Tony Pizzi 1969 Z/28 Camaro

[69VN]

I have a buddy restoring a historic 1969 Rallye Green Camaro
with only 469 original miles Now, he bought the car from the
original owner who was friends with Tony Pizzi & Jere Stahl. It's a
local car just outside Philly, in Bristol Pa. The car was raced at
Cecil County Raceway in 1971 by Pizzi and holds a national record
with a 10.99 (ran twice) in that same weekend...old record was 11.33.
The problem my friend has is that it lacks the "physical" NHRA information
needed as far as having the history aspect to go with the car. Yes
he's found a few magazine clips here and there about the car but
keeps hitting dead ends. Would anyone here on sYc know exactly
where to get some solid leads or at the very least more data about
this car? He also mentioned that possibly someone, somewhere has
a vintage NHRA magazine or papers on the detailed facts of what this
car did in 1971 at Cecil County....maybe someone reading this thread?
By the way the original owner's name is Americo A. Liberatore Jr. and has
the original title, POP and documented through a stenographer, etc. He
realizes NHRA can look back in their microfilm for this info but getting them
to do that isn't easy....they say they will but never get back to you--sad. By the
way I had problems uploading most photos but got lucky with one. Any help would
be greatly appreciated and if need be I can have my friend contact you if you have
more data on this Camaro. Thanks in advance.

Sal

[RobR]

PM sent

[Starship]

Just curious, what needs to be restored on a 469 mile car?

[Kurt S]

Mileage doesn't take into account how it was stored.

[JoeC]

Maybe you can find some of the old friends or crew members of Tony Pizzi on the historic drag racing sites.

I posted on there years ago looking for info on his 67 Z/28 drag car that was sponsored by Yenko Sportscars and got some replies from people who knew Tony

[ZLP955]

Sal,
I just happened across these pictures of 2 different cars lettered up with 'Tony Pizzi Automotive' while searching the Petersen archives. Both are pictured during the 1971 NHRA season. Does your buddy know for sure his is the #1708 car? Only reason I ask is that the #1752 car appears to have 'NHRA Record Holder' on the quarter.
Credit to copyright owner Petersen/TEN/SEMA digitisation project.

[ZLP955]

Found a better picture of the 1752 car, and the record time on the quarter is 11.58 so either a different class, or an older record.
Same photo credit as previous post.

[69VN]

Hi Tim and thanks for sharing these photos. Yes the first photo is definitely the
#1708 car. But at the moment I wasn't aware of the #1752 car. I have been told
though that at some point during it's racing years that it was lent or borrowed by
possibly a close of Pizzi's. Have to get more info on that theory. I will send these
photos to my friend Eric Mann. He is currently putting this car back together. I would
upload some pics but having some problems as usual. Thanks again guys.
Sal

[69VN]

Mileage doesn't take into account how it was stored.

Thanks Kurt, that is so true about this car. This car was pretty much
raced hard it's entire life and butchered in the process. Body panels such
as doors were changed out and two quarter panels were replaced during
the restoration. The original engine had to be tracked down to someone in
North New Jersey, etc...and the list goes on...

Sal

[ZLP955]

Sal I'll post any further pictures of either car as I find them.

[Salvatore]

Wasn't Pizzi's car an L78 car and Janetti's a COPO? Taxing my brain here which is good.

[Vortecpro]

You need to get a hold of Mark Yacovonne, Tony Pizzi was the subject of many discussions between he and I. Tony Pizzi.........hard core engine guy, hard core racer.

[69VN]

Sal I'll post any further pictures of either car as I find them.

Thank you sir.

[ZLP955]

This picture of the Jannetti & Wood car is from the US Nationals in 1972. Seems the car was renumbered from 1752 to 1852 and changed from B/S to SS/D between 1971 and 1972. Also the time underneath 'record holder' on the quarter panel has been removed. Wheels also changed to 5-slot front and Cragar S/S rears.
Photo copyright owner Petersen/TEN/SEMA as previous posts.

[69L78]

I see the car is going to be at Grant Miller's Classic Car Auction in July.

[ZLP955]

I see the car is going to be at Grant Miller's Classic Car Auction in July.
Yep featured on page 21 of the auction catalog here: https://dxbrs3zlwqu4z.cloudfront.net/719/015149/3476/2020_classic_sale_catalog_for_website.pdf

[ZLP955]

Here’s another couple of pictures from the Petersen Archives, just catching the Tony Pizzi Z/28 in the bottom right and left corners respectively. They were taken at the first Annual NHRA Gatornationals in 1970 at Gainsville Raceway in Florida. Car was running in G/S.

[ZLP955]

And this one is of a Tony Pizzi-prepared Z/28 also running in G/S at the 1970 NHRA Winternationals at Pomona. Credited to the Petersen/TEN archives.
Wonder if it’s yet another different Pizzi car? Has a different paint scheme as well as a cowl hood.

[Kurt S]

Looks like different cars. The other car has style trim.

[ZLP955]

Kurt do you mean the #722 car has style trim?

[bbbenny]

WOW! Look at all the Classic Muscle car iron. In those two pics!!! Those pics are Priceless! BBBenny

[RALLY]

And this one is of a Tony Pizzi-prepared Z/28 also running in G/S at the 1970 NHRA Winternationals at Pomona. Credited to the Petersen/TEN archives.
Wonder if it’s yet another different Pizzi car? Has a different paint scheme as well as a cowl hood.

Great pic. Just look at the crowds back in those days. Drag racing attendance has really changed. Just nice to see all these vintages pictures. Tony Pizzi Z-28 was a force on the strip.

[markinnaples]

Thanks for those pics Tim, there are some incredible cars there and the parking lot is PACKED.

[bigsixman]

The rally green car with Weed on the quarters is featured in a nice article in a 1972 Super Stock and DI magazine. It had a 396/375 motor in it at the time.

[Salvatore]

The rally green car with Weed on the quarters is featured in a nice article in a 1972 Super Stock and DI magazine. It had a 396/375 motor in it at the time.

The car did better in B/S trim then it did with the 302 motor if I remember correctly. Tony went into the 10's with the L78 motor in B/Stick. Really fast back then.

[Kurt S]

Yes, I think you can see it in the first picture.

[JoeC]

looks like a 427 COPO Chevelle with "IRON RAT " on the fender

[ZLP955]

Another shot of the Tony Pizzi/Weed Chevrolet 1708 G/S car, also credited to the Petersen archives. This one was taken at the 1970 NHRA US Nationals, Brownsburg Indiana.

[Salvatore]

15x4 chrome rally wheels on the front and maybe 15x5's on the back? Great car especially when it ran in B/Stick.

[69VN]

I managed to get some pics from Eric in different stages....enjoy!

[69VN]

Here you go---

[69VN]

Engine bay and interior....

[Lynn]

Hemmings this morning.

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/chevrolet/camaro/2406881.html?refer=news&utm_source=edaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2020-07-10

[69b5bee]

I see the car is going to be at Grant Miller's Classic Car Auction in July.

Seems to sold for $110k

[Danzo]

And Again.

https://msclassiccarsllc.com/VehicleDetails.aspx?vid=800

[Lynn]

just my opinion, but should have been restored to racing trim.

[Salvatore]

just my opinion, but should have been restored to racing trim.

I may have to agree with that Lynn but the race version was all about racing and setting the record if ya know what I mean. Remember Tony and the car fairly well.

[Danzo]

Thanks Kurt, that is so true about this car. This car was pretty much
raced hard it's entire life and butchered in the process. Body panels such
as doors were changed out and two quarter panels were replaced during
the restoration. The original engine had to be tracked down to someone in
North New Jersey, etc...and the list goes on...

Sal
Current listing:
"From the information gathered the car retains all the original sheet metal with exception of the rear quarters. They had to be replaced because of the modifications that were made for racing. When the doors were stripped there was even evidence of the original green paint."

Interesting

[Danzo]

Has anyone seen this car in person? A friend is interested but the body is a concern given the 2 different accounts of its condition pre restoration. It also looks like the rear stripes were repaired.
Thanks, Doc.

[Salvatore]

MacNeish certified. maybe contact him?

[Danzo]

And yet again!
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/chevrolet/camaro/2577329.html