1970 L-78 Camaro CKO block

[canadian_ssl78]

Mark, I think the only way to get rear bumper guards was to order a Z28 (standard equipment) or order the VF3 option on any camaro. The VF3 option included the rear guards.

Chuck, are the rear bumper pics shown above your car?
John

[70CitrusZ]

Fhakya,
rpo VF3 is the rubber strips AND the guards.
Regular guards only (rear)(with no rubber) are not VF3, and are apparently "only" a part of rpo Z-28, with no separate rpo.
So if you ordered rpo VF3 you got the guards along with the rubber strips.
If you ordered rpo Z-28 you got the guards but no strips.
If you ordered rpo Z-28 AND VF3 you got the guards and the strips.
The ONLY (apparently) other way a non Z-28 and non VF3 car could have these guards were as a dealer installed part.

A lot of people confuse VF3 with standard Z-28 guards.
standard Z-28 bumper guards are not rpo VF3.
Mark.

[Fhakya]

That's great news NRJ! I'm not going to jinx until you have it in your possession.

Great clarification Mark (70CitrusZ)....that was what I was kind of assuming but never had it backed up (no pun intended).

I've seen a few SS's w/ the tangs/fangs but just assumed that they were part a the later VF-3 (non Z) option or possible retrofit. I have not seen any 72,73's w/ them that I can recall and was wondering if that was still an option in those years. The strip wasn't as per my understanding...even in 71.

It's probably more of a topic for 2gcog but interesting nontheless and applicable here.

Great thread!

-Mark H.

[nrjulin]

Well it has been a while since I updated this post but the good news it I finally have the car in my possession.

It is remarkably complete. It only has 22,810 miles on it and has all the original and correctly date coded parts that one could ask for: CKO Engine with VIN, M-21 with VIN, 3:55 COX rear, L-78 Tach, dist, alt, heads, rear, exhaust manifolds, smog system, intake, water pump, intake and starter. Even the original exhaust is still there. Also, The interior looks very good other than being very dirty and a ripped drivers seat. All the sheet metal is very solid but there has been some surface rust in the usual areas that was preped and primed and original vinyl top was ripped off and primed.

To correct an earlier post, this was not a 3 piece spoiler car originally. That was added by the second owner but I was given the original one peice spoiler with the original dealer name plate still attached. It was sold out of John Smith Chevrolet in Atlanta GA.

To my surprise the POP, original sales invoice, warranty transfer paperwork and receipt to the second owner all came with the car. I will be the fourth owner. The First owner only owned the car for about 8 months, Second owner until 1988 when the last owner bought it and parked in in his garage. Also, I was given a ton of NOS parts the last owner collected in the 80's when he planned on restoring the car. I still have alot of boxes to go through but I did find the original L-78 air cleaner and a NOS L-78 air cleaner still in the original parts box.

Now for the fun of restoring the car.

Thanks again to everyone who helped me verify the info for this car.

One more thing, He still has a few more incredible cars that he is considering selling. 1970 Chevelle LS-6, 1970 Buick GS and 2 442 W-30's. He collected these in the 80's with the hope of restoring them but has not yet. He did collect alot of NOS parts to get ready for the restorations but...

[Xplantdad]

Nils, very cool. Congrats on the new purchase. PLease keep us updated as things progress

[Mr70]

Well done.
Can you grace us with pictures of the car itself,as well as everything you got with it on the side?

[nrjulin]

Here is a copy of the Sales Invoice and Warranty Transfer docs.

Note the original sale date of 7/14/71. It shows how long it sat on the lot. The story goes that it was special ordered for a cutomer (Green Mist, Green Vinyl top and Green interior as well as other options) and when it arrived the Customer thought it was ugly and refused delivery.

The warranty transfer was done on 4/11/72 so the original owner did not keep it long. Also, the funny thing is it says the original Protect O Plate is attached but I have it. I'm not sure how it worked back then or why it remained with the car.

I have some research to do in finding the 1st and 2nd owners and I will try to contact the Dealership (John Smith Chevrolet) and see if they still have anything on the car. It looks like they are still in business but may have moved locations.

I'll post some pics soon.

[nrjulin]

Here is a pic of the trim tag.

[canadian_ssl78]

Congrats on the car purchase..


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and a NOS L-78 air cleaner still in the original parts box.



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[THNDER]

NRJ, could you please post the numbers you found on the front of the block,behind the alt. Thanks! Great find! Mike