Earliest date of 1967 big block Camaro build...

Hi,

I have a pretty interesting story from the original owner of a 1967 L78 Camaro. The car is still owned by the owner and has only been repainted once in the '80's. It is butternut yellow and is pretty devoid of options save for the L78, a factory 4:56 rear and I think a M22. The guy still drives the car and neither engine, trans or rear have been apart. The car was bought at Hechler Motors (a very performance oriented dealer in Richmond...1969 ZL1 'vette fame being one example)and was a twin to another L78 they had at the same time. The other car was optioned (or lack of..lol)the same, except had a 4:10 rear. The cars were bought from Hoyt Rotella (the main performance car salesperson who also retailed the 1969 yellow ZL1 vette) to race. They were bought by 2 friends that worked at Dupont together and were occasionally raced at Richmond Dragway. I was told that the owner met Grumpy Jenkins recently and mentioned he owned a 1967 L78 Camaro. When they started talking Grumpy mentioned that he had tried to get a L78 Camaro for racing and had found out about the 2 Hechler had, but was told they were already sold. I would think these 2 cars would have been pretty early cars as Hechler was very tied to the zone office and had many "inside" connections. They were responsible for dealer swaps on a few Camaros and Chevelles and there is a rumor that they might have even gotten a few COPO Chevelles built in 1967 with L72s. I will try to get ahold of the owner of the L78 if anyone is interested and get his cowl tag data and a few pics. Just email or post.

Respectfully,

Gregory Carlson

[JChlupsa]

I would like to get the Tag info both VIN and Cowl if possible

[Xplantdad]

Thanks Belair! Yea, there's just "a few" pics...

How was Wisconsin?

Greg, Please post pics and any info. That wouuld be cool.

Bruce

[Belair62]

Oh great...fixing a few frozen copper pipes

[Xplantdad]

Sounds like tons of fun...I'll stick with the relatively warm Arizona climate...at least it's not raining here!

Bruce

[Kurt S]

[ QUOTE ]
plenty of other web sources that back up the Nov.1966 release of the big blocks.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's the web for ya.
Actual data mostly backs up the GM documentation.

[JoeC]

have seen some trim tags that the show early Z/28 and L78 did not have the code on the trim tag. Not sure if the very early L35s had the code or not as I don't have any examples for them

[68TopStock]

I wonder if we may be able to get the cowl tag info. from Grumpy's '67. It was at Carlise a couple of years ago, anyone have a pic?

I am still trying to locate the guys' name of the 4:56 geared L78, but have gotten the name of the original owner of the 4:10 geared car (Harold Bottoms..maybe his car is still out there in someone's collection???) I see the guy all summer at cruises, but for the life of me can't remember his name (twobryans you out there..maybe you know the guy I'm talking about???) I remember he told me it was at GM Carlise that he met Grumpy (maybe the same show from a couple of years ago) so maybe someone has pics, although not sure if he took his car or not. I'll keep trying to locate the guy and get his info. This is a neat topic.

[68TopStock]

If my memory serves me correctly, wasn't there a 396 Camaro at the Riverside press review of the 1967 Z28? It may have been a 325hp though. I even think there may have been a "special project" 427 Camaro mentioned in the article also, built by the GM staff. This was in November 1966.

Someone must have a pic of the cowl tag from Grumpy's '67, although I bet it is a later build. I think he had his Chevy II at the Winternationals in January 1967, when he redlighted to the "HotRod" publication test Camaro, with the Bill Thomas 496" motor.