Mecum zl1 #30 at Kissimmee

[61 vert]

Whats the story on this car.

[John]

.... Here is the auction listing <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

#30 ZL-1 at Mecum auction (https://www.mecum.com/lot-detail/FL0116-238998/0/1969-Chevrolet-Camaro-ZL1/4-Speed/)

.... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif

[bergy]

Neat car, but somebody put front springs in that poor thing!

[novadude]

Leave the springs as-is, but put 15x4 cragar s/s up front with skinnies and 15x8 in the rear with L-60s. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[Dave Rifkin]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bergy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Neat car, but somebody put front springs in that poor thing! </div></div>

Agreed; would be nice to see photos of the car in as raced condition too.

[COPO CARTEL]

I would say restoration knowledge and skills have changed significantly since this cars restoration 22 years ago (1993).

[Don_Lightfoot]

Unfortunately Mecum has never allowed the download of pictures to your own computer (maybe somebody has figured out how to do this). I would really like to blow up the one engine picture showing the Emission/Tuneup decal.

I'm more familiar with 69 Chevelles so am wondering if you Camaro gurus can answer this for me. It is well known the 69 COPO Chevelles did not receive one of these decals according to people on here who have survivor engine bays. Did the 69 COPO L72 Camaros get one? Did the 69 Corvette ZL1 get one (which may be the same as this one)? I can't imagine the restorer would use the &quot;CH&quot; code decal whish was for L78's.

Just trying to expand my knowledge. Appreciate any input.

[83hurstguy]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Don_Lightfoot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Unfortunately Mecum has never allowed the download of pictures to your own computer (maybe somebody has figured out how to do this). I would really like to blow up the one engine picture showing the Emission/Tuneup decal.</div></div>

If you use Firefox as a browser, right click on the page (not on the picture), and select &quot;View Page Info&quot;. Then go to the media tab, all pictures that get pushed to the page will be listed and shown there, you can save it from there.

The images are relatively low quality (670 x 330), so I doubt you'll be able to blow them up much.

[SS427]

On rare occasions I have contacted Mecum regarding a car they were consigning and I was hired to inspect. They were very willing to send me any photos and printed information they had on the car. However, I would never abuse this as I appreciate them doing it for me so I seldom ask.

[William]

The restoration was covered in the October 1994 Chevy High Performance. At that time it did have a few deviations from original build configuration:

Goodyear Polyglas tires
Chambered exhaust
TN rear shock decals [should be UN]

The current trim height does not appear to be correct. A ZL1 is slightly heavier than a small block so dialing it in, particularly in front, takes some work. Not a big deal.

One of the nicest OE drivetrain ZL1 restorations out there. Should do well.

[iluv69s]

auction estimates 900k-1.2 mil ????.....nice color and a stick, but that still seems way high unless prices have really jumped in the recent past. Does OE motor make that much difference in price of these cars? Unless I'm out of touch ????

any opinions on value? or actual gavel sale price ?

[William]

The #6 ZL1 hammered for $650,000 last spring, a Cortez Silver automatic. Restored, known history, OE drivetrain, never raced. One school of thought, automatics [22] are rarer than 4-speeds. We'll see.

ZL1s are no different than any other muscle car. The original engine makes the car more desirable and valuable. In addition to the usual casting date and VIN stamp, ZL1 blocks were cast and machined in sequence. You could have an NOS 1969 block casting and it may not even be close to correct for a particular VIN. There's more of course.

Word to the wise, don't even bother re-stamping a ZL1 block.

[Don_Lightfoot]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 83hurstguy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The images are relatively low quality (670 x 330), so I doubt you'll be able to blow them up much. </div></div>
Thanks Luke

[iluv69s]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: William</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The #6 ZL1 hammered for $650,000 last spring, a Cortez Silver automatic. Restored, known history, OE drivetrain, never raced. One school of thought, automatics [22] are rarer than 4-speeds. We'll see.

ZL1s are no different than any other muscle car. The original engine makes the car more desirable and valuable. In addition to the usual casting date and VIN stamp, ZL1 blocks were cast and machined in sequence. You could have an NOS 1969 block casting and it may not even be close to correct for a particular VIN. There's more of course.

Word to the wise, don't even bother re-stamping a ZL1 block.

</div></div>
Having owned one of the original block ZL-1's for many years, I learned alot about the sequencing...I have a small database of the sequence numbers, dates, stampings, , etc of the'dated' blocks..just wish I paid more attention early on.

... but, an automatic on the column??? ..Don't know what school they are from?? haha

[William]

Not all that unusual in our world. A good bud had a column auto '69 Road Runner new and I still think it is a neat car. Many Hemi Mopars and a few LS6 Chevelles are column auto; most automatic '69 Yenko Camaros were built that way and converted to the Hurst Dual-Gate. Hot Rod tested a '69 Nova SS L78 back in the day; bench seat column auto.

One advantage: your 'squeeze' could sit right next to you <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[COPO CARTEL]

Don ..the emissions decal as I know it for an iron block L72 should be CH. I am not sure what was used on the aluminum ZL1

[William]

The Body Broadcast Copies for ZL1s #1 &amp; #2 list CH.

[Don_Lightfoot]

Very interesting Doug and William. Must have been for COPO Camaros only and not used on COPO Chevelles. The one COPO Chevelle build sheet I have on file has &quot;---&quot; in box 104 (tune up label). As I mentioned earlier, survivor 69 COPO Chevelles do not have the label on the upper rad support.

It would be nice to know if Chevy altered the &quot;CH&quot; label for the Camaro L72's and ZL1's. The engine size was not shown on that label, but the horsepower was.

Appreciate the input. Sorry if I have redirected this thread from the original posting topic.

[bergy]

ZL1s are no different than any other muscle car. The original engine makes the car more desirable and valuable. In addition to the usual casting date and VIN stamp, ZL1 blocks were cast and machined in sequence. You could have an NOS 1969 block casting and it may not even be close to correct for a particular VIN. There's more of course.

Word to the wise, don't even bother re-stamping a ZL1 block


I don't recall &quot;cast in sequence&quot; William - but I didn't follow the cores &amp; patterns to the casting plants. The parting lines and flow-offs were altered between nearly every casting run due to air entrapment &amp; porosity. So it's pretty easy to spot blocks from different runs.

[John]

.... If you were buying only 1 ZL-1

.... Hugger Orange

.... 4 speed

.... Original drivetrain

.... Oh, What a combo <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif

[iluv69s]

the blocks have the cast sequence number and cast date on the side, but they also has a stamped number on the main caps and rear bellhousing flange that is very significant. It would be hard to fake a ZL-1 motor without knowing the correct sequences whuch seem to not be in numerical order. I was explained (by Ed C. I believe) that these motors were hand built and that the first in/last out method was used in the assembly room, therefore the numbers are not in order. You would probably have a better idea Bruce. please correct me if I am wrong.

Also have seen original ZL-1 VIN hand stamped on the deck of the block..(looks like a child did it)... and my VIN on my original block was more typical and gang stamped on the oil filter area...not exactly rhyme or reason on some of these.

[ds1]

I had a late run block. After the cars were built. Late 69, the number on the mains was 350. Bought over the counter, I think from Sutliff Chevrolet

[iluv69s]

For years, I have kept a small database of these ZL-1 blocks, both factory, production and over the counter and Yenko blocks.. if anyone wants to contribute info, it is appreciated.... can PM me or email at [email protected]

I have some older info. that when I first started keeping records of these years ago that is mostly photos and hand-written notes.
I am going to try shortly and get it all together and digitize all the info. to put it all in one place and make sense of it all..haha

But seriously, we are looking for the following info:

large casting number on rear flange
small cast date on side
small cast sequence number near cast date
any stamped numbers on front deck or oil filter area
any stamped numbers on main caps and/or center rear upper bell housing flange
if block has screw-in or press-in freeze plugs

also any anomalies... ie. extra stampings, casting differences, etc

and any photo documentation

Thanks in advance ..and thanks SYC for all the great information !!! Always learning !!

Max

[Charley Lillard]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2015/12/full-23-36473-img_9233.jpg
Here is #30 back in the day. When I owned it it had still never been titled, had about 30 miles on it and had the Fred Gibb MSO. I think it was orig. engine but not orig. trans.

[Xplantdad]

That's a cool picture!