ZL1 prototype show car

[William]

We may have to re-think what has long been believed concerning the 1969 Camaro ZL1 show car prototype.

One of the ZL1 sites has a copy of the request memo from Chevrolet Styling to production for "˜one (1) 1969 Camaro with the specifications shown on the attached sheet. This car is to be used as a Pilot Build for the one hundred (100) ZL-1 cars to be ordered by the COPO group."

Problem is the memo is dated March 24, 1969 and requests delivery to the Engineering Center "˜no later than April 4, 1969." A car built during that period is in the VIN range N620000-N627000. This is far later than originally believed. The car could have been equipped with just about anything.

Was there only one? Was it black? Stripe delete? JL8? 9737?

Someone must know˜

[Jeff H]

William, are you referring to the car that is pictured in Martyn Schorr's Camaro book on page 34? It says next to the picture of the JL8 ZL1 that it was June of 69. It shows the rear discs, shocks that are not spiral and no wheel opening moldings. It's a black and white picture, but the color looks to be something in the middle shade such as silver, lighter blue, orange or a lighter green shade. If that car is the same one in the picture next to the black/gold ZL1 with the RS front end, you can see that there is no rear spoiler either.

[JoeC]

There was a press preview dog and pony show that Chevy did in late 69 to show off the 1970 cars. I think it was at the Chevy proving grounds in AZ. and there was a drag strip and road course set up and members of the press were allowed to drive the cars on the tracks. The 70 Camaro and Corvette were late so they took the old prototype 69s. There were 69 ZL1 Corvettes and Camaros there along with a 1970 LT1 Nova. I have a small article about this press preview day but have not been able to find much on it. It is surprising there is not more info and pictures available about this since the press was there and must have had cameras with them. They may have been to busy racing the cars. One writer commented that he was getting faster lap times with the 70 LT1 Nova then with the 69 ZL1 Camaro because the Camaro was smoking the tires off the corners. There was also a ZL1 Corvette running 10s on the drag strip.

[mc25t190]

which ZL1 site are you referring to?

[John Brown]

The story of two street dressed ZL-1 Camaros was told in Michael Lamm's book,"THE GREAT CAMARO". There are pictures of these cars that were supossedly used as Detroit street racers! You will find other related info here. http://www.camaros.org/copo.shtml

[JoeC]

That CRG article by Bill Glowacki is very nicely done. Is that you William? good job

here is a file pic of prototype ZL1

[William]

Thanks! Kurt Sonen and Rich Fields made it happen.

The memo and other interesting paperwork is at www.69zl1.com, the website for the #23 car.

I've always believed there were two prototypes ZL1s and they were built early in the model year. Maybe not.