69 Z-28 question

[Norm reynolds]

How can you tell the build date by the vin ??
STILL learning

Norm

[Jeff H]

CRG has a database they used to correspond the VIN to the month it was built. Jerry MacNeish's book also breaks down the approx time frame when a VIN what built. Check the rivets that hold the trim tag to the firewall, if they look like they've been messed with or if they look like hardware store rivets, then the tag has been swapped for sure.

[Kurt S]

Though the NOR body # would help confirm it, it does look like the tag or VIN has been swapped.

[Stefano]

Since the Camaro is local I had a chance to give it a quick look it over and this is what I discovered.

First this was a poor attempt to clone a Z28, as we all know that the trim tag is not correct.

Also a 1968 Z28 tire pressure repro tag was on glove box door.

The dash and tac appear original and unmolested. A 6X7 is correct for an L78.

The manual trans tunnel is correct and original. Rosewood wheel is original GM part.

The subframe has spoiler Hole. The fire wall has the ZL2 hole(forgot to check underdash specific wiring)

The Camaro has one 3/8 fuel line.

The rear end is BT coded, 3:55 posi standard with L78 and has five leaf springs.

The throttle arm is original ZL2, seems to have never been removed. Cowl induction air cleaner and components are factory.

Throttle arm is recent and incorrect.

Has dual exhaust hanger bracket in propper location.

Body pannels are new and provide no clues.

Sub frame has big block springs, New motor mounts.

I should have checked tail pannel for black paint? Car was completely repainted.

I am confident that this was an L-78 car and not a Z28 or 307 Camaro.

What should be done, without the proper trim tag?

What should I look for in round two?

[bkhpah]

Making a fake Z from a more rare L/78 is a new one by me...BKH

[Stefano]

Brian,
Since the mystery cloner did not do a very good job on the Z28, it is evident that he probably didn't know it was an L-78.
Also, I have not one ,but three stories of two Known Yenkos and One Double COPO that were dressed and believed to be Z28s!

[Jeff H]

I talked to a guy here in NJ a few years ago that bought a 69 SS396 from some kid and found out it was a COPO with the original 427 still in it! Apparently the kid had no idea what a COPO was and put the SS stuff on it.