Did the 1969 Z/28 story begin with this Camaro?

[BCreekDave]

Sounds like it is. Interesting about the hood though. My understanding is the first "production" ZL2 hoods arrived with the COPO ZL-1 on December 30th 1968? Seems interesting that this car which was maybe an August-September build 68 car would have one? I'm sure the development of the hood was several months at least. The original air cleaner would most likely a prototype level also. Pity it was lost.

[x33rs]

Originally Posted by BCreekDave

Sounds like it is. Interesting about the hood though. My understanding is the first "production" ZL2 hoods arrived with the COPO ZL-1 on December 30th 1968? Seems interesting that this car which was maybe an August-September build 68 car would have one? I'm sure the development of the hood was several months at least. The original air cleaner would most likely a prototype level also. Pity it was lost.

We went over that in another thread about this car because I questioned the same thing. It was never explained.

Other than we know the fiberglass hoods were around at that time, and designed for the cross ram (which this car is not equipped with), there hasn't been any data I've seen that tells us the steel production hoods were around at that time frame. It's often believed and stated the first production ZL1 in late December 68 saw the first assembly line ZL2 hood. I don't think anyone at this point has found a ZL2 hood with a stamped date earlier than about 50 or so.

My Z is just a few serial numbers away from the first ZL1 and all the sheetmetal on it is stamped 50 or 51.

Would love to hear more.

[1967Z28]

This is the best photo I have seen of the engine compartment of the car. You can see a small section of the hood.