ZL-1 #65 reunited with her original engine!!!

[ZL1_COPO_65]

After many months of negotiating, planning and hard work, we have resurrected the original, number stamped, all Aluminum 427 engine from ZL-1 #65!! After 46 years apart, the original motor and date correct drive train will be reunited at this years MCACN in Rosemont, IL. for the first time. The engine and drive train will be displayed side by side with ZL-1 #65 and will be displayed on a period correct sub-frame including the 9737 COPO option which makes ZL-1 #65 a rare dual COPO Camaro. The sub frame will include the 13/16 sway bar and 15 x 7 YZ wheels and E70 x 15 tires. The build is still in progress and we are missing some key parts, but will get them most practical representation possible for the show.
On 10/23/15, the original engine came to life once again on the dyno at McCabe Motorsports in Peyton, CO. Robert took great pride in rebuilding the aluminum monster. He carefully broke in the motor after many years out of operation. Note, this is a stock engine build with many NOS parts. She came to life and dyno'd 558hp at 6400 rpm. Look for us at the show! It will be a historical moment! Check out some new picks from the motor build. Click the link below.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/129918209@N06/?

[PeteLeathersac]

Pics link...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/129918209@N06/? (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129918209@N06/)


Awesome news and congrats to all involved!
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif
~ Pete

[njsteve]

Do you have any video of the engine on the dyno? I'd love to hear that sound!

[ZL1_COPO_65]

Try this. I couldn't upload the file. Here is a flickr link

www.flickr.com/photos/129918209@N06/22810765375/in/dateposted-public/

[njsteve]

nice!

[PeteLeathersac]

Dyno Link...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/129918209@N06/22810765375/in/dateposted-public/

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[Charley Lillard]

Cool. How did you find the engine ?

[earntaz]

AWESOME STORY -- CONGRATULATIONS!! Taz

[bergy]

Was that the ZL-1 block out of New Jersey?

[SS427]

Well that is just down right COOL!

[Big Block Bill]

As Tommy Boy once Said: &quot;That's Awesome&quot; Congratulations.

Bill

[L78M22Rag]

Like to hear an ending like that!

May I ask how you reached agreement on the price? I'm in a similar situation.

[Tenney]

Too cool! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[mssl72]

Congrats on tracking it down and getting them together!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[RPOLS3]

Congratulations!

As I remember from the original for sale ad, this car has lots of paperwork including the original window sticker. Can't be many double COPO ZL-1's with original drivetrains and original window stickers out there.

As others have said, would love to hear the story on how the original drivetrain was acquired. Looking forward to seeing at MCACN.

[ZL1_COPO_65]

No sir. The engine kind of followed the car. It came out of a clone 69 ZL-1 Vette. I believe the engine was pulled in Wisconsin. Once we purchased ZL-1 #65, we got the info on the engine from some sources and negotiated the sale.

[earntaz]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ZL1_COPO_65</div><div class="ubbcode-body">No sir. The engine kind of followed the car. It came out of a clone 69 ZL-1 Vette. I believe the engine was pulled in Wisconsin. Once we purchased ZL-1 #65, we got the info on the engine from some sources and negotiated the sale. </div></div>

BLUF -- the motor is back where it was born!

[Charley Lillard]

Carl owned the car for years. Was the engine known when he owned it ? The car has been out and known for years and I'm just curious if the engine was known for years and if so why it wasn't offered.

[black69]

It will be interesting to hear the whole story. I had access to a hemi engine that belonged to a uber rare car, a guy that collected the rarest of hemi cuda converts. He sat on knowledge of that original engine for years, never decided to buy. Only after he <span style="font-style: italic">sold</span> the car, did the engine come out and get back in the original car (something he promoted to the next owner).

I would almost suspect this would have had to be the case, on this ZL-1. Maybe.

[bbbentley]

What happened to the white hauling truck in the &quot;as found&quot; pics?

[Stefano]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Charley Lillard</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Carl owned the car for years. Was the engine known when he owned it ? The car has been out and known for years and I'm just curious if the engine was known for years and if so why it wasn't offered. </div></div>

When we had ZL1 #65 on consignment from Carl Stubber, we were contacted by several people including an individual from Wisconsin, with a very &quot;interesting&quot; history within the Camaro community, who said that his associate in Arizona, I believe, had the complete driverain to the car. Engine trans and rear??

I contacted Carl and he was aware of the claim regarding the engine, but he was not interested for many reasons at that time.

Since we had the car for sale, we told &quot;them&quot; that they could just buy the car and reunite the drivetrain and Car. We never even received an offer from &quot;them&quot; on the car.

I however was skeptical yet interested and asked for pictures to confirm what was being represented but never received them.

What I did get was a bunch of rhetoric.......come see for yourself......bring cash.....etc.

So while I don't know what happened afterwards, I am very curious to know the rest of the story as well and see pics of the original engine and the other original parts posted on this thread.

I hope it all turns out to be valid scenario! It would be very Kool to see another original engine reunited with the original car.

[ZL1_COPO_65]

The engine is correct and has been validated to be the real deal. I am working with a very talented group of individuals to get the sub frame assembly to the show. We know we do not have ALL the perfect parts, mostly need the correct transistor ignition, but what we have will be a super representation of the original Heart Beat of America drive train for ZL-1 #65 and represent the correct 9737 COPO option that was removed. The 140mph speedo is still in the car showing 39 miles. Our intent is not to install the sub frame, but display the race car side by side with its original equipment. I look forward to meeting everyone at the show and seeing all the other rare masterpieces!

[SS427]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ZL1_COPO_65</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> mostly need the correct transistor ignition </div></div>

Annie and I have the correct and NOS 1111927 distributor dated 8K11, the transistor, coil and brown distributor cap. Maybe we can work something out.

[Vortecpro]

&quot; I am working with a very talented group of individuals to get the sub frame assembly to the show.&quot;


Very nice, may I ask who these talented people are?

[marxjunk]

kinda vague responses...and skirting around the questions..i dont get it....

[bergy]

So - you're indicating that the ZL-1 engine on the dyno is the original engine to #65? Can't wait to see it at the show!

also, a bit of trivia - anybody know why the chaplets on those aluminum heads all have little &quot;dots&quot; in the centers of them?

[John]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">a bit of trivia - anybody know why the chaplets on those aluminum heads all have little &quot;dots&quot; in the centers of them?</div></div>

...Would they give reference to the day, time of day or shift that these heads were made? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif

[resto4u]

There would have been multiple pour points in the mold, and several vents to let the air out as the mold is poured so you have no voids. In 69 the quality of the aluminium was poor compared to todays aluminium alloys. Many more heads and blocks would have survived. Roger

[njsteve]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: marxjunk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">kinda vague responses...and skirting around the questions..i dont get it.... </div></div>

Probably because they are waiting for the reveal at MCACN and don't want to spoil the show.

[bergy]

Actually, those 4 little round impressions are chaplets that were placed in the mold to keep the water jacket from moving during pouring/solidification. The heads are poured combustion chamber up. The chaplets are steel, so they didn't fuse during pouring with the relatively low temperature aluminum. This lack of fusion enabled water to &quot;weep&quot; out through chaplet stem when the engine was fired up. The simple fix for this water leak was to hit the center of the chaplet face hard with the point of a punch - forcing the steel to come in better contact with the aluminum. This &quot;repair&quot; was also incorporated on iron heads when the inspector noted poor fusion at the chaplet area.

The aluminum entered the molds through 6 gates located on the parting line of the exhaust manifold face. Evidence of these gates was later machined off. The mold was vented at the at the core prints, so no evidence of venting remained on the castings.

[Tracker1]

Eilenberger, you're scary. Where do you keep all this stuff in your brain???

[njsteve]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tracker1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Eilenberger, you're scary. Where do you keep all this stuff in your brain???

</div></div>

His response sounded like something Cliff Clavin would have said on Cheers.

...As a matter of fact there Normey, the chaplet was a little known device that cowboys wore on their chaps to prevent chafing in their nether regions...&quot;

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/blush.gif

[VintageMusclecar]

lol @ Steve! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif

[bashton]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: marxjunk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">kinda vague responses...and skirting around the questions..i dont get it.... </div></div>

Probably because they are waiting for the reveal at MCACN and don't want to spoil the show. </div></div>

Bingo!!!

C'mon down to MCACN and see it all up <span style="font-style: italic">close and in person! </span> And to keep things even more interesting, this special display will be right next to a group of FIVE 1968 and 1969 L/88 Corvettes. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

Bashton

[Dicky]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bbbentley</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What happened to the white hauling truck in the &quot;as found&quot; pics? </div></div>

Is there an answer to this question yet??

[ZL1_COPO_65]

I have no idea about the white car hauler. If I had a clue, I would be on it like stink on poop!

[ZL1_COPO_65]

More pics added to the Flickr link;

ZL1#65 Flickr Link (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129918209@N06/albums/72157649956497317/with/22872769336/)

[427freak]

Thank you for the pics. Glad you were able to retrieve the engine. Always liked this car. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[69LM1]

Hi Arthur, it is likely that our two cars campaigned along side each other back in the day. I'll have to ask Ron (original owner of Tin Soldier) if he remembers running Roger.

Was your ZL1 called &quot;Chevy Thunder&quot; back in 69?


Rich

[supercomp 8.90]

oh wow I just looked at the photos from the link the car is not even back halfed! original frame rails dual exhaust plate still there! trunk floor looks to be intact also, front and rear floors intact. this car can be easily put back. charlie was right this was a smokin deal for someone, now with finding the original driveline this can actually put this zl1 in to the very few cars that have there complete original driveline intact amazing!!

[Stefano]

This is how it started life on the drag strip.



http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/11/full-295-34087-1969_zl1_65.14.jpg (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/11/full-295-34087-1969_zl1_65.14.jpg)

[m22mike]

Stefano
Can you make out what the lettering is on the Q panel ? Any other early shot's ?

Thanks Mike

[66 L78 ragtop]

Looks like it states: Lavery Chevrolet

This was the original selling dealership. From what I understand, looks like the car's original owner was the manager of this dealership. Hence the advertisement on the quarter panel.

[ZL1_COPO_65]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/use...969_zl1_65.11.j (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/11/full-19140-34101-full_295_1078_1969_zl1_65.11.j)

This is a cool pic also!

[ZL1_COPO_65]

The steel on this car is amazing. Solid as the day it was produced. The trunk has the full floor with mini tubs added. The floor boards are solid and there is no evidence of any rust or patching. The car has only lived on the race track. It can't have many miles on it. She is quite captivating.

[m22mike]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 66 L78 ragtop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Looks like it states: Lavery Chevrolet

This was the original selling dealership. From what I understand, looks like the car's original owner was the manager of this dealership. Hence the advertisement on the quarter panel.

</div></div>

Yep, I see it now, and it was Lavery

[PeteLeathersac]

Way cool!
Any luck w/ paperwork from the current Lavery operation?
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete


=========================

Zone # <span style="font-weight: bold">28 </span>
Dealer Code # <span style="font-weight: bold">320</span>
<span style="font-weight: bold">Lavery Chevrolet Inc.</span>
1096 West State Street
Alliance OH 44601
-
Info @ 1969
Prev' - Ashley Chevrolet
-
Lavery Chev/Buick/GMC
http://www.laveryauto.com/


=========================

[ZL1_COPO_65]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 69LM1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hi Arthur, it is likely that our two cars campaigned along side each other back in the day. I'll have to ask Ron (original owner of Tin Soldier) if he remembers running Roger.

Was your ZL1 called &quot;Chevy Thunder&quot; back in 69?


Rich
</div></div> ZL1#65 was actually dubbed the &quot;Black Phantom&quot; when raced by Bergert and Robinson between 1969 and 1978.

[Stefano]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: m22mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Stefano
Can you make out what the lettering is on the Q panel ? Any other early shot's ?

Thanks Mike </div></div>

Orlando's got the info correct as we know it; Lavery Chevrolet.

There are later photos in the old for sale thread, but that one seems to be the earliest I could find.

[68l30]

There's a little Ohio Pride in #65 and here's a little bit of the Lavery livery......

BIG

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/11/full-105-34149-image.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/11/full-105-34150-image.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/11/full-105-34151-image.jpg

[ZL1_COPO_65]

Great idea BIG! I just called Lavery Chevrolet and they are sending me a license plate and frame for the show!

[68l30]

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Please post a pic of the new frames, I think mine are old???


BIG

[SuperNovaSS]

How old could they be if the insert says LeveryChevy.com?


Jason

[68l30]

Frames not plate, plate is about 10 years old. I believe the frames are much older.


BIG

[Charley Lillard]

ZL1 COPO 65...I sent you a pm

[simpleman]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/11/full-10794-35322-009.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/11/full-10794-35323-163090573.jpg
Here are some more shots of the car. I thought it was originally called &quot;Leapin' Lizzard III&quot;. There was always mention that Leapin' Lizzard was a green Yenko car out of North Jersey. Congratulations on an awesome car. Glad it all came together.

[Mike]

Great photo! The 69 Camaro behind the Mustang (white with red stripes) is the Bresee Chevytown race car. It's the first time I've seen a colored photo of it. Do you know what track this is?

[simpleman]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/11/full-10794-35388-159667359.jpg

Here's the real colors of the Bresee Chevytown car. That first photo I posted was altered somehow. Even the grass is red. As far as I can tell the track is Indianapolis Raceway Park. I think this was the NHRA U.S. Nationals. Not to steer this thread in another direction but has the Bresee car been accounted for?

[ds1]

It is painted just like Bill Blanding MIMI. They both had BMS Competition on them. Cars look identical except stripe color

[COPO CARTEL]

Bresee car is a COPO too !

[Hawkeye]

Any chance you can repost the entire picture un-altered?

Thanks,
Marty

[Mike]

Thanks for the updated photo....I like the blue much better! And grass should always be green.

[ZL1_COPO_65]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/12/full-19140-35434-img_5267.jpg
The show was a huge success! The reunion was very well received!

[simpleman]

They are two separate photos of the Bresee car. The one that is altered is the way I found them. It must have been done with a special lense or something.

[simpleman]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/use..._untitled201.jp (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/12/full-10794-35442-full_13800_7027_untitled201.jp)

There must have been a connection with Bill Blanding (Mimi cars) &amp; the Bresee COPO at some time. Check out that quarter panel.

[camaromb]

Probably one of the Bresee Yenko cars they old, the 427 emblems are on the hood.