Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

As promised, I was going to start a thread on the 68 Camaro I recently purchased. I plan for all of this to take a while and post updates as I go along. Some members here are aware of this car (I was not) and already have started to steer me in a good direction. My immediate plan is to investigate the car, clean and familiarize myself with it. While this is not my 1st gen Camaro, it certainly is a departure from my comfort zone (Corvette's)

What we have here is a "mostly" unrestored 68 L78 SS Camaro. This car was purchased from Harry Mann Chevrolet. This car also has a history of sort as a drag car in Southern California. At some point, the original L78 short block was swapped out for an L88 short block (2nd owner?). According to documents I have, the engine is a 12:1, ZL1 cammed 427 with it's original L78 heads, intake, and carb. As one will see, there are some Day 2 parts here. The HM L78 has a replacement M22 (possible warranty per Jerry M) and it's original 4:10 rear end (with original posi and gears).

The HM L78 has been verified by JM as an good "Survivor" candidate with it's original short block, trim tag, body panels, some original paint, and original interior. The wheels are the same as they were back in the day.

For those who are familiar with this car, feel free to contact me or chime in. The history of the car is rather interesting as I know it. With that being said, I want the story to be straight and not my own interpretation of it.

Now.............some pics.

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6475d4dd.jpg

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I understand this to be original mileage.

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2e8cf925.jpg


http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...psa176e2b5.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...psae027124.jpg

Oh yea, I found this floating around in the car. Does it mean anything? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img]

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...psa9e33c3c.jpg


http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1cb8da49.jpg

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Sweet. Please leave the L88 in it.

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...psd865cde6.jpg

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http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4b7fa9a7.jpg

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Oh wow, that is stunning. Agree with Charley, please leave the L88 in it. A light underhood cleaning is probably in order, but please don't &quot;fluff&quot; it. What an awesome find!

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

I remember when Jim Y. from the site had the car. He had said it was an L88 transplant for Harry Mann's grandson, the original owner. He had said he negotiated the price down because it didn't have the original engine and later found the L88 transplant paperwork from Harry Mann. A nice car that I had interest in at that time. Yes, keep the L88 in it and have fun. Maybe Jim can chime in on the history of the car.

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

What a great car. I love that engine compartment and would hate to see a can of spray paint within 10 feet of it. I agree with Bill about light cleaning only!

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Wow, reminds me of a car I had in high school. can I have it?

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Awesome car. I love the Roto-Faze dizzy. The whole car is awesome. How does the posi work?

Jason

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Tim-69NovaJoe (Joe C.) might know of this car...as his Nova SS was bought new at Harry Mann...and he also raced and won at Lions...I pinged him on this thread. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Love that Island Teal!

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SuperNovaSS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Awesome car. I love the Roto-Faze dizzy. The whole car is awesome. How does the posi work?

Jason </div></div>

Do not know yet. I have some brake work to do before a little test drive. We will probably have snow again by that time.

Tim

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Awesome car!
I would like to know more info on the wheels.
Are they 14's front and 15's rear?
What brand wheel and any manufacture names on the backside of the wheels if any?
Also what headers were used?

Tony

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Tim - what a gem! Love the color, the look, the D2 parts, the L88, .....

Just WOW! Keep the story and pix coming!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 67rs/ss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Awesome car!
I would like to know more info on the wheels.
Are they 14's front and 15's rear?
What brand wheel and any manufacture names on the backside of the wheels if any?
Also what headers were used?

Tony
</div></div>

They are 15's all around with E70-15's on it. Ill check on the brand. There were 4 extras that came with the car too. The headers are Hooker Super Comps. I have documentation that they were changed around 2009-2010.

Tim

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Great car for an LSA transplant,..........LOL.......Great find Tim......

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

That Car actually found me at one time. I was at a city wide yard sale and was pulled inside a closed garage to check out a Camaro. It was up on a lift and I got to inspect the belly first....Good day to be remembered as a Camaro nut!

Once again, great car to have in your collection...


BIG [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif[/img]

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Cool car!!

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Very nice!

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Wow - great car Tim, congrats!

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 67rs/ss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Awesome car!
I would like to know more info on the wheels.
Are they 14's front and 15's rear?
What brand wheel and any manufacture names on the backside of the wheels if any?
Also what headers were used?

Tony
</div></div>
Tony,

They are American Racing.

Hope that helps.

Tim

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

what a great car... awesome in day-2 form. Congrats.

Dan

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Can we get a good pic of the rear?

make car safe, clean-evaporust-boesheild preserve &amp; display

Nice car.

Jim

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Love it! Those E-70-15s probably don't stand a chance against the L88! LOL

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: camaromb</div><div class="ubbcode-body">He had said he negotiated the price down because it didn't have the original engine and later found the L88 transplant paperwork from Harry Mann. </div></div>
I don't think there is any docs with it from Harry Mann other than the POP, right?
Trans case is a service replacement, probably not a warranty part.

Color is great. Too bad there are so few glacier blue 69's......

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kurt S</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: camaromb</div><div class="ubbcode-body">He had said he negotiated the price down because it didn't have the original engine and later found the L88 transplant paperwork from Harry Mann. </div></div>
I don't think there is any docs with it from Harry Mann other than the POP, right?
Trans case is a service replacement, probably not a warranty part.

Color is great. Too bad there are so few glacier blue 69's...... </div></div>

Kurt,

You are correct on both items. The only doc I have for Harry Mann is the POP. The trans is a service case that was stamped. It was speculated by JM in his report it is a warranty replacement. At this point, one can go by that thought. I am not in a position to argue one way or another.

Tim

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Here are some pics of the additional original parts that were either saved or collected along the way. While I cannot verify myself what is correct, all seems to be on the up and up based on some of my Corvette experience. Feel free to point out what may be wrong.

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...psb762b5e8.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...ps882db691.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...ps66d7ed11.jpg

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http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...ps389700de.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...ps171d327f.jpg

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...ps961e10ec.jpg

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Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Saved spring tag

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Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Oh yea, I forgot..................this lump. The block took a decking during a blueprinting. There is still some remains of the original stamp. I know there are some techniques to extract this further and would appreciate of someone would chime in.

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9819be54.jpg

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8cfe4b44.jpg

The last time I said &quot;those are some big jugs&quot; I was slapped [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]

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Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: napa68</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here are some pics of the additional original parts that were either saved or collected along the way. While I cannot verify myself what is correct, all seems to be on the up and up based on some of my Corvette experience. Feel free to point out what may be wrong.

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...psb762b5e8.jpg
</div></div>

Yeah, the time on that NOS wristwatch is off. (I am sooooo jealous of this car. I absolutely love that light blue color. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

I'm glad I wasn't the only one looking at the watch.... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img]

BIG

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

This should be it for a little bit. Worked on cleaning the engine compartment besides admiring the bottom of the car.

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2a8ba0f2.jpg

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Now I can explain the 60's rake

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Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Wow! I like everything about your car!! Soooo clean under it. Very neat car

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Clean, clean, and CLEAN!!!!!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/shocked.gif[/img]

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Cool! I got a message from Joe and he doesn't remember the car.... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

Time for the Kiddie Pool , Evaporust, and Pump set-up per NJSteve ........Then Boeshield everything......

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

We were just talking about this at Pavilions today! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kwhizz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Time for the Kiddie Pool , Evaporust, and Pump set-up per NJSteve ........Then Boeshield everything...... </div></div>

Or just sell me the car...I'll clean it up...and then sell it back to you (maybe). [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kwhizz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Time for the Kiddie Pool , Evaporust, and Pump set-up per NJSteve ........Then Boeshield everything......</div></div>

WOW factor .....
I totally like this NJ Steve idea of preserving the under carriage,,,,,in the long run it will be a masterpiece of preservation and original detail.

What a Great Car overall......

Re: Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro
 

I ordered up more Evaporust and Boshield today! Burned up what I had for Boshield on the engine compartment. That stuff is awesome!

There are some air shocks in the rear. One of them has a ruptured bellows. Need to decide what I am going to do there.

Repaired and cleaned up the original Harry Mann license plate frame and installed!

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/...psdb66a2bf.jpg