CRG Discussion Forum
Model Specific Discussions => Trans-Am Camaros => Topic started by: Jon Mello on May 31, 2014, 05:26:27 AM
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Here is an article from the April '67 issue of Speed and Supercar magazine, courtesy of Robert Lodewyk. There is some
information in the article that is obviously wrong, such as the notion that the off-white cream color was the only color
available. Also, it was not a "Camaro Z-28 Super Sports", just simply a Camaro Z-28. Since this was a bi-monthly pub-
lication and it says the June issue was coming out March 23rd, I assume this "April" issue came out in late January '67.
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/sas-cover_zps53805168.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/sas-cover_zps53805168.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/sas-001_zpsa24bc8ee.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/sas-001_zpsa24bc8ee.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/sas-002_zps751e81cf.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/sas-002_zps751e81cf.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/sas-003_zps7e53ab01.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/sas-003_zps7e53ab01.jpg.html)
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I have the 1968 Car Life Magazine which has a road test on the 68 Z.
( what did you resize your above scans at for posting ? )---steve
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On my scanner, my selections are quality:low and size:large which I think works out as a maximum of 1024 when I put it on photobucket.
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It's interesting that they talk in detail about the plenum air cleaner, but don't show a picture of it. I'd imagine people reading it at the time would have been confused.
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uh oh, a bowtie mirror !!
VT
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Cream colored lacquer with black stripes only.
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I thought spoilers weren't an option in '67
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I thought spoilers weren't an option in '67
They weren't.
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The spoiler looks tall to me, reminds me of the early race cars, hmmm.
VT
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This press preview car is the only one that got the spoilers and even so, they were not installed on
the assembly line. They were added later but prior to getting shown to the press.
Here's an actual road test done by Car & Driver magazine. They had a few gripes but we generally
enthusiastic about the car.
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/CDZ1_zps2dc27300.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/CDZ1_zps2dc27300.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/CDZ2_zps1215dff9.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/CDZ2_zps1215dff9.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/CDZ3_zps450d683b.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/CDZ3_zps450d683b.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/CDZ4_zpsa0351d70.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/CDZ4_zpsa0351d70.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/CDZ6_zps6c37c241.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/CDZ6_zps6c37c241.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/CDZ7_zps32af2906.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/CDZ7_zps32af2906.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/CDZ8_zps0760a86b.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/CDZ8_zps0760a86b.jpg.html)
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Jon, that article makes me want to go out and buy one.
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This press preview car is the only one that got the spoilers and even so, they were not installed on
the assembly line. They were added later but prior to getting shown to the press.
Thanks for clarifying Jon.
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Thanks for clarifying Jon.
You're welcome.
Jon, that article makes me want to go out and buy one.
If you liked that, maybe you'll enjoy this May '67 David E. Davis column too. I really love it.
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/CDZ5_zps2224c2a6.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/CDZ5_zps2224c2a6.jpg.html)
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Jon!! WOW... that's the best read in a long while, which took me back to the time...., it was one of those articles that made you love David Davis.. even if other times you wanted to 'turn him off'.. :) Reading that, one who has taken a long drive in a Z28 could imagine being there with him.. for almost the whole trip... (thinking about Johnnie was likely the only thing that allowed him to survive that seat)... :)
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Gary, I'm glad you liked it. It speaks to a passion for the car, which I know I certainly have for it.
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He certainly addressed the good and the bad, which in a 2000 mile trip would be impossible not to.. :) .. I really loved the paragraph where he says the 302 was turning 4600 at 90 mph, and he ran between 90 to 100 for most of the trip... I could hear the 302 singing... :) .. and I could imagine him attempting to relieve his sore butt by lifting himself off the seat.. *L*
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He wasn't wrong about the seat. It can be a bear on a long trip.
Here's an article on the '67 Z as found in "Camaro", a special edition publication done by Joe Parkhurst Publishing Company,
famous for doing the Cycle World magazines. I have no idea why they felt they needed to color in the Z stripes in blue.
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/CWZ1_zps3db71e84.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/CWZ1_zps3db71e84.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/CWZ2_zpsca831445.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/CWZ2_zpsca831445.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/CWZ3_zps0b40e274.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/CWZ3_zps0b40e274.jpg.html)
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Thanks for your effort, as always Jon. Dave Davis was one of my all time favorite writers.
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Thanks, Doug. I liked him as well.
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The May '67 issue of Car Life magazine featured an article titled Magic at Mesa about Chevy's "Supernatural Seven"
which included a road test of the '67 Z-28. Mesa, Arizona was Chevy's southwestern proving ground that they used
for hot weather testing. {Jon Mello Collection)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/CLZ1_zps9acc44af.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/CLZ1_zps9acc44af.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/CLZ2_zps70ae10c3.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/CLZ2_zps70ae10c3.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/CLZ3_zps437d1a6a.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/CLZ3_zps437d1a6a.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/CLZ4_zps596cddb1.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/CLZ4_zps596cddb1.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/CLZ5_zps2140125d.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/CLZ5_zps2140125d.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/CLZ6_zps33c0c01b.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/CLZ6_zps33c0c01b.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/CLZ7_zps4279250f.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/CLZ7_zps4279250f.jpg.html)
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IS the cream colored Z's where abouts known?
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No, it isn't. I was told by either Wayne Guinn or Jerry Thompson, possibly both, that the car was used up on the Proving Ground and destroyed when they were done with it. That is kind of supported by the fact that they used a different '67 Z (as a comparison between the old and new model) when they had the '68 new car introductions for the press.
https://revslib.stanford.edu/catalog/yy024fh1536
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Several different articles from various newspapers. (Jon Mello Collection)
Z-28 report from The Washington Daily News, January 16, 1967
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/May%202013/TA67preWDN1_zps3bba2257.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/May%202013/TA67preWDN1_zps3bba2257.jpg.html)
Z-28 report from The Miami News.
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/May%202013/TA67preMIA_zps445b1826.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/May%202013/TA67preMIA_zps445b1826.jpg.html)
Z-28 report from The San Diego Union.
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/May%202013/TA67preSDU_zpsbbcec88f.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/May%202013/TA67preSDU_zpsbbcec88f.jpg.html)
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Phil Seaborn got one of the first '67 Z-28s in the Pacific Northwest and the Seattle Post Intelligencer did a short feature on it prior to Phil
making preparations to turn it into a racer for the Trans-Am series. This article appeared in the Saturday, Feb 11, 1967 issue of the paper.
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/May%202013/TA67preSPI_zpsb3eb8449.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/May%202013/TA67preSPI_zpsb3eb8449.jpg.html)
(Jon Mello Collection)
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Here's a May 1967 issue of Motor Trend that featured a road test comparing the Mustang, Camaro and Barracuda.
A Z-28 was included as one of the Camaro models. (Jon Mello Collection)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/MTZ1_zps712fca02.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/MTZ1_zps712fca02.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/MTZ2_zps8325644b.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/MTZ2_zps8325644b.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/MTZ3_zps15594d32.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/MTZ3_zps15594d32.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/MTZ4_zpsa4929131.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/MTZ4_zpsa4929131.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/MTZ5_zpsa422b989.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/MTZ5_zpsa422b989.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/MTZ6_zpsb92e4b32.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/MTZ6_zpsb92e4b32.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/MTZ7_zps10b0f6c2.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/MTZ7_zps10b0f6c2.jpg.html)
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Sports Car Graphic editor Jerry Titus got a chance to see what his Trans-Am competition was going to be like when
he did a road test of the Z-28 in the March '67 issue. (Jon Mello Collection)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/SCG1_zps90719c9c.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/SCG1_zps90719c9c.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/SCG2_zpsb5306599.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/SCG2_zpsb5306599.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/SCG3_zps809d9474.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/SCG3_zps809d9474.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/SCG4_zps9216b884.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/SCG4_zps9216b884.jpg.html)
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Small write-up on the '67 Z-28 found in the April '67 issue of Car Life magazine. (Jon Mello Collection)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/Scan10040_zps5d491132.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/Scan10040_zps5d491132.jpg.html)
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Short write-up from the February 1967 issue of Hot Rod magazine. Probably the earliest mention of the Z-28 in a magazine with
national coverage. I would suspect this issue came out on the newsstand in December '66. (Jon Mello Collection)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/RAR1_zps4c3b9202.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/RAR1_zps4c3b9202.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/RAR2_zpsef6c66c6.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/RAR2_zpsef6c66c6.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/RAR3_zps0cadf886.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/RAR3_zps0cadf886.jpg.html)
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Two-page article on Harold Brunt's white with blue std interior '67 Z from the Winter 1986 issue of Chevrolet High Performance magazine. (Jon Mello Collection)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/Harold%20Brunt%20Z%20article%201_zpseh9dpueg.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/Harold%20Brunt%20Z%20article%201_zpseh9dpueg.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/Harold%20Brunt%20Z%20article%202_zpsetqrq8wg.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/Harold%20Brunt%20Z%20article%202_zpsetqrq8wg.jpg.html)
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(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/MTZ6_zpsb92e4b32.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/MTZ6_zpsb92e4b32.jpg.html)
Not sure how I missed this the first time but a big block without a black tail pan?? Doesnt look like a body color that would be exempt..
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Not sure how I missed this the first time but a big block without a black tail pan?? Doesnt look like a body color that would be exempt..
With the engine ID not visible on the front fender, it could be a case of a miscaptioned photo. Could be an SS350. However, Getty Images has a photo from the January 30th, 1967 test by Motor Trend and also describes the car as a 396. Since this is around when the first 396 Camaros were being produced, it could be a case where the factory either had an oversight on this car or had not yet decided on whether to do the black-out or not.
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'67 Z-28 article from the December 1983 issue of Classic Sixties Magazine. Back in the '80s when this car was restored it was not widely known that the rear spoilers were not truly a factory available option on these cars. (Jon Mello Collection)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/Ancestral%201_zpsshp3pdmb.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/Ancestral%201_zpsshp3pdmb.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/Ancestral%202_zpsfx2awkfv.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/Ancestral%202_zpsfx2awkfv.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/Ancestral%203_zps5xt43t0r.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/Ancestral%203_zps5xt43t0r.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/Ancestral%204_zpspu867ouw.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/Ancestral%204_zpspu867ouw.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/Harold%20Brunt%20color%20photo_zpsoklqvgfs.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/Harold%20Brunt%20color%20photo_zpsoklqvgfs.jpg.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/Harold%20Brunt%20runner%20up_zpsclp3baiy.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/Harold%20Brunt%20runner%20up_zpsclp3baiy.jpg.html)
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With the engine ID not visible on the front fender, it could be a case of a miscaptioned photo. Could be an SS350. However, Getty Images has a photo from the January 30th, 1967 test by Motor Trend and also describes the car as a 396. Since this is around when the first 396 Camaros were being produced, it could be a case where the factory either had an oversight on this car or had not yet decided on whether to do the black-out or not.
Very interesting.. No telling where that car is now.. ???
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I must say I'm surprised that there was already enough talk to warrant a restoration, investigation, and magazine write-up on a Z-car back then!
I could understand by 1986 or after, but I didn't know people were already talking about rarity or production numbers back in '81-'83. Thought this stuff wasn't really written or talked about until mid to late '80's
Jon--
Was your '69 Z considered anything "special" or rare when you bought it(IIRC 1979)?
Were 1967 Z-28's already a hot item by the time you owned your first one? Or were you an insider with a good intuition. 8)
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You're right. There was not a whole lot written in magazines on the '67 Z-28s in the '70s or early '80s but it started to get more coverage as the '80s went along. There was some good information written about them in Michael Lamm's "The Great Camaro" book which came out in 1978 and Gary Witzenburg's "Camaro! From Challenger to Champion" which came out not too long after that.
I got my '69 Z in 1977 and paid $2500 for it which was around the top of the scale at that time. All kinds of muscle cars and pony cars were available at this time. A '69 Z was not considered rare but was a desirable car. I traded my '69 Z for a '67 Z in 1980. The local dealership sold at least five of these cars in '67 and there were still a couple in town in the late '70s. I knew they were very rare and even though my '69 was in much nicer shape, I wanted the rarity of the '67.
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Thanks for the insight. Man those cars were raw performance cars, when you really think about it(the '67's). Purpose built competition machines. That first '67 of your was not only rare in total production numbers, but also rare in that it had not been modified to kingdom come racing. Pretty cool.
(also, was that first '67 the green with black stripes car? I got some pictures from you a while back of such a car)
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No, my first one was Tahoe turquoise.
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Jon did you notice the plates on the 67 Z cars in the press releases were different? One was the famous 13m 640 and the other was 13m 963.Did you finish your gold 67z? Would like to see it one day at the camaro nats in maryland.How about a 50 year reunion at maryland with the 67Z cars next year?
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Ron, yes I have seen the different plates but believe it to be the same car because of the unique flat rear spoiler and identical color scheme. I did get my gold Z done. Some pics can be seen here... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/624547/all/jon-mello-s-1-z-28 (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/624547/all/jon-mello-s-1-z-28)
It's a long haul for me to go to Maryland. I am trying to put together a large group of '67 Zs for the MCACN show for Nov 2017. Hopefully the largest group ever assembled.
Jon did you notice the plates on the 67 Z cars in the press releases were different? One was the famous 13m 640 and the other was 13m 963.Did you finish your gold 67z? Would like to see it one day at the camaro nats in maryland.How about a 50 year reunion at maryland with the 67Z cars next year?
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The car looks great Jon. Very nice!!
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Wayne Guinn (guinns-engineering) has this '67 Z-28 technical bulletin available on ebay...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-Camaro-Z-28-Original-Technical-Memo-Vince-Piggins-Press-Release-/262796976037?hash=item3d2feb9fa5:g:X3gAAOSwjDZYbb3v (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-Camaro-Z-28-Original-Technical-Memo-Vince-Piggins-Press-Release-/262796976037?hash=item3d2feb9fa5:g:X3gAAOSwjDZYbb3v)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/Picture%20197_zpssml6iupy.png) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/Picture%20197_zpssml6iupy.png.html)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/January%202014/s-l1600-1_zpsfwxiocxx.jpg) (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/1967z28/media/January%202014/s-l1600-1_zpsfwxiocxx.jpg.html)
Infamous 1967 Camaro Z-28 Technical Handout
A unique opportunity to own a significant piece of Chevrolet history
Original three page Technical Memo introducing the 1967 Camaro Z-28 distributed to the press at Riverside Raceway in November 26, 1966.
The handout was produced by Walt Mackenzie under the direction of Vince Piggins and distributed through Product Promotion. This (only) surviving piece was kept by Vince Piggins in Product Promotion files.
This piece of literature was coveted by Vince. He explained to me that he thought it was representative of the pinnacle of his career which is a powerful statement considering his many notable accomplishments. Vince was kind enough to gift this to me during an interview just before his retirement (1981) at the time I was researching my book "Camaro Untold Secrets". It's considered by many to be the rarest piece of all Camaro Literature in existence and an extraordinary historical document.
Note: Of particular interest are the options listed some of which did not make regular production. It was also the first time the spoiler equipment was seen on a Camaro.
It deserves to be framed and publicly displayed. It has been suggested that a benefactor might purchase and donate to a museum.
Condition: The handout was stored in a file cabinet in Product Performance for 15 years when it was given to me and it’s been in my possession for 36 years. It shows a very slight degree of yellowing due to age, a barely visible crease at the staple location and has minor iron oxidation where the staple (now removed) once was, Ask Questions
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I like how even that memo, the car is already sporting the long tube headers and implies they are standard parts. Its kind of hard to tell but is the piece for the plenum air cleaner attached to the firewall, while the motor is sporting the typical open element?
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No duct attached, just a hole in the firewall.
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The hole is cut in the firewall but the duct is not attached in that photo. In other pics from that era, the car has the complete cowl plenum air cleaner on it.
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This is from Corvette News, volume 10, number 3. not seen this shot before. looks like it's at a race track, you can see cars on the hill behind. Jon probably has the answer.
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Thanks, Mike. I suspect that is at Riverside where it did some pace car duty for the ARRC event.
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I like that picture. Kind of looks like Sears Point too, but makes more sense to be Riverside. As a side note, the original owner of my car was at that race. That car inspired him to order one like it a few months later.
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Sears Point Raceway didn't open to the public for racing until December '68.
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Here's a Z-28 article from The Atlanta Constitution newspaper, August 1967.