Jungle Jim's SS/C ZL-1 Race Car

[Charles]

For 1969 "Jungle" Jim Liberman ran a SS/C ZL-1 Camaro that he used for match racing. It was custom painted in Candy Red over Pearl lacquer. Paint was done by "Bogie". The aluminum motor made 685HP in race trim; good for 10.39 at 136MPH initially. Steve Kanuika Speed Shops sponsored the car with Steve and "Jungle" Jim sharing the driving chores. Does anyone know if this was one of the 69 factory cars or was it just "built for racing?" Thanks

[William]

The July 1969 Super Stock has a feature article on the car along with a color cover photo. The car as shown has front drums and does not appear to have a disc brake pedal pad. It has the quarter louver trim and pieces of gutter trim. It has a short water pump and a small radiator.

I believe it was not a factory ZL1. Bill Jenkins '69 Pro car wasn't either.

[Charles]

Hello William: Thank you for the detailed reply. The Funny Cars were usully one color ie. bright blue or later dark red, so the SS/C car was more fancy in a rather busy two tone way.
That is interesting about the Bill Jenkins car. GM built more than the 50 cars required to qualify for the Super Stock class, production minimum and then "their guy" used his own car...

[sYc]

What I think is so interesting about Grumpy's '69 ZL-1 is this. Ken Barnhart, a sYc member and past reunion attendee, had raced against Grumpy for years. When Ken heard that Grump was preparing a ZL-1 powered Camaro for '69, Ken decided to do the same, BUT, rather then build one, Ken contacted Fred Gibb in nearby LaHarpe to see what was available. Ken told Fred he wanted a Orange auto, but when Ken arrived, the orange auto was ready, but so was a 4 speed car, as most racers were running 4 spped cars. Well, Ken took the orange car, took it back to Elgin and got it ready, but a unexpected heath condition prevented Ken from meeting up with Grumpy (Ken's plan was to race him at Indy). Grumpy won at Indy. Ken's first time out after recovery he topped Grumpy's winning ET. Ken never got the chance to race Grumpy again, as Grumpy moved up to Pro-stock in '70. Ken continued to race his Zl-1, and today still has the car and races it at select events. It was a treat to see Ken race it at SCR5.

[Salvatore]

Malcolm Durham's car was a real ZL-1. He was from the Washington D.C. area. Was that car ever found? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gifJenkin's car was a 375hp car if I am correct. Sam

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I don't think Malcom's car has been found, it was sold out of Lustine Chev. in Hyattsville, MD I believe - same with several Deuces.

[JoeC]

Jenkin's car was a 375hp car. He had been working on the ZL1 and the Cam Am engines in 68. First time he went to run the ZL1 engine 69 Camaro the NHRA tech inspectors would not let him run. Chevy had not sent documentation to NHRA that 50 had been built. Grumpy's 68 was a very quick match race car with the alu engine. I remember reading when he won $30,000.00 in match race prize money which was alot back then.

[68TopStock]

I have been told by a reliable source that Grumpy made a trip down to LaHarpe with magnet in hand, and was stunned at what he found.

[Mr70]

Thers is a good picture of Ken Barnhardt's ZL-1 waiting in the background of Grumpys car on page 194 in the book,"Super Stock-Drag Racing the Family Sedan" by Larry Davis.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif