Saved (finally) 1968 Z28 raced NHRA S/S 71-75

[Fast67VelleN2O]

I've been after this car since around 2000. Same owner since 1970 (who also worked at Penske from 1966-1975 and remembered working on all three ZL1's that came through there even remembering what colors they were). Original Rally Green, BV 4.10's (originally). No other options really. Car was originally purchased in Maryland. Owner went to University of Penn and was brought to Penske in 1970 as a theft recovery missing the engine. The tech decided to purchase the car and has owned ever since. Raced in NHRA NE division from 1971-1975 in Super Stock, Stock, and Modified Production. Had a Jenkins prepared 302 in it at first. It blew up and then he went with a Tony Pizzi prepped 302 which is still in the car. Raced the full NED circuit in 1971 and 1972. Has lots of cool parts. Hurst adjustable shocks, tow tabs, Stahl tach, Richmond 5.38's with COPO posi unit, Lakewood square tubes, etc etc. Car went a best of 11.60's. He's still working on digging out photos.

I'm looking for photos of this car at the track. Easy to spot since someone added roof stripes in 1969. Was at Indy, Sanair, etc in 1971.

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Here's some more pics.

[chevyman0429]

Very cool

[SuperNovaSS]

Cool score Matt. It just goes to show, never say die.

Jason

[PxTx]

That is a sweet find! Great story behind it too. I would make sure you have the PO write up a summary to keep with the car. Would be cool to find a old police section of a newspaper on the car theft as well as the brighter brack story on the 302's and its competition days.

What block is in the car?

[Craig_Maiorana]

Hopefully in due time it will have its own set of QQ plates.... Man do I miss seeing them all summer long. Good luck with her. I'm sure she will fit in with the rest of Gang green there
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[Fast67VelleN2O]

One of the original DF Rally wheels were in the woods covered in leaves.

[Canuck]

Good luck with the Resto.

[PxTx]

I might be inclined to freshen-up or restore the interior to a comfortable level but would not rush into the exterior work. Could be a fun car to run around with, and might help to discover olds pics and such from the local area.

[70 copo]

Love it.... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[bkhpah]

Very nice find, I love old racecars. I noticed the custom wheel in this one. The grooves stop at the shroud!..BKH

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Thank goodness for the orphan forum over on Camaros.org. The transmission was listed on eBay back in 2012. Now I have to see if the buyer still has it.

[Salvatore]

That is a great find. Tony Pizzi one of my local heros. Worked for Grump.

[cook_dw]

That is badass.. Is this a keeper or are there plans to sell? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif I like Rallye Green.. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif

Congrats!!!

[ds1]

Cool Matt. Maybe I will see you Thursday at Carlisle. Built 2 months after my car. Neet seeing cars that were bought to race.

[1967Z28]

Really cool car, Matt. Congratulations on the purchase and thanks for sharing the pics.

Also great to know the original tranny is still out there.

[protree68]

Cool find

[markinnaples]

Congrats! Love it. Wish mine was a real Z.

[miket1]

I like it, Nice.

[MosportGreen66]

Congrats Matt. Very cool old racer. What are your plans for it?

[enio45]

nice find - what made him decide to sell the car after all this time?

[SS427]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

[DW31S]

Very, very cool. I, too, am a NUT for old race cars!

[69LM1]

Nice. Like the old fuel cool can!

Rich

[JpMotorsports]

Very cool find and congrats on getting it after 15 years

[DW31S]

Was it ever lettered? I have a collection of old race magazines and newspapers (thinking of selling) but I need to know what to look for. Roof stripes? Wheels? Class? Congrats!

[68l30]

I like it, reminds me of this 68Z that pops up on my screen saver....


http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/09/full-105-32209-full_4800_15251_1969_1.jpg

[Stefano]

Kool!

[Damien]

Great story. I'm sure you'll do it justice. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[brent396]

Very cool <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[DW31S]

I really love the old Stock and Super Stockers. Note both cars in the last picture are virtually untouched and have no roll bar whatsoever. The higher classes only had a bolt-in 3-point Lakewood. Some of the fastest cars back then were full of hidden tricks that drove the tech inspectors crazy. There is a story of Tony Pizzi &quot;shaving&quot; his slicks so they would pass tech.....pictures exist of his car (the one pictured above) on jack stands, running in gear, with Tony using a file on the outer edges of the slicks so the tread would measure at or under the allowable size.
Can't wait to see this car resurrected and shaped up. I bet with a little time and careful TLC (unless it was damaged when parked) that car would start and run fairly well. Valve springs might be weak, but that little '02 will be neat to play with!

[70LS6454]

Neat find and I love the pictures.

[scuncio]

Nice, very late Z there. How solid is it after sitting outside all those years?

One thing is for sure, I bet that Hurst still shifts like butter!

[Day2_69Z]

Preserving or restoring as raced early I hope....
Those event decals under hood are available on eBay , with a little patience they'll pop up.

Keep it as a race car, please.

Nice find

[budnate]

Cool car, stick it in the garage next to wife's Z and have his and her Z's... then send me that beater stang.


B.

[Fast67VelleN2O]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: enio45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">nice find - what made him decide to sell the car after all this time? </div></div>

He told me he was 72 years old and was just never going to get to it. He wanted to sell it before it turned into a pile of dust.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DW31S</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Was it ever lettered? Roof stripes? Wheels? Class? Congrats! </div></div>

It was never lettered. He told me he raced it on the street in Philly on the weekends and didn't want anyone to know it was an all out race car. He used to run the contingency stickers at races but always removed them right away. Car has roof stripes and ran in E &amp; F stock, MP, and Super Stock. It ran Cragars 71-73 and Super Tricks 74-75.

[Fast67VelleN2O]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 68l30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I like it, reminds me of this 68Z that pops up on my screen saver....


http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/09/full-105-32209-full_4800_15251_1969_1.jpg
</div></div>

Pizzi built the engine that's currently in the car.

[PeteLeathersac]

Congrats on a cool car and history also good luck searching it's past!
Member Midyr Lance H. may remember it and/or have more Sanair pics from when he was racing there also his Booth/Aron's friends had a RG '68 SS so may recall a RG Z-28?
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete


http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/09/full-2506-32397-image.jpg

[Fast67VelleN2O]

So I had these sitting in the basement for a few years. Funny how it changes the look that quickly.

[mssl72]

Appears to be a '74 Z28 sitting behind it!

[Fast67VelleN2O]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mssl72</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Appears to be a '74 Z28 sitting behind it! </div></div>

Yup! Here's the link when I found it.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthrea...-fin#Post544478 (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/544478/1974-camaro-z-28-swap-meet-fin#Post544478)

[luv2sixty9]

What ever happened to this 68 Z and were you able to track the original trans down?