Bob Boyette Z/28 JL-8

[William]

Every Chevrolet production number you have ever seen likely came from those reports. In the late ’80s Len Williamson requested and received production information from Chevrolet for all Chevrolets built from 1953-1989. He summarized the reports in a book, “Tailfins and Bowties.”

It’s important to understand that the figures list production for equipment only when ordered as a discreet option. For example, it lists 116 1969 Camaros sold with CE1 Headlamp Washers. CE1 was included with Rally-Sport equipment; 37,773 built.

The reports also list production for each available engine, standard and optional. Surprise, no 427-engine listed for 1969 Camaro production. That is because the build records for COPO 9560 and 9561 Camaros lists the L78 engine; no ZL-1 or L72. Reported Camaro SS engine production [L34 L35 L48 L78] totals 35,998, 1,066 more than Camaro SS [Z27] production. That means actual L78 engine production was 3,823.

The report Len Williamson acquired for the 1969 model year was as of December 1969 and included the extended Camaro and Corvette production. Currently, no complete copy is known. Latest is as of September 1969.