1969 ZL1 Copo Camaro Test, Prepped by Dick Harrell -Motor Trend

[William]

Gibb ZL-1 4-speeds had an MSRP of $7269.35. Automatics were $7,364.70. None of the 69 production cars were black.

Have to wonder about the Dick Harrell connection. #12 is on the Gibb dealership ledger as being shipped back to Norwood May 24, 1969. From there, it had to be re-invoiced to another Chevrolet dealer.

Of the ZL-1 engines known to have been replaced under warranty [#55 & #67] both original blocks still exist. Jerry Huffman told me they were instructed to destroy the damaged engine. I am not aware of a ZL-1 CE engine. Chevrolet had built 80 ME code Corvette ZL-1 engines that were not going to be used in production. They developed a list of parts needed to convert them for use in Camaros. At one time, #55 had an ME code engine.

[JoeC]

When I read the post from the Byrne Bro mechanic in NY who said he replaced the ZL-1 engine in a black ZL-1 Camaro in 1970 or 1971, I thought of ZL-1 #12 that was in NY and was black when the second owner Eddie bought in about 1976 and it did not have the original engine

#12 was in Floral Park, New York about 32 miles from Byrne Bro Chev

Eddie says it has a CE block in it

photo is Eddie towing it home

youtube with Lou C. and Eddie and ZL-1 #12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU7PqMz3XPo

link to 2004 feature of ZL-1 #12
https://www.yenko.net/features/2004/August2004.htm

[dykstra]

So was the #67 Huffman car the Hugger Orange one?
Farmington, IL is a couple towns over from me.
Jerry and I have a couple mutual acquaintances.
As you know, he’s a great guy and a wealth of knowledge, just like you.

[William]

#66 is Cortez Silver, #67 Orange. Both were an expensive PIA for the dealership.

Wish I had recorded the calls. He told me COPO 9560 was deliberately ended at 69 cars. He said the dealership was contacted by Barney Krass from Central Office; Chevy was looking for 17 additional orders. Without knowing the cost, they placed two orders. Quite a surprise when they were invoiced. Even more surprising was why they bothered. They were acquainted with Fred Gibb as both dealerships were involved in racing. At the time of their order there were 37 ZL-1 Camaros in stock at Gibb's, 65 miles from Huffman's. He said they simply didn't know.

Jerry passed away a few years ago.

[lycan]

listen ... don't trust that guy william. I think he makes this stuff up, as he goes along. It's really the only plausible explanation


just playn of course. He's a living, breathing encyclopedia for all things ZL-1.


and one hell of a great guy to boot

[lbnaz]

FYI, Jerry died a couple years ago. He used to winter in Tucson, AZ. I got to know him fairly well. He was a wealth of knowledge. He had some great stories and photos of the cars being delivered to their dealership.

[PeteLeathersac]

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Likely the same car as this 10/70 Ad from Port Chester NY w/ Byrne Bros. only 15 minutes away?
Nothing of Harrell but same 52 built noted, still Blue also under warranty…maybe when Dr. Tucci got it?
Here’s to the Drafted lad selling it, hope he made it home!

~ Pete

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[JoeC]

In the article Eddie wrote , he says he is the 2nd owner but maybe he is the 3rd?

[William]

Not the only mystery surrounding it.

It was sent back to the Norwood Camaro plant May 24, 1969. For the next 14 months, nothing is known about it. No ads, no dealer re-assignment. Earliest known mention is the October 10, 1970, Daily Item ad stating it is "...3 mos. old". That places its first retail sale July, 1970. The selling dealer is not known. Byrne Bros was a NY performance dealership, not mentioned in any of their ads.

It turns up next in the September 1975 Hot Rod Mart ad claiming that it was sold new out of "Dick Harrell Chevrolet" for $7300. Harrell was not a Chevrolet Dealer and couldn't have sold a car on MSO. But if it was at Dick Harell's shop, it may have been re-assigned to Bill Allen Chevrolet as they have been known to work with Harrell. Considering all that is known about Harrell and Bill Allen, odd it hasn't come up. How would a young guy in NY have known about a car for sale in MO?

As did I, Porterfield maintained a listing of ZL-1 blocks/engines for many years. On his list #12 is shown as having a ZL-1 engine with pad stamping CE07950. That indicates a warranty replacement assembly built in 1970. Warranty replacement engines were built to order; at that time Chevrolet had plenty of complete ZL-1 engines, blocks and partial engine assemblies sitting in stock. What's more, the latest known ZL-1 casting date is early August 1969. Hard to imagine having a bare block removed from stock, shipped to Tonawanda for assembly, when partial and complete engines were in stock.

Not criticizing #12 at all. It is as advertised and one of the nicest ZL-1s known.

[PeteLeathersac]

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Below is the 11/76 Ad Eddie replied to then drove to NY and bought ZL1 #12 from Dr. Tucci.
Some info notes 124379N609149 was sold by Stauffer Chev Scranton PA, is this wrong?

~ Pete

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