Black on Black 1967 Camaro L78 124377N212598

[jbtech]

With the help of Bentley "Pops" Balke username bbbentley, I've acquired this Black L78 that I missed out on a few months back. A 1967 4K car is one of my dream cars and I'm looking forward to having it in my garage. A huge thank you to Pops as he was local to the seller and was able to have the deal done immediately on my behalf.

We are still searching for the born with engine and transmission so I will post info here in case someone does a google search for either.

VIN: 124377N212598
Partial VIN: 7N212598

[firstgenaddict]

Awesome ride, There is a T0413MQ in a L78 pacer I inspected 2 years ago, the VIN doesn't match the pacer but I believe it begins with 212 - there was too much paint on the pad for me to get the complete VIN.

FWIW I swear I saw the car for sale in the last few months.

[AnthonyS]

YAY! Great find!!

[scuncio]

Cool car, I was also tempted but have too much to do as it is. With a 4.56 gear I suspect the original mill exploded in spectacular fashion, but it’s always worth searching.

[SuperNovaSS]

The cat is out of the bag!!!! Congrats Jose!

Jason

[R68GTO]

Glad someone on this site got it, I am looking forward to this resurrection.

[1967 4K]

Good to see another 4K surface. Great color combo.

Richard

[olredalert]

----All that and deluxe gut. Love 67 Camaros with deluxe gut!!!.....Bill S

[GrumpyJeff]

----All that and deluxe gut. Love 67 Camaros with deluxe gut!!!.....Bill S

My thoughts Too !!!

[jbtech]

----All that and deluxe gut. Love 67 Camaros with deluxe gut!!!.....Bill S

My thoughts Too !!!

The car is actually a standard interior car but does retain factory tach and console + gauges with Z23 headliner trim and pedal trim. This car has stock tubs (they will stay that way) but the quarters unfortunately were recently poorly replaced. When I missed out on the car months ago, the car appeared to have original quarters with flares installed.

[jerry455]

WOW!
Congrats Jose!!!

[1967 4K]

Is the original tire pressure- size stickers still on the glove box lid?

Richard

[jbtech]

Is the original tire pressure- size stickers still on the glove box lid?

Richard

Yes here it is.

[RobR]

Nice find! Congratulations José!

[1967 4K]

Thanks for the pic of the sticker. Is the radiator and fan shroud still intact?

Richard

[169indy]

Question for the 4K crowd: "IS that tire sticker unique to the L78 cars or 396's in general?"

Thanks
Jim

[bbbentley]

Thanks for the pic of the sticker. Is the radiator and fan shroud still intact?

Richard

No

[1967Z28]

Congrats on the purchase. Cool car!

[Stefano]

Congrats Kool, find.

[Pro Stock John]

Love this car, it was the one posted a few months ago with the flares?

[scuncio]

Yes, same car.

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Original thread from 01/21...
https://yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?p=1534389
Cool it's a Bobb Chevrolet car as other members have posted cars from there too.
Have you checked in w/ the Bobb Chevy Facebook group as someone there may know or be looking for it?:hmmm:
Awesome car and best of luck w/ everything!
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[SuperNovaSS]

It looks like member 65blackcoupe bought it from Howard when it was on Ebay. Have you been in touch with him Jose?


Jason

[Pro Stock John]

Maybe try in here too: https://www.facebook.com/groups/794642460584701

[jbtech]

'

Original thread from 01/21...
https://yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?p=1534389
Cool it's a Bobb Chevrolet car as other members have posted cars from there too.
Have you checked in w/ the Bobb Chevy Facebook group as someone there may know or be looking for it?:hmmm:
Awesome car and best of luck w/ everything!
:beers:
~ Pete

.

Yes I made a post to that group a while ago but no hits.

It looks like member 65blackcoupe bought it from Howard when it was on Ebay. Have you been in touch with him Jose?


Jason

Yes he did get in touch with me regarding the car.

Maybe try in here too: https://www.facebook.com/groups/794642460584701

I had a post on a FB Ohio drag racing page a while back but took it down after a false positive.

Bentley (bbbentley) has done all the legwork contacting previous owners. The car never left his stomping grounds of southern Ohio. The next person we are trying to find is a Mr. A. Mason who sold the car in 1981 in Junction City, Ohio. Mr. Mason was around 19 years old at the time.


So far, previous owners have stated the car never saw a track and was only raced on the street. The car did not have the original engine in it then. The car does in fact have a big block transmission crossmember still in place.

A previous owner Jenkins sent the car to Florida to have work done including the flares but was NOT happy and the car was put away until sold to Howard which is how it ended up on eBay where the story was picked up here.

The car also appears to have factory markings on the firewall/rad support, can anyone decipher the marks? I think one is an eight above the heater core cover?

[firstgenaddict]

IT still has the white sprayed on the Trim Tag as well. (typical of 67's)

[SuperNovaSS]

Is anyone else as excited about this one as I am???


Jason

[AnthonyS]

^ yup!!

[cook_dw]

Cool car congrats.

[Zedder]

Once again congratulations! It would be great to have this car and my old 67 Z in the same garage!

[Chuck_Burg]

CONGRATS Jose! Talk about a rare piece! Factory 4.56s. Can't be too many black L78s with 4.56s. I can't believe none of the previous owners you've spoken to drag raced the car....

[jbtech]

CONGRATS Jose! Talk about a rare piece! Factory 4.56s. Can't be too many black L78s with 4.56s. I can't believe none of the previous owners you've spoken to drag raced the car....

Not yet anyway. Hopefully we can track down the next guy. Stuck in 1981 so far.

[gaul]

Cool! Great find

[Stihl]

Congrats! Glad you have landed your dream car. Keep digging and updating please.

[jbtech]

I've made contact with the previous owner Alan Mason through his family. He bought the car in 1980 in the fall of his senior year while attending Logan High School in Ohio. The car was parked on Maysville-Williams road with a for sale sign, he made an offer and the owner accepted. He is still trying to remember the name of the owner who sold it to him.

According to Alan, it had the original "Turbo-Jet 396" in it, the interior was cherry and the car looked great. Alan said he (CORRECTION JOHN GOSS blew non original 396) blew the motor, pulled it, and is still trying to remember what he did with it.

I have a lot more questions for him but one thing at a time. He was excited to know his car is still around and will call me back once he finds his photos of the car!

[R68GTO]

Very cool that you've made that contact. Hopefully he comes up with some pics for you.

[AnthonyS]

I hope he comes up with that "Turbo-Jet 396" for you!!

[Pro Stock John]

That's awesome. With a little time I bet his memories will come back since he's thinking about it.

[jbtech]

More photos as found to me. Today I successfully took delivery of the car. If there are more photos I should take to document the car please comment thank you.

[R68GTO]

If original sheetmetal, get pics of the "week stamps" on cowl, door inners, quarters, fenders, firewall, etc. Going to be a stunning car when done!

[firstgenaddict]

Fortunate the rear is still with the car - god would that be a difficult one to find!

Is the bulkhead wire fitting on the firewall for the reverse lights?

[Pro Stock John]

Awesome car, factory 4.56 gears, I'm looking forward to reading about this restoration.

[dykstra]

Congrats! What a great find!

[Pro Stock John]

Any luck on finding past owners or history?

I'm helping a friend research a day2 L34 Nova that purchased from Nickey, we might have found the name of a long time owner.

[chevelleheart]

Great car ! Wow, good luck on your drivetrain search !

[jbtech]

No updates on drivetrain or ownership history but here are more photos of the car. I did make use of my son's chalk to reveal some stamps/castings as best I could.

Looking closer the front drum backing plates are not original. Who swaps backing plates? The subframe is a '67 only unit.

The master cylinder is coded for manual drums and dated 206.

The booster appears to be stamped 8515 and dated 82 which would be March 23rd 1967.

Also, I found a "P" Ink stamp on the front LH cowl panel and what appears to be factory markings inside the lower front valence. (not sure why images flipped)

I'm still gathering sheetmetal and glass dates.

[Chuck_Burg]

I have the OE front brakes off my 67. I’m never going to use them, I was gonna Chuck (no pun intended) them. They’re yours, just pay the shipping.

[1967Z28]

The 8515 brake booster is for disc brakes, not drums. That's a rare and desirable piece. Maybe your car had power discs when new.

[SuperNovaSS]

I think that is what Jose was saying. It looks like the car originally had power disc brakes. Later, it had drums swapped from a manual drum car. Is that right Jose?

Jason

[jbtech]

I think that is what Jose was saying. It looks like the car originally had power disc brakes. Later, it had drums swapped...

Yes. That would be my guess.

The booster seems to be the only part of the front brakes that would pass as original to the car and like Jon said is for disc brakes. It is clear the current master cylinder and front drums are not original to the car.

As much as I wanted the car to have factory disc brakes all along, it is nice to find evidence it could have been a disc brake car from the beginning.

I've been patiently waiting for a response from Alan who may be able to confirm what brakes were on the car in 1980.

I did find the contact information of Ron Perry who worked at Bobb Chevrolet who may have sold the car when new, but I haven't had a call or message back. I tried calling again and it went straight to his personal voicemail greeting. Oh well. He stated on an old Facebook post he worked at the dealership since the 60's and that's when I tried to make contact. I also found a Bobb Chevrolet Pace car image with his name on it.

[1967Z28]

I like that shot of the pace car. Here is a photo of a '67 Z hillclimb car, a '67 A/Sedan road racer, both with Bobb sponsorship, and a Bobb dealership emblem.

[jbtech]

I like that shot of the pace car. Here is a photo of a '67 Z hillclimb car, a '67 A/Sedan road racer, both with Bobb sponsorship, and a Bobb dealership emblem.

Those pics are great! Thanks!

Here are a few more discoveries from the car:

I've discovered the front drum brakes are actually first gen Firebird.

The steering box/pitman arm is from a 1969 Z28.
Date B309B (I've seen one other box with the 8 misstamped as a "B")
Pitman 3953227

It's just under 4 turns lock to lock so my guess it's the standard Z28 box with mismatched steering arms/idler arm.

The crossmember/frame stands are correct for 67/68 396

[Chuck_Burg]

At least you crossmember isn't a Firebird unit, looks almost identical to the BBC unit but the holes are in a different position.

[DW31S]

Believe it or not, disc to drum (I know, who would’ve thought) was a common swap on drag race oriented cars back when these cars were new, or close to new. Seen many early Z/28s converted to drum that were drag cars.

[Pro Stock John]

Yeah, were the drums lighter... That's hard to imagine.

[Mr70]

Drum brake shoes don't drag as much as Disc brakes pads do and slow the car down,thus why Drag racers like Drum.

[bbbentley]

Drum brake shoes don't drag as much as Disc brakes pads do and slow the car down,thus why Drag racers like Drum.

It’s really about the staging where the drums have an advantage.

[jbtech]

I have found complete ownership history of my 1967 Camaro SS L78. I spoke with the original owner today while he was at a bar and boy did it make his day to know the car is still around.

I'm going to write this with the best intentions and with my notes I have written down and the notes I gathered from Bentley (bbbentley) who spoke to Dean Rooker, Jenkins, and Todd. There will be updates as I'm now in constant contact with the first 3 owners and their families.

After returning from home from Thailand where he was stationed while in the military, Bruce Cremean (now 79) from Logan Ohio worked a well paying job in Columbus in 1967. During his off time after work, he would go to National Trails and check out the races. One day he spots a Gorgeous Black on Black 1967 Camaro SS 396 L78 Bobb Chevrolet drag car and decides he wants to buy it. When asked if the car was lettered up, Bruce said the car coming down the track was , "Brand New, it still had the window sticker in it!"

Later he walks into the dealership to buy it but the salesman (who was driving the car at the track) doesn't want to sell it, after all, he was the one who custom ordered the car with all the goodies including the 4.56 rear, disc brakes, style trim package, console and gauges, white stripe, and the list goes on. Bruce goes to the higher up at the dealership and the higher up tells the salesman that if he didn't sell a certain Corvette within a specific time frame, he would sell the 1967 Camaro to Bruce. That is exactly what happened and Bruce says the salesman was not happy about it.

Bruce enjoyed racing the car mainly at National Trails and making changes to help the car go faster at the track. He fabbed his own plenum air cleaner "to pull air right below the windshield" and even made custom wheelie bars for the Camaro at one point. He said "that car ran 12's all day with that HiPo 396". He he married his girlfriend and life happened. He kept the car and removed the original 396 so his wife could drive the car with a 283 in it. He was still commuting to Columbus and at one point his other cars broke down and he commuted to Columbus daily with the 4.56 gears which explains the miles on the car. Eventually with a growing family he sold the car to a young John Goss Jr. Bruce kept the 396 in his garage for years with the hopes of eventually buying the car back but he never found it. He also still has his custom plenum air cleaner and will get it down for me. He sold the original 396 to a friend to use in a restoration who owned an insurance company. His friend -REMOVED- has unfortunately passed but his daughter still owns the car to this day with the original 396 from the Camaro.

As previously mentioned, Bruce Cremean sold the car to a young John Goss Jr. in the 70's and installed the 396 from his wrecked tow wagon. I was able to make contact with John's younger brother Shane who said John went to the prom in the car and has a photo with his date. John then blew up the 396. The car sat in his parents driveway with a blown 396 and while John was away in Germany serving in the army, John's dad parked the car out in front of their house with a for sale sign on Maysville-Williams road. John was not happy that his father sold the car while he was gone.

High School senior Alan Mason bought the car with the hurt engine and took it apart to see if it could be fixed, he invited his close friend Richard Buckley to check out the car with the heads off it. After seeing it was too far gone, Mason installed a 350 small block and ran the car. Mason removed the original SS hood and bought a White fiberglass cowl induction hood that was a lift off design, he screwed the hood to the car. Him and his friend Richard Buckley from down the street would often trade their cars on weekends. Richard had a 69 Swinger and Alan the 67 Camaro.

They traded so often that one day Richard says, "how about let's trade for good". Thus, Richard got to keep the 1967 Camaro. I spoke to Richard and his younger brother Charley and they had some great times in that car. In 1980-81 The car was MINT with white cowl induction lift off hood, Mickey Thomson N50's on the back, skinnies up front, and the interior was original and cherry. The only blemish Richard had to fix was on the LH quarter where Alan blew a tire. Alan was known for driving his cars hard and went through a few muscle cars over the years.

Richard installed a 400 small block in the car, "Man that thing would SCREAM" and according to his younger brother Charley, the car would "SHIT N' GET BOY!... John NEVER lost a street race". The car still looked pristine. They would even race guys in reverse! Richard took the 400 small block out of the Camaro and installed it in his truck. He sold the car for 500 dollars without an engine to two guys who came to pick it up James Rooker and Dean Rooker. Then 14 year old Charley says "man.. I CRIED when my brother sold that car I wanted it SO bad".

James Rooker owned the car, sold it to his brothers girlfriend (Judy). Judy and Dean were married for some time and sold it after a divorce to a Mr. Baxter who sold to Mr. Jenkins whose name appears on the title in 2013. Mr. Jenkins sent the car to Florida to a body shop it was there 18 months and gave them $10,000 and they did nothing to the car. He got disgusted and sold it to Howard who sold it to Todd, who sold it to Bentley, who bought it on my behalf. THANK YOU BENTLEY!

Bruce has original documents and photos to the car and says he will get them to me.
Shane also has photos and is going to have his brother John call me in the next few days.
Shane has been a tremendous help and when he called me the first thing he said was, "I KNOW THE ORIGINAL OWNER TO THIS CAR!" After our conversation he drives to the local bar where he and Bruce hang out and has Bruce call me right then and there.
Mason has been very hard to get a hold of but the Buckley's say they are going to get a hold of him.
Charley and Richard Buckley also said they have photos and will gather them up. Charley, Richard, Shane, and Bruce were all great guys and fun to talk with.
I previously thought my original block was in a restored pace car but the current owner of that pace car got back to me and the VIN on the pad is 7N212552 No match for my car.
However that car (124377N212552) may still be around in Georgia. Bruce clarified my born with block 7N212598 IS still around in the -REMOVED- car mentioned (different than pacer).
Charles Buckley helped me get into contact with Charley Buckley so thank you!

After I got off the phone with Bruce the original owner I could hear him laugh in the bar and say "We'll I'll be damned" before hanging up.

[mr.4speed]

that's so awesome Jose!

[PeteLeathersac]

'

W:headbang:W, big congrats also hats off to you and Bentley for such an awesome job backtracking!
To confirm, the engine in the Pacer you were hoping was yours is Owens' daughter's car you noted above?:hmmm:
Thanks for sharing all this great stuff, looking forward to more also resto updates!
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[AnthonyS]

Yes!! AWESOME!

[jbtech]

'

W:headbang:W, big congrats also hats off to you and Bentley for such an awesome job backtracking!
To confirm, the engine in the Pacer you were hoping was yours is Owens' daughter's car you noted above?:hmmm:
Thanks for sharing all this great stuff, looking forward to more also resto updates!
:beers:
~ Pete

.


Pete, thank you!
To clarify my block 7N212598 is still around in the REMOVED car according to Bruce (different car than pacer).

I previously thought my block was in said pacer but after the current owner of the Pacer from Washington state texted me yesterday the vin was 212552 no match. I thought my block was long lost until Bruce told me today where it is.

[AnthonyS]

Yay!!

[jbtech]

Awesome ride, There is a T0413MQ in a L78 pacer I inspected 2 years ago, the VIN doesn't match the pacer but I believe it begins with 212 - there was too much paint on the pad for me to get the complete VIN.

FWIW I swear I saw the car for sale in the last few months.

The vin on the Pacer is 7N212552

[R68GTO]

Great job researching all the history and good luck on getting some vintage pics from the various owners!

[cook_dw]

Well done Jose. Like a damn soap opera for car guys. When's the Netflix documentary coming? Seriously great job.


https://y.yarn.co/2680afe8-c028-4a5e-9f5e-7005ef75c5bb_text.gif

[Pro Stock John]

Wow, what an update. Hat's off to all the folks who spent time to track down the owners.

[carnut4life]

That's every car guys dream, congratulations Jose!!!

[1967 4K]

It would be great to get the original block back with your car. Good detective work, hats off to you Jose.

[luzl78]

It would be great to get the original block back with your car. Good detective work, hats off to you Jose.
You absolutely have to get your original engine. Even if you buy the owner a new crate engine it’s worth it.

[Chuck_Burg]

Amazing detective work Jose. Thank you for sharing the story with us. My favorite part of the story is the original owner calling you while at a bar HAHA

[Too Many Projects]

Yep, hell of a story, and detective work. I need to hire you guys to track down the history of my '67. Not because it's anything special, but I would like to know who the knucklehead/s were that kept crashing this poor car...:rolleyes2:
It truly would be a great addition to the story if you could acquire the original engine. Maybe have to buy the whole car and put another engine in it to sell again, but that may be what it comes to.

[jbtech]

Yep, hell of a story, and detective work. I need to hire you guys to track down the history of my '67. Not because it's anything special, but I would like to know who the knucklehead/s were that kept crashing this poor car...:rolleyes2:
It truly would be a great addition to the story if you could acquire the original engine. Maybe have to buy the whole car and put another engine in it to sell again, but that may be what it comes to.

It was a LOT of work and many dead ends I thought were promising leads. Not sure I want to go through it again. After contacting the names on the title, Bentley was able to contact Rooker who was able to give the name Allen Mason spelled "ALLEN".Those contact numbers were found using Google and choosing names to call based on age and location. I believe Bentley was able to speak to Rooker after calling his son.

I had to use a classmates.com account to "look" for Allen Mason around Junction City OH where Rooker said he bought the car.

Turns out, his real name was Alan Mason and I only found him because classmates.com provides a list of names as a close match when searching the area. He went to Logan High School.

Next I had to use a whitepages account to call the numbers associated with that name, and it was just by chance his ex wife picked up the phone and was able to talk to Alan on my behalf. The one name he mentioned was a Richard Buckley who I attempted to make contact multiple times. Months later I gave it another shot this time calling his nephew Charles and he picked up and put me in touch with Charley and Richard (4th owner) who were essentially neighbors to Alan.

Richard and Charley were able to contact me at that point. Understandably, Richard says he thought I was spam the entire time, even though I left a clear message about his Black 67. Once I was able to contact Charley and Richard, they gave me the name John Goss whom I still haven't spoke to directly. They advised me to call his younger brother Shane Goss, who I found and messaged on Facebook and he called me immediately. Shane happens to be the brother of John the 2nd owner and good friends with Bruce the original owner.

With that being said, there were plenty of dead ends, wrong people called etc. I even found an original owner to another L78 but turns out it was Blue and the car was still around sold to the guys neighbor. I also thought the Black L78 car was repossessed at one point after finding this clipping in the local newspaper. Turns out it wasn't the car but the funny thing is, one of the owners laughed and said they know whose car it was. Those are some of the leads that can throw you off for weeks. I got lucky. Keep in mind that finding the current owner of another car I thought had my original block and getting the complete vin off the pad was a journey all in itself.

Some of the tools used were:
Google.com
Classmates.com
Whitepages.com
Newspapers.com (Didn't help in this case)
Facebook.com


I hope this helps!

[AnthonyS]

Awesome!

[Pro Stock John]

Amazing sleuthing, thanks for sharing.

[Stihl]

A six week old Camaro getting repossessed? I bet it lived a hard life for the last few weeks

[450hp]

Wow, now that was a fun story to read. That got interesting. That will be great car to restore.:biggthumpup:

[jbtech]

Richard and Dorothy provided the following photos and have given me consent to post. Dorothy was a senior in High School at the time and these photos were taken around 1980 about a year before they were married. They went on their first date in the Camaro and went everywhere together in the car. They are still married to this day. The Dart in the photos is the car he traded to Alan for the Camaro.

Speaking with Richard today on the phone he remembered adjusting the brakes on the car with Alan and only touching the rear brakes not the front, so he says the front brakes were most likely disc (Although Alan remembers the car having drums).

Richard said he installed the rear spoiler and the CB radio in the car. He also said the Camaro had an 8-Track player.

When he sold the Camaro he told the guys (Rooker) it had a bad steering box, which could explain why the car has the 69 Z box on it now. He thinks it was a power steering box.


Enjoy the photos!

[Pro Stock John]

So cool you are finding this info and the pics!

[R68GTO]

Very cool Jose'. Just how I remember those street-fighter cars looking back then.

[chevelleheart]

Best story I’ve read in a while ! Congrats

[jbtech]

Unfortunately Alan Mason the 3rd owner of my 1967 SS L78 Camaro has recently passed. His family has been very kind and sent me these photos of my car when he owned it circa 1979-80. Alan was known for driving his cars very hard and had a lot of very cool cars go through his ownership including this one. Alan eventually traded Richard Buckley this car for a 69 Dart Swinger.

EDIT 1/20/22: In the photos I noticed the rear end is painted red which explains the peeling red paint still found on the car today. The seats appear to be firebird front seats with headrests. Alan Mason bought Richard Buckley's 68 Firebird 400 and made it into a derby car with Richard Buckley's sister. It is very possible those seats came from that car. John Goss's (2nd owner) high school friend on facebook states he remembers listening to the Rolling Stones on the 8 Track in the car in '77. These pics show the 8 Track in the car. If you look closely at the glove box there appears to be a small screw holding it closed on the right near the two white stickers. That screw is still needed to hold the glove box closed as the lock cylinder remains damaged to this day. The 67 Fastback in the photos also belonged to Richard Buckley.

[jbtech]

Just a few updates:

Bruce (original owner) jokes that I'm making his brain hurt but he has confirmed the car had disc brakes and a woodgrain steering wheel.

He says when he bought the car, the salesman told him not many knew about that model, and that there were "only about 27 out there with that engine" at the time.

He won a lot of trophies with the car but after a bad fight, his wife trashed them. He says he has photos of the car with the trophies.

Bruce says he trimmed the rear wheel lips to "fit those big slicks under there"

A gentleman by the name of Paul Shepherd says he remembers Bruce Cremean's Black Camaro from National Trails. He worked at National Trails as a teenager in the late 60's - 70's.

When I asked him about any memorable races, he said he once lost to Mary Ann Foss at National Trails. I asked him what happened and he replied, "well, once you lost that's it no second chances!"

I finally made successful contact today with Judy who says she owned the car from 1982 up until the 2000s when she sold it to Baxter. She bought it from James Rooker when he was in the service. James is Dean Rooker's brother. (This explains the two guys who came to buy the car from Richard Buckley). She says she was dating Dean at the time.

Dean's son (Dean Jr.) says his father (Dean Sr.) installed the big rear flares when he was still in high school. Judy said the Camaro had a 350 in it when she owned it. She went to prom in the car!

Judy also states she too has photos of the car and will provide them to me.

I'm now actively searching for the original transmission. The next guy to contact is James Rooker who I found on facebook.

When I told Bruce the news about finding Judy he said he once remembers driving around in the 80s and seeing the car parked in a backyard but every time he tried to ask about it nobody was home and one day it disappeared.

Judy says she sold it to John Baxter for his son. Judy sold it while her father was sick and she was helping him.

[Pro Stock John]

Amazing research. How about the engine and the post you shared that it might be in another car?

[Zedder]

One of the best parts of getting a new old car is the hunt for its’ history! Nice job…

[jbtech]

Amazing research. How about the engine and the post you shared that it might be in another car?

Yes it is in another Camaro Bruce spoke of. I'm carefully working on reuniting it with my car but it isn't a simple process. I hope it isn't decked beyond recognition.

[jbtech]

I have located the original engine. It has never been decked. It's all original from carb to pan including valve covers, exhaust manifolds, and distributor.

The current owners are not interested in parting with it and understandably wish to remain anonymous.

I'm now turning my full attention to locating the transmission.

[R68GTO]

Congrats on the find! Go find that trans and a replacement engine for the people that have yours:grin:

[oldstv]

I bet that engine can be bought somehow, you just need to want it more than they do.
Great story and amazing detective work!!

[Too Many Projects]

I have located the original engine. It has never been decked. It's all original from carb to pan including valve covers, exhaust manifolds, and distributor.
The current owners are not interested in parting with it and understandably wish to remain anonymous.

I'm now turning my full attention to locating the transmission.


Hopefully, it is being run in a vehicle and not sitting on a stand rusting inside.

[AnthonyS]

Awesome stories; it’s fun to ride along through this thread!

[jbtech]

I hear you guys like docs. Window Sticker and Shipping data report.

[AnthonyS]

^ wooo hooo!!

[SuperNovaSS]

i hear you guys like docs. Window sticker.


yes!

[scuncio]

That is amazing.

[jbtech]

Here is a very early photo when original owner Bruce Cremean raced the car. Check out the trophy on the hood. That is also his '55 tow wagon. I apologize for the low quality. I'll upload a better quality photo when I can.

[oldstv]

I love this thread!!

[bbbentley]

This car, now, has serious creds!!! Congrats!

[Pro Stock John]

Dang is that the original window sticker???

[jbtech]

Dang is that the original window sticker???

Yes.

[AnthonyS]

NICE! What an addition to the (story of the) car! YAY!!!

[jbtech]

Here are the dates on the sheetmetal. It appears as if the tailpan was replaced. The decklid is a '69 repop. I believe the front valence and header panel are original but I can't seem to find the stamps. I'll ad those to this post once I locate the stamping. The quarters have been patched but thankfully are savable.

The RH fender stamp was so light and very difficult to capture a photo. I've flipped the image to make it easier to spot but it's definitely a 14. Next post will document the glass dates.

Tailpan LH 9, RH 52
Quarters LH 14, RH 16
Doors LH 15, RH 16
Doorframe LH 14, RH 16
Fenders LH 16, RH 14

[jbtech]

Here are the photos of the glass codes. All photos were taken from outside the car. I've decoded the dates and the windshield has clearly been replaced. Anyone want to take a stab at dating the windshield? Next I'll post dates found of other items on the car.

Back Glass NZ January 1967
LH Quarter NZ January 1967
LH Door XZ February 1967
LH Vent 126 December 1966
RH Quarter NZ January 1967
RH Door XZ February 1967
RH Vent 86 August 1966
Windshield REPLACED

[jbtech]

Here are other dates found on the car. This area along with others will be expanded as new parts are dated. Please PM or comment if you can help identify dates/information.

I found multiple burned wires and foil wrapped fuses. You can also see where the circuit is burned on the back of the cluster. I'm assuming this is what took the car off the road years ago. It's a miracle this car didn't catch on fire.

Console Gauges April 18? 1967
Cluster April 7, 1967
Hold Off Valve 75-7 (Thursday March 16, 1967)
8515 Booster 82 (Thursday March 23, 1967)
Rear End Casting L296 (December 29, 1966)
Axle Stamp 0303 (March 3rd, 1967)
Vin Plate 557 9 I need help with this one. I'm guessing dealer delivery of May 5, 1967? Not sure what the 9 means?

[RPOLS3]

Wow - congratulations on the paperwork and original engine find - hopefully you can talk the current owner of the engine out of it.

[cook_dw]

Excellent detective work Jose. As I've said privately you've done a great job on connecting the dots.

[ACR]

I've followed this thread since you started it last year and it just gets better and better with old photos and now documentation. A 67 4K car is pretty great in itself but a factory black one makes me think it's just a little more special. As the owner of a factory black first gen, it seems like the legitimate ones are an endangered species. Seeing every new post you make on IG makes me eager to see updates in this thread. Following for more updates!

[Pro Stock John]

And a factory 4.56 car to boot, talk about cool!!

[RPOLS3]

A black/black '67 L78 Camaro w/4.56 gears, paperwork and original engine has to be close to a 1 of 1.

[jbtech]

A black/black '67 L78 Camaro w/4.56 gears, paperwork and original engine has to be close to a 1 of 1.

Not sure if the original engine will be reunited to the car but it would sure be cool.

I don't have the original window sticker, just a scanned copy taken years ago that was provided to me by the current owners of the engine. The original copy is still with Bruce the original owner. I'm working on reuniting it with the car along with other items.

The current owners of the engine had it rebuilt back to stock with the best of intentions to keep it original. It is in a running driving vehicle and well taken care of. On the engine dyno it made 408hp but he says it could have made more if it weren't for the bad exhaust headers/manifolds? bolted up for the run.

There are a lot of variables up in the air right now and I'm simply not in control. I didn't anticipate the work it would take to get this far and I haven't done much to the car. With that said, I am grateful for what has come to light about this car, and I'm also thankful that those Ohioan Hotrodders don't throw anything away.

It's been very nice having support and guidance behind the scenes from members here including Bentley bbbentley, Darrell cook_dw, Jason supernovass, Anthony anthonys and others including previous owners and their families.

I also really enjoy sharing the story as it unfolds of this special car with anyone interested.

[napa68]

Kudos to your work and persistence to dig up what you have Jose!

Tim

[jbtech]

Not many updates on the car except I've been accumulating parts. Unfortunately, no progress toward acquiring the born with complete engine and no progress on finding original transmission.

I contacted the Petersen Automotive museum to search for photos of the car but after a few weeks they replied saying they didn't have anything from the area pre 1972, "We did a pretty thorough search and unfortunately, the only images we have from that dragway and surrounding area are from 1972 and after."

Bruce says he raced the car on the strip since new well into 1968. He remembers his original license plate number is "BC 1200".

Because the car had the tailpan replaced, I decided to call Bruce (Original Owner) and ask if he was ever in an accident. Before I could finish he said, "Yeah, guy hit me in the ass God Damn!". This confirms the tailpan was replaced during the first ownership and why the Bobb Chevrolet emblem holes were gone.

We were talking for a bit and he said back then he'd run a set of slicks with two grooves for the street and a set of traditional slicks for the strip. The car was raced all the time on the street.

There is a show/cruise in being planned Saturday August 6th in Logan OH and I feel it's the right thing to do to bring the car back so all of the previous owners and their families could enjoy the car. With gas prices soaring, it will be a big undertaking for me as I've never done such a thing. Thus, I'm rushing to get the car running. For me, this is a car guys dream to be able to meet the original owner and God willing come home with original documents, parts, photos, and stories.

[scuncio]

Very cool. OH is one heck of a hike from CA. Would be epic to do it Two Lane Blacktop style and cruise it across the country.

Not many updates on the car except I've been accumulating parts. Unfortunately, no progress toward acquiring the born with complete engine and no progress on finding original transmission.

I contacted the Petersen Automotive museum to search for photos of the car but after a few weeks they replied saying they didn't have anything from the area pre 1972.

Bruce says he raced the car on the strip since new well into 1968. He remembers his original license plate number is "BC 1200".

Because the car had the tailpan replaced, I decided to call Bruce (Original Owner) and ask if he was ever in an accident. Before I could finish he said, "Yeah, guy hit me in the ass God Damn!". This confirms the tailpan was replaced during the first ownership and why the Bobb Chevrolet emblem holes were gone.

We were talking for a bit and he said back then he'd run a set of slicks with two grooves for the street and a set of traditional slicks for the strip. The car was raced all the time on the street.

There is a show/cruise in being planned Saturday August 6th in Logan OH and I feel it's the right thing to do to bring the car back so all of the previous owners and their families could enjoy the car. With gas prices soaring, it will be a big undertaking for me as I've never done such a thing. Thus, I'm rushing to get the car running. For me, this is a car guys dream to be able to meet the original owner and God willing come home with original documents, parts, photos, and stories.

[AnthonyS]

^ hey, which way you headed?

East.

That’s cool, I never been East.

[luzl78]

Not many updates on the car except I've been accumulating parts. Unfortunately, no progress toward acquiring the born with complete engine and no progress on finding original transmission.

I contacted the Petersen Automotive museum to search for photos of the car but after a few weeks they replied saying they didn't have anything from the area pre 1972.

Bruce says he raced the car on the strip since new well into 1968. He remembers his original license plate number is "BC 1200".

Because the car had the tailpan replaced, I decided to call Bruce (Original Owner) and ask if he was ever in an accident. Before I could finish he said, "Yeah, guy hit me in the ass God Damn!". This confirms the tailpan was replaced during the first ownership and why the Bobb Chevrolet emblem holes were gone.

We were talking for a bit and he said back then he'd run a set of slicks with two grooves for the street and a set of traditional slicks for the strip. The car was raced all the time on the street.

There is a show/cruise in being planned Saturday August 6th in Logan OH and I feel it's the right thing to do to bring the car back so all of the previous owners and their families could enjoy the car. With gas prices soaring, it will be a big undertaking for me as I've never done such a thing. Thus, I'm rushing to get the car running. For me, this is a car guys dream to be able to meet the original owner and God willing come home with original documents, parts, photos, and stories.
Jose, you should have it trailered both ways.

[jbtech]

Very cool. OH is one heck of a hike from CA. Would be epic to do it Two Lane Blacktop style and cruise it across the country.

If I had the money, the time, and security escort I'd consider it ;)

^ hey, which way you headed?

East.

That’s cool, I never been East.

You remember every line of that movie don't ya?

Jose, you should have it trailered both ways.

That is the plan, but it will be expensive. I still need to figure it out.

[Too Many Projects]

That is the plan, but it will be expensive. I still need to figure it out.
GoFundMe ???..:flag:

[jbtech]

I've managed to buy more parts and wrench on the car a bit more. Doesn't look like I'll make it to OH this summer but I told Bruce lets shoot for spring. Maybe fuel prices will be down.

Installed:
Axle seals/bearings
Gas tank
Fuel Line
Rear Shocks
Rear Wheels
Rear Brakes
Original GM leafsprings
Squarebar Lakewood traction bars

Speaking with Bruce again he thinks the trophy on the hood in the old black and white photo is from Hyde Park not national trails. He also said he had a Line Lock on the car and as soon as I got of the phone I got an old line lock solenoid and sure enough I found where he had it mounted.

I also carefully degreased one side of the firewall and noticed the reason why the factory marks and even the white spray on the trim tag is preserved is because the firewall was poorly sprayed black and since has been flaking off. The plan is to use enamel reducer and see if I can reveal what else is hiding underneath the paint. I also noticed there was a pattern left behind on the cowl where the seal for the plenum air cleaner once was.

Rear tires are pro trac N50 15's that were stored in an attic with a protective film and are like new. Wheels are 1972 Cragar SS 15x10 3.75" bs direct drill.

Shroud is one I bought a while back for 90 bucks. Looks to be a GM original. Friends have helped out with the Rad, Tag, and other parts.

Windshield I custom ordered to match the back glass date NZ March 1967.

Added photo of axle with factory markings.

[luzl78]

Jose, where did you order the front windshield from? Jeff

[R68GTO]

Every time I open this thread I wish I would have bought that car! Great progress!

[Jeffp920]

Jose I have a clean and clear set of original black California license plates, unrestored if you are interested.

[scuncio]

Love what you're doing with this car.

[jbtech]

Jose, where did you order the front windshield from? Jeff

ebay store: autocity1958 item number 302654318337 PM them your requested date code. Turn around was less than a week and a half.

Jose I have a clean and clear set of original black California license plates, unrestored if you are interested.

No thank you.

Love what you're doing with this car.

I'm glad others are enjoying what I'm doing. Thank you!


I have decided to put out an OH craigslist ad looking for the born with transmission. I also shared the post on Facebook and hope to get somewhere.

I got a call this morning saying that Judy simply left months ago and nobody knows where she is. The gentlemen said he asked her about the transmission and said that she didn't remember who she sold it to. It sounds like when she was selling off her estate in the 2000's she sold the Camaro sans transmission which was confirmed by John Baxter who bought the car from her. My guess is she simply sold it off separately so I'm looking for anyone who bought parts from her during this time.

As I wrench on the car, I can tell she didn't do much to the car at all. The gears were at one time swapped to open 3.31's and she ran a small block in the car (I have correctly dated 4 series carrier and 4.56 gears going back in). I doubt she blew the muncie. I was told her dream was to put a 396 back in it. my guess is that's why she removed the small block in the first place and sold it without engine or trans.

This is the last remaining important piece to the car and I'm really hoping to find it.

[jbtech]

Sorted a bunch of hardware that came with the car. My favorite helper steered while I pushed to turn the car around to continue brake line work. We trimmed the new brake line to match the old and I'm more than satisfied with the fitment.

[Too Many Projects]

That 283 emblem is a SUPER rare part on a Camaro.. ;)
Aren't those hydraulic flaring tools the BEST ?? Seems a bit spendy at first, but once a person has used it, they are worth it for the ease and quality of the double flare.

[jbtech]

That 283 emblem is a SUPER rare part on a Camaro.. ;)
Aren't those hydraulic flaring tools the BEST ?? Seems a bit spendy at first, but once a person has used it, they are worth it for the ease and quality of the double flare.

Didn't know that about the 283 emblem thanks =P. Btw the flaring tool is so much better than fighting my old finicky tool! Yes I like having special tools you'll see more of that soon.




Oh and before that I cleaned the original bracket and block and installed axle brake lines/hose.

[big gear head]

I've got one of the hydraulic flaring tools and I love it.

[Too Many Projects]

Yeah, I have a few specialty tools that don't get used often too, but they are sooo nice to have when I need it.
One is an electromagnetic heater. Way better than frying everything around a bolt with a torch.
"Crud Thug" is a brand name but a search will bring them up. I have a kit with abrasive wheels, wire wheels and rubber erasers. Another tool that is a real time and labor saver.

[jbtech]

Basic disassembly and cleaning using dish soap and water.
I used a plastic scraper to remove the grime to reveal the ink stamps under the heater box followed by careful use of a razor.

I used a shop vac with a HEPA filter to remove the mouse condo. It looks like they were very cozy in there, complete with a stash of nuts.

The ground strap hole near the framerail appears drilled but not tapped. I'm assuming this is because the car was ordered without a radio. And outline from where the antenna plug/grommet once was is still visible.

The grease pen markings are difficult to read but I keep seeing 8's

The white crayon appears to be 102? and beside it another 8 grease pen mark to the right.

[R68GTO]

Job well done Jose. Very cool to document this process, thank you!

[jbtech]

Job well done Jose. Very cool to document this process, thank you!

Thank You!

Carefully scraping away the spray bomb I believe I found the missing 3rd ink stamp on the RH side. Remnants of the ink stamp appear to have stuck to the white "O". When comparing the other stamps the orange is the same color.

I also carefully scraped away the spray bomb surrounding the tag. I'm hesitant to use a reducer here but luckily the manual method seems to be working for now.

A lot more work to do! Shout out to Darrell and James for the inspiration to do this type of work.

[Too Many Projects]

Lots of dirty work in a restoration/preservation job. I always dread this and it's hard to get started, but once I do, I'm OK. I usually end up looking like the car used to by the end of the day...:grin:

[jbtech]

Slowly chipping away. Here's progress around the heater cutout and cleaned up the tag a bit. My eyes need a break.

[Denis]

Pretty sure that's a "L78" and "102" markings...

[jbtech]

Pretty sure that's a "L78" and "102" markings...


Denis that seems to be the consensus. Once seen it can't be unseen lol.

I'm told the 102 means it was the 102nd car in the line that day which corroborates with the orange PBT stamps as it was early in the 1st shift.

I'm also being told that this was sometimes found in the lower valence. Well here is my lower valence. (Image flipped for easy reading). I now need to confirm that the lower valence is original to the car.

[jbtech]

I've discovered "1 02" also on the lower front valance!

0MJMo0ldWls

[jbtech]

Here is a photo with all the numbers wet showing the white numbers more pronounced. Does anyone know what the other 2 numbers/characters mean?

[R68GTO]

Is the 102 the assembly sequence number?

[jbtech]

Is the 102 the assembly sequence number?

That's what I've been told. And there is evidence that contributes to this. My car has orange stamps which indicates 1st shift and the 102nd car would certainly be built during first shift. There is another "survivor" car with a number over 500 in the lower valance and the PBT stamps are green, thus the car was completed during 2nd shift. I think it would be cool to gather enough data points regarding possible sequence number and color of PBT stamps to prove this theory once and for all.

[jbtech]

After more chipping I decided to give the gel evaporust a shot on the firewall. Still need to clean it up and hit it again.

I avoided the 102 mark and the center of the firewall as I still need to figure out the marks in that area behind the distributor.

I plan to use a multi color flashlight to help reveal what the markings are in the dark. Up close I see multiple X's but when the flashlight gets here I'll see if I can get those marks to reveal themselves.

In the meantime here is a progression shot. Still a ways to go.

[jbtech]

New control arm bushings, moog ball joints, moog coil spring, and amk hardware. I also installed factory disc brake spindles. This car will be driven often. I'll take better photos of the process when I do the other side.

As mentioned before, my immediate goal is to get the car safely on the road as soon as possible while preserving it's "as found" character. Parts for a correct restoration are being collected in the meantime and all take off parts including original hardware are being bagged and tagged for restoration.

I will admit I cheated in that I have some factory Kent Moore tools and a electric hydraulic shop press which made the job much easier. Having a factory service / overhaul manual makes it even easier.

Trick to install lower ball joint boot: I bought a 2" abs plastic pipe. And simply used a rubber mallet went on easy peazy.

If using the hook style coil spring compressor the trick to getting the hooks out is to remove through bottom shock mount hole. Let one side out, and the other side will be stuck between coils. Simply use a big pry bar, open up the spacing between said coils just enough to free up the other hook and push out the bottom.

I removed the factory riveted ball joint from the upper control arm by first drilling a small crater in the center of each end of the rivet followed by hitting each one with an air chisel. Once each head of the rivet was removed I swapped the chisel for a tapered punch and knocked them all out.

There was a small crack on the frame where the upper shock mount is but I simply drilled it and hit it with the mig and ground it down. It passed the strength test after using the coil spring compressor. No flex and no cracking.
The original ball joints were toast and the shock cushions were toast which is why I believe the frame cracked in that spot.

After the front suspension/brakes are done I'm going to remove the cracked windshield, install the headliner, reinstall new windshield. I figured its nice to stand between the frame rails to get the job done.

[Too Many Projects]

Making progress !!
From my trucking life, I have a socket set that goes up to 3 1/2". There is a socket in there that fits those boots too. You did position the bleed slot correctly, right ...;)

[jbtech]

Making progress !!
From my trucking life, I have a socket set that goes up to 3 1/2". There is a socket in there that fits those boots too. You did position the bleed slot correctly, right ...;)

Yep I don't have sockets that big and deep are those 3/4"?. Yes the bleed slot is in correct position.

[Too Many Projects]

Actually, that set is 1". I have another set that only goes to 2 3/4" that is 3/4" drive

[jbtech]

Life has been busy but I managed to remove the cracked windshield. I'm pleasantly surprised at the level of rust.

Next goal is to tackle the headliner.

[SuperNovaSS]

Dodged a bullet on the windshield corrosion. That is great news!

Jason

[jbtech]

I've managed to get the used headliner fitted and it will be glued in within the next couple days. I'm content with the fitment as it is my first time installing a headliner.
Some of the tips that helped me most was:
Pre-installing all screws before installing the headliner
Fitting the front center and rear center of the headliner first
Pulling the sides of the headliner AT the bows, not between


I'm very lucky to be in contact with the original owner as we talk weekly. Every time we speak I get to learn a little more about the history of the car. He said the fastest time he's ever run the 1/4 mile was in the high 11's with the car "everything hooked up right and that was a fast time back then.. I think that's the only time I ran an 11"

Bruce says the 11 was at National Trail during a time trail. Usually the car would run 12's and the occasional 13's.

He said he polished the inside of the intake himself, ran headers, line loc, and his homemade traction bars because the "damn rear end wouldn't stop jumping up and down and I thought... I could solve that".

I asked him if the car had a name and he said no he didn't want it all lettered up. "But I did have that BC 1200 plate, for years all my buddies would call me BC!"
So I asked if that was a real Ohio plate or something he had made. It was the real Ohio plate.

He responded, "Well back then we'd go up to Northern Ohio near Cleveland, I believe the place was Euclid, and all you had to do was give the counter worker a $20 dollar bill and they'd set your plate up how you wanted, a lot of people would go up there, and that's how I got the BC!" I asked if the 1200 had any meaning and he said, "No they'd just set you up with a good number; I wanted my initials BC on the plate"

At one point I asked how to pronounce his last name and he said "Bruce CreMEAN... emphasis on the MEAN!" and we both laughed.

[jbtech]

Headliner installation complete! I don't think I did too bad considering it was my first time. I made a repair to one of the original GM sail panels but it worked.
To install the rear glass trim I used a small rubber mallet and placed a small paper towel between the rear glass and mallet, sliding the mallet against the glass carefully bumping the trim into place.

Also, I have a lead on the salesman who worked at Bobb Chevrolet that may have ordered my car originally. His name is Mike Cassidy and I'm working to make contact. Bruce says the salesman was about the same age, turns out this guy is the same age (80 now) and also owned a Bobb Chevrolet sponsored 1968 Camaro SS 396 Convertible. (Last pic) I was told by Ronnie Crawford that the gentleman pictured on the right is Mike Cassidy who was a Bobb Chevrolet Salesman. Ronnie was another local racer who said all the Central Ohio guys used to caravan together to different tracks.

[big gear head]

Looks good.

[olredalert]

----Wow! Good job on the headliner.....Bill S

[Xplantdad]

----Wow! Good job on the headliner.....Bill S


Agreed!!:biggthumpup:

[napa68]

Nice job Jose!

[dykstra]

Great Job!!

[RPOLS3]

Looks great!

[jbtech]

Thank you all for the compliments it helps keep me motivated. I was able to speak to Bruce and mention the name Mike Cassidy and he said, "Well that don't ring a bell no, hell I have boxes of stuff I need to go through and get all that paperwork" He was referring to the sales documentation that may have the name of the salesman.

My next goals are to:
-remove spray bomb from original Z23 a pillars
-rebuild the window and door lock mechanisms
-repair/replace under dash and body wiring
-clean/rebuild heating system
-send out original seatbelts to be rebuilt/restored
-reinstall windshield

[TerryD]

Another thumbs up on the headliner installation. Nice work Jose. I’m wondering if the headliner trim at the back window fits with a consistent but snug gap to the back window when viewed through the glass? It sure looks like it does, think mine will be needing some work.

Provided that your webbing is good enough, have you considered using EvapoRust (Tips and Tricks)
Starting about Post 39
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1518761&postcount=39

Enjoying your car and paper trail progress!

[jbtech]

Another thumbs up on the headliner installation. Nice work Jose. I’m wondering if the headliner trim at the back window fits with a consistent but snug gap to the back window when viewed through the glass? It sure looks like it does, think mine will be needing some work.

Provided that your webbing is good enough, have you considered using EvapoRust (Tips and Tricks)
Starting about Post 39
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1518761&postcount=39

Enjoying your car and paper trail progress!

Yes it does fit with the consistent snug gap. The rear trim is a "trim parts" repop as my original was crumbling apart. The front trim above the windshield is original GM and fits great as expected. A repop front windshield trim did not fit well so I bought a good used original and was very happy.

Thank you for the seatbelt tip.

I've done many hours of research on installation of the front windshield. I eventually called Jeff Gretz from first class auto glass about the kit they offered including dam. Unfortunately, the company that made their windshield dam no longer produces the part. He advised I purchase the MARCY brand 3/16" x 3/16" single sided dam and a specific urethane when it comes to installation.

However, since my car will likely be apart again after my trip to OH, he advised to do the typical butyl rope temporary install as it is very difficult to remove/reuse glass after a proper installation with a dam/urethane. I am aware gm originally used a cloth backed latex covered foam and Thiokol so I was looking for the next best thing. He was VERY helpful. Here is a video he made demonstrating proper installation of GM glass per shop manual.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY1bLFKbRuA&ab_channel=LukeBoltz

The nice thing about using the Butyl for now is that I will have time to find/create a dam I'm happy with.

[cook_dw]

Nice progress Jose. Keep it up.

[jbtech]

Here is the plenum air cleaner Bruce made to go faster at the track found a few days ago sitting right where he left it when the L78 was pulled from the Camaro to become a temporary family car.
Turns out, he went to the junkyard and pulled this unit off of a Chevelle. So the mystery is now solved. The air cleaner is a modified GM unit from an L34 or L35 Chevelle.
What I dig about it is that I can run the AC212CW filter element which are much easier to find.
As Bruce kept a racing diary, I'm curious as to how the air cleaner improved his ET's.
George, older half brother of Bruce's son Todd, found the air cleaner and said he remembers all the kids sitting in the Camaro when it was a temporary family car with the small block in it.
He also helped me confirm that the steering wheel in the car was a standard black wheel, definitely "no fancy woodgrain"
.

[big gear head]

Looks like it came from a car with a QuadraJet.

[R68GTO]

Awesome piece of history for the car - great research Jose!

[Too Many Projects]

That is an interesting piece of the cars past, but I'm rather certain the snorkel is hand made and welded on.
It's still cool that someone made this to help get cooler air to the engine.

[jbtech]

That is an interesting piece of the cars past, but I'm rather certain the snorkel is hand made and welded on.
It's still cool that someone made this to help get cooler air to the engine.


Yes it's a modified '66 Chevelle 396 L34 or L35 standard air cleaner. Bruce modified it himself to create his own plenum air cleaner setup.

[1967 4K]

I enjoy seeing things like this air cleaner. It shows how the average racer back in the day came up with ideas how to make his car just a little better than it was the weekend before.
Keep up the good work on your 4K Jose, I’m watching.

[Donnie]

I haven't looked at this in a while. I have a BOBB L78 Chevelle.

[jbtech]

Here is a copy of the original sales paperwork provided by Bruce. Bentley suggested the salesman signature was "McCandlish" so after some research I found Max Edward McCandlish who worked at Bobb Chevrolet as a salesman.

He was also about the same age as Bruce at the time (mid 20's). Unfortunately he passed away in 2012 but I was able to make contact with this son today Matt who confirmed 100% the writing and signature belonged to his father. Max Edward McCandlish was the mastermind behind who custom ordered this car and reluctantly sold it to Bruce Cremean.

Matt had some great information about his father, Bobb Chevrolet, the Camaro Club, drag racing and more. He also says they may have photos.

Ron Perry (another salesman) once said in a facebook post that Bobb Chevrolet was a great place to work and I believe it!

[Too Many Projects]

And Bruce traded in a 1966 Chevelle SS396 for $2,300...:cool2:

[jbtech]

Matt says his father owned many Camaros while he worked for Bobb Chevrolet. He said the "higher up" Bruce spoke of must have been Mr. Bobb Woodward in which his father Max McCandlish didn't always see eye to eye.

Matt says his father Max would take new cars, install the slicks at their house and take them to the drag strip.

The dealership was very involved in racing. Bobb Chevrolet also had it's own Camaro club called the Central Ohio Camaro Club (CCOC) and would often host rally events.
"Lot of Camaros went through there. They were all about racing till they got sued do to a death in a rally event. Guys were trying to make time running a rally and was involved in causing a vehicle accident with fatality" He said this was around 1970. His father Max's last year with the Camaro club would be 1973.


Photos in no particular order:

The banner of CCOC was taken in the infield of Mid Ohio race course in Lexington in 67

Max Edward McCandlish standing in the Bobb Chevrolet dealership

COCC Gold 69

Max was told my Mr. Woodward to stop driving his Studebaker Avanti to work because customers would walk in and want to buy it.

Bobb Chevrolet Race Car: Note Ron Perry and Mike Cassidy's name are on the car. Both gentlemen I previously thought were the guys who sold the car to Bruce. Max McCandlish and Mike Cassidy were good friends.

Linda Vaughn

In the photo with Linda Vaughn and the Photographer to her left. Max McCandlish is just to the right and behind the photographer.

Photo of a COCC meet

COCC Rally

McCandlish family 68 396 SS

IN the photo with the 68 next to the tent, thats at the Mid Ohio Track

McCandlish family Black 68 SS

Red 68 COCC car

Red 68 COCC member car

"BOBB CHEVROLET RACING TEAM COLUMBUS, OHIO" T shirt

Pace car for IMSA race at Mid Ohio

[1967Z28]

Can you find out what Matt might know about this '67 Z with Curile Lephart Racing on the front fender? I guess those are two last names of the guys involved with the car. Also, does he recognize the location, possibly a hiilclimb event? Thanks.

[jbtech]

Can you find out what Matt might know about this '67 Z with Curile Lephart Racing on the front fender? I guess those are two last names of the guys involved with the car. Also, does he recognize the location, possibly a hiilclimb event? Thanks.

I spoke to Matt he didn't recognize the gentlemen or location. However, I decided to do some digging and it turns out that is Phil Gurile not Curile. He also drove the Bobb Chevrolet car with the Budweiser sponsorship taking 10th in the 1974 SCCA National Virginia [AP+BP+CP+AS+BS+ASR+BSR]

https://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/Phil-Gurile-USA.html

[dykstra]

Way cool pics!!! Thanks for posting!!

[jbtech]

Huge thank you to George Andrews Jr. and Todd Cremean for reuniting this air cleaner back to the car after many decades! Bruce brazed it together to make his own plenum air cleaner.

[AnthonyS]

^ Kool and the Gang!

[jbtech]

Immediately following the purchase of the 1967 Camaro L78, Bruce buys a used '55 panel truck as his tow rig. He also buys a set of slicks.

[67since67]

Paid almost as much for the slicks as he did for the "Panel Truck", which was not what I was expecting to see when I scrolled down lol, actually a cool "Sedan Delivery"!!

This is a great thread! - Bill W

[jbtech]

I had the inner heater box blasted, painted, with all new seals installed. I didn't want to take a chance leaving any residue from the mice that made their cozy home.

The heater controls were also cleaned and lubed and installed

The dash and body harness were also installed. I'm using the AAW restoration harness, although it is plug and play their are visual differences. All of my original harness will be restored.

I replaced the chewed up blower fan with a nice used one that works great

I installed the CA code speedo cable using original speedometer clips (My car only uses two clips not 3)

I've managed to find some very difficult parts including:
-Correct fan clutch
-3910 carb dated 731 (rebuilt by Eric Jackson)
-January 67 170 distributor
-negative battery cable
-Takeoff complete disc brake assembly from an 04C car including 8515 booster, wt master, valves, calipers, rotors, spindles. Even the 8515 booster had an identical date to mine.
-Takeoff glove box from a NOR 04C 396 car that has original black paint and identical original tire pressure sticker. This is a perfect replacement for my damaged glove box


Throughout this process I'm building new relationships with great folks and I'm thankful to learn all I can.

Speaking with Bruce (original owner), he voted for 2 5/8 SW Greenline gauges (water and oil) mounted to the column. He also said he ran a separate tach. So I'll do the same.

Matt McCandlish (Son of salesman who ordered my car) says his mom was pissed when his father came home with the Black 68 Camaro (after reluctantly selling the 67 to Bruce).

I attached a photo that was posted on Facebook. This car isn't mine but it's nearly identical with the only exception being my car has all tinted glass. It's vintage photos like these that motivate me to work on the car when I can.

My next steps are to:
Finish up the firewall (apply dum dum, install clutch rod boot etc)
Prep/install windshield
Install new bushings in the pedal assembly
Figure out where the little wire clips go (I found one on the dash holding the door jam switch wire)
Visit Mike's Boosters to have my front braking system rebuilt


I also sent out my lock cylinders to Jesser's Classic Keys who will rebuild and cut me a set of original keys and recode a glove box lock cylinder as my original glove box cylinder is long gone.
I removed a core lock cylinder from an original 67 glove box and to my surprise it wasn't stamped with a code.
It was cool to see that the trunk and door locks were original coded to the car per the sales documentation.

[cook_dw]

Great progress Jose!! Makin' me want to get out in the garage..

[Chevyfever]

Yeah, were the drums lighter... That's hard to imagine.

Yes

[jbtech]

Thanks to Darrell and a buddy near Chicago, this AandA hood will have a 2nd life on my Camaro.

Finding rare parts for the car is definitely part of the fun.

[cook_dw]

Glad it went to a good home.

[jbtech]

I found a correct original takeoff driveshaft that was painted decades ago and it's staying that way. In fact I've been very fortunate to find some very hard to find goodies for the car.

Bill James Muscle car factory has my vert MQ block and it's being built. For now my 462 with 3521 crank, 077 heads, 198 intake, and straub roller cam will go in the car.

I'm running a 70 Chevelle M22 so I'm going to use a different yoke to work with the setup. I found a yoke that is 1/2" longer than original so I'll have the machine shop turn it to the correct factory length.

I'm using Crash's custom shifter mount that will allow the shifter to pivot into correct position and accommodate the offset of the big block crossmember. The shifter is a first generation hurst setup with the early fat letter stick. I will need to gently grind off a portion of the reverse lockout for it to fully disengage as it interferes with the shifter mount, so for now I'll go without it.

I was able to find an excellent condition original black dash pad and got it installed. Unfortunately, I found a factory flaw where the dash was installed about a 1/4" higher up on the LH A pillar vs the RH side so I'm fighting to get the LH a pillar molding fitted.

I prepped the windshield channel for glass and had a local installer get it done. I decided to go with urethane as I feel it helps improve the integrity of the body. The install is guaranteed leak free for life. I bought tinted glass with date NZ (January 1967) This matches the date of the back glass. All glass on the car is original with exception of the windshield.

I continue to speak with the original owner Bruce Cremean weekly. Judy Rooker who owned the car from the 80s-2000s promised she'd reach out to my in July and find photos etc of the car. She took it to prom and her HS boyfriend installed these wild rear flares. She is also the last known person with the muncie so hopefully something comes from that.

Unfortunately, I haven't had a reply in my last two attempts to keep in contact with the folks with the original engine although one is a "friend" on FB can can see my posts. I still have hope something can be worked out that makes both parties happy but for now I think I just need to leave them be.

[luzl78]

Jose, where did you buy your glass from? Jeff

[SuperNovaSS]

Looking Great JB! I love that driveshaft. I bet it feels great to have the windshield back in. Great work!

Jason

[L72copocamaro]

Love the driveshaft and would leave it as is too!

[jbtech]

Jose, where did you buy your glass from? Jeff

Auto City Classic

Ebay Item #: 302654318337 for the tinted glass.

When purchasing I sent a PM with the date I wanted in the glass.

[Too Many Projects]

Might want to compare the cost, buying direct. They are paying ebay fees...
https://www.autocityclassic.com/camaro-glass/

[luzl78]

I just ordered one for my 70 Monte. Original green tinted glass and stamped and dated. It was $424 shipped

[jbtech]

I rebuilt the internal mechanisms for the LH door glass and LH quarter window, installed a new vent window channel as the Old one was destroyed. The glass was banging around getting scratches over the years. I used a bolt in style roller to replace the busted large roller. Jesser's classic keys rebuilt my lock cylinders and they also made keys stamped to match which is cool because the key codes are original to the sales documentation. I adjusted the door and it no longer needs to be slammed shut. A gentle push and it catches. This is with original door hinges so I'm happy.
I installed the water shields and didn't forget to tuck them in at the bottom. After that I installed the door panel with the handle springs in between the panel and mechanism.
Door panel, handles, handle washers, arm rest are all original gm. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

[jbtech]

Disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled the original cluster assembly. A little over 97K original miles.
I swapped the black housing to a better condition spare original gm one I had on the shelf. I also swapped the circuit board as the original was fried. I installed all new bulbs and can't wait to see it lit up.

[jbtech]

Original GM dash switches installed. I sorted through a box, weeding out any damaged bezels or repop parts. The lighter is NOS. The ignition switch is the original coded "born with" rebuilt assembly. I used the specialized tools to reinstall without damage.

[jbtech]

Gauges are in.

In 67 the low fuel lamp socket needs to be installed below the circuit board as the fuel module sends a positive signal. I believe a previous owner didn't realize this and fried the board. This also explains the fried wire coming from the original console harness.

[jbtech]

Trim plate, radio cover plate, ash tray assembly installed. All used original GM parts cleaned with soap and water before install.

[Too Many Projects]

It all looks great, Jose.

[SPEEDYB]

I think this is a great car, congratulations

[jbtech]

I cleaned, replaced grease fittings where needed, greased and installed tie rods, and idler arm. The original spare tie rods I used were in great shape.

[dykstra]

Coming along nicely!!:headbang:

[jbtech]

Flywheel installed and torqued per arp specs. Next I'll dial indicate bellhousing. I'm waiting for some small parts to refresh the M22.

[Too Many Projects]

Looks great and WHERE did you get that flywheel lock ? I've never seen one like that. That must work better for torqueing than the turning tool.

[jbtech]

Here's the tool. Allstar Performance ALL96426. I used it on the "wrong" side but it still did the job easy peasy.

Also, I was able to use a dial indicator and the bellhousing runout is .004" so no need to use offset dowels.

[Too Many Projects]

Thanks, Jose, I'll be getting one soon.

[jbtech]

I was told by a previous owner my car was parked in an Ohio barn in 1983 and hasn't been driven since. Well, the last plate on the car now confirms this. This explains why although crusty, the car remained fairly untouched.

Tom Jenkins also confirmed the car did have a junk small block and muncie (not the born with trans). This means the original transmission was removed from the car from either "Tom" Rooker 5th owner or Judy Stevens (Rooker) 6th owner. Buckley (4th owner) states the car was sold sans a 400 small block with the muncie tied up to the car. The first 4 owners state the muncie wasn't changed under their ownership. The car sold to Rooker with a bad steering box. This explains the 69 box with the fast ratio arm on the car today. The 69 fast ratio arm is identical to a stock 67 pitman arm length at 5.8".

http://www.worldlicenseplates.com/usa/US_OHXX.html

[Chuck_Burg]

Solid detective work, as usual :biggthumpup:

[jbtech]

After welding up a few cracks in the original subframe, I decided to use my spare subframe and pull the original for a few reasons. 1 for safety 2. I let a friend use my welder to build a smoker
So I used a spare subframe I have that is in excellent shape and needed no repairs.
I swapped the original control arms to the "new" sub with exception of the lower RH as it was too rusty. I used the drag link, tie rods from the new subframe as they are in fantastic shape. The draglink has original bluing visible when removing the undercoat. I also swapped the trans crossmember and frame stands. I have saved the "born with " subframe for a future restoration.
I will not be using the booster or metering valve in the photo as they aren't original. The control arm bushings and ball joints are new. I reused original hardware that was in great shape.

I also installed a late 66 date 1967 steering box and correct pitman arm. The 69 box that was on the car with the 5.8" desirable 69 pitman arm needs a rebuild and I decided to go with a 67 box and pitman rather than rebuild the 69 box. I'm listing the 69 box for sale.

[jbtech]

A while back I found the perfect glovebox door to replace the damaged door on my car. I'm going to repair the original down the road.

There was a screw holding my original glove box closed but thank goodness the screw actually went through the hole for the glove box bumper so there was no damage done to the dash.

Part of the fun of putting this car together is finding the right parts and I've been very fortunate. The replacement door came from an Ohio 04C 4N car that was sold as a shell. The buyer didn't care to buy all the loose parts from the car so the seller sold the loose parts separately. I was able to buy a few parts from the car.

[BJCHEV396]

Great work Jose....keep it going!!

[jbtech]

More progress. 621 is a repop I bought a few years ago machined very well. Inspection cover is GM NOS along with clutch fork.

Cleaned up original gauge housing and replaced fried gauges with a set from a spare. Clock being sent out to tick once again. I pick up original brake parts tomorrow from being rebuilt internally. This included 82 date booster, wt master, and both original valves. All brake parts removed from a very close date car, even booster is identical date. Going to drop off the calipers from the same donor car tomorrow as well to be rebuilt.

[jbtech]

You may not notice a difference in the before and after photos but I assure you everything is cleaned and rebuilt internally per my request. I'm very happy with how everything turned out. Luckily the master cylinder wasn't pitted and did not need to be sleeved. Martin from Power Brake Exchange in San Jose performed the rebuild of the booster, master, and both valves. When I went to him with my odd request to leave everything crusty he said, "I've been doing this 36 years I know exactly what you are looking to do". He proceded to take everything apart, put it a bucket and it was ready for me to pickup within a few days. I'm considering cleaning the parts with a simple degreaser.

[jbtech]

Dash is finally done! 97k original miles, original paint, original gm unrestored parts with exception of the glove box liner (repop) and lock cylinders (restored).
My car was ordered without accessory lighting thus no glove box light.

[napa68]

Looks great Jose!

[Too Many Projects]

As said, fantastic job with original pieces..:flag:
Have you acquired a donor piece of a tunnel to repair the inline shifter butchery ? Or are you going to use a day 2 shifter in there ?

[Zedder]

Very nice work!

[jbtech]

As said, fantastic job with original pieces..:flag:
Have you acquired a donor piece of a tunnel to repair the inline shifter butchery ? Or are you going to use a day 2 shifter in there ?

The original owner simply cut two slits on the left side of the shifter hole and bent it down. I bent it back up so the original shifter boot will screw right into the factory location. I'll just seal where the two slits were made for now. The car has other areas of butchery that will be addressed down the road but the metalwork isn't a priority at this point. I simply want to resurrect the car while making the interior nice. I'm either going to run the early hurst shifter with the 4527 stick or a P&G shifter. Either way it's not going to be a factory shifter for now.

[jbtech]

Muncie refreshed with new gaskets, seals, and Thrust washers. I had to install a helicoil because one of the bearing retainer bolts was simply epoxied to the case.
Engine and transmission finally in the car. A lot of little things to be done before first fire up.

[AnthonyS]

Yay!

[jbtech]

Woke up to make sure it was real.

[scuncio]

Looking great.

[napa68]

This is neat to watch:headbang:

[jbtech]

This engine was originally built for my 67 Base model Day2 big block swap project so it is by no means a pure 67 engine.
It is a 70's 2 bolt (studs) main block, 077 heads, 198 intake, 3521 crank, list goes on.
With all that in mind I wanted this engine to look like a NOM built up with all of the 67 touches swapped over.
Some of the 67 only goodies include but not limited to:
March 67 3910
Alt+Pulley
Valve Covers
Crank/Water Pump Pulley
PCV Brackets (square tab pcv hose clamps installed after pics taken)

I used thick valve cover gaskets and studs to clear the polylocks.

The RH temp sender on the intake is for a sun greenline gauge

The M/T Super Scavenger headers fit absolutely perfectly

I installed the shifter into final position after mocking up the seat, steering wheel, and console. (the shifter is in gear in the photo because my 4 year old son was "driving to grandma's house"

[jbtech]

Mocked up Bruce's custom made plenum air cleaner. He modified a Chevelle air cleaner he removed from the salvage yard back in 1967. He was inspired by the other Camaros at the drag strip and decided to make his own. He says he used a 16" inner tube to seal the air cleaner duct to firewall.

Whatever he used to seal it left a pattern on the firewall (last pic)

[jbtech]

67 clutch and fan installed. Fan retains"day2" chrome.

[SuperNovaSS]

A chrome L78/Z28 fan? Super cool. It’s all coming together. Keep up the great work Jose!

Jason

[AnthonyS]

This is fun to watch come together!
Anthony

[jbtech]

Just received the coolest care package from Bruce Cremean , the original owner to my 1967 Camaro SS 396 L78!!!
Original Sales Documentation, Window Sticker, Title, receipt for drag slicks, time slips from National Trail Raceway, Dragway 42 pit pass!! Thank you Bruce this means a lot!

[69M22Z]

That's awesome!!!

[dykstra]

How cool is that !!?? Awesome!!

[R68GTO]

Congratulations Jose, what a great set of doc.s!

[PeteLeathersac]

‘

W:eek2:W, Big C:headbang:ngrats!!!
~ Pete
:3gears:

[jer]

Big bonus, how exciting!! I'm just guessing, but I'd say those time slips happened sometime before 6/9/67.

[scuncio]

What we all dream about! Congrats!

[L72copocamaro]

Fantastic!!

[1967 4K]

Wow! and I can’t even get back to the original purchaser of my 4K. You sure need that born with mill the guy has. I hope you can achieve that someday.
👍

[napa68]

It's well deserved Jose. Your eye for detail and perseverance is paying big dividends:beers:

[Chuck_Burg]

I feel the term "Epic" is overused but this score really is EPIC! Congratulations buddy :headbang:

[jbtech]

A chrome L78/Z28 fan? Super cool. It’s all coming together. Keep up the great work Jose!

Jason Thanks for selling me the fan JB!


Big bonus, how exciting!! I'm just guessing, but I'd say those time slips happened sometime before 6/9/67.

He did say he ran 12's consistently so I'd bet you are right. He said he bought slicks for the track and slicks with "two grooves" for the street. He is going through things and hopefully he finds more stuff!


Wow! and I can’t even get back to the original purchaser of my 4K. You sure need that born with mill the guy has. I hope you can achieve that someday.

�� I hope I didn't say or do anything to close that door. It's out of my hands at this point. For now I just need to be content that it's still around and that I know where it is. Here are photos of the engine when it changed hands before being rebuilt. These were shared with me by the current owners.

[1967 4K]

Look at the second engine pic, the fuel pump to carb line is correct not like most repop ones on cars. Third pic I bet that is the original alt., black fan deep groove silver cad pulley.
Probably the original 3910 on it also. Hope you get it back someday.

[jbtech]

Look at the second engine pic, the fuel pump to carb line is correct not like most repop ones on cars. Third pic I bet that is the original alt., black fan deep groove silver cad pulley.
Probably the original 3910 on it also. Hope you get it back someday.

The carb date is 724, also note original 67 only valve covers, DG water pump flat rolled loop short dipstick (it's salmon color i have photos of the engine after rebuild). Interestingly, when speaking to the current owner of the engine, he mentioned the casting numbers didn't match on the heads although they were original. I'm guessing it had one 391 and one 840. Although he could have meant the dates didn't match.

Interestingly I know engine 7N212552 also doesn't have matching casting numbers on the heads after speaking with the last owner of that engine. (It is located in a pacer as NOM)

[1967 4K]

I noticed the correct valve cover. Another good piece is the upper alt. bracket, notice it doesn’t have the throttle spring return bracket on it . 67 Camaro only but I think that bracket was used on 65 n 66 big block cars.
Never heard about mis matched casting numbers on the heads before. Hmmm 🤔

[luzl78]

I noticed the correct valve cover. Another good piece is the upper alt. bracket, notice it doesn’t have the throttle spring return bracket on it . 67 Camaro only but I think that bracket was used on 65 n 66 big block cars.
Never heard about mis matched casting numbers on the heads before. Hmmm 🤔

my motor has a 391 and 840.

[Zedder]

The carb date is 724, also note original 67 only valve covers, DG water pump flat rolled loop short dipstick (it's salmon color i have photos of the engine after rebuild). Interestingly, when speaking to the current owner of the engine, he mentioned the casting numbers didn't match on the heads although they were original. I'm guessing it had one 391 and one 840. Although he could have meant the dates didn't match.

Interestingly I know engine 7N212552 also doesn't have matching casting numbers on the heads after speaking with the last owner of that engine. (It is located in a pacer as NOM)

My 4P L78 had 2 different original heads also.

[olredalert]

The carb date is 724, also note original 67 only valve covers, DG water pump flat rolled loop short dipstick (it's salmon color i have photos of the engine after rebuild). Interestingly, when speaking to the current owner of the engine, he mentioned the casting numbers didn't match on the heads although they were original. I'm guessing it had one 391 and one 840. Although he could have meant the dates didn't match.

Interestingly I know engine 7N212552 also doesn't have matching casting numbers on the heads after speaking with the last owner of that engine. (It is located in a pacer as NOM)

----I wonder if you offered another rebuilt big block for this one that obviously needs rebuilding if that might peek his interest. If he's thinking of building something (even if he doesn't) he would have an engine ready to go. What do you think?.....Bill S

[jbtech]

----I wonder if you offered another rebuilt big block for this one that obviously needs rebuilding if that might peek his interest. If he's thinking of building something (even if he doesn't) he would have an engine ready to go. What do you think?.....Bill S

The engine is rebuilt and in a running Base Camaro RS. They rechromed the valve covers, use all original components with exception of arp head bolts. When I first spoke to the the current owners they have even considered pulling the motor because of the perceived value of the engine and constant maintenance.

I'm thinking when my car is up and running and I have that MQ engine done I'll do what Chuck (427 King) has advised and do a one time sweet offer of perhaps an engine plus cash plus cost of a swap, I just hope they are open to it.

My car has the docs, the rear, the history, and the hard to find parts. If the original engine can be reunited it will greenlight a restoration and I'd like to show the car at nationals before and after a resto with the original motor sitting beside the car (pre resto). What a story that would be and how cool would it be for the owners of the original motor to be a part of it. They have taken great care of the motor and I'm lucky it's even still around.

[jbtech]

Bruce turned 81 a couple weeks ago and going through his things anything he finds car related he will set aside.

He says there is a chance the POP may have been in the glove box when he sold the car to John Goss who was a teenager at the time.

He also provided clarification on the air cleaner, he made a duct that screwed directly to the cowl and stuck out a few inches, the inner tube went over both that duct and the air cleaner base duct as a slip fit. When he first mentioned the inner tube I thought he meant that the inner tube screwed directly to the cowl. He also said the duct that was screwed to the cowl may have been on the car when it was sold. It should be easy to make but for now I'll run a stock air cleaner assembly.

I'm working on making my own 67 L78 fuel line but for now I modified a 66 Corvette fuel line to work with the service ZL1 fuel pump. I added an inline fuel filter.

[jbtech]

I temporarily installed the front clip and it feels good to see it resemble a car again. It will come off to install the emblems and button up the engine bay before firing it up.

[dykstra]

Awesome!!!

[jbtech]

I bought another car from a member here Fred Yates. So I've been cleaning up and making room for the El Camino and parts.

This is the first time the Camaro has been outside in a while. The small parts I needed to start the car have arrived now it's just a matter of labor.

I have an Instagram profile and made a short reel of the car here:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyYx391RA7e/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Bruce says it brings back memories to see the car coming together. Hopefully I'll go to OH with the car soon.

[jbtech]

Cooling system installed, correct driveshaft installed. I swapped the yoke to fit the larger output of the '70 M22. This driveshaft was removed from an L78 race car. I also removed the correct early shroud from the same car.

[jbtech]

It's alive! I used the 10 10 10 method for break in. Nothing broke, no leaks, steady oil pressure at 65psi. I still need to tune it. This is the first time since '83 this car had a running engine.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cz4u93iLSPU/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==


https://youtu.be/j0GpBW5Ub2g?feature=shared

[dykstra]

Congrats!! Sounds great!!

[jbtech]

After some adjustments. Getting closer!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cz7XpLBPbYz/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[PeteLeathersac]

‘

Looks great, keep rockin!
:beers:
~ Pete

.