He obviously knows enough that was a very informative video just because he doesn't know every single detail don't mean shit you can research it all you don't have to be from that Era that was silly to even say
In 1969 these cars being $7200 adjusted for inflation means they would cost roughly $60k today. That price made them out of reach for most consumers. Now, the Dodge Demon is well over $100k new and they can't build enough of them fast enough. Insane.
Crazy right! I think inflation adjusted a 383 road runner back in the day would have been $19,000 new today. Way cheaper than most new cars, especially v8 manual ones
In 69 my brother attempted to order a 427 Camaro, not sure if he specifically wanted to order the Zl-1 option. Anyway, the dealer he went to was Davis Moore in Wichita, KS. When he talked to the salesman about ordering the Camaro the sales guy had no idea of what my brother wanted so the salesman brought in a sales manager. Long story short, my brother was told that he needed to provide a Super Stock certificate. In other words, although Chevy dealers (at least this dealer) could order a COPO car they could not sell this type of car to anybody walking in off the street without a SS certificate. So my brother bought a 69 Hemi Road Runner 4 speed car.
WOW great story, this is my favorite part of making these videos is seeing all the stories people have related to these cars, it really makes the cars that much more interesting! I am a huge B-Body mopar fan so I would have been very happy with a Road Runner
Did he hold onto it? That's a high 6-figure car now, worth more than any Camaro except maybe a ZL-1, though factory stock I think any COPO Camaro might've been quicker. I love Mopars, but I'll probably never have another good one as they've gone INSANE with pricing. I had a 68 Roadrunner clone (Satellite) years ago, forest green metallic with black vinyl top, 383, 4-speed, Dana 60 with sure-grip and 3.55s, cool and fun car. Hard to tell what it would cost now, and it wasn't even desirable, just nice.
@@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney No. Those cars were just hot rods in those days, my other bought a used 69 6 pack car in 70. I remember both brothers installing dual points often on Friday nights after work because of how crappie the dual point ignition systems were back then. We as a family always had fast cars back in those days.
@@JAAB9296 Yeah, all the cars my dad and uncles had back in the 70s would be worth enough that none of us would ever have to work again if they'd only known, haha! My uncle was a Mopar guy, didn't like Hemis because they were too much work and too expensive, but had several 375 hp 440 cars and an A12 440-6 Roadrunner and a 440-6 Challenger. My other uncle was a Chevy guy and had a slew of big block Super Sport Chevelles, an El Camino or two, and even a 409 Impala. My dad wasn't even that big a car guy, but he had a 70 LS5 454 Chevelle, a 67 L79 327 4-speed Chevy II, and a '70 split bumper Camaro with the LT1 Corvette 350. Another uncle had (and still has) a '55 Chevy 210 with a 427 and a 4-speed, kinda like the 2-lane blacktop car, but a little less race car and a little nicer paint and interior stuff.
@John Barney In 1969, Davis-Moore (may have still been Bob Moore at that time) sold Oldsmobiles and Ramblers (AMC). I lived a half block away from that dealership and hung out there with my neighborhood friends. We knew all of the salesmen and the service department employees. My neighbor was the zone manager for Chevrolet in Wichita. He let me drive a new '65 or '66 Stingray Coupe on the Quality Chevrolet lot. Chevrolet was sold by 3 dealerships in Wichita at that time: Quality Chevrolet, Yingling Chevrolet (may have burnt down by then), and Don Hattan Chevrolet. Only Don Hattan is left today. I am positive about my info.
Bob bought two of them. One manual in hugger orange that won the ATCC with the big block then another with a 350. The other one he bought for drag racing which was auto. And yes both had alloy engines. The road race car engine went to Frank Gardner for his British 67 Camaro and the auto car was crashed after Jane ownership but the engine was saved. When the road race car was saved and restored after having the engine moved back and many other mods then went drag racing it was a mess. BUT it was restored very well and it has the engine from the auto car in it with Muncie and 12 bolt diff. Those alloy engines were NOT cast by GM but for McLaren for big banger sports cars. Very rare car!! Worth more than the OHC 429 Mustangs or 426 Challengers
I have a old copy of all 69 Z-L1 dealer orders and all the options for every car, including the vin numbers I found them when I was searching for the Scuncio Z-L1 Camaro sold in Rhode Island back in the late 80's. I found the info when I was documenting my 69 L89/396 Camaro convertible that was ordered through the Chevrolet central buffalo office for a promotional vehicle
Back in 1970-'71 I was working as a an auto parts delivery driver in Arlington , VA and often delivered parts to Rosenthal Chevrolet at the corner of Glebe Rd. & Columbia Pike ....they had a ZL1 on display , sometimes in the showroom , sometimes outside ....only heard it idling once .I think it was dark green, or brown ....memory is fading but I never tired at stopping to look at it and that $7200 hundred dollar sticker ...lol..... I sensed even then what a special car it was ......
How can you not fall in love with these. I remember in the late 80's they were going for huuuuuuge money. Pontiac should have made an all aluminum Ram Air "V" done to the nuts in a bare bones 69' Firebird. DeLorean missed out.
Thank you for another great episode. Of note on these cars - Gibbs Chevrolet ordered 50 originally, and then discovered he had to cover the cost of R&D. That caused the sky high price increase. He also was able to negotiate the return of several of the cars he ordered, which were then distributed to other dealers as you said.
Tyre magnate Bob Jane bought 2 to Australia. Drag raced one and used the other to win the Australian Touring Car Championship (think Trans-Am) in 1971. It's now restored to that spec.
I thought the Yenkos were the holy grail I am so thankful you educated me, I was only lucky enough to have owned 76 LT1 Camaro with 350 Holley 750 carb. Limited slip rear but when I got out on the highway and jumped on it , it took off like a shot , miss that car
I know where one is. Been in the same place its entire life. Copo car, yellow with black interior, 4:11 rears, ZL1 427, zero optins, four speed. Went to elementary with a kid whose dad ordered it. Many years later his dad left it to him. He has left it to his son. Its in Florida,,,, thats all I will say. Beautiful piece of history.
I remember a car show locally a guy had 2 yenkos there. And when all the bow tie guys were gawking at it, I noticed a yellow beater looking 69 sitting under a tree. It had a black interior and factory chambered exhaust . I was a Ford guy with the first then new Supercharged Lightning in the town. The bow tie guys didn't think O new anything just ignoring the 2 Yenkos. But I told the owner of all 3 of his Camaros that I chose the all aluminum original 427 yellow beater. I said it had the correct exhaust and foundry marks on the engine. He said I had a great eye. The others were dumbfounded. They never heard of a ZL1. This car was all original. And my new millionaire friend went out that week and bought a new SVT Lightning also. He wasn't too hung up to turn his head on Ford. My truck impressed the heck out of him. Along with my 93 Cobra and Built Big Block sleeper 75 F100 that would do over 145. The Cobra went to the founders of the Mca for thoroughbred rules book development. A Grail car now along with that Unrestored ZL1 . Great times.
There was one at a local dealer and the sticker price was $7777.77. Fathom green with black interior. The 71 models were out (Nov. 70) the salesman said we will take $3800 for it. LOL.
A family in my small town still owns a ZL1 bought by the family patriarch in 1969. My brother street raced against the man and told me stories of the car when I was a teenager. The car was taken off the street in early 1970 after a street racing incident claimed the life of another racer and the owner of the ZL1 couldn't bring himself to drive the car again. It still gets brought out occasionally for parades and car shows. It's all original and has less than 10,000 miles on it. A real piece of history that is remarkable to see in person.
In early 2000s I owned an original 68 Z/28. They only made around 650 of those. Mine had radio delete, cowl plenum air cleaner and was painted dark blue metallic code XX which designates a custom color from the factory. Apparently with these options is was one of one car built. Honestly back then I could care less so it sat in my garage and I sold I a few years later.
I know of one such car ,, it's in Indianapolis Indiana , 4spd bench seat ? , that's what I thought , yep all original , Silver black interior ,, Thanks for sharing 👍
The ZL-1 was supposedly a slightly hotter L88 (550-600 hp), but lighter by like 100 pounds. COPO stands for CENTRAL office production order, by the way, and very few dealerships could get you a COPO car as I understand it. I've always heard the ZL-1 cars were bottom 11 second cars with headers and slicks, and deep into the 10s with a bit more work. I dunno how accurate that is, but I would think pretty close. I've also read that Grumpy and other Chevy drag racers ran 'slick shifted' (my understanding is that's what today's 'faceplated' or 'dog box' transmissions do) A-833 Chrysler 4-speeds because they were stronger and responded better to the modifications drag racers did on them.
@@bobbrinkerhoff3592 They're heavy, but they were the strongest by a good bit, and most drag racers used them back in the day, whether they drove Ford, GM, or Mopar. I had one of the weird, crappy overdrive ones in an old truck, shifted nicer than any Saginaw or Muncie I've ever driven. I don't have any experience with Fords.
Dick Harrell campaigned the very first one to 10.29 with fiberglass front, 1 seat interior, a 2 speed Clutchflite trans on the well tuned original engine. The last Harrell modded version ran 9.63 @ 143 mph with a Tunnel ram and two 4500 series Holleys with a Dana 60 out back. That was an AHRA record in 1970. Not a Hemi, not a Boss 9 and that's on gasoline.
@@badass6.0powerstroke10 smaller, yes, but not a base V8 like the 307 was, which was the 'starter' V8 as the op is insinuating. In fact, the Z28 was one of the most expensive of first gen Camaros.
I'd love to have a 69 and do a clone, the right way and have fun with it! For now, I'll stick to my turbo 4th gen, 99 SS, Navy Blue metallic, 44k miles, fresh Mike Lough 408, Dart Pro1 225's, Johnson lifters, about a 11.5:1 motor, spec'd turbo cam...mid 10 second motor, with a Huron Speed bolt on T4 kit and a FIS 91/102. It's super close to being done, or at least drivable safely! No boost controller, so I think I've got about 14lbs in my gate as of now, which might be a lil much for the street! This engine combo in another Camaro I had, went 8.50's on a 200 shot, off a window switch, no progression, no cage, no weight reduction...lol 14lbs, I don't know much about turbo life, but should make over 200hp with the size turbo I have, I'd assume. I worked closely with Mike Lough, Cam Motion, Jose from Forced Inductions...a lot of people helped me out, so this would come together right, no mismatched parts, best of the best, ready for 8k RPM shifts and I'm confident in the car capable of low 8's, if not high 7's in ¼mi. I'm not sure I'm willing to push it that far...if I can keep it under 30lbs, and 1400ish hp, I'll be ok!lol
@rarecars3336 Thanks! Yes, they're pretty sweet cars! I got into them, my dad was a cop that was in a federal drug unit, their seizure money funded the group, and his boss let him go out n buy a NEW 2000 Z28 for his U.C car!lol It was quick off the showroom floor, and at that time I had a S10 w/a 383, and it'd kinda keep up with the truck, but you put a set of heads, a cam, intake, injectors, and converter, you're easily in the 10's! Sounds like a lot, but these LS engines are easy to make stupid, streetable HP! I had a 02 Z28, low mile red, black stripes, and some factory trim kit or something w/a spoiler, but that had a aluminum 6.0, same setup as my 408, but Trick Flow 215cc heads and a nitrous cam, old Mamo ported FAST 90/90Tb and a plate kit. The guy I bought the car from was planning on spraying 400hp shot on it! Never got that far, but the car sat stock, w/12 bolt, suspension, no cage, a/c, full interior, 2 car seats in back, no weight out of it and went 8.54 on a 200 shot! I put a cage in it, rebuilt the motor(dropped the oil pump p/u tube bolt, was getting erratic oil psi readings, had no choice but to pull it although didn't really need rebuilt, I was on a kick to get the car to go 9.99 on that motor setup! It was car that was used at "Da Pad" in New Orleans for a hustle car. The heads were marked TFS 215, but were worked to 225 spec plus some, had a super well built TH350, 8" converter, and sat lookin like a bone stock car on 15" wheels, LS1 head/cam car, as there was no identification on the block saying it was a 6L anymore. There's just so much you can do, and still drive them! That lil 403" LS made more power on the same chassis dyno than my dad's nova with a solid roller 540" BBC in it! Compression was a bit lower in the big block, but both on pump 93 gas. My turbo setup will be on E85, I've got a set of FIC 1440cc injectors, which was a big investment, and a dual Walboro 450 pump setup that drops right in my stock tank. 2nd pump runs off a Hobbs switch and kicks on at 5-7lbs of boost. Once I'm able to afford a cage, and remove some weight, this car should be capable of running deep into the 7's, full interior, a/c, p/s, stereo, streetcar! Wish I could shoot you some pics!! Thanks, hope to see some more of your videos!
They made 69 of them ,they made one 68 Z/28 convertable and it had the 69 style cowl hood one built that's a lot more rare then 69 ZL1 it was built for the vice president of Chevrolet it should have been crushed but some how it survived ,Dana mecum owns it now ,its British green parchment White interror ,the only 1st gen Z/28 drop top ever built it has options that no other 68 camaro has
You should do a dive into the ZL1 Corvette. GM only made 1-2 and one recently sold at auction. It was a 69 corvette with the same 427 as the zl1 Camaro, no ac, no power steering, and the car was much lighter.
For years the story on the 69 ZL1 Corvette was exactly 2 were made at the Baltimore assy plant ... A white one with no options other than the ZL1 engine ...which supposedly was drag raced, crashed & ended up in a junkyard somewhere ....the other was a yellow with every option available and was given to the manager of the Baltimore plant after which it was acquired by the Florida Vette collector and valued as the most expensive vintage vette $10 million ......now in the last few years "supposedly" 8-10 more 69 ZL1 Corvette's were built....
The 69 ZL1 was made possible because Fred Gibb Chevrolet ordered every single one made. Chevrolet did not want to build them and said they would build a run of them if everyone was sold. Fred Gibb said ok, and ordered all of them. He then sold them to other dealers and I think GM may have taken some back and sold them. Do you research on Fred Gibb and Dick Harrell.
From what I've seen unveiled on UA-cam videos it wouldn't surprise me if some person out there purchased one of these and stashed it away for the future that's now.
I mentioned the 307 as the lowest because it is kind of a dog motor, the 302s are fast so I didn't want to mention that as like the first engine signifying the bottom trim of the lineup because it wasnt
I havent come across it yet but if you havent done a video on the ls6 454 chevelles yet you should, rated at 450hp but made closer to 600 gm just slapped a 450hp sticker on the air cleaner to appease the goverment and insurers
I didnt get a notification on this one. Another great video. Its funny to think a well tuned 4cyl can smash a zl1, these are the comeback days for HP. All 3 companies have world class new cars under 10 seconds.
Not that rare if Y'all lived in the right place, the dealer I worked at Lang's Chevy in Xenia, Ohio 10 miles east of Dayton bought a truckload. Dick Lang ordered one in every color on the Camaro Pallet.. When I seen the carrier come in I said WTF. No badging but oversized tires & all the spoilers & Z-28 optional scooped Hood? Being the car painter I worked out a way to drive everyone on a lunch run before put up for sale.... Somebody had a lil keyed scratch on every one on a Fender or Quarter Panel.. Transportation Damage I guess.. LOL .. My Rich Kid School Friend said lock the fastest up & I'll come over & buy it. It was the Black one.. The COPO's cost $5,230 with one option, because it was Ohio a heater at $12.00....
@rarecars3336 oh yeah. I argue with alot of chevy and Ford guys. They say, chevy didn't make a 302. And honestly. Most don't realize chevys 1969 camaro was a 302 engine. It blows there minds
I had an original 302 68C 28 much prettier body killer small block I know they made 6600 of them but I think at the 68 was a much better body style than 69 hands down
They don't really stand for anything. ZL1 is the engine code listed on the build sheet that follows the car through the assembly line. Like my Chevelle has a L34 in the box that represents which engine to install. A 1970 L34 is the 396, actually a 402, with 350 HP. LS6 would be the 454 with 450 HP, LS5 was also a 454 but only had 360 HP and so on.
This is so BAD! the ZL-1 is a 1969 Camaro! and the Challenger didn't come along until the next model year. Also my 1969 Camaro had a V8 smaller than the 307....When my insurance lady asked me what size motor it had I said "Three OH something" she came back with is it an SS model....Nope! Good you bought the "economy motor!"....Yeah it gets pretty good mileage....My Camaro X33 RS Z/28 with a 302 SCREEMING SOLID LIFTER motor. The old street racing saying....never race a Z/28 from a rolling start.
'67 Z28, best car I almost bought. The first of three biggest mistakes of my entire 79 y/o life. Cost was $3050.00 at Partyka Chev in Hamden CT. 30/30 cam, 4 shocks on rear axle, 302 cubes, Holley 780, etc, etc. Problem was I'm 6' 7" and I was coming from a '63 Impala and couldn't fit into the car. Crappy bucket seats and nothing in the rear seat. Oh well...People have told me not to fret 'cause I would have killed myself in that car anyway. Sooo there's that.
I have a DZ, and that rolling start better be over 4000 rpm when the engine starts to act like a V-8, because that thing is a dog from a standing start.
@@williepelzer384 Well, I've been drag racing for 40 years now, had my drivers license for 42 years. Never had an accident, and have a car that runs 9.20s in the quarter mile, so I'm pretty sure that I can drive. I also have a DZ 302 that when taking off from a stop sign at idle, it will barely outrun a dump truck the first 60 feet.
The disrespect on the inline 6 the mighty gmc 302 was no slouch they used them in funny cars and salt flat cars and land speed races. A 302 in a street rod could out torque the 350
COPO: Central Office Production Order, not Certified Office Production Order. Just saying.
Yes I misspoke on that one, it is central office :(
It's sad that people who really know nothing about the muscle car era are telling us about it.
He obviously knows enough that was a very informative video just because he doesn't know every single detail don't mean shit you can research it all you don't have to be from that Era that was silly to even say
You are correct. Saved me from posting the same comment, lol.
@@rickshipley7872 maybe you can teach him whatever he might be missing
In 1969 these cars being $7200 adjusted for inflation means they would cost roughly $60k today. That price made them out of reach for most consumers. Now, the Dodge Demon is well over $100k new and they can't build enough of them fast enough. Insane.
Crazy right! I think inflation adjusted a 383 road runner back in the day would have been $19,000 new today. Way cheaper than most new cars, especially v8 manual ones
In 69 my brother attempted to order a 427 Camaro, not sure if he specifically wanted to order the Zl-1 option. Anyway, the dealer he went to was Davis Moore in Wichita, KS. When he talked to the salesman about ordering the Camaro the sales guy had no idea of what my brother wanted so the salesman brought in a sales manager. Long story short, my brother was told that he needed to provide a Super Stock certificate. In other words, although Chevy dealers (at least this dealer) could order a COPO car they could not sell this type of car to anybody walking in off the street without a SS certificate. So my brother bought a 69 Hemi Road Runner 4 speed car.
WOW great story, this is my favorite part of making these videos is seeing all the stories people have related to these cars, it really makes the cars that much more interesting! I am a huge B-Body mopar fan so I would have been very happy with a Road Runner
Did he hold onto it? That's a high 6-figure car now, worth more than any Camaro except maybe a ZL-1, though factory stock I think any COPO Camaro might've been quicker. I love Mopars, but I'll probably never have another good one as they've gone INSANE with pricing. I had a 68 Roadrunner clone (Satellite) years ago, forest green metallic with black vinyl top, 383, 4-speed, Dana 60 with sure-grip and 3.55s, cool and fun car. Hard to tell what it would cost now, and it wasn't even desirable, just nice.
@@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney No. Those cars were just hot rods in those days, my other bought a used 69 6 pack car in 70. I remember both brothers installing dual points often on Friday nights after work because of how crappie the dual point ignition systems were back then. We as a family always had fast cars back in those days.
@@JAAB9296 Yeah, all the cars my dad and uncles had back in the 70s would be worth enough that none of us would ever have to work again if they'd only known, haha! My uncle was a Mopar guy, didn't like Hemis because they were too much work and too expensive, but had several 375 hp 440 cars and an A12 440-6 Roadrunner and a 440-6 Challenger. My other uncle was a Chevy guy and had a slew of big block Super Sport Chevelles, an El Camino or two, and even a 409 Impala. My dad wasn't even that big a car guy, but he had a 70 LS5 454 Chevelle, a 67 L79 327 4-speed Chevy II, and a '70 split bumper Camaro with the LT1 Corvette 350. Another uncle had (and still has) a '55 Chevy 210 with a 427 and a 4-speed, kinda like the 2-lane blacktop car, but a little less race car and a little nicer paint and interior stuff.
@John Barney In 1969, Davis-Moore (may have still been Bob Moore at that time) sold Oldsmobiles and Ramblers (AMC). I lived a half block away from that dealership and hung out there with my neighborhood friends. We knew all of the salesmen and the service department employees. My neighbor was the zone manager for Chevrolet in Wichita. He let me drive a new '65 or '66 Stingray Coupe on the Quality Chevrolet lot. Chevrolet was sold by 3 dealerships in Wichita at that time: Quality Chevrolet, Yingling Chevrolet (may have burnt down by then), and Don Hattan Chevrolet. Only Don Hattan is left today. I am positive about my info.
A ZL1 won the Australian Touring Car Championship (Australia's version of Trans Am) in 1971 in the hands of Bob Jane
I seebob jane zl1 in action
Bob bought two of them. One manual in hugger orange that won the ATCC with the big block then another with a 350. The other one he bought for drag racing which was auto. And yes both had alloy engines. The road race car engine went to Frank Gardner for his British 67 Camaro and the auto car was crashed after Jane ownership but the engine was saved.
When the road race car was saved and restored after having the engine moved back and many other mods then went drag racing it was a mess. BUT it was restored very well and it has the engine from the auto car in it with Muncie and 12 bolt diff. Those alloy engines were NOT cast by GM but for McLaren for big banger sports cars.
Very rare car!! Worth more than the OHC 429 Mustangs or 426 Challengers
Like I've said before, "I just loooove muscle in a plain jane wrapper ". And the ZL1 fits my definition to a tee.🥰🥰😍😍🤩🤩😛😛😏😏👊👊🤙🤙👍👍✌️✌️
I have a old copy of all 69 Z-L1 dealer orders and all the options for every car, including the vin numbers I found them when I was searching for the Scuncio Z-L1 Camaro sold in Rhode Island back in the late 80's. I found the info when I was documenting my 69 L89/396 Camaro convertible that was ordered through the Chevrolet central buffalo office for a promotional vehicle
Back in 1970-'71 I was working as a an auto parts delivery driver in Arlington , VA and often delivered parts to Rosenthal Chevrolet at the corner of Glebe Rd. & Columbia Pike ....they had a ZL1 on display , sometimes in the showroom , sometimes outside ....only heard it idling once .I think it was dark green, or brown ....memory is fading but I never tired at stopping to look at it and that $7200 hundred dollar sticker ...lol..... I sensed even then what a special car it was ......
COPO stands for Central Office Production Order.
How can you not fall in love with these. I remember in the late 80's they were going for huuuuuuge money.
Pontiac should have made an all aluminum Ram Air "V" done to the nuts in a bare bones 69' Firebird. DeLorean missed out.
Ya but why buy a 👃 nose when you could get a grill 😂
I remember reading decades ago that the test driveshafts would twist from the torque and they specially built driveshafts specifically for the ZL1
The L-88 and ZL-1 were solid lifter cams for the Big Block. Different profile grinds though.
Thank you for another great episode. Of note on these cars - Gibbs Chevrolet ordered 50 originally, and then discovered he had to cover the cost of R&D. That caused the sky high price increase. He also was able to negotiate the return of several of the cars he ordered, which were then distributed to other dealers as you said.
I've joined your channel 'cause I like what I see. May you grow exponentially. 3.46K now to 100K.
500 horse in 1969 is insane
Tyre magnate Bob Jane bought 2 to Australia. Drag raced one and used the other to win the Australian Touring Car Championship (think Trans-Am) in 1971. It's now restored to that spec.
I thought the Yenkos were the holy grail I am so thankful you educated me, I was only lucky enough to have owned 76 LT1 Camaro with 350 Holley 750 carb. Limited slip rear but when I got out on the highway and jumped on it , it took off like a shot , miss that car
I know where one is. Been in the same place its entire life. Copo car, yellow with black interior, 4:11 rears, ZL1 427, zero optins, four speed. Went to elementary with a kid whose dad ordered it. Many years later his dad left it to him. He has left it to his son. Its in Florida,,,, thats all I will say. Beautiful piece of history.
I'm i'm west palm beach florida, please more information,l whant bay a zl1 1967, 1969
@@ClaudioRamstein Sorry boss,,,, but the grandson isn't selling that car.
My 67 is Gold just like that.
❤ It's been a lot of fun through the years
I remember a car show locally a guy had 2 yenkos there. And when all the bow tie guys were gawking at it, I noticed a yellow beater looking 69 sitting under a tree. It had a black interior and factory chambered exhaust . I was a Ford guy with the first then new Supercharged Lightning in the town. The bow tie guys didn't think O new anything just ignoring the 2 Yenkos. But I told the owner of all 3 of his Camaros that I chose the all aluminum original 427 yellow beater. I said it had the correct exhaust and foundry marks on the engine. He said I had a great eye. The others were dumbfounded. They never heard of a ZL1. This car was all original. And my new millionaire friend went out that week and bought a new SVT Lightning also. He wasn't too hung up to turn his head on Ford. My truck impressed the heck out of him. Along with my 93 Cobra and Built Big Block sleeper 75 F100 that would do over 145. The Cobra went to the founders of the Mca for thoroughbred rules book development. A Grail car now along with that Unrestored ZL1 . Great times.
Cool! My brother put a jet engine in his Mustang last spring, and the chicks really dig him.
There was one at a local dealer and the sticker price was $7777.77. Fathom green with black interior. The 71 models were out (Nov. 70) the salesman said we will take $3800 for it. LOL.
A family in my small town still owns a ZL1 bought by the family patriarch in 1969. My brother street raced against the man and told me stories of the car when I was a teenager. The car was taken off the street in early 1970 after a street racing incident claimed the life of another racer and the owner of the ZL1 couldn't bring himself to drive the car again. It still gets brought out occasionally for parades and car shows. It's all original and has less than 10,000 miles on it. A real piece of history that is remarkable to see in person.
Wow that is cool
In early 2000s I owned an original 68 Z/28. They only made around 650 of those. Mine had radio delete, cowl plenum air cleaner and was painted dark blue metallic code XX which designates a custom color from the factory. Apparently with these options is was one of one car built. Honestly back then I could care less so it sat in my garage and I sold I a few years later.
Many cars back then were one of one because of the way people optioned them.
FYI I bought a 1969 Camaro in November of 1968. 350, 4spd. Out the door $2800.00
Just curious what color was it?
The clean sleeper look adds to the mystique.
I found your channel last week, was very surprised by the subscriber count. I really enjoy the work, keep it up.
I am glad you found the channel! Thanks for sticking around for another video and for the kind words 🤝
There are also 2 or some say 3 ZL1 Corvettes.
y'all lived up to your name with this one, decidedly the most bad ass gen.1 Camaro!
GM did make some aluminum small block 283's , to bad those did not go in to production.
Don't forget the Hurst sc rambler , ss amx. And the javelin.
I know of one such car ,, it's in Indianapolis Indiana , 4spd bench seat ? , that's what I thought , yep all original , Silver black interior ,, Thanks for sharing 👍
awesome video
One of my favourite muscle cars.
ZL1 was a monster is it the ultimate pony car from that era? 🤔
Thanks for the video 🤙🏼
Can you do a video on Chevelles ?
The ZL-1 was supposedly a slightly hotter L88 (550-600 hp), but lighter by like 100 pounds. COPO stands for CENTRAL office production order, by the way, and very few dealerships could get you a COPO car as I understand it. I've always heard the ZL-1 cars were bottom 11 second cars with headers and slicks, and deep into the 10s with a bit more work. I dunno how accurate that is, but I would think pretty close. I've also read that Grumpy and other Chevy drag racers ran 'slick shifted' (my understanding is that's what today's 'faceplated' or 'dog box' transmissions do) A-833 Chrysler 4-speeds because they were stronger and responded better to the modifications drag racers did on them.
You've obviously never had to pick up an A833 Chrysler trans before , those things are heavy !
@@bobbrinkerhoff3592 They're heavy, but they were the strongest by a good bit, and most drag racers used them back in the day, whether they drove Ford, GM, or Mopar. I had one of the weird, crappy overdrive ones in an old truck, shifted nicer than any Saginaw or Muncie I've ever driven. I don't have any experience with Fords.
Dick Harrell campaigned the very first one to 10.29 with fiberglass front, 1 seat interior, a 2 speed Clutchflite trans on the well tuned original engine. The last Harrell modded version ran 9.63 @ 143 mph with a Tunnel ram and two 4500 series Holleys with a Dana 60 out back. That was an AHRA record in 1970. Not a Hemi, not a Boss 9 and that's on gasoline.
ZL1's are all aluminum, L88 is not. Both extremely badass though
@@dukefrog Yeah, that's what I said, I think?
I like all these old beauts now, but when I was a kid and thought I had to pick one it was always the Camaros.
the camaro was available starting out with the 302 motor, not 307
The 302 was a special engine used in the Z28 option; it was not a base engine by any means. The 307 was the base V8.
I caught that also in the beginning, even tho it was the Z28 Engine, it's still smaller than the Low Powered 307.
@@badass6.0powerstroke10 smaller, yes, but not a base V8 like the 307 was, which was the 'starter' V8 as the op is insinuating. In fact, the Z28 was one of the most expensive of first gen Camaros.
And another fun thing was watching the gas gauge go down.
LOL
@@rarecars3336 Seriously, I had a 67 Camaro with a 327 4 speed and doing 55 on the freeway you could watch the gauge go chug chug down!
Plymouth Barracuda! I had a 1970 model and wish I had her back.
Yes, the First Pony Car. Everyone thinks Mustang was the first, Barracudas came out little before the Mustang.
Had a boss that had one , that ZL1 can made that car not want to sit still.... had ADD
5:27 Nice.
" CENTRAL " Office Production Order !!
69 made. Now bring out the 1,000 people who said they knew a guy in 1969 that had one.
😂
I'd love to have a 69 and do a clone, the right way and have fun with it! For now, I'll stick to my turbo 4th gen, 99 SS, Navy Blue metallic, 44k miles, fresh Mike Lough 408, Dart Pro1 225's, Johnson lifters, about a 11.5:1 motor, spec'd turbo cam...mid 10 second motor, with a Huron Speed bolt on T4 kit and a FIS 91/102. It's super close to being done, or at least drivable safely! No boost controller, so I think I've got about 14lbs in my gate as of now, which might be a lil much for the street! This engine combo in another Camaro I had, went 8.50's on a 200 shot, off a window switch, no progression, no cage, no weight reduction...lol 14lbs, I don't know much about turbo life, but should make over 200hp with the size turbo I have, I'd assume. I worked closely with Mike Lough, Cam Motion, Jose from Forced Inductions...a lot of people helped me out, so this would come together right, no mismatched parts, best of the best, ready for 8k RPM shifts and I'm confident in the car capable of low 8's, if not high 7's in ¼mi. I'm not sure I'm willing to push it that far...if I can keep it under 30lbs, and 1400ish hp, I'll be ok!lol
4th gens don't get enough love - they are bad*ss cars and it sounds like your build is crazy!
@rarecars3336 Thanks! Yes, they're pretty sweet cars! I got into them, my dad was a cop that was in a federal drug unit, their seizure money funded the group, and his boss let him go out n buy a NEW 2000 Z28 for his U.C car!lol It was quick off the showroom floor, and at that time I had a S10 w/a 383, and it'd kinda keep up with the truck, but you put a set of heads, a cam, intake, injectors, and converter, you're easily in the 10's! Sounds like a lot, but these LS engines are easy to make stupid, streetable HP! I had a 02 Z28, low mile red, black stripes, and some factory trim kit or something w/a spoiler, but that had a aluminum 6.0, same setup as my 408, but Trick Flow 215cc heads and a nitrous cam, old Mamo ported FAST 90/90Tb and a plate kit. The guy I bought the car from was planning on spraying 400hp shot on it! Never got that far, but the car sat stock, w/12 bolt, suspension, no cage, a/c, full interior, 2 car seats in back, no weight out of it and went 8.54 on a 200 shot! I put a cage in it, rebuilt the motor(dropped the oil pump p/u tube bolt, was getting erratic oil psi readings, had no choice but to pull it although didn't really need rebuilt, I was on a kick to get the car to go 9.99 on that motor setup! It was car that was used at "Da Pad" in New Orleans for a hustle car. The heads were marked TFS 215, but were worked to 225 spec plus some, had a super well built TH350, 8" converter, and sat lookin like a bone stock car on 15" wheels, LS1 head/cam car, as there was no identification on the block saying it was a 6L anymore.
There's just so much you can do, and still drive them! That lil 403" LS made more power on the same chassis dyno than my dad's nova with a solid roller 540" BBC in it! Compression was a bit lower in the big block, but both on pump 93 gas. My turbo setup will be on E85, I've got a set of FIC 1440cc injectors, which was a big investment, and a dual Walboro 450 pump setup that drops right in my stock tank. 2nd pump runs off a Hobbs switch and kicks on at 5-7lbs of boost. Once I'm able to afford a cage, and remove some weight, this car should be capable of running deep into the 7's, full interior, a/c, p/s, stereo, streetcar! Wish I could shoot you some pics!! Thanks, hope to see some more of your videos!
This is why I like my 17 SS Camaro 6 speed over the mustang. Its just the on demand low end torque that pulls you to the back of the seat.
Dude.... why does a 550 HP car from the 60s run the same quarter mile as a 650 HP 2023 ZL1 aka THE FASTEST CAMARO EVER MADE?
The actual reason GM didn't offer the 427 is that GM prohibited all vehicles except full-size cars and corvette to have engines over 400 cubic inches.
1968 z-28 convertible one of one or Carolina blue 1969 z-28 which there were two.
They made 69 of them ,they made one 68 Z/28 convertable and it had the 69 style cowl hood one built that's a lot more rare then 69 ZL1 it was built for the vice president of Chevrolet it should have been crushed but some how it survived ,Dana mecum owns it now ,its British green parchment White interror ,the only 1st gen Z/28 drop top ever built it has options that no other 68 camaro has
I dont give a flip about Camaros. Gimme 1969 Roadunner with a hemi painted in statutory grape.
cool!
I hope nobody stripped the engines out of them.back then who would've knew how much they'd be worth.
You should do a dive into the ZL1 Corvette. GM only made 1-2 and one recently sold at auction. It was a 69 corvette with the same 427 as the zl1 Camaro, no ac, no power steering, and the car was much lighter.
I just saw the orange one with the ZL1 motor sell at Sotheby's auction in Phoenix, AZ this past January, the car was beautiful!!
For years the story on the 69 ZL1 Corvette was exactly 2 were made at the Baltimore assy plant ... A white one with no options other than the ZL1 engine ...which supposedly was drag raced, crashed & ended up in a junkyard somewhere ....the other was a yellow with every option available and was given to the manager of the Baltimore plant after which it was acquired by the Florida Vette collector and valued as the most expensive vintage vette $10 million ......now in the last few years "supposedly" 8-10 more 69 ZL1 Corvette's were built....
@averagemonk692 Three 1969 ZL-1 Corvettes were built. The orange convertible, the white one and the yellow one.
Baltimore? Never was a Corvette built at Baltimore. 😀
The 69 Z/28 had a 302 just like the stang! And yes GM built a 302.
Stoltenberg Cliffs
Couldn't sell the ZL-1 at the time because the engine option was equal to the price of the Camaro!
The 69 ZL1 was made possible because Fred Gibb Chevrolet ordered every single one made. Chevrolet did not want to build them and said they would build a run of them if everyone was sold. Fred Gibb said ok, and ordered all of them. He then sold them to other dealers and I think GM may have taken some back and sold them. Do you research on Fred Gibb and Dick Harrell.
From what I've seen unveiled on UA-cam videos it wouldn't surprise me if some person out there purchased one of these and stashed it away for the future that's now.
"307 to 427" you say...What about the legandary DZ 302 Z28?
I mentioned the 307 as the lowest because it is kind of a dog motor, the 302s are fast so I didn't want to mention that as like the first engine signifying the bottom trim of the lineup because it wasnt
What about the DZ 302 Z28 you said 307 to the 427 CI.
I meant the 307 as the slow v8 option, I am aware the DZ and MO 302s were serious performers!
I havent come across it yet but if you havent done a video on the ls6 454 chevelles yet you should, rated at 450hp but made closer to 600 gm just slapped a 450hp sticker on the air cleaner to appease the goverment and insurers
They made 450hp , the 1/4 was low 13s with 600 they doing 11s
If you weren't slaved to a manufacturer, a Hemi option in a Mopar or the Boss 429 option in a Ford seems like a bargain by comparison.
I’d personally probably take the hemi or Boss over the ZL1. A Z28 is more my preference
I didnt get a notification on this one. Another great video. Its funny to think a well tuned 4cyl can smash a zl1, these are the comeback days for HP. All 3 companies have world class new cars under 10 seconds.
Computers, tires & boost. Add that to a ZL1 and see what happens.
All the new crap is about as cool as buck teeth, bald head and thick glasses.
Exactly 👍👍👍
i have a 67 ss rs 427 yenko only 256 built
THERE WAS NO DODGE CHALLENGER IN 1969. THE MOPAR( DODGE/ PLYMOUTH) "E-BODY PLATFORM WASN'T AVAILABLE. GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT.
I was talking about the pony car wars in general of that era
* laughs in A990 mopar *
Terence Crossing
What about the Royal Bob cats gto s
And if you put $7,000 in the S&P500 in 1969, you’d have more than $1.6M in 2024… 10%/yr
Even unicorn cars aren’t exceptional investments.
Have to be the top of the pile
COPO: Central Office Production Order. Get your facts straight!
I'd rather have a Camero with a 302 engine in it
Not that rare if Y'all lived in the right place, the dealer I worked at Lang's Chevy in Xenia, Ohio 10 miles east of Dayton bought a truckload. Dick Lang ordered one in every color on the Camaro Pallet.. When I seen the carrier come in I said WTF. No badging but oversized tires & all the spoilers & Z-28 optional scooped Hood? Being the car painter I worked out a way to drive everyone on a lunch run before put up for sale.... Somebody had a lil keyed scratch on every one on a Fender or Quarter Panel.. Transportation Damage I guess.. LOL .. My Rich Kid School Friend said lock the fastest up & I'll come over & buy it. It was the Black one..
The COPO's cost $5,230 with one option, because it was Ohio a heater at $12.00....
307 ci gen 1 ?
Camaro had the 302 to 427 motors.
Yes, I was referencing the 307 as the low ticket lowest performance v8, I am aware of the DZ and MO 302s and how quick they were
@rarecars3336 oh yeah. I argue with alot of chevy and Ford guys. They say, chevy didn't make a 302. And honestly. Most don't realize chevys 1969 camaro was a 302 engine. It blows there minds
@rarecars3336 and I subscribed. Love the vids. Great job hope to see alot more. My dream car is a 55 chevy belair.
A million dollars at auction? That's crazy too say the least. Oh well, I guess that's what you do when you have more money than brains.
Heads up, the engine is not electric. So it is not a motor.
Trust me, I worked on them, in the day . They would have made quite a bit more power with an iron block . No other changes .
They never offered the L88 in the Camaro which would have made for an interesting COPO.
@@culcune the first L 88 was ordered by zora duntov the dealer had put it in a 65 roadster vette to ship it .white in color
An iron block ZL-One would not be a L-88 . It would be a never released iron block ZL-One .
@@dancingtrout6719 Too bad he didn't wait until 1967 to ship it in a Camaro 😅
Even Bill Jenkins preferred the cast iron block over the aluminum version .
she was a copo ,copo camaro
I had an original 302 68C 28 much prettier body killer small block I know they made 6600 of them but I think at the 68 was a much better body style than 69 hands down
Personally I like the 69 more but I do like the 68/67 cars a lot
Only made 69 camaro zl1 in one year🎉
*THANK GOD FOR THE RED ARROW IN THE THUMBNAIL TO SHOW US WHERE THE CAMARO IS.*
Red arrows:
Overdone since 2001.
We use them cause they work…
I rode in a 1969 Mustang with a 390 engine when I was a kid.
That was a pretty quick car at the time!
Zl11le will smoke it 75k vs 1million
Um I know a dude that has 2.
60'sand70's nothing better.....
the only thing original on most ZL-1 cars is the vin tag
most are rebodied frauds.
Clone or tribute cars are almost equally as cool, something that's meant to be driven and driven hard. If I had the money, I build one
@@mikejessmax im referring to cars misrepresented
So many awesome pony cars, ruined by being option with an slushbox!! 🤦♂️🤦♂️
what does the letters z and L stand for?
Zooom . Later..
They don't really stand for anything. ZL1 is the engine code listed on the build sheet that follows the car through the assembly line. Like my Chevelle has a L34 in the box that represents which engine to install. A 1970 L34 is the 396, actually a 402, with 350 HP. LS6 would be the 454 with 450 HP, LS5 was also a 454 but only had 360 HP and so on.
This is so BAD! the ZL-1 is a 1969 Camaro! and the Challenger didn't come along until the next model year. Also my 1969 Camaro had a V8 smaller than the 307....When my insurance lady asked me what size motor it had I said "Three OH something" she came back with is it an SS model....Nope! Good you bought the "economy motor!"....Yeah it gets pretty good mileage....My Camaro X33 RS Z/28 with a 302 SCREEMING SOLID LIFTER motor. The old street racing saying....never race a Z/28 from a rolling start.
'67 Z28, best car I almost bought. The first of three biggest mistakes of my entire 79 y/o life. Cost was $3050.00 at Partyka Chev in Hamden CT. 30/30 cam, 4 shocks on rear axle, 302 cubes, Holley 780, etc, etc. Problem was I'm 6' 7" and I was coming from a '63 Impala and couldn't fit into the car. Crappy bucket seats and nothing in the rear seat. Oh well...People have told me not to fret 'cause I would have killed myself in that car anyway. Sooo there's that.
I have a DZ, and that rolling start better be over 4000 rpm when the engine starts to act like a V-8, because that thing is a dog from a standing start.
@@kennydemartini2169 not if you know how to drive!!
@@williepelzer384 Well, I've been drag racing for 40 years now, had my drivers license for 42 years. Never had an accident, and have a car that runs 9.20s in the quarter mile, so I'm pretty sure that I can drive. I also have a DZ 302 that when taking off from a stop sign at idle, it will barely outrun a dump truck the first 60 feet.
*Zu’ul-1*
Eat My Dust!🤓
The 69 Camaro is goofy looking. The best styling for that car was 1970 with the split bumper.
I’m partial to the 1969 camaro cause my dad has one, but the 70 split bumpers are gorgeous
That’s not the original wheels on the yellow ss. Can you edit or upload a new video showing one with original wheels brah?
The disrespect on the inline 6 the mighty gmc 302 was no slouch they used them in funny cars and salt flat cars and land speed races. A 302 in a street rod could out torque the 350
Lmao the one year of the Camaro that I absolutely loathe, I’ll take a ‘67 or ‘68 or even a ‘70 but cannot stand this one
Must be a Ford boy
Thanks for the video 🤙🏼
Can you do a video on Chevelles ?