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This was written By: zmanrc
I know that some on this board know Western Michigan Camaro Club founder and president Doug Warren.
Below is an article printed in our March News Letter detailing a new undertaking by the WMCC.
It is a really cool story and I thought you guys might be interested in reading it. I will include some pics as well.
Our club web site is www.wmcamaro.org
NEWS LETTER ARTICLE;
Some folks reading this may not know that Western Michigan Camaro Club president, Doug Warren, owns a 1974 Z28 Type LT that he bought brand new. Back in "the day" this car was undoubtedly one of the cleanest and coolest Camaros around. Factory Midnight Blue Metallic with a custom tri-color hood graphic and pin striping. Lowered, IROC front spoiler and American Racing 200S wheels, she was all set up for the Solo II racing events at Grattan Raceway and other venues that Doug enjoyed entering.
Turns out that the day he took delivery in July of 1974 was an eventful day. To quote Doug, “Sometimes you don't realize what a profound effect a decision you make will have on the rest of your life". You see, the following year Doug joined forces with a few other local Camaro enthusiasts, and they founded the Western Michigan Camaro Club. So without buying this very car, the WMCC likely would not still exist today. The shows and events that we host and help with, would not exist in their present form. More importantly, instead of the wonderful friendships that we have, most of us would never have met. All of which makes you realize that this Z is the single most important car in WMCC history! Which in turn make it part of Camaro history itself.
So what has become of this icon? In 1985 Doug bought a new IROC-Z Camaro. A year later he hatched a plan to turn the '74 into an all out showcar. One to compete with the countries finest. During the winter of 1986 the Z was completely disassembled and put on a home made rotisserie. Likely not something many people had 20 years ago. The firewall and undercarriage were detailed and painted in a '78 GM bright blue metallic to contrast the dark blue body finish. At only 68,000 original miles the L-82 motor was torn down and rebuilt. It was balanced and blue printed. A larger cam was installed. The heads were ported, polished and port matched. To date this engine has yet to be started.
For you see, life has a way of catching up to you. Things happen that are completely out of your control. Doug became very ill and ultimately had a liver transplant in 1990. And suddenly it seems, there is never enough time, never enough money, never enough space. I think most of us know this feeling. Today, the proud '74 Z28 Type LT still sits on the rotisserie, much the way it did in 1986. But the project has never been far from Doug's mind. I have known him for 6 years. Every year he has talked about getting the project going again. Last year he even started buying parts again, including a T-56 six speed tranny. But again, things happen and projects are moved to the back burner.
Introducing Project DZ74!!!
Doug's Z28 1974
It's time to bring this piece of Camaro history back to the glory that it was intended to be.
The Western Michigan Camaro Club, in conjunction with sponsors Berger Chevrolet, GMMG, and Parks Automotive, have committed to giving Doug a helping hand in bringing this project to completion. Plans for the car have changed a bit in the last 20 years. Plans now call for serious suspension upgrades, 17" wheels and the 6 speed. In addition to showing the Z, it will be driven, a lot! That is what we do as a club... we drive our cars. We attend several events each year that involve 1000 miles or more including Hot Rod Power Tour. Doug is also excited about the prospect of returning the car to Grattan Raceway for some "hot laps".
I'd like to add that when we announced the project at our February club meeting, that Doug was completely shocked; as he had NO idea any of this was being planned. A few club members and even Doug's own daughter had been conspiring against him. We talked to our sponsors, arranged for some of the work to be done and arranged for storage to free up room to work on the car. All before we asked Doug to let us help. How could he say no?
Think of it as "Overhaulin" except we don't do it in 7 days and the owner has complete input and control over the car!
Work has already begun! Setting up the bank account was the first step. By the time you read this, the Front Sub Frame will have been moved to John and Cheryl Smith's for rebuilding. The Rear End will have been moved to Al and Jan Boyer's for cleaning, painting and installation of the Rear Disk Brakes. And the engine will have been taken by Dave and Angie Kemp to be checked out. Remember it has a fresh rebuild but that was 20 years ago.
Our generous sponsors are as excited as we are about this project, but they can not be expected to carry the burden alone. WE NEED YOUR HELP AS WELL! This IS NOT a donation, for this is not a charity. This is a contribution to bring back a true piece of Camaro history! No different than a contribution to your local museum to help restore a piece of art. The difference is this will be rolling, driving, snarling, tire smoking art!
If you would like to help us with this project we have set up a bank account in Doug's name. It will only be used for parts and services needed to complete the project. Also, John Falkenhagen and myself (Ray Cochran) have been chosen to have complete access to the account. We will be accepting contributions at our club meetings. Or if you would like to do so by mail, you may make a check out to Doug Warren, but then mail it to my address listed below. We will then deposit it in the DZ74 Project account. If you would like to send something via PayPal or if you would like to provide a specific part or labor for the project, please contact me at zmanrc@hotmail.com No contribution is too small. Anything and everything will be very much appreciated. All those that contribute will have their names listed in the scrap book being compiled as we complete the car.
Please help us help Doug complete a 20 year project and bring back this prized piece of WMCC history!!!
And please check the WMCC News Letter for monthly updates. I promise they won't be this long LOL. Any questions or comments, please contact me.
Thank You!
Project DZ74 project manager
Ray Cochran
1944 Sunburst Ct.
Zeeland, Mi. 49464
616-403-3941
zmanrc@hotmail.com
I know that some on this board know Western Michigan Camaro Club founder and president Doug Warren.
Below is an article printed in our March News Letter detailing a new undertaking by the WMCC.
It is a really cool story and I thought you guys might be interested in reading it. I will include some pics as well.
Our club web site is www.wmcamaro.org
NEWS LETTER ARTICLE;
Some folks reading this may not know that Western Michigan Camaro Club president, Doug Warren, owns a 1974 Z28 Type LT that he bought brand new. Back in "the day" this car was undoubtedly one of the cleanest and coolest Camaros around. Factory Midnight Blue Metallic with a custom tri-color hood graphic and pin striping. Lowered, IROC front spoiler and American Racing 200S wheels, she was all set up for the Solo II racing events at Grattan Raceway and other venues that Doug enjoyed entering.
Turns out that the day he took delivery in July of 1974 was an eventful day. To quote Doug, “Sometimes you don't realize what a profound effect a decision you make will have on the rest of your life". You see, the following year Doug joined forces with a few other local Camaro enthusiasts, and they founded the Western Michigan Camaro Club. So without buying this very car, the WMCC likely would not still exist today. The shows and events that we host and help with, would not exist in their present form. More importantly, instead of the wonderful friendships that we have, most of us would never have met. All of which makes you realize that this Z is the single most important car in WMCC history! Which in turn make it part of Camaro history itself.
So what has become of this icon? In 1985 Doug bought a new IROC-Z Camaro. A year later he hatched a plan to turn the '74 into an all out showcar. One to compete with the countries finest. During the winter of 1986 the Z was completely disassembled and put on a home made rotisserie. Likely not something many people had 20 years ago. The firewall and undercarriage were detailed and painted in a '78 GM bright blue metallic to contrast the dark blue body finish. At only 68,000 original miles the L-82 motor was torn down and rebuilt. It was balanced and blue printed. A larger cam was installed. The heads were ported, polished and port matched. To date this engine has yet to be started.
For you see, life has a way of catching up to you. Things happen that are completely out of your control. Doug became very ill and ultimately had a liver transplant in 1990. And suddenly it seems, there is never enough time, never enough money, never enough space. I think most of us know this feeling. Today, the proud '74 Z28 Type LT still sits on the rotisserie, much the way it did in 1986. But the project has never been far from Doug's mind. I have known him for 6 years. Every year he has talked about getting the project going again. Last year he even started buying parts again, including a T-56 six speed tranny. But again, things happen and projects are moved to the back burner.
Introducing Project DZ74!!!
Doug's Z28 1974
It's time to bring this piece of Camaro history back to the glory that it was intended to be.
The Western Michigan Camaro Club, in conjunction with sponsors Berger Chevrolet, GMMG, and Parks Automotive, have committed to giving Doug a helping hand in bringing this project to completion. Plans for the car have changed a bit in the last 20 years. Plans now call for serious suspension upgrades, 17" wheels and the 6 speed. In addition to showing the Z, it will be driven, a lot! That is what we do as a club... we drive our cars. We attend several events each year that involve 1000 miles or more including Hot Rod Power Tour. Doug is also excited about the prospect of returning the car to Grattan Raceway for some "hot laps".
I'd like to add that when we announced the project at our February club meeting, that Doug was completely shocked; as he had NO idea any of this was being planned. A few club members and even Doug's own daughter had been conspiring against him. We talked to our sponsors, arranged for some of the work to be done and arranged for storage to free up room to work on the car. All before we asked Doug to let us help. How could he say no?
Think of it as "Overhaulin" except we don't do it in 7 days and the owner has complete input and control over the car!
Work has already begun! Setting up the bank account was the first step. By the time you read this, the Front Sub Frame will have been moved to John and Cheryl Smith's for rebuilding. The Rear End will have been moved to Al and Jan Boyer's for cleaning, painting and installation of the Rear Disk Brakes. And the engine will have been taken by Dave and Angie Kemp to be checked out. Remember it has a fresh rebuild but that was 20 years ago.
Our generous sponsors are as excited as we are about this project, but they can not be expected to carry the burden alone. WE NEED YOUR HELP AS WELL! This IS NOT a donation, for this is not a charity. This is a contribution to bring back a true piece of Camaro history! No different than a contribution to your local museum to help restore a piece of art. The difference is this will be rolling, driving, snarling, tire smoking art!
If you would like to help us with this project we have set up a bank account in Doug's name. It will only be used for parts and services needed to complete the project. Also, John Falkenhagen and myself (Ray Cochran) have been chosen to have complete access to the account. We will be accepting contributions at our club meetings. Or if you would like to do so by mail, you may make a check out to Doug Warren, but then mail it to my address listed below. We will then deposit it in the DZ74 Project account. If you would like to send something via PayPal or if you would like to provide a specific part or labor for the project, please contact me at zmanrc@hotmail.com No contribution is too small. Anything and everything will be very much appreciated. All those that contribute will have their names listed in the scrap book being compiled as we complete the car.
Please help us help Doug complete a 20 year project and bring back this prized piece of WMCC history!!!
And please check the WMCC News Letter for monthly updates. I promise they won't be this long LOL. Any questions or comments, please contact me.
Thank You!
Project DZ74 project manager
Ray Cochran
1944 Sunburst Ct.
Zeeland, Mi. 49464
616-403-3941
zmanrc@hotmail.com
I'm still stunned by this and am waiting to wake up from the dream.
)
Awesome James. Get ahold of Ray, he has all of the specs and knows what we need.
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