Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

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I'm thinking about burnouts with slicks! We'll see.

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I like your thinking Chris! Along with preservation......... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Verne https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

Thank you all for your kind comments. Lance Hill, thanks for chiming in. I'll pass your comments on to Sherman. A special thanks to Sherman Gerlach for having the forsight to save the original drivetrain and save the car for 39 years! I am more than proud to be the new caretaker. Chris

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

Killer Camaro https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif

Congrats.

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

Bruce in the L78 history you mention that all but 7 cars came with the M21. What did those 7 cars come equipped with? I have seen one that came from the factory with a 3 spd std; was the turbo 400 available?

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

Standard transmission with the L78 in 1967 was the M13 heavy duty 3 speed manual transmission but dealers very heavily pushed the M21 and in some cases the customers were actually told that they had no choice but to get the M21 at the added cost if they ordered the L78. Optional transmissions included the M20 and M21 four speed transmissions, no automatics were available for order with the L78. Of the 7 cars that did not receive the M21 two received the M13 and one received the M20 based on documentation for these cars. The remaining 4 cars are currently either unaccounted for or there is no substantiating documentation to say what was installed at least as far as my registry goes, CRG may have more info but I am not sure.

There were three L78's that technically received an automatic but are special engineering vehicles that eventually were de-tuned to the equivalent of the L34 350hp 396. I generally do not count these three in the L78 list even though they were born as L78's since they are special purpose built cars for Chevrolet use. These three cars were the primary track car built to pace the Indy 500 in 1967 #92, the back up Pace Car #90 which was to take over the pacing duties should a mechanical issue arise with #92 and the proving ground test mule #91.

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

Great information, Michael. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

My # 92 Pace car was built as a L78 4 speed and then converted to a L34 auto so it never really was a L78 Auto.

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

Mike, I have to agree with Tim, great info. I had always heard that a 4spd. was the only choice. Then a few years back there was a car advertised on ebay as simply a "big block 67 Camaro". The picture of the trim tag showed a 2B and a 4K. Who knew it was 1 of 2. I think I stil have auction listing somewhere. Time to go give it a second look.

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

Thank you, I try to be as acurate as possible in all my posts but will readily admit I do not know everything and learned long ago that whatever you think GM did in 1967 there is likely something that was done differently if even for a day.

Sorry for the error Charley, I thought at one point the auto was mated up before the conversion to the L34. I have actually never been able to get my hands on copies of any of the engineering paperwork for any of the changes on the three cars sadly. One day I will find someone willing to share.

Dave, I am not sure I saw that auction but would be very interested in any info you are willing to share on it, in particular the tag and any associated paperwork that was pictured. Feel free to PM me if you have it and do not mind.

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

The engineering paperwork is in books somewhere. It is the paperwork that Vince Piggins gave to Al Young when they had # 92. Vince told them that contrary to the engineering order, they only built two cars not three. I will try to post paperwork in another thread if I can find where I have it on my computer.

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

Mike, I called the owner from the EBAY listing. He is going to try to get me in touch with the current owner. I have the trim tag info; I'm hoping to get the VIN # and any other details he might have on the car. I'll be in touch. Are you going to be at Carlisle this year?

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

Currently counting on it but with the way the economy is going it may only be a one day trip this year, my company has lost 40% of its 2009 projects in Jan/Feb alone. Appreciate you following up.

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

Awesome story and car. Congrats to you Chris as new caretaker of one very special car.

What is the story on the aluminum fenders?

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

Thank You! The "Bat Aluminum" fenders was just a spoof.

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

I got this from Chris...It's in the new Hemmings!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...n_scan0114.jpg

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

Came across a couple more shots while sorting out some files on my computer. Have to check with Sherman next time I talk to him to see when exactly they are from but the sticker on the side window is for the 1972 NHRA Nationals Class Champion. Enjoy.

http://musclecarmediallc.com/posts/batcarcorner.jpg



http://musclecarmediallc.com/posts/batcarside.jpg

http://musclecarmediallc.com/posts/classchamp.jpg

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

Great stuff Michael. Chris' beautiful mount has outstanding race history. Congrats!!!


https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

And....here is a screen capture from Youtube!
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif


http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1.../tn_batcar.jpg

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

Lot's of cool old launches in the video. BatCar is first one.

Link to the video!!!

Video Link

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

An amazing car that has clearly found the right home.

I just got off the phone with Chris P. and am happy to announce, the "Batcar" will be shown at Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals II.

We will be treated to a very special display that Chris is working on already with some unexpected surprises.

Many Thanks to Chris for helping us once again raise the bar with a truly significant piece of 60's drag racing history.

Can't wait to see this one in person!!!

Bashton
MCACN Managing Member

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

Holy Big Block Batman, what's the Special Display going to be?

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

... appearance by Adam West? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/laugh.gif

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

Sounds like a great display is going to happen! If Chris has anything to do with it...it'll rock! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

MCACN...raising the bar...AGAIN! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

As many of you know I had started a blog that I never did anything with over at my site. One of the many changes tot he site that I had been planning was to remove the blog and move it.

As of today the blog is now active and the first feature of the blog is the ongoing restoration of "The BatCar". With the approval of Chris I have added the text from the original post that I wrote for him here and have begun to add the pictures of the restoration and will continue to add more as time goes on and the restoration continues as well as more vintage pictures and other items.

The restoration can be seen at 1967 Camaro L78 Convertible "The BatCar" or by visiting www.Chevrolets.info

I hope everyone enjoys it!

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

From the looks of some of the pictures on your site the car looks like it's already been restored; am I missing something or is it being re-restored?

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

The car was a nice driver condition when Chris picked it up solid but showing its age. He wanted to take it to an OH MY GOD THAT IS GORGEOUS LEVEL restoration. It is currently getting there. The pictures of the car from the old article originally posted on the first page here was with an older decent but not all that great paint job, lots of little things wrong with it, chrome showing its age, etc. The restoration of the car is basically taking an already very nice body original metal car and taking it to the an extreme top level restoration fixing anything and everything that is not already perfect.

Re: Chris Piscitello's 1967 L78 Camaro "The BATCAR
 

New to the forum and this thread...I need an update...big time...and photos...LOTS OF NEW PHOTOS!