HOW MANY Z - 11 396'S --WERE BUILT ?

[COPO_Anders]

Ooops !



Anders

[Lynn]

Kurt S at Camaro Research Group is working on an article on the pace cars. He probably has a handle on this, although I believe the numbers are extrapolated as there is no actual documentation available.

Lynn

[Z-11 396]

LYNN, THANKS, I LOOK FORWARD TO HIS ARTICLE, I HAVE ALWAYS WONDERED, AND PEOPLE ASK ME ALL THE TIME, OF COURSE MOST THINK ALL WERE BIG BLOCKS, SO MANY ARE CONVERTED THESE DAYS, I JUST WONDER HOW MANY ARE MATCHING #'S.

[Steve Shauger]

There is no definitive number of them produced, since records were not kept which would allow you to determine cars produce by options. I would guess the numbers you mentioned are way low. I have owned five, and in past year I have seen twenty plus for sale (assuming they are real). My guess would be over 1000. You can extrapolate and come up with some number, but its only an educated guess because of the many unknown variables.

[ProdigyCustoms]

We did a Pace car registry at Camaro Club some time ago and got a few hundred cars registered. Looked like maybe 5% or so were big block, which seems about right, 150 cars or so. Funny thing about Pace cars in particular. Pace Cars were doled out as rewards to performing dealers, and were sent on spec. In other words, the dealer got what they got. Since the Pace Cars got so expensive with RS / SS and Pace Car options, Chevrolet seemed to build the majority of them 350/300, automatic, PS, PB and not much else. No gauges, AM / FM, not even power tops many times. The higher optioned cars were most often dealer order cars. Cars with power options, A/C, Big blocks, all were probably special order.
Loaded Pace Cars, weather they be small block A/C cars with options, or big block pacers are surely pretty rare. But as mentioned above, no legit numbers are out there, and only common sense extrapolations can be made

[Kurt S]

I'll guestimate the % of 396 pace cars at between 15-20%, or approximately 550 to 735 cars. Who knows for sure, but that's backed up with some large samplings of data.

[Z-11 396]

I want to thank you for your help, it's hard to get a fix on these pace cars, i have owned mine for 7 years, and still learning something new ever day..... I have been lucky to get a second car to work on, and it's really hard to get information on it, I had hoped some of you guys could help, but it seems I've been made fun of about learning about my car,told to ''junk'' it, and put ''pimp '' on it, so I will try some other areas to look, but thanks so much for your help, and time on this car.

[rpoz11]

Ok, well I know we've chatted before on this but I wish to emphasize(sp) this on your numbers with the 15-20% factor you use.
"Approximately 550 to 735 cars": To me that seems right if you count into effect the number of states and people per state to the number of people in demand or supply on these; and let's not forget about our good neighbors up north: Canada(Canada is not MY specialty on the #'s there). I live in California and have followed these cars since 1982. I will tell you that my best guess is that 99% of every car I saw here in the past 20+ years was a 350 SBC.
Van Nuys made a ton of these in respects to the 396 offered. On Van Nuys cars in my history of viewing/finding/locating these, I have only come across about 10 actual 396 VN cars(and these I will tell you were #s cars)and mine being one of them.
Simply put, include the Norwood build #'s of these, and I'd would guess about 150(maybe closer to the 200 mark possibly) or so were assembled TOTAL, combining the two plants, with the 396 and then you have to break it down to the HP & Transmission options available. To me, any HP rating or Transmission combination coupled to a 396 originally in a Z11 is rare enough!
Finally I wish to tackle your last suggestion:"but that's backed up with some large samplings of data"....
Sampling:
The definition is as followsWebsters Dictionary)
a small part selected as a sample for inspection or analysis <ask a sampling of people which candidate they favor>
We need to ask you to define what it is that you suggest your samplings on: Total 69 Camaros produced? Convertibles produced, 396 engines actually installed at GM originally?
Lastly, you state a "Large" sampling of data: PaceCars for 1969? or.....???
My interest here is moot as I do not have actual records, but only what my trained eye and mind have been exposed to over the years seeing these cars. Yes, I do Love these cars, have had mine for over 20 years. I cant say that Ill ever see 150 of these together in one place, so how would you place your number so hi at 735 396 PaceCars?
All in do respect Kurt, I just would like to know your friendly opinions on this...Thanx!