Harry Mann 68 L78 / L88 Camaro

**napa68** · #1 12-31-2014, 02:04 AM

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.

I understand this to be original mileage.

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

**Charley Lillard** · #2 12-31-2014, 02:07 AM

Sweet. Please leave the L88 in it.

**napa68** · #3 12-31-2014, 02:11 AM

**Bill Pritchard** · #4 12-31-2014, 04:01 AM

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 "fluff" it. What an awesome find!

camaromb · #5 12-31-2014, 04:11 AM

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.

**Kurt S** · #6 01-03-2015, 01:15 AM

<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......

**napa68** · #7 01-03-2015, 11:51 AM

<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

**napa68** · #8 01-03-2015, 01:17 PM

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.

**napa68** · #9 01-04-2015, 04:44 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: camaromb</div><div class="ubbcode-body">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. </div></div>

So the original owner was Harry Mann's Grandson? Jim and I have been playing phone tag and have not had a chance to chat yet.

FWIW, the L88 is going to stay!

Tim

**markjohnson** · #10 12-31-2014, 04:35 AM

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!

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to napa68 For This Useful Post:
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The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to napa68 For This Useful Post:
big gear head (12-13-2022), dykstra (05-03-2023), jbtech (12-20-2022), YenkoYS-199Stinger (04-04-2022)