Possible L78 69 Pace Car Barn Find

[TXSS]

About a month ago a buddy of mine told me about a supposed big block 69 Pace Car that had been sitting in a building for the past 15 years. The only problem was that the owner was in jail and not due to get out for 3-4 weeks. Well, after waiting and waiting the car was finally inspected and sure enough it turned out not only to be a virgin big block Pace Car but I'd bet my money on it being an L78 Pace Car. You can tell from the pictures the car has never had anything done to it. In fact it appears that every item ever taken off the car was piled in side including what appears to be a dealer installed A/C. Here's the scoop. 163 intake, big block motor mounts and perches, single 3/8 fuel line, big block heater core, 840 heads dated D-24-69. The car has zero rust and perfect floors, complete with original paint and interior. Block has been decked and haven't looked for the vin yet as the entire car was infested with spiders. NOM price was paid so looking for the vin could wait until a hasmat suit could be found. L78 or not I think it's still a killer find. What say you Pace Car experts.

http://katyclassiccars.com/L78PaceCar/dscf3012.jpg

http://katyclassiccars.com/L78PaceCar/dscf3014.jpg

http://katyclassiccars.com/L78PaceCar/dscf3018.jpg

http://katyclassiccars.com/L78PaceCar/dscf3019.jpg

http://katyclassiccars.com/L78PaceCar/dscf3025.jpg

http://katyclassiccars.com/L78PaceCar/dscf3023.jpg

http://katyclassiccars.com/L78PaceCar/dscf3024.jpg

http://katyclassiccars.com/L78PaceCar/dscf3030.jpg

http://katyclassiccars.com/L78PaceCar/dscf3031.jpg

http://katyclassiccars.com/L78PaceCar/dscf3032.jpg

http://katyclassiccars.com/L78PaceCar/dscf3033.jpg

[bulletpruf]

Nice find. Just goes to show you that they're still out there.

Scott

[budnate]

nice find Rick...get it running and drive it as is this summer http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Hotrodpaul]

Nice find Rick, the single fuel line is a good clue. Does the tach have a 6000 RPM redline? If the heads are 840's, did you check for a solid lifter cam? Have you checked the code on the tranny (ID Plate), rear axle tube stamping, etc. Hope to see it at the niftee fiftees car show.

Paul

[BradVV]

Maples Chevrolet in Newton, Iowa. That is just 20 minutes north of where I live. They're no longer in business. Boy, that Pace Car sure ventured a long ways from home if you ended up locating it in Texas. Would be interesting to hear about its travels.

[njsteve]

Don't you love how the orange houndstooth interior nicely compliments the orange oil pan sitting on the drivers seat. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Check out the difference in the condition of the dash pad versus the door panels. You lucked out! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

I would imagine all those white spots in the engine bolt holes are probably spider egg cases. I would definitely decon the entire car and dont bring it into any garage or barn you own until you do so. Otherwise, you'll be looking at a new movie sequel: Charlottes Web versus Arachnaphobia!

[427king]

Remove the bolt from the front fuel line clamp and take a pic of the backside of the clamp and a pic of the frame where the clamp was. That will tell you alot about the originality. If you would like i have a few good pics to compare of an untouched one ,i think that may be a very important component to the car .Pull the heater core and see if its a dated harrison unit . Too Bad EdC is not certifying these cars anymore. He was very helpful in inspecting my L78 Pace car a few years ago.

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
L78 or not I think it's still a killer find.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, that is definitely a killer find.

[427king]

While not possible to prove based on whats posted, it could have been an L89,the heads could have been replaced.You never know

[WILMASBOYL78]

If the original tranny is in the car then check the Hydra-Matic tag(pass side)...that will tell you..CX code would be used with the L78 engine....very cool find..!!

wilma

[SS427]

Great find Rick, congrats! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif
Rick

[TXSS]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions to help determine if it is in fact an L78 car. The car was here in Texas about 5 mils from my house. The seller had the car for 15 years so I don't really know it's history before that. Unfortunately....for me, I was not the primary buyer on this deal. I tried like hell to weasel in on it but a good friend ended up with the car. At least I know that it will be brought back to the same condition as in it's glory days.

[RUQUIK]

Hey guy's just got on and found all the posts about my new Baby. Thanks to all of you for your comments and suggestions. I am in the process of cleaning it out and checking out everything in and under the car and will get back with more details. Rick is a great guy and we converse daily about cars, etc.P.S. My wife looked at me like I was crazy, I just said, you just don't get it! LOL

Roy Chaney
Camaro Concepts Inc.
www.camaroconcepts.com (http://www.camaroconcepts.com)

[bashton]

Once again, an awesome find that indeed proves, they are still out there.

Congratulations and keep us posted.

BA

[69hurstSC]

awesome find guys. congrats on the purchase Roy. these guys are great when it comes to helping document cars. good work board members!

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Iowa is a great state for title searches. Start the process if you want to find out the owner history - and possibly original paperwork!!!

[TimG]

Being a Pace Car fan, I think this is a great find. Hope to see it some time. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[TXSS]

Roy has been in the Camaro business a long time but he looks like a kid on Christmas morning in this pic. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/Can-I-Have-It.gif PLEASE !!!!

http://katyclassiccars.com/L78PaceCar/royspacecar.jpg

[jasonL78]

About a comment made by chuck(427king! Are all harison heater cores dated. I Have my original one from my L78 car but never thought to look for a date on it. What should I look for a tag or number stampings.

Jason

Jason

[bad1racing]

Jason,If it's what I think it is I have the one out of my Nova right now and it has 69E stamped into it.More info from anyone else is welcome as I would like to know also.

Kendall

[jasonL78]

Checked mine out for my 68 BB nova. It has a 67M stamped in it. M is for December I think. My car was a May built car. I bought an aftermarket one because my original has a bunch of pin holes in it. Can these be re-cored!

Jason

[rpoz11]

[ QUOTE ]
Maples Chevrolet in Newton, Iowa. That is just 20 minutes north of where I live. They're no longer in business. Boy, that Pace Car sure ventured a long ways from home if you ended up locating it in Texas. Would be interesting to hear about its travels.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was fortunate to find the original owner of my car and he told a few good stories about the successes he had with it back in early 1970.

My FAVORITE thing about mine was that when I decided I wanted an Endura front bumper to finish off the look. Back in about 1986 I talked a guy here locally into selling me his Endura from his car. I went over and we both removed it from his car, brackets and all (FWIW: it was a LeMans Blue 350/396 car http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif). Anyways, I got the bumper home, removed the front chrome one and started comparing; it was my 3rd Camaro to this pointe, and first Endura I owned. The story ends that when I compared the brackets from the Endura to the ones existing on my car, they Matched!!!

The original owner verified mine came originally with an Endura when he bought it!

TXSS: Nice Find!!!
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[rpoz11]

[ QUOTE ]
Remove the bolt from the front fuel line clamp and take a pic of the backside of the clamp and a pic of the frame where the clamp was. That will tell you alot about the originality. If you would like i have a few good pics to compare of an untouched one ,i think that may be a very important component to the car .

[/ QUOTE ]

You could also look at the fenders behind the 396 numbers as well!