69 Camaro ZL1 Prototypes

[PxTx]

I ran across an old picture (on the net) of an RS ZL1 that had the ZL1 badge in the grill. It was supposed to have been a prototype- "COPO 9567 was intended to provide a more streetable..." the caption began. I would be curious to know more about this car and any other prototypes of the ZL1. I'll try and post the pic.



<img src=http://users.erols.com/pxtx/copo.jpg>

Has anyone has seen this picture in print, is it known if the lighter car in the background is a ZL1 too?

I would love to discuss any prototype info here regarding how many were made, when the prototypes were built, what options and colors they had. Most importantly, what happened to them? Did these cars end up being sold to the general public?

[COPO]

I think this is one of the "black & gold" ZL-1 cars. Don't believe they ever became a reality.

[William]

There were supposed to be 2, one 4-speed, one auto. There are other photos in "The Great Camaro" showing one of them with a body-color steel bumper and Chevelle exhaust tips.

There has been a long-standing rumour that one was sold less engine. Most likely they were scrapped at the end of 1969 production.

The car in the background appears to be a production Z/28. Could be "Agent Orange" the Tech Center simulation mule.

There was also a 1970 Camaro ZL1 show car.

[SS427]

This looks to be the same car as the one pictured on page 68 of Marty Schorr's book "Chevrolet" quicksiler supercar series. The Camaro also had a "ZL-1" decal on the rear panel. By the looks of your picture, it was taken at the same place and time as the ones in Marty's book. There are also some ZR-1 Vettes and a host of '70 Chevrolets present.

[Jeff H]

Wasn't it supposed to have the JL8 4 wheel disc brakes as well? What would a ZL1 with 4 wheel discs be worth?

[William]

The question is moot.

No production COPO was built with JL8.

[PxTx]

Is it known when the two ZL1 prototypes built? Just wondering how early things could have been put together and if the date code span is tighter or wider on prototype cars (in general).

[William]

The VIN that is known for one of them suggests a September '68 build.

[JoeC]

The two 9567 ZL1 Camaros could have started out as almost anything since they probably were built in engineering instead of being built on the assembly line. They could have started out as assembly pilot cars or test cars from engineering that were then modified into the prototype ZL1s. It looks like they tried to build a ZL1 that had more marketing potential with lower compression and more options. The cost of the aluminum motor was so high that it would have prohibited high volume sales. It is unfortunate that more is not known about them.

[PxTx]

Recently, a book called The 1969 Camaro Reference Book by John R. Hooper. was brough to my attention. Specifically, page 212 where John is asking questions to Fred Gibb;

Q. Did they ever make a four-wheel disc brake ZL1 or COPO?

A. Only one experimental model that I know of.

I'm not really familiar with Hooper, so I was wondering if anyone can attest to the valididty of this conversation?

Then my next question- which one was it? A four-wheel disc ZL1 or a four-wheel disc COPO?

Maybe there was a third experimental ZL1- a four-wheel disc car and it probably was a convertible too ; ^ ) (have to work on my smilies)

[Warren Malkin]

You can find another picture of the black RS ZL1 in Sports Car Graphic Oct '69. Appears to be at the proving grounds.

[shor]

"the camaro book" by michael lamm
this book was previously titled "the great camaro".....lamm-morada publishing
library of congress # 78-61758
on page 58 there are two pictures of that vehicle going down an assembly line
the car looks to be black with gold stripes
ss type black rims, and zl1 badge on grill
i don't think the assembly line is the gm factory though because the car has michigan plates already on it mc-6588
it was probably in the engineering dept or the 69 version of today's skunkworks by jon moss

[Warren Malkin]

Found another picture. It is in Popular Hot Rodding Oct '69 issue, page 40. Shows the car had a rear sway bar, how about that!!!

[Jeff H]

A rear sway bar? Was that on the black/gold car or one of the other cars at the Tech Center? That's interesting because the GM rear sway bar was designed for the 67 rear which didn't have the staggered shocks. Does anybody know anything about the cars shown in the pictures at the GM proving grounds? The black and gold car is obviously the ZL1 prototype but did it start life as a Z28 and receive the ZL1 transplant? Also, what color were the other cars in the pictures in Marty Schor's book? The one car looks to be either Orange or light blue but it's tough to tell in a black and white picture.

[69motion]

a rear sway bar could you see the trany in the pic