Missing ZL-1's

[AutoInsane]

How many of the 69 ZL-1's are not accounted for? What about other rare cars such as the COPO's are their any numbers for the 'missing' cars?

[William]

9 ZL1s have been untraceable to date. 4 of these were stolen from Merollis Chev in Detroit. One of them is titled to an insurance company and probably was never recovered. The other 3 may have been recovered. Of the non-Merollis ZL1s, one was raced and sold around 1980. Another was stolen in CA.

8 ZL1s are in limbo, showing old title and/or registration, but are nowhere to be found.

5 ZL1s are known to have been wrecked and/or salvaged including a Merollis car.

Vince Piggins has been quoted as stating one of the black & gold ZL1 show cars was sold less engine. The VIN has been checked many times, no luck.

Having spent many hours walking the pits at IRP and Route 66 Raceway, I know there are plenty of 1969 Camaro race cars without VIN tag. I'm sure there are a few unknown COPOs out there.

[Jeff H]

Was one of the Black and Gold ZL1 cars also equipped with JL8 4 wheel discs? I have a book that states that it was, but it's an older book so I don't put much stake in it.

[x44d80]

i've always been facinated with the black and gold cars. i wonder why nobody has done a clone of one. at least i've never seen any in magazines or shows. i have thought it would be pretty easy to copy one and they are really nice looking. i have only seen 2 different photos of these cars. are there any more?

[Kurt S]

Al Wallace did a clone of the RPO ZL1 car. He's in Michigan.

[William]

Don't know.

[x44d80]

thanks kurt. iv'e always taken things with a grain of salt printed in books and magazines about these two cars. i think i read in one of the books the cars were an auto and a 4-speed tranny, detuned 427, a L-72 with the aluminum block and heads, larger front spoiler, special grill, etc, etc...but i think the writer may have just looked at the photos of the cars. i think ed c. might know more facts on the cars than this.

[JoeC]

One of the black and gold prototype ZL1 Camaros showed up at a press preview of the 1970 Chevrolet line. Since the 70 Camaro and Corvette was late, Chevy brought the b&g 69 ZL1 Camaro and two 69 ZL1 Corvettes to this dog and pony show for the new 1970 line. The ZL1 Camaro had an aluminum block and heads with L72 specs. One ZL1 Corvette was a TH400 with 4:88 gears, headers, and drag slicks the other was set up for road racing. The press loved the Camaro and called it a big block Z/28. One ZL1 Corvette was set up for drag racing and ran in the 10s and the press was allowed to run the car on a drag strip that Chevy had set up. There was a LT1 Nova there that I believe was a prototype of the Yenko Deuce Nova. One writer said his lap times on road course was quicker with the LT1 F41 Nova then with the ZL1 Camaro because the Camaro would smoke the tires coming out of the corners. There was also a 70 LS6 Chevelle there. This was a fantastic day in Chevy hi po history but there was not much written about it which is very strange since it was a press preview. I have only been able to find 2 small articles about that day.

[Mr70]

JoeC
I have accumulated some incredible pictures of the 1970 Chevrolet National Sales Convention and Detroit Auto show held at Cobo hall in Detroit.
The designer of the Space Age Theme floor settings that year was so proud of his designs,he walked around and took photos of all the cars in their glory.This was the night before with no people present with the cars.
There is a Black SS Chevelle on the floor,as well as 69 Camaros and Corvettes fitting the description you describe.
I see the Black 69 Camaro in the background.I have press release papers for these shows,but no mention of ZL-1's.
All in color and very detailed.

[AutoInsane]

How can the cars with old registrations just dissapear? I am sure each one has been researched thouroughly. I mean if it goes from person to person on the reg. or title doesnt someone have to be the last one to have owned the car and should know of it's location?

Or is this reality and it just aint that easy????