February 2, 2005 - The Southern California Camaro Connection is presently refueling to charge a 2005 season which will ultimately be remembered as CAMARO. 

     Send your inquiries for membership now to Blaze One at OneCalbear@aol.com.

January 24, 2004 - The Southern California Camaro Connection (SCCC) hosted, CRUISE 5, a 140-mile cruise to Solvang, California.  The cruise started from Glendale, California, and traveled the famous Ventura Highway, North, to Santa Barbara County.  A quick turn on to Route 246, East, and the SCCC arrived at one of California's prime tourist locations.

     Although the weather forecast called for a 50% chance of showers, members decided to go as far North as possible, and discuss the driving conditions at the first drop of rain.  The first 120-miles brought favorable weather conditions, and members were able to enjoy those famous words sung by Seals and Croft, "Ventura highway in the summer...." (Continued below)

Southern California Camaro Connection and Solvang, California. ...(continued from cover story)

SCCC members made a rest stop at Gaviota Pass.  Gaviota Pass is one of the most memorable highway rest stops in California.  Surrounded by mountains on both sides, it marks the location where Highway 101 makes a 90-degree turn North.  Members were able to stretch their legs after a 2 hour drive, and were greeted with the first few drops of rain.  The rainfall continued mildly in to Solvang, and did not bother Southern California Camaro Connection members.

     At 11:30a.m., club members arrived in Solvang, catching the attention of tourists, and local residents (approximately 5,800).  Those who have a heart for the American V-8, quickly made their way to the location where Southern California Camaro Connection members began to park.  One local resident had a look of excitement on his face.  "Wow, I can't believe this...," he told members.  "Just a few minutes ago, a Corvette club had also rolled in to town."  It was definitely, "An American Revolution."

     SCCC members enjoyed lunch at the "Denmark Inn."  Solvang boasts a variety of restaurants with a Scandanavian theme.  Trust me, finding a good eatery in this town is no problem at all, the problem is, deciding on which one.  You will find at least 2 or 3 restaurants on each block.

     After lunch, members took a tour of this Danish village established in 1911 with old-country architecture, windmills, cobblestone sidewalks, and good-luck storks.  SCCC Meeting Operations Director, Maria Perez, gave a brief history of the good-luck stork.  If fisherman spotted a group of storks resting on the roof tops, it meant that fishing would be good.  This enchanting town celebrates the Hans Christian Anderson heritage with authentic shops and bakeries.  Southern California Camaro Connection members enjoyed the bakeries and the "Beer and Wine" tasting rooms the most. 

     If you're like the typical Southern California Camaro Connection member, you constantly dust your car down just before taking her on the highway.  The most expensive car dusters are made of feathers from the Ostrich and the Emu.  There is no oil contained in this type of feather, so it attracts dust the most efficiently, without scratching the paint.  SCCC members had the rare opportunity to purchase these feathers, right off the bird themselves!

     Solvang is also made famous for its local Emu and Ostrich farms.  These farms offer roadside huts, where one may purchase a variety of items from these birds.  A few SCCC members purchased Ostrich feathers at a price of fifteen dollars each, that's one expensive feather.  SCCC member, Oscar Vargas, took interest in purchasing an Ostrich egg.  One Ostrich egg is equivalent to two-dozen chicken eggs.  An Emu egg is equivalent to eight chicken eggs.  Both eggs are similar in taste to the chicken egg.  Oscar's egg made it safely home, thanks to Camaro's fine tuned suspension.

     The trip home features miles of scenic highway.  If you continue along the road through Solvang, you will hit Route 154, which offers a spectacular view of the Central Coast mountains and lakes.  Members caught view of the Chumash Indian Casino, which is about equal in size to any casino/resort in Las Vegas.  This was also the destination of the Corvette club which had been spotted earlier.  Ever see a pack of Chevy's flagship en masse...awesome!

     Members would like to deliver a big "Thank You!," to Harry Joe, and his mother, Susan Joe, for preparing a feast of hot dogs for club members.  Harry's home is just off of Route 33 to Ojai, and made the ideal location for feeding hungary SCCC members at the end of a fine day.  After the feast, Harry and SCCC member, Justin Ficke, hooked up his video cam to the big screen TV, and members were able to view the memories caught that day.

     Three new members joined the Southern California Camaro Connection in January.  The SCCC now has all three amigos from the famous TMD Crew.  Joining SCCC member, Sulistyo Sidharta, MADL1, are "TMD #2" and "DEEPL1."  The Southern California Camaro Connection welcomes Robert Berry, and his 1994 Arctic White Chevrolet Camaro Z28 A4 "TMD #2," and Rikwan Suyoto with his 1995 Arctic White Chevrolet Camaro A4 "DEEPL1."  The TMD Crew includes 3 Arctic White Camaros with Black racing stripes.  Be sure to catch their cars on SCCC Car Show, and go to SCCC Links to catch the TMD Crew website.    

     The Southern California Camaro Connection would like to announce to all Camaro enthusiasts, that it has spotted a 1998 RPO 31U.  What's so significant about spotting a special RPO?  During the production of the Camaro, Chevrolet would manufacture limited editions exclusive to that year.  Usually these limited editions are special colors which are not standard.  Not only have members spotted one of these exclusive production models, but it has also become an addition to the Southern California Camaro Connection.  The SCCC welcomes new member, Gonzalo Mendoza and his RPO 31U, a 1998 Bright Green Chevrolet Camaro Z28 A4 Convertible.  A total of 1,747 Bright Green Camaros were made in 1998, 3.6% of the total.  ONLY 63, were Camaro Z28 Convertibles!!!  Don't miss this special RPO on SCCC Car Show.

     Hey, let's not forget the gentleman who made this event a memory.  The Southern California Camaro Connection would like to thank SCCC Financial Operations Director, Jose Zelaya, and his 2002 Onyx Black Chevrolet Camaro Z28 M6, for hosting this month's meeting.

Photo views courtesy of So. Cal.
Power and Poise by GM.

Check out the SCCC Car Show and SCCC First Year page and get a taste of what fuels the name!

     This month's feature photo shows Gonzalo Mendoza's RPO 31U, left to right, a 1998 Bright Green Chevrolet Camaro Z28 A4 Convertible, 1 of 63 made for that year.  SCCC member, Allyn Arps, and his 1998 custom Starbucks paint Chevrolet Camaro SS A4, is shown next.  Continuing from left to right, is SCCC member, Justin Ficke's 2001 Light Pewter Metallic Chevrolet Camaro Z28 A4.  At the right is new SCCC member, Robert Berry, and his 1994 Arctic White Chevrolet Camaro Z28 A4 AKA "TMD #2."  The four cars are shown at the Ostrich and Emu farm in Solvang, California.

     The three separate photos in the main feature, starting from left and going clockwise, show a shot of SCCC members just before entering Santa Barbara on the Ventura Highway.  The next photo shows Gaviota Pass.  The final photo features where SCCC members parked in Solvang.

     The lower right hand photo was shot by SCCC member, Oscar Vargas, who cruised in the passenger seat of "Blaze One."  The SCCC would also like to pay Oscar a big "Thank You" for taking a majority of the SCCC video shots.

SCCC Racing Information
Future plans of the Southern California Camaro Connection include the purchase of a CAMARO of undecided generation. All members will participate in building this unknown in to an "off-street" CAMARO which will represent the SCCC at official GM shootouts. This project promises to be one-item which will display the knowledge of the Southern California Camaro Connection members.

SCCC welcomes membership to any model CAMARO owner from Generations 1 through 4!!!
The Southern California Camaro Connection includes members who are CAMARO enthusiasts. The charter meeting drew a loyal following from those who constantly monitor the LS1 and Camaro websites. It also includes members who have recently purchased a CAMARO, and are excited with the discussion and overwhelming interest which has been around since 1967.

If you share this same passion then join the Southern California Camaro Connection today, and get involved with a loyal following of dedicated Chevrolet CAMARO owners.

Meeting locations vary each month, giving each member the chance to host and plan the SCCC meeting near his or her residence.

Just getting started? Then learn from those who are hobbyists, historians, and enthusiasts. It's a given that all CAMARO owner's love to share their knowledge with entry-level owner's.

For membership information, e-mail Bluehotcamaro@aol.com, and reserve a seat for the next meeting, or for more information e-mail OneCalbear@aol.com.

Write to the Southern California Camaro Connection!
Got a question for the Southern California Camaro Connection, e-mail OneCalbear@aol.com