Bob Boyette Z/28 JL-8

[travlnz28]

William,

Sorry for the questions but trying to learn more as I kind of set this car aside until lately.

How is it that 206 is the absolute number? Reason I ask is that I talked to Wayne Guinn just after I found this car and he is the one who told me there were actually less than 206 built due to cost and scarcity of parts. Is there some factory documentation that supports 206 actual went down the line and out the door?

[William]

See post #6.

The Option Trends report was an internal Chevrolet document used for planning. It was not circulated outside Chevrolet.

That report states there were 206 1969 Camaros built with JL8 and you can take that number to the bank.

[Kurt S]

Several people have called the 206 number into question.
I've seen nothing to support that - all GM docs say 206.

[travlnz28]

Kurt,

What docs do you have for your JL8? Asking because of the earlier discussion about the ECL code for the QU rear.

[William]

Every Chevrolet production number you have ever seen likely came from those reports. In the late ’80s Len Williamson requested and received production information from Chevrolet for all Chevrolets built from 1953-1989. He summarized the reports in a book, “Tailfins and Bowties.”

It’s important to understand that the figures list production for equipment only when ordered as a discreet option. For example, it lists 116 1969 Camaros sold with CE1 Headlamp Washers. CE1 was included with Rally-Sport equipment; 37,773 built.

The reports also list production for each available engine, standard and optional. Surprise, no 427-engine listed for 1969 Camaro production. That is because the build records for COPO 9560 and 9561 Camaros lists the L78 engine; no ZL-1 or L72. Reported Camaro SS engine production [L34 L35 L48 L78] totals 35,998, 1,066 more than Camaro SS [Z27] production. That means actual L78 engine production was 3,823.

The report Len Williamson acquired for the 1969 model year was as of December 1969 and included the extended Camaro and Corvette production. Currently, no complete copy is known. Latest is as of September 1969.

[travlnz28]

So the example of 116 CE1 Camaros would be non rally sport optioned cars. Correct? 116 standard 1969 Camaros with headlight washers.

I take it this report did not breakdown the various rear end codes? Seems the choice of ratio and choice of positraction or not would have been a discreet option. I am probably missing the definition of "discreet" option.

[William]

Yes, the 116 CE1 equipped cars were not rally-sports. CE1 would be listed on factory documents for those cars.

The Trends report does list optional rear axle ratios. Again, only when a non-standard ratio was specifically ordered. Most Z/28s were built with the standard 3.73 axle but as an option [H05], only 1,916 produced.

[travlnz28]

OK. I guess it comes back to the fact that the ECL code for option H05 (373 rear axle) is known and the ECL for the 307 12 bolt posi with 4 wheel disc brakes is not known due to nobody having a car with the proper docs to discover it. And there are no known Chevrolet reports or documents that would lead to that discovery.

[Kurt S]

Originally Posted by William

Every Chevrolet production number you have ever seen likely came from those reports. In the late ’80s Len Williamson requested and received production information from Chevrolet for all Chevrolets built from 1953-1989. He summarized the reports in a book, “Tailfins and Bowties.”

That is not correct. There are 2 reports.
The production totals that Len reprinted (he did not edit or change anything, they are exactly as provided by GM).
The Trends data, which is designed to highlight trends for future marketing and thus is organized differently than the totals.

Gregg,
My car has the POP. 05A car.

[travlnz28]

Thanks Kurt. Are you aware of any other car, besides mine and yours, that left the factory with a QU rear?