1968 l89

[J jones]

Anyone have a guess how many documented cars are still around? It's hard to believe they made 272 of them and almost none are left. There was a post somewhere that number came from Tonawanda as the number of motors built. Any thoughts?

[cook_dw]

68 L89’s are probably the rarest 1st gen camaro (aside from the ZL1 followed after 68’s the 69 L89 cars) my personal opinion. I only have a handful of known cars in my data and several red flag cars. Without the block or paper you can not 100% confirm originality. CRG has it listed that 272 cars were assembled and nothing stating it includes warranty engines. Which I assumed doesn’t. Maybe Kurt, William or Bryon can comment.

[J jones]

Thanks, Thats about what I've come to realize. Over the last 15 years or so, going to all the big shows I have yet to see another one. Or even auctions. Several cars with aluminum heads, but not real cars. Didnt realize all those years ago mine was that rare. Trying to determine value for insurance, and possible sale.

[firstgenaddict]

There are very few, however IIRC two of the ones out there are convertibles. A Maroon white interior car with M22 and high way gears and the Gold conv that resided in AL for a number of years. The maroon car was bought new in the triad area of NC and the original owner is a local politician in that area.

[J jones]

Is the maroon one originally bought for a high school grad?

[carnut4life]

68 L89’s are probably the rarest 1st gen camaro (aside from the ZL1 followed after 68’s the 69 L89 cars) my personal opinion. I only have a handful of known cars in my data and several red flag cars. Without the block or paper you can not 100% confirm originality. CRG has it listed that 272 cars were assembled and nothing stating it includes warranty engines. Which I assumed doesn’t. Maybe Kurt, William or Bryon can comment.

Do you have any record of a dark green 68 L89 Camaro in SE Iowa Darrell? I know a guy that supposedly has one with the original engine and he was going to have Jerry inspect when I had my COPO Camaro inspected in 2017. He saw one of Jerry's reports and was worried about him picking his car apart and changed his mind which shocked me because if I had an L89 with the original motor I'd be dying to know if it was legit or not.

[firstgenaddict]

Is the maroon one originally bought for a high school grad?
Could have been, I believe the original owner was fairly young. Car was from Raleigh or Apex if not mistaken.

There is another 68 L89 (coupe) I remember a Lemans Blue RS/SS. Also from the southeast.

[J jones]

Yep, I have the article in super chevy on the maroon one. 06.. 07. The grads mom told him to order any car he wanted. Had a lot of options. The Lemans Blue one I know well... it's in my garage!

[firstgenaddict]

If your car was a MAJOR PROJECT then it could be the same car I called about maybe 5 years ago.
Here is a photo I kept, as I stated it was a major project at the time -

[J jones]

Yikes, no. I've owned about 15 years now. Finished resto in 2014.

[J jones]

Did that car have matching number engine?

[cook_dw]

Do you have any record of a dark green 68 L89 Camaro in SE Iowa Darrell? I know a guy that supposedly has one with the original engine and he was going to have Jerry inspect when I had my COPO Camaro inspected in 2017. He saw one of Jerry's reports and was worried about him picking his car apart and changed his mind which shocked me because if I had an L89 with the original motor I'd be dying to know if it was legit or not.


If it’s Seqouia Green then yes I have it listed. But no driveline photos that I recall. Waited on current owner to feel comfortable sending photos. I list the info but just make quick notes.

[carnut4life]

Its Sequoia Green or British Racing Green. If I see it around this summer I'll try to get a picture of trim tag and engine block stamp.

[cook_dw]

As long as the owner gives the approval I’d appreciate it.

[PeteLeathersac]

'

The Maroon 'Vert matching #'s restamp w/ questionable L89 pedigree is in this past thread w/ 05/13 Mecum link still alive...
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=122551

A Factory Built '68 L89 w/ indisputable history and THE ORIGINAL Engine (not just #'s smoke & hokey paperwork) is something special and looking forward to hearing more about your LB car also any other examples you come up with.

If you want to try backtracking L89's or matching up any known cars, there's a few original ads for '68 L89's in the Old Newspaper ads thread including below 12/68 Chicago ad w/ L89 'Vert, click here and cruise through a few pages...
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=135780&page=21

:beers:
~ Pete

.

[J jones]

I remember reading about that convertible having questionable papers. But never heard from the car again.

[GMC_Typhoon]

I don't understand why Chevy thought that the POP would remain with the cars. I see people all day selling the owner's manuals that comes with cars and it pisses me off. Those belong to the car not to you.

[J jones]

If your car was a MAJOR PROJECT then it could be the same car I called about maybe 5 years ago.
Here is a photo I kept, as I stated it was a major project at the time - did this car have a matching motor?

[mssl72]

I don't understand why Chevy thought that the POP would remain with the cars. I see people all day selling the owner's manuals that comes with cars and it pisses me off. Those belong to the car not to you.

Are you saying people are selling the POP/manual from a cars that are in fact still around? That would piss me off too. I do see manuals that have POPs for sale, but the cars are long gone. Some guys clean out glove boxes from cars being scrapped at a junk yards and sell them. Better to save it and pass it on than have it burned up or run through a shredder.

[firstgenaddict]

did this car have a matching motor?

No engine or trans said he had the pinpunched Owners manual with POP the car was sold prior to me getting a chance to go look at it.

[J jones]

Wow. Did you happen to know the serial number of the car. I have a complete motor that got pulled from a 68.

[PeteLeathersac]

Wow. Did you happen to know the serial number of the car. I have a complete motor that got pulled from a 68.

'

Cool!
Have you tried for NCRS Dealer Shipped to info w/ Coupe & 'Vert VIN prefixes added to engine stamping?:hmmm:
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[J jones]

I thought you had to own the car in searching ncrs?

[luzl78]

I thought you had to own the car in searching ncrs?

No

[302moz]

I found and purchased a numbers matching L89 68 camaro with a m22 . Not restored just a old repaint . Known about it for 25 years but it disappeared from my area . The engine surfaced and I found the car from the vin on block . Also tracked down the original owner who ordered the car . Very excited to find such a rare car that is numbers matching.

[plumL78]

one was just found in the UP of Mich.

[302moz]

That’s me !

[Crush]

one was just found in the UP of Mich.

Your kidding me, where? Details? Pics?

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Big Congrats and looking forward to more, Coupe or 'Vert?:hmmm:
Nicely done if backtracked by Vin stamping, sounds like you actually have an Original Engine L89 car which if true, is much more valuable than most Numbers Matching cars are.
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[napa68]

It's a great find John!

[J jones]

Awesome find, John. This is Jimmy, talked with you recently. We'll we know there is at least 2 known out of the 272 made!

[Lynn]

I don't understand why Chevy thought that the POP would remain with the cars. I see people all day selling the owner's manuals that comes with cars and it pisses me off. Those belong to the car not to you.

I bought a 69 Z/28 (sans engine/trans/front seats) in the summer of 1971 from the a salvage pool. Theft recovery car.

Had the P.O.P. in the glove box. I immediately recognized the name. Guy named Cyrus Wheeler bought it new (or his dad did). Cy was about my age, but we went to different schools. I knew the car well (didn't know it was THAT car when I bought it). It was a terror on the street with cross ram.

I had no use for the POP in 71, so I pitched it. I am certain this is an all too familiar story.

[Bill Pritchard]

Back in the late 70's/early 80's there was a guy named Ralph Greinke from Chicago who had one. Had it at the Car Craft Street Machine Nats in Indianapolis, which is where I saw it and got to know him. It interested me because I know of another one, which I eventually bought in early 1980. Friends of mine owned the car since 1972. I sold it to another friend later in 1980, and he still owns it today. NOM, short block replaced under warranty during the OO's tenure. My friend did a title search (back in the good old days when you could do such things) and spoke with the OO, who confirmed that it was a true L89 car that he bought new.

A couple pics when I owned it in early 1980...

[Lynn]

There was a Sequoia Green 68 for sale on ebay about 12 years ago. I believe it was in Tulsa. They owner had died and his son was selling it. IIRC, the engine stamp was correct, but someone had removed the aluminum heads. I talked with the seller, but did not go see the car. He had no paperwork, and could not say for certain that it was the original motor to the car.

[J jones]

Is that British green?

[Charley Lillard]

A idiot friend spent about a year getting a Berger COPO bought off the orig. owner. Problem was it had a set of aluminum heads on it that the owner would not let go with the car as they belonged to his brother. He offered to buy his brother another set. He said no they belong on his car. Turns out his brother bought a 68 L89 new. He ended up buying both cars.

[Bill Pritchard]

Here's the only picture I have of Ralph Greinke's 68 L89 Camaro, taken at the Car Craft Street Machine Nationals in either 1979 or 1980. Sorry for the poor picture quality.

[J jones]

Bill Jenkins had one. Michael Allen original soul survivor and the Super Street Cars test car were a few more back in the day. Apparently most L89s were tore up on the track and Street back then. And to make things worse is the problem with documenting the 68s without any paperwork. And that's ashame that there are probably quite a few out there that people don't know what they have.

[Big Block 69]

I know this is just another "story", but a friends uncle said he had one that he bought new. He said this car had head gasket issues and after having the dealership replace them a few times, The heads were replaced with iron heads. This ended the head gasket issues and the car was later traded in for a more "family friendly" car.

[J jones]

Had a similar problem with mine after rebuild and a few miles, mine had a small leak. Re torked and so far so good.

[mockingbird812]

I’ll join in. OO of my L78 ‘69 Chevelle had a mentor in the Musclecar / race car world back in 1969. This guy from Roanoke VA bought a new ‘68 L89 Camaro coupe locally and raced it in on the street and at the local strips. He advised OO of my ‘69 Chevelle to go with a solid lifter Chevy for its increase performance. I am friends with the L89 guy on FB and can get more details if wanted. He does not currently own the car.

[J jones]

I’ll join in. OO of my L78 ‘69 Chevelle had a mentor in the Musclecar / race car world back in 1969. This guy from Roanoke VA bought a new ‘68 L89 Camaro coupe locally and raced it in on the street and at the local strips. He advised OO of my ‘69 Chevelle to go with a solid lifter Chevy for its increase performance. I am friends with the L89 guy on FB and can get more details if wanted. He does not currently own the car.

Did he buy the L89 in Powhatan, Virgina?

[mockingbird812]

Did he buy the L89 in Powhatan, Virgina?


Checking now! :cool2:

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Long shot Sam but any chance the '68 L89 you're referring to came from the same Dealer as your '69 L78 Velle, thus Original Paperwork available like your amazing score last year?:hmmm:
Looking forward to more anything of genuine L89 cars anyone can share.
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[mockingbird812]

'

Long shot Sam but any chance the '68 L89 you're referring to came from the same Dealer as your '69 L78 Velle, thus Original Paperwork available like your amazing score last year?:hmmm:
Looking forward to more anything of genuine L89 cars anyone can share.
:beers:
~ Pete

.

Man Pete, I like the way you think! It is possible that he bought it at Wickline Chev in Rocky Mount NC. There was also a Chev dealership in Roanoke but they would not give Wayne the deal he wanted on his Chevelle, so he headed 20 miles south to Wickline.

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Sounds good Sam, spread the word and best of luck w/ any results!
As to other '68 L89's out there, one's the BRG Coupe VIN 124378N472754 w/ Matching #'s description so more than likely non-original/restamp engine, pics here...
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNs4Ld3hmLTIPCBPKOSjSMvwcT5UFAJbLAcTYGzGAlfre vsXEiW06rG_aELlVzJeQ?key=aDFNQktLWEdoX3Q2Z1BKUUNUU Wh5LTMzQjhNZXR3
:beers:
~ Pete


'

[iluv69s]

probably is one that is known, but there was an all original, original owner L-89 that showed up each year at E'town when they had the swap meets. They have a car show on the strip and I spoke to the owner a few times. This was way back in the early 90's if I recall.

[1903USMCUnertl]

I vaguely remember seeing a small pic in a muscle car mag from the late 80's/early 90's with a Grotto Blue SS/RS L89 'vert...The pic was saying the car sold at auction maybe....or at a Super Chevy show..

Anyone remember the car? Also there was a feature on a '69 SS/RS L89 HO car...magazine article from the late 80's...Muscle Car Review or Muscle Car Classics?

[mockingbird812]

Checking now! :cool2:

I heard back from Mike Saunders, the OO of the L89 ‘68 Camaro….

“My car was a 1968 SS Camaro L78/L89 ordered from Ourisman Chev in northern Virginia. I ordered it with the SS package, 4speed, it was white with red interior and a black vinyl top. I ordered power front disc brakes, quick ratio manual steering and all gauges/“

[J jones]

Wow! Have not heard of that car. Mine was bought new in Powhatan
and raced for a while.. Sound like an awesome car your freind had. Is it still known somewhere?

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Thanks for the update Sam, bummer the Dealer wasn't Wickline but great details about the car.
Love to hear more about it also any other real '68 L89's, your car too Jimmy!
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[J jones]

Pete. My car has a similar story as 302moz, back in the 90s. The car set up for years and I acquired it in 07. Finished restoration in 2014. Had it certified by Camaro High Performance this year after the Camaro Nationals. It's the first and only one the have done. Since I can't determine value, I have decided to put it up for sale on BAT. Probably in the next couple of weeks. Looking forward to seeing how it does.

[Crush]

Pete. My car has a similar story as 302moz, back in the 90s. The car set up for years and I acquired it in 07. Finished restoration in 2014. Had it certified by Camaro High Performance this year after the Camaro Nationals. It's the first and only one the have done. Since I can't determine value, I have decided to put it up for sale on BAT. Probably in the next couple of weeks. Looking forward to seeing how it does.

Love to see some pics of yours!

[Kurt S]

BRG Coupe VIN 124378N472754 w/ Matching #'s description so more than likely non-original/restamp engine, pics
8N472754 - nice resto but restamped.

[carnut4life]

Quote:
Originally Posted by cook_dw View Post
68 L89’s are probably the rarest 1st gen camaro (aside from the ZL1 followed after 68’s the 69 L89 cars) my personal opinion. I only have a handful of known cars in my data and several red flag cars. Without the block or paper you can not 100% confirm originality. CRG has it listed that 272 cars were assembled and nothing stating it includes warranty engines. Which I assumed doesn’t. Maybe Kurt, William or Bryon can comment.

Do you have any record of a dark green 68 L89 Camaro in SE Iowa Darrell? I know a guy that supposedly has one with the original engine and he was going to have Jerry inspect when I had my COPO Camaro inspected in 2017. He saw one of Jerry's reports and was worried about him picking his car apart and changed his mind which shocked me because if I had an L89 with the original motor I'd be dying to know if it was legit or not.

Finally came across the car I mentioned above today at a local show and got a picture of the trim tag and pad stamp. I cut off the VIN off since I believe the suffix shows enough for the experts to know if its legit or not.

[DWR]

A friend of mine is looking for 68 MT block, last three numbers in vin are 144. Corvette bronze with bvt. Sold new in Charleston WV. Has original numbers matching M22. No other paper work only stories. Thanks.

[McCune]

This Black 68 showed up at the Super Chevy Sunday in Sonoma California in 1987 and 1988. I just seen the black plate that said L89 and that is all I know about the car?