70-71 CAMARO BB 4SPD

[Hotrodpaul]

Somebody must have and options list or order sheet from back in 70 to confirm or deny the rumor of an Auto L-78 Camaro??? Could it have been a COPO option for someone who really wanted it? You see many LS-6 Auto Chevelle's and some L-78 Auto 69 Camaro's so why not a L-78 Auto 70 Camaro?

Paul

[akcamaro]

the no auto in a 70 L78 camaro subject has been beaten to death at nastyz28, and until someone comes up with documented proof otherwise, I'm standing by my uninformed gossip. There is rumor that someone in California has one, but isnt willing to let anyone look at it or take pix.
could you get a 70 L78 chevelle with auto?

[70-SS/RS-L78]

[ QUOTE ]
..."and these figures are very ballbark because all the L78s came 4speed."

I think Mr.Lillard might have something to say about that.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hear we go again.

[Mr70]

Yes,but I've only found 3 out of 200 so far,including MINE.
If anyone has proof of another 1970 L-78/TH400 Chevelle,please let me know.
I too believe that at least one had to be built with the Camaro,but Tonawanda records & salemans materials would indicate differently.
The 1970 L-78 Novas seem to be the model most favored by the TH400.
In fun,we subtly gang up on Charley as he has seen the paper for this example,but can't get pics of its paperwork.
Quite honestly,if Charley says it does exist,that's good enough for me.

[Jeff H]

Is there actually a different engine code designating the automatic on that 1970 TH400 L78 car? I just think it would be very cool for the hobby to see this documented car. Kind of reminds me of the 68 Z28 convertible that was never made.

[Mr70]

CTY was the code shared by the 1970 L-78/TH400 Camaro-Nova-Chevelle/Elcos.
CKP if it's one of the 18 Aluminum Headed Chevelles w/TH400.

[Charley Lillard]

I have not seen the build sheet but friends have and the owner is not one to make stuff up. I have seen the car but didn't bother to examine it closely because I wasn't aware of all the controversy at the time. He has probably owned the car for 20 years. He used to use it as his tow car to tow one of his other 70's to the drags. Another member here has seen the sheet. No takers on the 5K bet ?

[Steve Shauger]

[CamarosRus]

Everybody on this board has a certain speciality, niche, or passion re: the musclecar hobby. Mine happens to be 1970 Camaros. I ordered my 1st 70 Z-28 new, after returning from Viet-Nam in 1969. I currently own three 1970 Camaros; 1) R/S Z-28, R/S SS L-48 & SS L-78. I have been serving as a Camaros at Carlisle 2nd Gen Legends judge since 2004 (1st year of 2nd Gen Legends) and also judged with the old USCC.
Having said all that I DO NOT claim to know it all.
I have been involved in this controversial 1970 L-78/Turbo 400 argument for longer than I can now remember. BKH refered someone from NHRA(drag racing)to me, via E-mail.
A racer had been using a 70 Camaro Big Block with T-400 to compete in the Stock/Automatic class. Somebody in NHRA then started dissallowing the car, challenging if that combo had ever existed. The NHRA official asked me to investigate, as I could not answer him directly. I have spent the past 7yrs on the internet posting, having discussions, judging car shows, making & receiving phone calls on this 70 L-78/T-400
issue. NO ONE has ever been able to show me any evidence, brochure, literature, pictures, statement saying WITHOUT DOUBT they ever wittnessed such a car.
With 600 1970 L-78 originally built and maybe 100 (wild ass guess) still around, you would think that SOMEBODY would have knowledge or proof of ONE ever being built
It would be easy to change a 4sp L-78 to a T-400, except for removing the 4spd hump and having floor appear as factory auto. A person could install L-78 powertrain and L-78 VIN Tag into L-34/T-400 body. SEEING the L.A. build sheet of Jack's and having impartial 1st Gen Judges inspect the car hopefully would settle this never ending discussion.
I'm not willing to get into a $5K "pixxing contest" with Charley over this. I would be willing to contribute $$$ toward the expenses of having a legitimate FULL INSPECTION of this car. This would at a minimum show Engine block assy stamping, VIN stamping, T-400 stamping, 12 Bolt stamping, TRIM TAG authenticity and rivets, VanNuys build sheet, and unlikely to happen Firewall Vin stamping. Other misc dated parts could also point to this car being assembled or a survivor.
Below are pictures of book pages written about the subject.
FYI, Mike Steitz another L-78 owner and 70/2nd Gen judge is trying to accumulate a L-78 registry at www.nasty28.com (Original Forum) but needs more participation/cooperation

Regards to all, Chuck

[DarrenX33]

I don't have this book but just out of curiosity what Antonick's credentials? Just wondering where he got his information..

I tend to agree that if Charley says there is one, there is. However, it is odd that the info on the car is so hard to obtain. I find it interesting that this is such a hot topic.