1968 L78 Camaro Convertible production numbers?

[MarvSS396]

Does anybody know how many 1968 L78 Camaro convertibles were produced?

[mr396]

No one knows for sure.These are extrapolations from the 1993 edition of Camaro Enthusiast, the official publication of the old United States Camaro club. All though this is just an educated guess,it's fun to look at.

[MarvSS396]

Discovered a L78 Camaro convertible a couple years ago. Performed a forensic study on the car and without a doubt a L78. It has all of the L78 components: 170 distributor, deep pulleys, 814 alternator, 840 heads, 163 intake, manual steering, 4 spd, etc.... My theory on the car is that it is a L78. The last owner had the car 22 years. Very long and interesting story on the car. Contacted the original owner, and yes it is the real thing. "I ordered the L78 motor, M-22 4spd trans and the convertible option for my girlfriend now wife." Jerry at Camaro Country said he never seen one. The original owner said that the motor spun a main bearing in 69 while street racing. "The car was ordered exclusively for street racing" quote unquote. Denoyer Chevrolet warrentied the block thus explains the CE short block. The convertible is a tri-color, Maroon, white top, black interior.

[Belair62]

[jus4funn68]

Marv, Im curious about the alternator number you listed on the L-78 you found. According to Colvin, 814 wasn't on L-78's. Maybe Im not looking at the charts correctly?? Kevin

[MarvSS396]

The 1100814 alternator must be for high performance applications in 68. According to the Colvin Bible, the applications listed are for passenger with 427(425hp) and the 302 (Z28). Must be the hipo unit for 68 just like the 837 for 69. The build date on the car is 05C. The date on the alternator is 8D30. It looks to be the original one that came with the car.

[MarvSS396]

Well i am pretty sure you guys want to here the story on this incredible find. All I have to say is never stop looking. The stuff is still out there.

Two years ago a friend of mine John owned a 1969 Camaro SS 396 body. It needed alot of sheet metal, quarters, floor boards, etc... The car needed alot of work to save her. I suggested to him to call Jerry at Camaro Country. The car went to him. Bummed over the sale, John started looking. Through a friend of ours we had a leed. "I worked with a guy at a body shop that had a 68 convertible SS. Bob might sell it." Called him up and yes he was interested in selling the Camaro. We arrived at Bob's house. The garage door was open and inside was a car under cover. He pulled the cover off and the first thing that I noticed was the Winters intake and dimple on the heads. "It is a L78" quietly under my breath. I ran the numbers for him to see what was original. The car is solid as a rock. The paint is four years old. Everything was painted off the car, fenders, header, hood, etc... Bob never finished the restoration. The engine compartment need to be detailed and the sheetmetal installed. That is where he stopped. The short block is a CE replacment. No way to verify a correct drive train. He had no paperwork on the car. The heads are 840's, 1111170 distributor, 1100814 alternator, 163 intake all date coded with the car. "I have lots of parts to go with the car." Well a deal was struck. We loaded it up the next day. John had to go back and pick up the parts that went with the car. He filled up the back of his truck with parts. Had a hard time closing the window on his cap. Plus a utility trailer full of parts bungied down. All NOS parts for the car!!!!! Bob purchased all the parts back in 81 when he first bought the car. A few months passed. Jeff, our leed man was painting a utility trailer for a customer. Talking cars to the owner of the trailer. "That was my buddy's car, he ordered it." Apparently the car has never left the kalamazoo ares. "I have his number if you want to give it to John." I could not believe it. John eventually called the original owner. Bob's wife answered the phone. I have something that Bob use to own. Oh, you must mean the Camaro? I'll get him. " I ordered the car in my neighbors kitchen. They were the owners of Ward Chevrolet in Colon Michigan. Yes the car is a L78. I ordered the car. I wanted the coupe, but my girlfriend, now wife, wanted a convertible. I ordered the car strictly to street race. In 1969 I spun a main bearing. I had Denooyer Chevrolet perform the warrenty work. I think they were mad since I didnot buy the car from them. It took all summer of 69 to do the work. The car came with dogdish hubcaps. The second day I had the car, I installed a set of Cragar SS wheels. I sold the car in 71. I worked on my parents huge farm and we need a new manuer spreader. Kind of funny. We needed a new one that is why I sold the car. You know what, I might have the paper work on the car in my old bedroom." Amazing story.

[victhrust]

I own a 68 L78 convertible. My brother bought is sans motor is 1980. The previous owner blew the motor and pulled it. Hevwould not sell the motor. something about putting it in his speed boat. It's been in my father's barn since then. It has the same alt as the Z28 of that year. It has a 6,00 tach - opps gotta go wife is hollerin. I post more on this later.

[NCGuy68]

A good friend recently sold a very 'unmolested' 68 L78 Drop Top. It had a 814 alternator with a deep groove pulley - same as the one on my 68 Z28. Thru the years, I've seen other 68 L78s with the same thing. Seems to be the norm.

Althought I respect Al Colvin, his first publications do contain errors and omissions. Contact him and he'll send you a summary of addendums/corrections for free.

[victhrust]

Now I can finish - my brother bought the l78 convertible in 1980-81. I remember him bringing it home on his ramp truck. It had the 396 's on it and the first thing i asked "it that the real thing". He bought it off a guy who thrashed it and blew the motor. My brother started to restore it and lost interest. It sat in a barn since then and is still in that barn- nice and dry. I bought if from him in 98' and have been prepairing the parts for a complete resto. There is however no documentation and the original owner cannot be located. The car has zero rust - just needs a little lovin'. it has the 814 alt 6,000 grand tach, deep groove pulleys, 373 rear end, 4 speed, wood wheel and a bunch of other goodies and enough new old stock to do the whole car. I will have it done in 2 years.