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Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Day 2 Considerations?
Bought this documented 69 Z/28 drag car after it was raced for 45 years on tracks around the Pacific Northwest. It spent its first 14 years being raced in Super Stock by original owner Kym Miller (1970 through 1980) & then by his good friend Randy Becker (1980 through 1985). Kym won a Division Championship with the car in 78 and randy went on to race the car against many of the heavy hitters in Division 6. It was later sold, repainted silver & continued being raced as a big block bracket car until being retired in 2014. I started the restoration last year with plans to go towards a day 1 resto, but still think it should retain some of it's day 2 character. The body is back in it's original state with original panels intact and the wheel openings sectioned back in. The roll cage and mini tubs were removed and the car is now painted back to it's original colors. It's a documented X77 with full ownership history to day 1 and many pictures of it being raced from 1970 through 2014. Now that the body is restored and ready for assembly, I'm toying with some ideas of adding some Day 2 nostalgia to the car to keep with it's history. It's numbers matching drive train is gone so I am restoring the car with a date correct DZ302, 4-speed and a 4:10 Posi. I'll be adding a blow proof bell housing, Hooker headers , Torque Thrust wheels and old school Lakewood Traction Action lift bars but need more ideas to give it the right look. Thinking of some dated drag shocks and vintage style M&H slicks for the rear of the car now. While the engine will look mostly stock it'll have 350 internals and a much larger cam with some undercover head work. I'm now looking for other ideas/suggestions on some other vintage Day 2 add ons to give this car more of the original day 2 flavor it deserves? What else would you add to the restoration that keep it original looking but dating it more towards Day 2 status? Here's some pics of it raced by Kym, and the way it sits today before I start reassembling the car. Both Kym and Randy are keeping an eye on it's restoration and are both happy to see it's gone back to it's original color/style but wouldn't be unhappy to see some nostalgia items added to it. Kym at his first drag race in street trim (1970) http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...m-Z28-1970.jpg At the old Sheppard Raceway track in Calgary (1970/1971) http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...SS-Calgary.jpg Edmonton International (1972) http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...Noseworthy.jpg After being converted to S/S and mini tubbed (1973/1974) http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...ller-Meter.jpg Racing in Seattle with new paint scheme (1974) http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...SS-Seattle.jpg Seattle with upgraded paint scheme (1978) http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...rt-Congdon.jpg Edmonton before winning Division Championship (1978) http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...SuperStock.jpg National Event courtesy Randy Becker / 2nd owner (1981) http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...cker%20Z28.jpg Same car painted silver and bracket raced in Edmonton (2011) http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...art%20Line.jpg Final year being raced in Edmonton (2012) http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...-Watts2012.jpg |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Here's the car in it's current state before I start putting it back together. Sub frame and suspension all restored to stock and now thinking of some drag shocks, rear shackles, cheater slicks, wider rear wheels, Sun tach and maybe some other bolt on items added for a nostalgic look. Hard to see but rear end now has the old Traction Action bars in there but painted black. These are J-bar style with new hardware.
Other Ideas? http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...8/IMG_7367.jpg |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Maybe give it a little rake, paint the traction bars yellow, maybe a little fatter rear tires? Looks great and love the history, congrats.
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Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Great story!
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Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Second picture from the top "At the old Sheppard Raceway track in Calgary (1970/1971)". Duplicate that look with the wheels / tires, etc minus the lettering.
EDIT: Wonder how many Z/28s lost their original engines in favor of the winning 350/255 S/S combo? |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
I would have left it like this but painted it back original color.. Then would go out to the track and have fun with it.. Sorry but Im getting the racing bug again and Im even considering cutting up my 67..
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...art%20Line.jpg |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
I would have left it like this but painted it back original color with the correct silver grille.. Then would go out to the track and have fun with it.. Sorry but Im getting the racing bug again and Im even considering cutting up my 67..
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...art%20Line.jpg |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: novadude</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Second picture from the top "At the old Sheppard Raceway track in Calgary (1970/1971)". Duplicate that look with the wheels / tires, etc minus the lettering.
EDIT: <span style="font-weight: bold">Wonder how many Z/28s lost their original engines in favor of the winning 350/255 S/S combo?</span> </div></div> I think it would have been a popular swap for anyone racing S/S back in the day. I know this cars original DZ block was swapped out and sold at a swap meet in the mid 70's. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif[/img] On the restoration we're building 2 motors. The one that's going in the car is a decked 010 block with a forged 1182 crank, Manley I Beam SRS rods, Manley Ultra Lite pistons, Crower 00471 roller cam and 492 ported heads topped with an original intake, carb, dist, alt etc. Done to look anatomically correct but 360ci to make better horsepower and torque. The second motor will be a date matched DZ302 built top to bottom and kept aside in case I want to swap them out down sometime the road. Trans will be a fresh M22 with a fully restored BV coded 12 bolt. Should make for a nice 425 to 450 hp street build to bang gears with. Might even add the 350/255 letters to the side as it was when raced? Still looking for a choice V0425DZ to V0430DZ block to use for the 302 build but have an April 010 block to use if a choice original block cannot be sourced. Please feel free PM if you know anyone with a late April original DZ block for sale. |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Thought about leaving it that way Darrell but it would have drove like poop on the street. Spooled 12 bolt with 4:88 gears (twisted original diff) and old school ladder bars. Once I decided to close up the rear wheel openings and strip the car in favor of original paint, the decision was made to put the stock suspension back under the car and do it all at the same time.
I hear ya though. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img] |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Grill has been redone in silver and original Endura bumper was trial fit and painted green again. It came with the car but was also painted silver in the 90's. These parts are awaiting install with the restored bright trim and the re-chromed rear bumper.
Kym couldn't remember changing or painting the original grill black but it was like that from the early 70's onward. Same with the cowl hood as he recalled it being factory ordered but pictures told another story as the early ones showed a flat hood. It was however installed later and appeared on the car from 1973 ish. http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...8/IMG_0205.jpg |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Originally a no rear spoiler Z?
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Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
It's an 05A car and did come with the rear spoiler as seen in the first few pictures. It was removed back in the 70's and reinstalled when painted in 2016
Original cowl tag. http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...Trim%20Tag.jpg GM Documents http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...et%20Blank.jpg |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Kym originally ordered the car with rear antenna and was later told the rear spoiler option was mandated and they deleted his antenna request before it was shipped. There was also a delay in getting the car and it was delayed over the front bumper option for some reason? Factory ordered on March 28th and delivered to his dealer in May. Shipping date was May 9th and I have many other photo's showing the rear spoiler on the car.
Hand written order which Kym still has. He sent me a copy of it and is still looking for his original bill of sale. http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...al%20Order.jpg |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
No posi? Neat car!
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Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
I've never looked at the G96 option as anything other than a 3:55 gear change for a Posi? I assumed all Z/28's were posi and if you didn't order a gear change it came as a G80 3:73 posi as default? I'll have to check on that as the axle codes on the original diff were covered with ladder bars and couldn't be read.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Positraction rear axle. Required in 67-68 for 4.10, 4.56, and 4.88 ratios. Required in 69 for 3.73 <span style="font-weight: bold">(except Z28)</span> or 4.10 ratios.</div></div> |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
3.55 and 2.20 1st gear M21 must have not been very fun to drive, and a clutch killer with a high strung 302. About the equivalent of an M20+3.08. Surprised they offered such a combo with a low-torque 302. I would have thought 3.73 would have been the minimum with a M21/M22.
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Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Dez has a nice complete 302 dated April 11.
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Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lynn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dez has a nice complete 302 dated April 11. </div></div>
Saw that Lynn (and thanks) At the moment I have an early April block that's freshly machined and ready to go together with a balanced 302 assembly. I saw another car built 3 numbers off my VIN that was assembled April 30th and that to me would be an excellent date match if one can be sourced? I'm hoping to hold out for one with the assembly date closer to the end of April. As far as the car having 355 gears, I agree that it would have been a dog out of the hole. Thinking the new 4:10 diff will have that licked now. Now I'll need to find bigger tires for the back to give it the right Day 2 stance and something that will hopefully hook up. Been looking at the Indy SS profiles, MT Sportsmans and a set of Pro Trac's. Might try for a set of L60 15 tires out back and a set of front runners for that old school look. Maybe mount them up of TT 8" and 4.5" rims |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
I'm really liking the look and feel of this vintage racer. Might be the stance to shoot for but using Torque Thrust wheels on the green car.
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...let_camaro.jpg |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
^^^^^ That car is AWESOME! Very very well built...and with a D Arons power plant to back it up!
BIG |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
2 Attachment(s)
Our Z28's must be brothers. Mine is an 05A Rally Green car as well.
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Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Be careful Matt, don't let your wife see that you are calling it yours.
Jason |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Looking good Matt.
They're only about 4580 body numbers apart...so what's that about 7 days or so? I like that look and was admiring your <span style="text-decoration: line-through">wife's</span> car in the other thread. |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Finally rolled the car out of storage and I'm about to put it on the rack so I can start putting it back together again.
Looks good in the sun, but it's time to get busy. http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...Z28/Moving.jpg |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Nice!!!
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Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Very nice looking , are those the new style Torque Thrust wheels ? What are the sizes & what's the backspace ?
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Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Yes they are. American Racing Torque Thrust D in Grey
15" x 7" / 3.76 Backspace / 5 on 4.75 Bolt Pattern http://www.summitracing.com/int/part...5761/overview/ Tires are Goodyear F60/15 Polyglas front & rear http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...8/Polyglas.jpg |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
They look nice on there
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Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Is that the size that the Yenko cars would have had or did they have 15X8 wheels on the rear ?
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Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
When I saw the U73 rear antenna on the order I was wondering about the time frame, but you answered it, I had thought the cut off was in April.
Rally Green with white stripes and endura is a toss up with Lemans blue... both are high impact colors and look awesome on 1969 Z's. LOVE IT!!! Paint the traction bars lakewood yellow... they look great peeking out from under the Rally green!!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-44698-398.jpg |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Sitting good -- bars just right ...
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Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
This green Z is beautiful...
I love Ralley Green and want a Ralley Green, Torque Thrust, White stripe Yenko with yellow bars peeking out... IMHO the yellow contrasted with the green looks better than the contrast with the black. |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NorCam</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...8/Polyglas.jpg </div></div>
This shot is gorgeous... |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
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Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
I'm liking the yellow. Might have to pull them off and repaint them. I have decals coming.
Liking the stance on the black 69 as well. Very nice and looking good with those wheels. |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Don't know if it has already been pointed out -- but those bars need some wedge help to get the nose up some ... TAZ
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Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
When he puts the U bolts on they will pull up.
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Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: [email protected]</div><div class="ubbcode-body">When he puts the U bolts on they will pull up. </div></div>
You know it. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img] Those are just bolted up under the springs for now. The J-Bolts and hoops still need to go on there. After seeing them in yellow I'm thinking I'll paint them yellow and then bolt them on. |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Matt's car is off the assembly line right after mine. My NOR# is 317XXX. That was when the order was accepted by GM, not when it was built. I am an originality nut, but I love the day2 look. Matts car looks awesome! Rally green is one of my favorite colors!
Buddy |
Re: Day 2 resto considerations - ex 69 Z/28 drag racer
Anyone have an old Stahl or Moroso tach available for this car?
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