CRG Active Research Topics

CRG is actively researching many first-generation Camaro configuration, production, and restoration topics. We are soliciting information from our web site readers on the specific topics below. If you would like to contribute data on any of these specific research topics, please send an email to the contact listed. Note that we do not release, without permission, owner-submitted data that can be traced back to a specific vehicle or owner.

The CRG email contact for the following topics is .

• If you have any of the documentation in the list below, CRG would like to obtain copies for our research database that supports our specific research projects. These include:
  1. dealer invoices
  2. factory invoices
  3. window stickers
  4. protect-o-plates (or POP imprints)
  5. broadcast sheets (chassis and/or body)
  6. 1967 Uniform Option ID Tags
  7. GM Canada shipping summary printouts
  8. delivery inspection forms
  9. GM engineering notebooks
  10. GM engineering drawings
  11. GM Data Systems Manuals
• Data on 1969 Norwood cars with an "A" code added to the bottom line of the cowl tag, such as "X11 A" or "X11 D80 A".
• Data on early 1968 08B built LA Camaros that have a suffix after the trim tag interior code (like the 1967s).
• Data on any 1967 Camaro with a bench seat with headrests.
• Information on 67-9 Camaros from non-US assembly plants (especially South America and Europe).

The CRG email contact for the following topics is .

• Original axle codes as a function of application.
• 1967 LOS use of the chrome oil filler tube.

The CRG email contact for the following topic is .

• N44 steering (with or without N40 power assist) with original documentation to back it up. Needs include casting numbers, pictures of steering components and details such as how many turns lock-to-lock.

We are also researching the following additional topics, but we would appreciate it if information related to these topics could be posted on the CRG Forum. (Not a CRG Forum member yet? Register here: CRG Forum Registration.)

CRG Active Research Topics, by Grouping

1. Multi-Year Research Topics
2. 1967 Topics
3. 1968 Topics
4. 1969 Topics

Multi-Year Research Topics

1. Factory (Fisher and Chevrolet) assembly practices. We would particularly like to talk to people with direct knowledge of, or experience on, Fisher or Chevrolet assembly lines in the period from the late 1960's to the early 1970's.
2. Window glass markings
3. Fastener head markings
4. Finishes
5. Production line markings (stripes, codes, etc)
6. Coil and leaf spring labels
7. 5-leaf rear springs used in a 68-69 Z28 (factory documentation indicates they should be 4-leaf)
8. Radiator tags
9. Original wheel markings
10. Export models
11. Steering component part numbers for various model types
12. 1967 and 1969 Indy pace cars, Z10s, and non-Indy pace cars (Watkins Glen, NASCAR, etc)
13. Headrest variations:
    The 1967 style (taller and more slender than successors) was used in early 1968. When in 1968 was the headrest design changed?
    During November 1968, the adjusting brace was changed from straight to slightly angled. Braces are usually dated.
    Prior to January 69, headrests were factory installed (as a required option)on all 1969 cars built in 1968, unless ordered with a special headrest delete option (RPO AR1). We have not found a documented Camaro with the headrest delete option and would like to document one.

14. Stamping errors. Any stamped VIN on the body, the engine, or the transmission that contains a stamping error (for example, off by a digit, upside down digits, etc).

15. Special or Unusual Models:
    • 10-bolt rear axles in original SS cars, and 12-bolt rear axles in 6-cylinder and non-SS, non-Z28 cars.
    • Special Paint cars. We would like to find more examples of cars that received special painting and/or striping instructions. These would include special stripe colors, special body colors, special stripe styles, and stripe delete.
    • D88 (multi-color nose stripe) cars. This was offered in 1968 in the assembly manual and mid- year dealer brochure, but to-date we have only seen photos of one car (and one that we do not have complete documentation on nor absolute verification of originality).

1967 Topics

1. Radius Rod Research - To update the CRG Research Report on 1967 radius rods, we need as many possible data points. We are interested in all radius rod data, but are especially interested in data on vehicles built from late November thru the end of April. In addition to the usual CRG vehicle data we are looking for the presence (or absence) of the following: chassis bracket, axle bracket, and the rod itself. We are also interested in the rod type (round or rectangular) as well as bracket attachment details.

2. L30/M20 - Related to the radius rod issue, we are following changes made to the L30/M20 model (327/275HP engine with 4-speed). Sometime near the same period that the radius rod was introduced (December 1966) the L30/M20 axle was upgraded from a 10-bolt to a 12-bolt. We urge anyone with a L30/M20, especially a December- or January-built 1967 model, to submit his or her data to the CRG for use in our research.

3. Other 1967 Mid-Year Changes:
   • Seat belt clips on console: The clips were added in March, but useage appears intermittent through April.
   • Metal vs. plastic seat backs: Transition appears to occur during mid-April or possibly first week of May.
   • Quarter panel styles: There appear to be 3 types of 1967 quarter panels that are distinguished by appearance in the door jamb area. The "early style" jamb includes a stamped indentation, in the shape of a conventional telephone handset, surrounding the door latch pin. The "middle style" includes this "telephone" shaped impression, but adds to it 5 small indentations that are in a vertical column near the leading edge of the jamb. The "late style" jamb is like the "middle style", including the 5 vertical indentations, but the top portion of the telephone-shape impression is partially truncated. The early-to-mid transition occurs around November/December. The mid-to-late transition seems to be in March/April.
   • Trunk/Deck-lid style: Some of the earliest August 1966 built cars have no Camaro emblem on them. It has been reported that the underside of the trunk lid does not even have an opening provided to mount the emblems. We would like to document this. There was an intermediate style of trunk lid that was used until March/April. Then there is a late-style trunk lid that, on the underside, has a diagonal oval opening on the left and right side and a series of four evenly spaced holes a few inches up from the trunk's trailing edge. This appears to be the early introduction of the 1968 trunk lid support structure to the 1967 trunk skin.

   1967 Subframe Horn Change

   • Subframe style: A mid-year change was instituted for 67 Camaro subframes. Large holes (about 3-inch dia.) were placed on the inside surface of each front frame "horn" to provide access to bumper bracket nuts.

     The earlier frames used a slot in the outer surface of the frame horn to hold a J-nut (clip nut) for the bumper bracketry. The transition period for this change appears be circa November/December of 1966; we are attempting to gather more data to further refine the implementation date. An interesting note is that some frames have been found with the large hole on one frame rail and none on the other rail. Apparently such frames were built during the transition period from one style to the other, while making use of all existing frame stock. If you have a Camaro built from October to December of 1966, we would appreciate your car data, via the CRG Forum, including a note on which frame style you have.

1968 Topics

1. Elimination of the Astro-Ventilation logo on door glass. We would like to further refine when this change occurred.

2. Dates of Misc Component Changes:
   • When did power brake booster change from 8515 to 9078?
   • When did 396 block casting change from '323 to '440?
   • When did 396/375 intake manifold change from '069 to '163?
   • Did rear spiral shocks for multi-leafs change? Assembly manual indicates that they did.

3. Woodgrain ashtray. Starting around April of 1968, the ashtray front was changed from black to woodgrain when the surrounding molding was woodgrain (Z87, Z23, or D55).

4. SS stripe. Transition from bumble bee to later stripe that runs down the door.

5. Brake proportioning valve supposedly changes during 1968 from the small 1967 style to the larger 1969 style.

6. Transition from early style quarter panel which did not have Astro-Ventilation plastic grill to later quarter panel which did. November cars had early style.

7. Phase-in of the 2nd design 1968 front spoiler (May?).

8. 1967 mid-year change in style of the D91 stripe from the early wrap-around version to the truncated style used in 1968.

9. A GM bulletin describes a test fleet of late 1968 model year vehicles of various types that were used to evaluate development builds of the THM350 3-speed transmission that was introduced for the 1969 model year. These vehicles were then sold to the public following their evaluation. There were late 1968 model Camaros included in this fleet, specifically L30 327ci/275HP powered Camaros specially fitted with the THM350. CRG would appreciate any data on any of these test fleet cars, Camaro or otherwise.

1969 Topics

1. Engine Partial VIN stamping:
   Some Van Nuys-built (LOS/VN) cars had the VIN stamped on the pad of the block and some had the VIN stamped down by the oil filter. Sometime in October of 1968, we believe the stamp was moved to the oil filter, but by sometime around February of 1969 we believe the stamp moved back up to the pad.

   On Norwood cars, we believe the change to the stamping location did not occur until sometime around December 1968, and then did not move again.

   We want to verify these general statements, and pinpoint more exactly when these changes occurred.

2. Phase-in of the "yellow-light" stereo system in 1969 (June?).

3. Phase-in of the 1-piece 1969 kick-panels (January / February timeframe).

   Early (2-Piece) 1969 Kick Panels

4. Phase-out of the D96 fender striping on 1969 Z28s with Z21 or Z22 (February?).

5. On 1969 396/THM400 cars, a fast-idle solenoid appears to have been used on some cars, but not others. We would like to understand why.

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