ZL1 #1 in the paint booth

[68camaroz28]

Joe, not sure that is the zL1 since paint is somewhat different and ss/e would be a lower hp 396. But thanks for posting great pics.....

[CamaroNOS]

I just love looking at these types of pics, they really bring me back to a great time and place.

Paul

[x33rs]

Joe, there is some video of this as well of some Dick Harrell cars at Beeline at the Winter Nationals. I know the Nova is on there, and I think this ZL1 too. The sound is dubbed but the action is cool. Some of the videos show glimpses of Grumpy toys both Nova and Camaro, and Dave Strickler as well as a few of the locals legends around here.

[JoeC]

Originally Posted by 68camaroz28

Joe, not sure that is the zL1 since paint is somewhat different and ss/e would be a lower hp 396. But thanks for posting great pics.....

The cars changed a lot but I believe it is ZL1 #1 with the first style paint

It is AHRA so the class is different then NHRA

The Arlen Vanke has SS/E in the window and it was a Hemi Barracuda. It looks like SS/B painted on the sail panel which I think was for NHRA

[x33rs]

I seem to remember the story of that ZL1 at Beeline in 69, and how it had the wrong carb on it for the class. They had to scramble for a carb to pass tech. Something about it being such an early production it didn't have the right carb.

[JoeC]

xxx

[JoeC]

this is from the Super Stock and Drag Illustrated drag test of ZL1#1
looks to be the same car. It may have been before it went to Beeline

Something else I have been trying to figure out.
In an article from 1969 , it said three ZL1s were being built at the Harrell shop when the magazine writer was there. One for Grady Bryant, one for Shay Nickols, and one for a West Coast racer. I wonder who it was for?

[x33rs]

Any pictures of it with the hood up? It looks like they might be running a W30 style air cleaner judging by the scoops under the front valance.

Also appears it may have a 1 piece fiberglass front clip on it.

[JoeC]

ZL1 #1 had different paint jobs 1969 and 1970 , then many other paint jobs

there was also ZL1 #15 with similar paint built for Larry Leatherman

[1stGenFan]

Originally Posted by 68camaroz28

Joe, not sure that is the zL1 since paint is somewhat different and ss/e would be a lower hp 396. But thanks for posting great pics.....

The pictures on the track are from the 1969 AHRA Winter Nationals, which reflects the original paint scheme applied in January of 1969. The first pictures of this post are when the #1 ZL1 was repainted after the 1969 season, and before the 1970 season.

The SS/E designation/category may be weight based for AHRA Super Stock? Arlen Vanke beat out Herb Fox in the Semi-finals of the Super Stock class at the Winter Nationals, which is shown in this picture. A 426 Hemi vs a 427 ZL1. The E may also indicate it was the Eliminator round(final)?

I have a 1969 AHRA rule book and may need to check it to see if Super Stock had specific designations for weights and cubic inches. I know in 1970 there was a handicap start system, based on weight of 7 lbs. per cubic inch, with a minimum of 2500 pounds. This may have been the same for the 1969 season.