L78 Camaro Debate

[LS6 RAT]

This topic is certainly of interest to me, we had a similar discussion over on the Corvette Forum site, discussing a '69 tri-power 'vette missing its original engine, but has 'build sheet' to prove how factory equipped.

Several did not consider it a tri-power Corvette anymore without its original engine, others stated it was, because it had proof that it came that way. The engine itself is what made the car, without it, it is just another "as built" Corvette, however a Shelby GT 500 missing its original 428 Cobra Jet engine would still be considered a Shelby because of the unique features the car was built with. A Hemi 'cuda without its engine, is still a Hemi'cuda because of its unique frame/body alterations which make it destinct from other models. A Boss 429 Mustang, same way. However what about an LT-1 Corvette, special engine, if missing, does the big block hood, larger exhaust piping make it unique enough from other 'vettes to still call it an LT-1? I guess what I'm infering is, that the car itself without drivetrain, is it enough to still be what it was, without unique features of the body to set it apart from other models? My opinion is that the car itself should have unique features that differ it from its brothers/sisters enough that not just the engine dictates this controversy.

[Salvatore]

If the VIN and or paperwork say it is a tri-power corvette it is. Just doesn't have the original engine. If I would put a tri-power motor in a corvette that had a 327 in it originally I could not call it a tri-power car could I? Grumps 68 nova was an L79 car from the factory. He put a BB in it to run SS/D. It was still an L79 car though. JMO

[PeteLeathersac]

Without a doubt, being a Canadian car thus having bulletproof documents available, this IS an L78 car period. . Actually it's more an L78 than many of the 'real' L78's out there! .

~ Pete

[mrrec]

To go one step further, the car is (L78, Z28, 6 cyl, etc.) how it came off the line REGARDLESS if it has docs or not or if the driveline is missing. That is fact. Problem is PROVING it - that's where the docs come in....

Another perspective: If a red car is repainted blue, was it ever a red car?! Simple, really.

Dave

[PeteLeathersac]

Like I've said before, nicely put Dave! . You do have a way with words sometimes....is it from practicing on the ladies over the years that fine tuned your skills?? .

~ Pete

[mrrec]

[ QUOTE ]
You do have a way with words sometimes....is it from practicing on the ladies over the years that fine tuned your skills?? .

~ Pete

[/ QUOTE ]

My wife says no, that's not it.....

Dave

[L34Pace]

I'm an owner of a paper documented 68 L78 RS/SS camaro, POP, dealer invoice, window sticker. It did not have the correct L78 engine when I bought it. When asked, I described it then that it "was" an L78 camaro. I have since obtained a 68 camaro MQ L78 block and dressed it correctly with the proper components. Now when asked I say it "is" a documented L78 camaro with NOM. I might be splitting hairs here with the "was" and "is" but we must understand that our hobby continues to evolve and if the hobby is going to prosper we are going to have to look deeper than a correctly stamped block and pay more attention to the cumulative aspects of a presented vehicle. As I've matured in the hobby I'm no longer impressed by a rust bucket 69Z with lepord skin interior and original DZ or a documented shiney 68 L78 with a 1975 454 truck motor. I've talked to way to many guys with the "ultimate" rare car thats been sitting in the garage in a thousand dust covered pieces for twenty years, and to here them say I own a numbers matching this or that with documentation, again, just does'nt impress me much anymore. For me its the sum of the whole presentation and thats when I tip my hat.

[LS6 RAT]

Great reasonings! Thanks everyone. That's what I love about this site, intellectual, smart thinking minds!!!!!!!!!!

[P.J.]

someone once said
If it looks like a duck, walkes like a duck quacks like a
duck "Its a duck" especialy when there are Canadian docs
from ducks unlimited.
PJ.

[njsteve]

If an L78 sits parked in a forest and no one restores it, is it still an L78?