. 

A 350-V8 under the 1978 Camaro hood. Even though it is the lower 170-horsepower option, plenty of buyers would line up for a V8 Camaro. 

Chrome Type LT emblem adorns the grill.

Faceplate that covers gauges has been pulled away. Oh, a tilt column and cruise control.

Engine bay looks untouched and original. Sometimes that's a good thing.

Type LT emblem on sail panel.

Another shot of gauges. A 130MPH speedo and a tach is under there somewhere.

The Z28s got all the glory but this Type LT survived for that same reason.

Carmine Red everywhere inside the Camaro. Check out the power windows.

Loaded inside and under the hood. A/C, power steering, power brakes.

Trim tag decoders have a shot at it. We needed a better photo but too late now.

Do you have a cool Car in Yard find? Send us details and we’re on the way!  Send emails to Jody Potter at junkyardbull@gmail.com or Ron Kidd at Kidd403@bellsouth.net.

Video: Barn Find 1965 C20 Rescue

The 1965 Chevy C20 Barn Find Rescue. We follow up on a tip about an old Alabama farm truck that has been sitting for 40 years! This C20 Farm Find was Chevrolet's 3/4-ton workhorse in 1965. A lumber company parked this beauty when it closed up shop in 1980. The remote, 100-plus acre property is loaded with junk. Tractors, dump trucks, a 1960 Ford pickup, and many other hidden gems. We bought the truck and Keith Lively hauled his own tractor and bush hog into the property to cut a road large enough for Junkyard Life to haul the old truck out.

WATCH: Barn Find 1965 C20 Rescue

What to do? What will we do with it next? Suggestions welcome in the comments. I'd like to see the straight six, 4-speed put back in working order. Only 103k miles. Plenty of potential for the 8-foot bed to do more work. It is mostly rust-free, except for the rot in the hood and tail gate. Note, the wood in the bed is long gone. A sheet of tin is the bed flooring now.

Those are not big problems. A fuel system, clutch, engine, tires and brakes are the only upgrades necessary to put this old girl back on the road. Parts and sponsors welcome. Thanks in advance!

Jody Potter

– Junkyard Life

Do you have a classic or muscle car barn find? Send us details and we’re on the way!  Send emails to Jody Potter at junkyardbull@gmail.com or Ron Kidd at Kidd403@bellsouth.net.

1965 Chevrolet C20 Stepside Barnfind Rescue Part 1

Radiator leak? "Park it in the shed." That conversation happened in Alabama around 1980. The one-owner, family farm truck was put out to pasture. Well, to be specific, parked beside the pasture under the shade of a tin shed. In a blink, 40 years rolled by. Green paint became more rust than shine. The 1965 Chevy C20, long-wheelbase, stepside truck (that's a mouthful) was forgotten.

Busy, busy
Business and another home to take care of in the city put the old truck in the rearview. New vehicles were bought and sold by the owners but nary a lick was hit by the C20’s 230-cubic-inch inline-six cylinder engine. Likewise, the three-on-the-tree column shift appears to have minimal wear.

The 1965 Chevy C-20 steering wheel and instrument panel is in much better shape than the exterior.

Bare bones, heavy duty
This is not a modern era heavy duty rig, but a capable hauler for its time. The C20 was Chevrolet’s model name for their three-quarter ton trucks. When big jobs required more of a “Hoss” to do the work. C20s have greater payload and towing capacity than C10 trucks. Equipped with 8-lug wheels, heavier duty springs, and better load handling under the bed with a full floating rear suspension. 

Engine

A 230-cubic-inch straight six engine with 120 Net horsepower at 3600 RPM is all the pulling power you could get with the base engine. That engine still sits under the rust-baked hood. Three other engines were available. 292-Straight-six, 283-V8, and a 327-V8.

New life for the C20

Keith Lively, our finder of much junk, can’t help but trip over unbelievable deals. They find him. This sweet C20 is the latest stepside to follow him home. Remember the 1976 C10 Scottsdale Sport? He got her running and spiffed up before trading her on a tri-five Chevy.
I’m hoping the C20 stays original, longbed and all. Elbow grease can go a long way toward making this farm truck a show stopper. Stay tuned!

Jody Potter
— Junkyard Life

Did a leaky radiator sideline the C20? That's the story we got. Radiator is long gone either due to theft or a failed trip to the radiator repair shop.

Wood rails on the bed equals farm truck.

Windshield is caked with decades of dirt.

Bench seat shows no sign of wear or damage.

Steel dashes made people feel safer in 1965. Things have changed. Those new dashes won’t be around in 55 years but maybe you will?

I won’t hesitate to believe that we are looking at the original, factory-sprayed Light Green Chevy paint.

Even the tires look period correct for a truck parked 40 years. We hope to get this one running soon. Stay tuned.

Do you have a classic or muscle car barn find? Send us details and we’re on the way! 
Send emails to Jody Potter at junkyardbull@gmail.com or Ron Kidd at Kidd403@bellsouth.net.