identifying a 68 l78 camaro?

[subyman99]

Hey guys, i just bought an original paint, 1968 camaro ss 396/375hp 18,000k miles. m22, with factory 4.88 gears. The original motor was blown up in the day and switched out the block with a 69. How can i identify this car is a real l78 car? It still has the original window sticker (i believe) stuck to the dr side glass. It looks super vintage, options including a 375hp engine and 4.88 ratio rear end. If anyone can help identifying this car, let me know. THANKS!!!!

Matt

[subyman99]

rear end and side shot, ss emblem is missing, and the hood is day 2, suppose to have ss hood. If you notice on the window sticker "floyd foren" dealership, and the decal still on the rear bumper

The window sticker is as clear as mud. Need a better pic.

[subyman99]

half of it, im having trouble getting pics small enough to load..

[GTO_DON]

Looks like a repro window sticker to me. the last six of the vin are usually stamped in ink on the window stickers Arent they???

[subyman99]

Usually, not all. I have jerrys z28 book and shows an original identical to mine.

[William]

The w/s is real. The non-typed VIN indicates it was re-printed at Norwood according to a friend who was a dealer. The original either had an error or the car had been cancelled and assigned to another dealer.

No one noticed "P28AB SPEC 15 IN WHEEL&TIRE?" Never heard of that option.

[69SSZL1]

I don't see the P28 15" wheel option on any option lists. Its a good research subject. Anyone hear of this?

[subyman99]

It's a Vietnam car, the guy ordered it and went into army. The car took 6 months to order and it was used to street race. It had a hone o drive in it before I got it

[69SSZL1]

Is the tire size and inflation sticker still on the inside of the glovebox door? if it is, what does it say and can you show a photo? this could be monumental!

[Kurt S]

It's on the CRG RPO list as Wheels, 15" and special tire. It was added to the AIM on 03JAN68.
But there's no production totals for it and I don't recall seeing it anywhere else than the AIM.

[markjohnson]

Floyd Foren was one of the dealerships that was lucky enough to receive a Red-on-Red Z-11 Impala back in 1963 and even raced a 1964 Chevelle that was also equipped with a Z-11 engine. That dealer sticker on your bumper is the first one I have ever seen.

[subyman99]

i cant stop looking at it since i bought it, All original paint (exept hood) and its super nice, the interior is absolutely brand new, and it drives like it should with 18k miles. I cant get a good pic of the tire decal in the glove box, its to blurry. Although it does say e70x15 tires

[69SSZL1]

Do you have a Micro setting on your camara? Are the original wheels there? What are the wheels were coded as?
Kurt, does'nt the CRG Option spread sheet say that P28 requires Z28?
This is very interesting!

[Salvatore]

I don't blame you Matt. That is a great car and in survival condition. I am still lookin at it and its only pictures that I am seeing!

[subyman99]

i got 2 "ag" wheels and two "fi" and one "df". so.... im not sure what (if any) are original to the car. Ive been taking the pics on my cell phone so that explains my crappy pics lol !

[69SSZL1]

The DF is the code for 1968 15 x 6 Z/28 wheels, maybe the code for the P28 option as well. This is the only Camaro I've ever heard of with this option.

[subyman99]

im the third owner of the car, the guy i bought it from has the original owners name. I really should try to get in touch with him.If i were to try to find a build sheet on this car where would i look? its not above the tank like my z 69 z was.

[Kurt S]

On the RPO list, I think P28 requiring Z28 was a guess due to lack of knowledge of the option and the fact that Z's were the only cars to get 15" wheels. I removed it from my version - need to generate a new PDF for the site version.

I'd be talking with the original owner - original pics would be go a long way. Any other documentation with the car - like a warranty booklet?

I'd guess Norwood would use DF rallys - the only 15" wheel in the plant. What's the date on the DF?

I noticed the option the other day and wondered why they generated it and why no production totals. Shazam, it appears a week later!
Wonder how the dealer found the RPO - maybe a zone letter? Any one have 68 RPO literature (sales albums, etc) where it could appear? The 4/22/68 price schedule doesn't list it.

[subyman99]

so looks like this may be a pretty rare car? The wheel... by the valve stem is "DF" nothing else, inside where the cap would go on, next to where the lug nut would seat, one hump it says " k 1 8 and nothing else. on another hump inside where the cap would go is "gm b" ** after doing some research..this may be a 67 z28 wheel. Large "DF" and cant find a date to save my life

[tom406]

This would be a neat discovery. Very much like the 15" wheel option on '67 Mustangs. A few hundred were ordered with the "Sports Suspension" and basically you got the Shelby suspension and 15x6 steel wheels, and Thunderbird full wheelcovers. Or a precursor to the next year's Yenko 9737 package with the Z/28 rims and tires.

I just saw a set of "big letter" DF's, and they only had DF by the valve stem, and the date (Dec '67) was stamped inside the hoops (the area hidden by the tire). You may have to dismount the tire to see the date if yours are similar.

[PeteLeathersac]

Cool subject also L<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gifVE the car!.
Considering it's a unique option '68, any chance it has an MM style TT?.
Especially being an L78 car, you just never know 'til you look/confirm!.


<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[subyman99]

Mm style tt?

[PeteLeathersac]

Magic Mirror Trim Tag, similar to this one...
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/203369-tn_yenko68001.jpg

Faint hope but worth checking..
Best o' luck!.

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[69SSZL1]

You have a real special car. Not only original paint and low miles, but probably the first ever discovered with an unseen option-the 15&quot; wheel option! Please take good photos and gather information. It would be a great help to the Hobby if you could. There should be a special research subject at CRG, with your help, to research this amazing car!

[firstgenaddict]

I love Lemans Blue 68's awesome score - WOW!!!!
Unrestored cars will consume every spare second, they are incredible to study for hours on end.
The tick marks from the stencils on the fender stripes and stickers on the doors.


Wonder if any of the numerous cars discovered with their original 15&quot; pressure decal were mislabeled as Z28's?

I would love to see it Vintage Certified at the Camaro Nationals next year...

BTW
My 68 Dealer Album with the Spring updates DOES NOT indicate the availability, does anyone have a spring of 68 Dealer Order sheet?

[69SSZL1]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: firstgenaddict</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Wonder if any of the numerous cars discovered with their original 15&quot; pressure decal were mislabeled as Z28's?

</div></div>

Thats a good point. I have seen several 1968 &quot;Z/28s&quot; claimed to be real based on their original 15&quot; pressure decal! This could be a bombshell to 68 Z owners!

[firstgenaddict]

I keep coming back... 4.88's Hone, L78, M22, Lemans Blue, Blue guts... UNrestored.... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif

[subyman99]

Hey guys, thanks for all the comments! Tonight i was going through some parts i got with the car, and i have what looks like a factory gm pan that is deep sump? Doing a little looking for them and some say fred gibb, motion or other dealers installed them? its kind of beat up on the bottom (reason he took it off). Anyone think this car was motion prepped with the pan, and hone o drive ? I wish i could get the original owners name, (guy i bought it from wont give it to me)

[firstgenaddict]

How long did the previous owner have the car? If in the 10-15 year range the information may be available.
I would think you could do a title search since you do own the vehicle.

[subyman99]

The guy i bought it from had it for 10 years, he was the second owner.

[firstgenaddict]

You should be able to get an owners history on the car inside 10-15 years. The states (all) have required descent info collection since then. I'd try Missouri since that is where the guy was stationed unless you have other information.
Any old inspection stickers?
Old tag Number?

[subyman99]

got ahold of the original owner last night! wow what a cool guy. He ordered the car november 67 and waited 6 months for it to get made, He said he had a hard time getting it since it was such a rare car with the wheel size and rear diff gear ratio. Used it for drag racing and it was mainly raced on woodward ave in Michigan. He sold the 396 instantly and installed a 427/425hp with an L88 intake, 850 carb and L88 cam. Later on.. blew up the 427 and put a l78 396 back in the car (69 model). He is 65 years old and still likes going fast. He just bought a new grandsport vette which had the dealer put on go fast goodies before he took delivery and has a 91 vette with a 427 sbc in it. He Said he is willing to help me with anything on the car, and is going to try to look for vintage pics of the camaro.

Ill keep ya guys posted!

[mockingbird812]

Well that is good news Matt. Good work and keep us posted!

[Mr70]

Nice hearing about it's history.
Keep it going..

[firstgenaddict]

Glad you got in touch with him... That is a great story, I wondered if it had spent time on Woodward given the dealership location...

[NCGuy68]

Just a note guys:

Most original 68 L78 cars I've seen had factory installed 5 leaf springs under the differential. These same cars had a miz of E70x15 and F70x14 tire pressure stickers on the glove box door.

I think there was a running engineering change order during production which was not uncommon.

[subyman99]

update: The DF rally wheel i have has the large DF stamped on it. I found the date, (2-68) i would have to believe this is one of the originals to the car. Also after lots of talking with the original owner, it is believed to be also. Trying the get the Hone overdrive back installed into the car has been a battle, But its getting closer.

[mockingbird812]

What is the issue with getting yr hone o drive in?

[subyman99]

using the mount i got, it sat to high behind the trans, i think i got that taken care of, then making sure its straight on with the trans, its hard to measure off of anything when it sits up in the trans tunnel. and last im missing some of the linkage, so i found some stuff on ebay im hoping with work. Its just hard after so many years stuff goes missing, and trying to piece it back together. I wish i could find some GOOD pics of these things installed.

[69SSZL1]

half of it, im having trouble getting pics small enough to load..

Option P28 15” wheels