Bob Jane Camaro - Beneath The Skin

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No, this is not a picture of a model.

It is in fact an actual rare photo that Myles Johnson has asked me to post of the under side of Bob Janes Camaro.

Many forum members would be interested in how this car was rebuilt..... so just ask away, and Myles will answer away, and where necessary I'll do my tiny little bit in adding photos that may help explain the process.

Members should also feel free to add any pictures and memories they have of this great car and its driver Mr Robert F. Jane.

...... Notice to Forum Members,any photo's posted by this, Leo D. Character are totally with out my permission,...Just Joking!!

.....but I did ask him nicely, as that way I can share with you all the Build process which took some 4 to 5 years and I 'Kodac' momented every step of the journey,Leo d is a very valued member of our Bob Jane Racing Team,official title of 'Head Archivist',means he spends lots of time digging through filing cabinets Archiving!!!!

Leo d, I Believe, has the time and patience to post Correctly ,the pictures, which I will add some imfo (storyline!!) to........that picture was taken of the underside, so 'Southern Models' of South Australia (great company to work with!) could get the 'under.detail for the model Camaro

The business across the road from our shop sold secondhand 'hoists',so I go and ask If its possible to put the Camaro up in the Air....Typical Aussie answer...."NO WORRIES",....then the disclaimer .."If it falls off or over,I will not be held responsible, as I can only set the 2post up 'Free Standing"..........What The!!,I figure I will Tell Bob how we got the photo after the event....so it was 'up she goes'....STEADY!!!!.........as you guessed we were blessed with a great result................regards thunder427/MJ:)

NB; I have a video of the Prototype of the model,which I shall firstly have to locate,very interesting the build process to finish model,Southern Models design team spent 5days mapping the Camaro at one sitting,real great experence working with thier professional team......:D427

Bloody hell, I thought that was a model. How did you manage to take that/those photos? It looks like you're standing ten meters away, but you can't be because its on a hoist.

Myles I hope this is the start of a thread on the restoration of the Camaro???

How good is that, cannot wait for the story to be told.

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Great photos Ellis!

There is a neat bit of footage of Bob in the Camaro at Warwick Farm in 1972 on that Classic Australian Touring Car races Vol.1 if you're able to get a copy. Great to see it in action. Bob had a massive duel in both races with Pete Geoghegan's Super Falcon. Norm Beechey's Monaro is also present, along with Brian Foley's Alfa, Bob Holden's Escort Twin Cam (or BDA), plus Dennis Marwood's Camaro etc. Both races are covered in their full length.

This is a Replica isn't it? LOL

Be nice to get this Camaro to the 2013 Denny Hulme Festival Myles!!!Miles!!!

Dale

.....people some times say..."your lucky",etc some people even accuse you,..."How Did you get the job'!!?,If you Know me, I am quite often Quoting Mr Father,he gave me advice that was like, 'Backwards'....."Son !!Do you know how to get hit by a Bus'???,Well you stand in front of one'!!!!!.......

One Friday,around 1964/5, he called me at my place of work and said.."What are you doing Saturday morning, around 10/o'clock"?????.....
"Why!!" was my answer.....
"Listen Son I'm Asking the Bloody Questions,What are you doing tomorrow morning around 10/o'clock???........
"Nothing"!!!!....was my agitiated reply.
"Well having established that,then I shall pick you up from your place 10/O'clock,OK"!!
Saturday Morn, I'm picked up and he drives me to the 'Star and Garter' hotel ,(used to be over looking the Avon River, in a time past)parks out the front and ask me to descibe the building across from our position
"Ok,what or how would you describe this establishment"??????
Well, I went from 'Hotel' to 'Pub' to 'Watering hole' to 'Tavern' to..."Shit I don't know"!!

Well,he said..."this establishment is a 'Gunners' Palace,its full of 'Pricks that are 'gunna do this or they're 'gunna do that,So either you come back to my office and we plan out how to run that Bloody Hot Rod show your on about,or I will leave you here with the rest of your mate's"!!!!!!!

We went back to his office and we formated a plan of proceedure,to stage a Show,with my Father every thing was about 'Proceedure,something to do with the 'Air Force' and flying planes..Oh!!! the show,'Autorama' was a success..another story another time..

I'm trying to convay to you our forum readers that 1stly the opportunity to build Bob's Camaro was not about having a GO!!....if I started it and gave my commitment to Bob then I had to follow through,it was not a case of talking about what I was going to do' it was about, what was expected of me.........Truthfully!!! I wasn't sure I had the required ability..But let me tell you ,I was not going to let the opportunity go by...Again I could hear my Fathers wisdom,when in 1974/5 when I decided to give up a 'Career' in Marketing/advertising and promotion work to start my own 'Custom Body Shop"..."Well son,The only advise I can give you is you had better get good at or get a real Job"!!

The Camaro Story, ......................................................part one to come!!
regards thunder427/MJ:)

Here we go!

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...the above photo's give a real perspective to my rambling about 'Commitment'....this Camaro along side Alan Moffats Mustang are probably two of the most 'Iconic' cars in Australian Motorsport.......with the Bowden Family (Whom I trust will Join this great Forum!!) owning one of the 'Book Ends'..It seemed like it was my duty to bring the Camaro 'back to life',so to speak,to complete the set.

I Knew Bob had aquired the Camaro which had been a Drag car for a lot of years in the hands of a lovely enthusiastic guy, Micheal Tydell, Micheal had considered rebuilding the Camaro himself,but with an on going health issue and a realistic approach to the project,
costs involved, Micheal offered it to Bob Jane,for an agreed sum,with restoration in mind!

I viewed the Camaro in its drag racing 'Warpaint',Maroon and silver,not unattractive for the era,but the 1/4 mile 'Blast's' had taken thier toll on every aspect of the Camaro,also consider as a 'Sports Sedan',run by Jim Smith/Camel Racing' fame,it had a considerable engine set back to 'under' the dash, consider it also sat in a Sydney 'Repo' yards for some 2yrs,in all weathers...........so I subjested to my Contact at Bob Jane Corp.."Its Going to be Exspensive'!!!!!!!...next I heard somebody had said that they could panel beat it back to its former glory...so the 7inch ground it back to 'Bare metal'...then left it out in the rain..........Again!!!.........'to be Cont,...regards thunder427?/MJ:)

NB; the little guy 'peeping 'over the edge of the photo is/was my 'best Buddy'...TAXI !!!..(R.I.P.)...why do you call him TAXI ???, I here you say...well its simple,He's 'Black and White' and never comes when you call !!!!!.........should have seen the looks I got walking around the park 'Shouting' ...TAXI !!!!!:p

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Wow, this is just amazing! Myles, how did Bob come to find the car after all these years? Didn't he import two ZL1 Camaros? Do you know what happened to the other one?

Is that the original rollcage from when Bob raced it, or was it changed? I know an alloy big block from this car was sold to Frank Gardner after the '71 season after CAMS banned it. How did you go about finding an engine for the restoration?

....I got a call to go out to Calder Raceway,as a Film Crew wanted to interview Bob regarding his Career..Maybe "This is your Life',some such show on sucessful Australian's and thier Families....well the Idea was to film it around Bob's amazing McLaren, Bob's PA had organised for some 'Mobil Car Cleaning- (I nearly typed in 'Service'),I won't side track at this point as to how rare this Mclaren is,only to say Bob Jane is the only person in the world that still has original/Purchase McLaren!!

The 'Onsite' professional wanted to use a 'Pot scrubber' on the 'MAGNESIUM' wheels..."But they've gone all Black'!!!!?......I got the call to go and polish the rims,one hour per wheel,plus!!!...but job done,I was about to leave and go back to my shop when the PA asked me for an invoice.."No Charge,I'm just glad we got to the rims before they destroyed them"!!......then he subjested I stop by Bob's Office as he would like to discuss the Camaro.

Bob basically offered me the retoration that day,but I had to get back him with some
'Basic' costs........well I didnt touch the ground for 24hours...this was just what I had been wishing for, but there is an old adage..'Be Careful what you wish for'!!!!.....two weeks, I studyed every Catalouge on Camaro's, till I had a Quite a good conception of what I thought was required along with some basic costs......then to Bob's office!!

Bob studyed the 'concept,we discussed a number of alternatives, all which got thrown out ..Basically ,in a 'Nut Shell'..."I want 'my' Camro rebuilt to represent its Championship Years"!!..........Well I said, that was my plan, but I had to table all options,so this being the case I,Myles,had 3 basic requests,#1;I want to paint every thing 'Hugger Orange' as it would have come from the 'Factory' (somebody had sprayed all the 'interior' surface's with that 'Speckle' Panelvan Paint, YUK!!)....#2; I want to 'flare' the rear guards without losing the 1969 Camaro rear fender feature line and #3; I cant put a timeline on when I can have it finished ......"Well, Bloody sitting here postulating won't get the job done,now shove off I've got an 'Empire' to Run" !!!!!!!!..........the Camaro was delivered next day...........the photo's on the first couple of pages may give you all some idea that it was going to be a 'BIG' job.....................regards thunder427/MJ:eek:

This is an awesome thread Myles. Can you remember when Bob first bought the Camaro back? Also, what happened to the other ZL1 he purchased?

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Originally Posted by Steve Holmes

This is an awesome thread Myles. Can you remember when Bob first bought the Camaro back? Also, what happened to the other ZL1 he purchased?

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...The two ZL1's arrived ,I believed originally 1970,but in in hindsite ,I arrived in Melbourne March 1970,applied for a job as 'Assistant to the Promotor (Mrs Jean Pascoe) of Calder Raceway,I was the 69th applicant (I found that amussing !!!!..My Favourite number!) which I was sucessful in getting the position,thinking back,I unlocked the Gate one wet Thursday,If my memory serves's me well,for the TV and Press release of the Bob Jane Camaro, some weeks after starting work at the track.........so I'am thinking that mid to late 1969, was more apprpriate answer to your Question,but I will Double check with Bob!!!!..the 'Hugger Orange' /Manual,was build #33.

The Dark Blue ZL1/Auto,build #52,was used intially for 'Drag Racing' have some B&W photo's with the Camaro wear 'Monster' American 'Cragers' and 'Slicks',have a great story/History on this Camaro, for a later date,in short it was rear ended in a traffic accident,from all the imformation I have garnished,the front clip was walked of and the body and tags thrown 'down the tip'........Oh!!the things people dooooo!!:mad:.......................regards thnuder427/MJ

PS; the Camaro's were purchased from ,Two time Indy500 winner,Jim Rathman/Chevrolet of Melbourne/Florida,remember that a fully loaded Z28 was worth around $4800 a ZL1 was $7400 and what you got was a very 'Fast' (6cyl Spec/Poverty Pack),no frills Camaro with an 'Alloy'/427 only basic option on the first 50 ordered from the factory was 'Manual/Auto'......the last 19 carried some basic options,also some of the dealers may have 'optioned' thier Camaro's up to try and get the 'ticket Price',I've often thought how happy Mr Jim Rathman would have been when somebody from the other side of the world purchased Your two most expensive Camaro's over the phone.....including a pile of spares........."Who is this man Called, Bob Jane"????!!!!!......................Regards!!!!!!!!!!:)

Thats a real neat post Myles! I assume the ZL1 was built to homologate the alloy engine? A bit like the Boss 429 Mustang was created to homologate the 429 engine for Nascar. What was the ZL1 alloy engine being homologated for?

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Originally Posted by Steve Holmes

Thats a real neat post Myles! I assume the ZL1 was built to homologate the alloy engine? A bit like the Boss 429 Mustang was created to homologate the 429 engine for Nascar. What was the ZL1 alloy engine being homologated for?

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...50 units need to be produced in a production vehicle,so they could comply with the 'Stock Block' rule for Can-Am,which Bruce Mclaren put to good use!!!!!!!!!!!....................427/MJ:)

Ahhh, thanks for that.

Steve,
I took this picture when I was at Robin Automotive (Sear Point Raceway CA) last year.... appropriate 427 fitted to the appropriate McLaren...

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Now THATS an awesome site Leo!

Jim Smith in the Camaro at Calder....

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It sure looked wild when Jim Smith had it, but obviously never performed as well again as it did with BJ. Prior to the Camaro, Jim Smith raced a rare works Rover. What happened to this car?

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Originally Posted by Steve Holmes

It sure looked wild when Jim Smith had it, but obviously never performed as well again as it did with BJ. Prior to the Camaro, Jim Smith raced a rare works Rover. What happened to this car?

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Last I heard the Jim Smith "Clarrie the Wounder Camel" Rover was still in South Australia with Ivan Partinassi (spelling) who has been looking to do a resto...

Thanks for the info. I'd have thought that would be quite a sought after car, especially in the UK. I think only one or two were built.

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Originally Posted by Steve Holmes

Thanks for the info. I'd have thought that would be quite a sought after car, especially in the UK. I think only one or two were built.

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Below is a link to the Rover project. Roy Pierpoint raced Bill Shaw's '67 Camaro before he sold it to Adrian Chambers for Frank Gardner to race. I think the Bill Shaw car described here is the same one that Jim Smith bought to Australia. It was originally supported by "Leyland Australia" when Smith ran it here but wasn't a "factory" car in the UK.

http://www.roverp6.info/TestGB/P6racerJoMoRo.htm

Or here, there were two cars...

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Steve,
The Rover....
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And again, the Camaro..... modified further still
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I'll post a few more pages from Myles over the next few days on the restoration

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Pics by Perry Drury Launceston Tas

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...thanks Leo D...the saga continues...the lower photo's show Shane at work, in this day and age its very hard to 'one; get talented people and Two;find passionate people.

Shane, whom I renamed 'ROWDY', as every time the phone rang, Shane would find a reason to 'fire-up' the grinder or something equally as noisey!!!!!!!!!..."turn that F#@%&%$#!#%^ thing off ,I can't hear"!!!!!!!!!!!!...I would immediately cop this 'cheeky' sorta "Got Ya,Again" (one for the floor staff!!) grin with the standard..."Sorry BOSS"!!!!

Shane, a family man, came to work with me at a time when he had lost his 'personal' motivation, Shane was Punctual, focused,and became a very good at his craft...a valuable 'Team' member, for example Shane drilled out every spot weld in the Bob/ Camaro Firewall area and then did the same on the donor Camaro (pictures to come!) a very tedious job,trust me,never once complained and would have used only 2 pos 3 'Wurth' spotweld/ rivit drills....each part was nearly perfect to refit with little or no removal damage,,,,,,he left after the first 18mths to futher his career oportunities in the "panel' industry, where he went on to manage a 'top shop' and a team of 6.............Every Christmas for the next ten years he would ring and wish me a Great Christmas and thank me for believing in him and helping him re-find life's path..........Rowdy!, If you ever get to read this, you did a great job,you own commitment and passion took you the rest of the journey, proud to have worked with you.....and you KNOW how much I hate being called BOSS!!?:o:p....ofcourse you do!!!!.....................regards thunder427/MJ:):):)

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....the photo of the fenders hanging on the wall has a great second part,Brian,a professional ticketed welder,whom carried out all the structual/HD welding on 'project Camaro',a fellow Camaro sympathiser,walked in and announced to me that he was selling his 69/Camaro 'Red' with 'Flares'..."Myles,Mate!!!!! I've seen how much work you've got infront of Ya!! with BJ's Camaro, so I'm selling mine,I would rather put the money on the 'Morgage,all the Genuine NOS panels I've bought go with the deal, the LOT"!!!...my mind went into 'OVERDRIVE'.......so!!.......the Bob Camaro recieved GENUINE Factory fenders in exchange for the 'Classic' Repo's and a 2/slabs of Brian's Favourite Beer....now thats what I call a deal !!!!!!!!!........I even got to have a couple of Beeeeeers!!:confused:.......regards thunder427/MJ:):):)

.....the last photo shows the 'sub'frame,what it does'nt show is that it was a rare option,disc brake front assembly,still with the power booster connected (this Camaro was a Van Nyes built Z/28) ,nowhere to store this item,I put the word out that I had a 69/subframe.... 'FOR SALE'..$1000.oo's

Couple phone calls over a couple of months, with the usual 'Villians' wanting something for nothing,any money I recieved was to be channelled back into our favourite Camaro,phone rings this day,....Yeh!!Mate,Ya Gota A Cammero chassie for sale,bloke over Dandenong rekons yah gota one....How much???????????????

No Introduction,just straight to the point.."HOW MUCH!!!!.......well, I had put a price of $1000's for the lot, sub frame and brakes,tailshaft,10bolt rear end,remember 69/ Camaro's were still not the 'Flavour of the Month'Yet!!!

"A Grand!!!...."Shit mate I dont wont to buy the whole car'!!!!!!!!dont worry about it"!!
My turn...."Mate!!!..shouldn't you ask what you are getting for your money"????....."Let me tell you,so I out lined the Deal!

'Mate,Mate!!!..thats Mine!!..Gib me da address and I will be there tomorrow morning...and Mate...don't sell it as I would be real pissed off..like I will bring CASH!!!....su we gota Deal ?????????????????????????!

By lunch time next day I had a clear driveway,the Camaro fund was up a Grand!! and we had a real happy guy from up country,who still couldn't believe his luck.."Mate (after he paid me!!) ya Know how hard/rare the factory disc brakes are to get"!!??

At this point I reminded him of a point my Father had made to me about doing deals;
"Sometimes son its better to pay a little more and get a lot more,than to pay a lot less and get nothing"!!!!!!!!!!!!!:confused:.........................regards thunder427?MJ:):)

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..."Rowdy counted over 120 plus holes in the floor that had to be welded from both sides..no carpet to cover the floor,the inside is to be painted and shinny and the underside the same,the photo of Rowdy in the boot was before we had the 'Great idea' to cut the bottom out of the 'drop tank'........I got a real good 'Sun tan' from welding up the stress cracks in the rear boot floor,being used as Drag Car had absolutely taken its toll on the floor area,so I cut along every stress crack with the 'Air Saw' and the MIGed them up,I couldn't get the 'Boof' head in the space with the welding helmet on, so I used some old 'Raybans',your all thinking dedication, I know....."who!!! called me stupid"!!!!!!....it got the job done and every body at 'Safeway' thought ..."Shit!! he got a bit of sun on the Gold Coast":D!!!.....which was nice,because they thought I had a holiday!!!!........Regards thunder427/MJ:cool:

Terrific thread and amazing to see the level you went to in order to restore the car. I'm following this with great interest, thanks for taking the time to do it.