To The Proud Oshawa Employees...

[trm0002]

A history lesson and a BIG thank you for being an integral part of breathing life back into an American legend...

First off, I would like to once again thank you for pouring your heart(s) and soul(s) into the rebirth of a legendary automobile. While I admit I wasn't "onboard" 7 or 8 years ago when this all began, since the middle of 2004 I have eagerly awaited the return of the Camaro. On the magical day of October 13th, 2008 I was the first in line at a local dealer putting down my deposit.

One thing led to another and I chose to switch to a different dealer, smaller in volume, but much more in tune with my wants, needs, and desires than the big guy. In any case, it was a heart-wrenching decision because I knew I'd be giving up my first spot in line and taking a backseat to two other orders ahead of me at the "new" dealership, now that I was re-ordering on January 31st, 2009. Months had already rolled by so what was another little delay?

Then...what do you mean production has been delayed a month? Oh well, such is life; what can be done other than grin and bear it? Ok, grin and BEER it.

As luck would have it, my "new" dealer called me when he got his first allocation and told me, "You're it." Huh? I thought I was third. "You are, BUT the two in front of you are a Cyber Grey (constraint) and a V6 (constraint)." TOTALLY AWESOME. I didn't think it could get any better. Over the next few weeks, I watched the event codes climb to 3400 and then sit. Of course it's sitting there; at the time, the start of regular production was still a week away...

I had a couple very special friends here monitoring my event code progress- you know who you are. On the morning of March 17th, I got a PM. I had to read it a couple times for it to sink in. NO WAY. NO F***ING WAY. You better not be photochopping what was sent...



There it was- plain as day- VIN ...00074



I had rolled the dice and somehow come out a winner. God smiled down upon me that day and believe me, I smiled back.

So.... day one, ok ...week one, ok... week two, ok... ok.... ummmmmmm, where the hell is my car?

Area51.

We're all familiar with that saga. For those who are curious where the name came from, one dreary Area51 day, about a month in, my wife asked me when I came home from work, "So, where's Waldo?"

Waldo was still MIA and I was getting heated up over it. I went on rants; I went on tirades, I even got to the point of threatening in week seven- still no Waldo. I had lost the faith that Fbodfather so vehemently tried to instill. Then, on day 58 after he was brought to life in Oshawa, he was delivered to the dealer.

Of course, as life would have it, I am now certain I am being punished for something I did in a past life. After waiting 58 days, Waldo is there, and I can't have him because his paperwork did not accompany him.

A full week later, the necessary paperwork arrived and on May 19th, Waldo made his journey to his new home. All afternoon and into the evening, we began to bond- yes, I know how corny that sounds- but there he was, not two feet away from me, and he was everything I expected, and more. He even seemed to enjoy the 2:00 am run to the store for milk that night via half the surrounding countryside, as much as I enjoyed guiding him there.

Next starts the weeks of thumbs up and having entire conversations with the guy/gal next to me as we go down the road from red light to red light about what an absolutely gorgeous, fantastic, stellar, (insert cool term here), car I have. Who am I to argue?

Then, on an invitation from Hylton, I attended an Ontario Camaro Club meet in St. Catharines. As if getting together with a bunch of Camaro fanatics isn't cool enough, I got to have the distinct honor and pleasure of meeting two people directly involved in Waldo; Scott Settlemire and The Mole. You just gotta love The Mole.

After all the grief I put Fbodfather through, I must say he was one of the most gracious people I have ever met. Not an ill word- simply, "I'm sorry it took us so long to get you your car". So, now I feel about this big. Nothing that I had said or SCREAMED about was ever meant directly for him but, alas, I never really understood until that point, how passionate he is about this car and how easily he takes any criticism regarding it to heart. For that, I would like to once again say, I'm sorry.

As the days progress, life begins to settle back down a bit. All is good in the world. I made it though the Area51 wait, then the paperwork wait; Waldo's home, I couldn't enjoy driving him more, I've met a lot of great people and had more fun than I ever thought possible because of "a car".

But... it isn't "just a car". It's Waldo. He was forged out of countless development hours- yes, blood, sweat, and tears- and brought to life by a dedicated, hard-working, and VERY PROUD team of people in Oshawa. How can I be so positive that statement is valid? I can prove it.

A little over two weeks ago, I got a PM entitled, "Hello from Oshawa". As I read through it, my heart sank. Not because it was bad news; but because once again, I had been blessed. It would seem that the crew up in Oshawa had been following the Waldo saga from the start and as it progressed. They wanted to do something special and chose to include Waldo and me in the limited presentations of autographed lithographs from the plant. Some of the celebrities got one, the first car of each color got one, and then there's me and Waldo, fitting neither of the above categories, just Average Joes or Average Waldos anyways, being included. I can tell you that it was pretty humbling. I would have quietly kept this "gift" to myself but I was asked by the person presenting it to post it for all to see and I am respecting his wish.

So, to Super60 (or Super6 depending "where" you are), thanks to you and the Oshawa crew from the bottom of my heart. Below is the temporary framing until I can get the correct matting- haven't quite found what I want.





and the rest of Waldo's birth records...

[Andro]

[TripleB]

All this post is missing is a pic of Waldo!! So let me say it, where's Waldo?

[trm0002]

Originally Posted by TripleB

All this post is missing is a pic of Waldo!! So let me say it, where's Waldo?

He's watching Stripes on AMC and doesn't want to be disturbed...

[Mindz]

Well told Trent. Grats on your limited edition lithograph.

[trm0002]

Originally Posted by TripleB

All this post is missing is a pic of Waldo!! So let me say it, where's Waldo?

I guess in the interim, it's only appropriate that if I'm going to post a picture of him, it should be his baby picture.

[TAG UR IT]

HAAAAA!!!!

That is COOL! I like how you put all the pieces together in that frame. That gave me an idea for all the other papers I have. I think I'll do the same.

And congrats!!!!

[TripleB]

Awesome!!! For some reason I was expecting IOM. Very nice and congrats!

[rudack]

Originally Posted by trm0002

He's watching Stripes on AMC and doesn't want to be disturbed...

LoL he wasn't the only one...

[67 Convertible]

Wow, great story and well written. I really enjoyed the read....Congrats!!!

[tjbusa]

Nice story, trm0002.... most enjoyable with all the doom and gloom. For sure everyone who has waited so long for their camaro will have a story to tell, just not as fantastic as yours meeting up with Scott Settlemire and The Mole and the signed poster and and and....

[AZ2010SS]

And they all lived happily ever after! Great post TRM!

[speedster]

Awesome Trent...

Super 60 and Oshawa Team Camaro are the BEST !!

They really show the passion they have for building the best car on the planet. Mike and his guys are the ones you want doing what they do best...and then to top it off, they took the time to put their signatures on the lithograph made unique for you - that shows their true spirit. Incredible Team. Just incredible.

Congrats again !

[super60]

Trent

Thanks I'm forwarding this and Speedster's comments over to the build team. Mike