Just received the October 2018 Hemmings Muscle Machines. The issue features a “Buyers Guide: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS396.” Always willing to learn, I checked it out immediately. I was surprised and disappointed by the errors in the article.
The Rosetta stone for Chevrolet production data is the report obtained in the late ‘80s from Chevrolet by Len Williamson for his book “Tailfins and Bowties.” The totals were as of December 31, 1969 and included the extended production run for the 1969 Camaro.
HMN lists total production as 230,799; actual production was 243,085. They list Camaro SS production as 32,932; actual production was 34,932. SS w/396 engine is shown as 12,904; actual is 12,593; he incorrectly included L89 cars in the total. L89 was an aluminum cylinder head option that required the L78 engine.
The article states the M20 wide-ratio 4-speed was not available with the L78 engine. That’s incorrect; not only is it listed as an option for the L78 engine, several L72 COPOs were built with the M20. Also stated is that BB engines required a special rocker cover to clear the power brake booster. That’s not true; only BB Corvettes required it. Also stated, X22 and X66 body tags indicate an SS396. Some early production COPOs also had X22 and X66 tags. The article states that there were some SS396 Camaros built with 4 wheel disc brakes; no documented JL8 SS is known to exist [the two track Z11s were converted to JL8 by the Tech Center]. He also states “All Super Sports received the D90 hockey stick fender stripe unless special paint was ordered.” Also not true; there are a few known special paint SS cars with the D90 stripe. The article never mentions Z10s, many of which were SS396s.
I'm sure a lot of work went into the 5-page feature. Too bad.