Everybody on this board has a certain speciality, niche, or passion re: the musclecar hobby. Mine happens to be 1970 Camaros. I ordered my 1st 70 Z-28 new, after returning from Viet-Nam in 1969. I currently own three 1970 Camaros; 1) R/S Z-28, R/S SS L-48 & SS L-78. I have been serving as a Camaros at Carlisle 2nd Gen Legends judge since 2004 (1st year of 2nd Gen Legends) and also judged with the old USCC.
Having said all that I DO NOT claim to know it all.
I have been involved in this controversial 1970 L-78/Turbo 400 argument for longer than I can now remember. BKH refered someone from NHRA(drag racing)to me, via E-mail.
A racer had been using a 70 Camaro Big Block with T-400 to compete in the Stock/Automatic class. Somebody in NHRA then started dissallowing the car, challenging if that combo had ever existed. The NHRA official asked me to investigate, as I could not answer him directly. I have spent the past 7yrs on the internet posting, having discussions, judging car shows, making & receiving phone calls on this 70 L-78/T-400
issue. NO ONE has ever been able to show me any evidence, brochure, literature, pictures, statement saying WITHOUT DOUBT they ever wittnessed such a car.
With 600 1970 L-78 originally built and maybe 100 (wild ass guess) still around, you would think that SOMEBODY would have knowledge or proof of ONE ever being built
It would be easy to change a 4sp L-78 to a T-400, except for removing the 4spd hump and having floor appear as factory auto. A person could install L-78 powertrain and L-78 VIN Tag into L-34/T-400 body. SEEING the L.A. build sheet of Jack's and having impartial 1st Gen Judges inspect the car hopefully would settle this never ending discussion.
I'm not willing to get into a $5K "pixxing contest" with Charley over this. I would be willing to contribute $$$ toward the expenses of having a legitimate FULL INSPECTION of this car. This would at a minimum show Engine block assy stamping, VIN stamping, T-400 stamping, 12 Bolt stamping, TRIM TAG authenticity and rivets, VanNuys build sheet, and unlikely to happen Firewall Vin stamping. Other misc dated parts could also point to this car being assembled or a survivor.
Below are pictures of book pages written about the subject.
FYI, Mike Steitz another L-78 owner and 70/2nd Gen judge is trying to accumulate a L-78 registry at
www.nasty28.com (Original Forum) but needs more participation/cooperation
Regards to all, Chuck
