1969 ZL1 Copo Camaro Test, Prepped by Dick Harrell -Motor Trend

[dykstra]

It’s interesting in the article that DH encourage the editor to launch the car by way of an essential “neutral drop”!

[John Brown]

Originally Posted by dykstra

It’s interesting in the article that DH encourage the editor to launch the car by way of an essential “neutral drop”!

Must not have had any experience with converters. I hadn't any either until 1973. What a difference they make!

[mssl72]

"Can anyone make out the wording on the USA-1 rear plate?"

Originally Posted by Mr70

See America's First!

You can only read it if you're losing!

[1971ls6]

What is the consensus on how many cars came with the orange plug wires? What about the burgundy distributor cap?

[William]

Originally Posted by 1971ls6

What is the consensus on how many cars came with the orange plug wires? What about the burgundy distributor cap?

I have the six-page Engineering Parts List for ZL-1 Camaro production. COPOs were initially processed as L78 orders, this listing has all parts added/deducted in production. It shows, for example, the 1115293-coil deducted and replaced by the 1115210.

Plug wires are not listed. No reason to believe anything other than standard production wires were used, as seen in vintage photos of #2 & #3.

Side note, COPO build orders listed the L78 engine. This means the oft-quoted L78 production quantity of 4,889 is overstated. L78 production was 3,823 L72 997 ZL-1 69.

[JoeC]

The first race of ZL-1 #1 was at Beeline Dragway Winternationals Jan 23-26 1969 Phoenix, AZ.

Harrell built it as a light weight Camaro to run in AHRA Super Stock Experimental and for Match Racing

Fiberglass nose , no front brakes , single seat, 2650 lbs.

It ran with a single 4bb at its first race but was soon running a tunnel ram 2x4bb

[markjohnson]

Lots of race preparation to do one month after delivery!

[CamarosRus]

The infamous #27 when it was being raced by Alan Green Chevrolet (Seattle) service mgr Dick Tutino......

[SS427]

Originally Posted by William

The first two ZL-1 Camaros were rushed into production and delivered to Fred Gibb Chevrolet December 31, 1968. The #1 car was prepared for drag racing and failed tech inspection...............................unusually warm day in January, 1969 at KCIR near Harrell's shop. The only two ZL-1s in existence at that time were #1 & #2.

The amount of knowledge and experience you have as well as the amount of research you have done on all these super cars never ceases to amaze me. We all appreciate your knowledge and the fact that you share it with us. Keep it up.
Rick

[JoeC]

#27 was green when it was first raced by Alan Green Chevrolet and Dick Tutino.