Is this a real L78????

[Mr. Duece]

I have found wht is "believed to be" a 68 Chevelle SS L78 car. This is a 3 owner car with 25k original miles. I spoke with 2 of the 3 owners who verify this. I'm still looking for the original owner. The interior has never been removed nor has anyone ever looked for a build sheet. Beside the 6000 rpm redline on the factory tach and single 3/8 fuel line, is there anything else I can look for? This car is Grotto Blue/Black 4 speed, 488 12 bolt. Also what is the difference between the K8 and KO coded rear end housing and could you get this housing in another model other than an L78? Any help would be appreciated as I would like this car in my garage next week. Thanks, Don http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[Bill Rose]

Don...It's unlikely you will fine a build sheet in a 68 Chevelle. Some have been found in 68 ElCamino's but to the best of my knowledge, they weren't stuck inside the 68's like they were in 69's for example.
Also, all big block 68 Chevelles had 3/8 fuel lines, including my 325h.p. 396.
Is the motor in the car? Check the numbers on the pad.

[Keith Tedford]

The K8 and KO rearends are both 4.88-1 ratio. In '69 there was the KK 4.10 rearend for the L78 and KQ 4.10 for the COPOs. I'd be surprised if anybody but an L78 owner would order the 4.88s.

[JoeG]

Were you able to order a 4:88 rear from the factory for a Chevelle-?-I thought the ring/pinion were dealer installed?

[Keith Tedford]

The 4.88s were listed as an option I believe.

[JoeG]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gifI was just curious, because 4:56 gears were an option for the big block vette in '69--4:56 gears for my '69 Chevelle had to be dealer installed......You could be right...???

[Keith Tedford]

We're running the stock 4.10s in our Chevelles and you wouldn't want any more than that for running down the highways. 3200 at 60 mph. 3800 wouldn't be any fun at all.

[JRSully]

My 69 L78 Nova was factory ordered with 4:56's and that is what came in it new.

[JoeG]

[ QUOTE ]
We're running the stock 4.10s in our Chevelles and you wouldn't want any more than that for running down the highways. 3200 at 60 mph. 3800 wouldn't be any fun at all.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah I know---I was goin 50mph at 3000 rpm on tall tires-----wasn't too much fun on the highway--but the 4.56 rear was killer...
Sully...my car was ordered with the 4:56 rear, but on the buildsheet it had 4:10---4:56 was listed on the dealer invoice---maybe because my car was going to be worked on anyway, the dealer figured he'd get paid for the work...

[Mr70]

Don
I sent you a PM.

[Mr. Duece]

Bill, the original engine was removed in 1980. We are searching for paper work. The 488 gear was a factory ordered option on this car and is still in it. I just was'nt sure if you could get it in the lower HP models. Thanks for the input everyone! I will post pictures if I can make the deal. Don

[Mr. Duece]

The deal is done!!! L78 as found. http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/DonDeFrancesco/27.jpg

[Mr. Duece]

another! http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/DonDeFrancesco/30.jpg

[Mr. Duece]

another! http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/DonDeFrancesco/6.jpg

[Mr. Duece]

another! http://http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/DonDeFrancesco/25.jpg

[Mr. Duece]

another! http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/DonDeFrancesco/2.jpg

[Mr. Duece]

and another! http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/DonDeFrancesco/19.jpg

[Mr. Duece]

and another! http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/DonDeFrancesco/21.jpg

[Mr. Duece]

and another! Original bench seat. http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/DonDeFrancesco/8.jpg

[Mr. Duece]

On it's way to it's new home! http://http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/DonDeFrancesco/48.jpg

[Mr. Duece]

another! http://http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/DonDeFrancesco/52.jpg

[Mr. Duece]

and another! Rolling Rolling Rolling. http://http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/DonDeFrancesco/57.jpg

[Mr. Duece]

Previous owner saying GOOD BYE! http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/DonDeFrancesco/59.jpg

[Mr. Duece]

Photo from 1980 at World of Wheels. http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/DonDeFrancesco/60.jpg

[Mr70]

That's really a great find.Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
Congrats Don. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[DarrenX33]

Hey Don, isn't it funny 4 of us have blue Day 2 cars? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif

Very cool. Glad it all finally worked out.

[PeteLeathersac]

Congrats....great find! . Have you got a line on the orig motor or was is vented? . What's the pics of on display at the '80 W.o.W. show? . Looks like some Roth creation and a Duster? ~ Pete

[Lemans69]

Congratulations Don!! What a cool find!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif The best part is that you remember the car from back in the day on the streets of your area, and the owner would not hesitate to show what it could do!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif Clean it up and drive it!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[427TJ]

That car just screams "Car Craft Street Machine Nationals 1980." (Right Bruce?) Love the slots but the 'lines look good too. So, will it be a rotisserie resto or Day 2 car?

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif x 100

[Charley Lillard]

I used to own a Grotto Blue 68 L78 with factory 4.88 gears and a M22. I had the orig window sticker that verified it. The car is in Chicago now. The current owner only has a photocopy of the window sticker but it is a very real car. Belair saw it at a local cruise in awhile back. Parchment bucket seat interior.

[TimG]

Charley, I remember that car well from when I lived in Sacramento. What a great car it was with no frills and no console. I also saw it at the Vettefest one year, I think that the window sticker may have been separated from the car. Dave Simpson bought it from you, I think. The paperwork may have been lost. If I remember, the owner had a copy of the window sticker, but the orginal was gone. What a shame.

[Xplantdad]

[ QUOTE ]
That car just screams "Car Craft Street Machine Nationals 1980." (Right Bruce?) Love the slots but the 'lines look good too. So, will it be a rotisserie resto or Day 2 car?

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif x 100

[/ QUOTE ]

You got it Bill! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

Nice car...and like Darren said...how are you going to 'restore' it...day 2 or???

[SS454]

SOOO are you what are you going to do with it???? I realy want to know. Realy cool car got to see it going sideways down the street today http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Mr70]

I thought I recognized the description of that Chevelle Charley.
Dave S. & destroyed records are what I thought.
I did see it once,and thought it was pretty nice.I never saw it again after Vettefest. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[Charley Lillard]

Simpson might still have the paperwork but he has dropped out .

[Mr70]

That's putting it mildly...

[Belair62]

Yeah I talked to the guy and still see the car occasionally....

[Mr. Duece]

Pete, The original engine is long gone. When owner #2 bought the car in 1980 the original engine was out and at the machine shop. The shop wanted $2500.00 for work done at that time. Owner figured he could pick up another running B.B. for a fraction of the cost. As for future plans, its day 2 all the way. As for your comment Rick, today won't be the last time you see that car sideways. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Postsedan]

And ofcourse I`ll be there with my digital camera. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

Dan.

[DarrenX33]

Hey wiseguy your supposed to be posting pictures of that beautiful little daughter!

[Tim Penton]

Charley, The '68 L78 Chevelle that you used to have, was it originally from Baton Rouge, La. and featured years ago in a Hemmings Motor News publication being compared to a GTO?