Author Topic: L78 Values  (Read 3891 times)

67L48

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Re: L78 Values
« Reply #15 on: August 04, 2022, 03:25:03 PM »
I think it's the relative obscurity of the 396 engine, in general, that has held back the popularity of the Camaro BB cars.  350 is a legend, obviously.  302/Z is a legend, obviously.  Then, the really cool GM engine of the day in the BB variety was the 427 in the vette ... and through dealer or COPO modification in the Camaro (and I don't know enough about Nova/Chevelle/Chevy II to know if/where that engine played over there).  In 1970, the 454 came out and that was that.  302 - 350 - 427 -454 ... and nobody really remembers the 396 (and, by "nobody," I mean the casual fan, not the Camaro or GM enthusiast).  So, I think it's taken time for the market to recognize the rarity and the value of the 396 1st Gen Camaros.

I liken it a bit to the Mopar cars.  They weren't worth much more than their weight as scrap metal up through the early 200s.  Then, all of a sudden, people remembered that those engines were absolute monsters.  I still think the styling isn't in the same zip code as Mustang and Camaro (and Corvette, Nova, Chevelle), but the market eventually remembered the rarity and power of those monster Hemi engines ... and their values went through the roof almost immediately.

In some ways, I think that's a similar story to the L78, L34, L35 BB 1st Gens.  The market (casual people) just haven't paid enough attention, but that has changed and is changing.

67L48
1967 Camaro SS 350
PG, factory air, console, fold down rear seat, PS, PB, butternut yellow, #s matching, original manual/warranty/POP, <60K miles
Northeast Iowa

169INDY

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Re: L78 Values
« Reply #16 on: August 04, 2022, 04:44:08 PM »
When I purchased my SS396 in 1983 my Father said "What do you plan to do with that Small car with the Motor Home Engine in it?"
He had a 1971 Open Road Motor home with a BBC 402 as power.
I always wished I would have source a L78 Car then (1980's)

"Obscure" or maybe Limited availability.

All in good fun.

Q? Was Grumps car a SS350 or 396/375
Jim
68 SS/RS L35 Th-400 LOS
69 Pace Car L48 Th-350 LOS
68 Z28 M21 LOS

GMAD_Van Nuys

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Re: L78 Values
« Reply #17 on: August 04, 2022, 04:45:18 PM »
Some years ago, I was talking to a co-worker, who told me that he had a 1968 Camaro L78 that he was storing at Torrance Airport.  The Camaro was a 4-speed and he would occasionally take it out for a short drive.  I laughed when he told me how he muscled the Camaro around the airport and how much noise it made as the mufflers needed to be replaced.

 

cook_dw

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Re: L78 Values
« Reply #18 on: August 04, 2022, 05:16:07 PM »
Q? Was Grumps car a SS350 or 396/375

Debate still rages on but Grumpy's 67 L78 was one of the 1st.  I have photos of it before it was completely lettered running what I believe were his 66 Chevy II slicks and red steel wheels and it has cross flags on it then.

MO

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Re: L78 Values
« Reply #19 on: August 05, 2022, 04:17:06 AM »
I'm in the camp that believes Grump's was the first delivered L78.


crossboss

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Re: L78 Values
« Reply #21 on: August 05, 2022, 10:13:36 PM »
I think it's the relative obscurity of the 396 engine, in general, that has held back the popularity of the Camaro BB cars.  350 is a legend, obviously.  302/Z is a legend, obviously.  Then, the really cool GM engine of the day in the BB variety was the 427 in the vette ... and through dealer or COPO modification in the Camaro (and I don't know enough about Nova/Chevelle/Chevy II to know if/where that engine played over there).  In 1970, the 454 came out and that was that.  302 - 350 - 427 -454 ... and nobody really remembers the 396 (and, by "nobody," I mean the casual fan, not the Camaro or GM enthusiast).  So, I think it's taken time for the market to recognize the rarity and the value of the 396 1st Gen Camaros.

I liken it a bit to the Mopar cars.  They weren't worth much more than their weight as scrap metal up through the early 200s.  Then, all of a sudden, people remembered that those engines were absolute monsters.  I still think the styling isn't in the same zip code as Mustang and Camaro (and Corvette, Nova, Chevelle), but the market eventually remembered the rarity and power of those monster Hemi engines ... and their values went through the roof almost immediately.

In some ways, I think that's a similar story to the L78, L34, L35 BB 1st Gens.  The market (casual people) just haven't paid enough attention, but that has changed and is changing.



Your comment about the Mopar's reminds me of what a former Mopar friend (now a fanatic Shelby and 'Vette guy!) said: "Mopar owners with a $500 dollar car, will put a $500 dollar part on it". And I agree, the Mustang and Camaro are in a different zip code styling wise than the Mopar line up. The exceptions are the beautiful '70-'71 'Cudas and Challengers. Too bad they did nor sell very well when new.
Anyways, back to the topic at hand. Years ago, my buddy bought a Butternut Yellow '67 Camaro L-78. He says, "Hey! check out what I just got" I remember walking around it, and it was very sleeper-ish with dog dish hub caps, nothing fancy. So, I say "So what a 327 2V car?" He pops the hood...duh! 396 L-78...
Just another T/A fanatic. Current lifelong projects:
1968 Olds 442 W-30
1969 Mustang Fastback w a Can-Am 494 (Boss 429)

 

anything