Gibb and Berger ? '68 Novas

[sYc]

The thread about the possiblilty of another dealer, besides Yenko, getting a 9737 COPO Camaro in '68 reminded of another such story.

2-3 years ago I attended the Camaro Fest car show, held in Michigan. I was there to speak about the sYc. Also there to speak were Jim Mattison and Dale Berger. During my talk I mentioned the 50 '68 Gibb Novas. After the meeting, I went to the back of the room, as Jim and Dale, and a few others were talking cars. As I listened, Dale looked at me and preceded to tell that there were at least 51 L-78/auto Novas built in '68, as Berger Chevrolet got a blue one. He went on to say he had no idea where the car is today. Wow, wouldn't that be some find today, the # 51 (last?) '68 COPO Nova, and a Berger, not a Gibb to boot.

And I do not doubt Dale's word, as it was thought for awhile that there were only 50 '69 ZL-1s, and all went to Fred Gibb. As we all know there were at least 19 others, with Berger getting one.

Goes to show, "never say never".

[JoeC]

Berger had a "Super Nova" that they built and there were pictures of it in some magazines. I think it had some stripes and a spoiler on it. Was that a 70 LT1 Nova? I can't remember but I have the magazine around here somewhere.

[Jeff H]

I couldn't agree more with the "never say never" attitude. I'm still trying to figure out which Blue ZL1 Hauser Chevrolet had listed for sale. Dan did the research and found the ad with the car, but nobody can seem to figure out which car it is. Some of the mechanics remember it having 4 wheel disc brakes as well. So there just might be more than 69 ZL1's as well.

[Kim_Howie]

Talking with Jerry Burford a few years ago and he said there was a dealer not far from LaHarp that also had order a 68 Nova same as Fred's car so there maybe more than 51 ??

[Kim_Howie]

Didn't Hauser have TWO ZL-1's for sale then ? I think the other one was silver.

[William]

Yes, Hauser obtained the silver/auto #4 ZL1 from Gibb. It's alive & well here in Milwaukee. Thanks to Dan Palchanes we have much history on it both as an NHRA race car for the '70 season and while at Hauser. A few weeks back on ebay there was a Chevy training film on "Used Car Professionalism" filmed at Hauser April '71. The #4 car is right there in the front row. After racing it Hauser installed a '71 402 motor and sold it as a used car. Have also been in contact with the original owner.

[Jeff H]

Yeah, Dan has done a tremendous job researching the ZL1's and not only located the silver car as a Hauser car and the mysterious blue 4 speed/tach car, but he also located the original ZL1 engine for Ed's #46 car. I still love the thought of a ZL1/JL8 car. That would probably be the ultimate Camaro.