Author Topic: 1969 Z/427 show car / concept car (Read 11998 times)

bcmiller · « **on:** March 21, 2019, 05:59:54 PM »

This is one that in my opinion should have made it into production. There is nothing quite like a big block First Generation Camaro.

Note the mirror, special stripes, front end details and rear deck lid details.

More pics in this thread from an earlier CRG post.
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=12235.msg101341#msg101341

I think Bill knows more about this car, so hopefully he will chime in.

Credit for photos to GM.

77thor · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2019, 11:18:09 PM »

Nice.
The wheels and front spoiler are very similar to those available on second gen's...

crossboss · « **Reply #2 on:** March 22, 2019, 12:31:07 AM »

Love it! With the two large lights in the grille, it reminds me of an Euro rally/GT car. Thanks for sharing.

KurtS · « **Reply #3 on:** March 22, 2019, 02:08:54 AM »

Lots of interesting pics in that other thread, but this overall calendar shot is worth showing again:

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 22, 2019, 02:54:53 AM »

I remember seeing this newspaper clipping over at yenko.net about a year ago or so. It appeared in the Sunday, March 16, 1969 edition of The Palm Beach Post newspaper. (just over 50 years ago!)

According to the ad, both the Z/427 and the Stingray Aero Coupe could be seen at Sebring International Raceway which held the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 22, 1969

MO · « **Reply #5 on:** March 22, 2019, 03:11:03 AM »

Never understood how they could make that model year mistake.

hgger69 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 22, 2019, 06:50:36 AM »

Wow!!

Never heard of this one before but what an eye catcher on the streets!

Love the custom body detailing but how did the rear look like?
I can guess from the pics that the exhaust ends with four pipes?

What happened to the car?

BULLITT65 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 22, 2019, 07:45:49 AM »

So did this car end up being crushed, or is it in a museum somewhere?

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 22, 2019, 04:27:20 PM »

Here is a picture of a similar truck to the one that appears in the background of the photo Jon Mello posted from Road America. The "O" in "SHOW" is different between the two pictures and there are more words under "SHOW" but otherwise they are very similar.

67conv6cyl · « **Reply #9 on:** March 22, 2019, 05:58:21 PM »

You guys come up with some great pictures!..... Every time I look at this promotional events and concept car section I am amazed.....good job! Also is it me or is that windshield different on that corvette then a regular production one?

69Z28-RS · « **Reply #10 on:** March 22, 2019, 06:13:25 PM »

The windshield does appear that it might have a similar reflection material in it that was used on some late 80's cars and the 90-95 ZR1's to minimize heat into the car thru the glass...?

67conv6cyl · « **Reply #11 on:** March 22, 2019, 06:28:42 PM »

I was more thinking on the shape of it at the top of the windshield...didn’t even notice tint!

crossboss · « **Reply #12 on:** March 22, 2019, 10:40:05 PM »

Quote from: 67conv6cyl on March 22, 2019, 06:28:42 PM

I was more thinking on the shape of it at the top of the windshield...didn’t even notice tint!

Good catch! It does appear to be taller and higher in the roofline than a production version.

MO · « **Reply #13 on:** March 23, 2019, 03:33:27 AM »

On production Vettes, the top caps the windshield frame. This one is opposite, so the windshield is definitely taller.

william · « **Reply #14 on:** March 23, 2019, 01:46:04 PM »

Quote from: bcmiller on March 21, 2019, 05:59:54 PM

I think Bill knows more about this car, so hopefully he will chime in.

Had another repro knee installed Tuesday so I'm a bit behind.

The Camaro also had a 200 MPH speedo [have very grainy photo] and the "Sport Shift" TH400. Since the trans never made production and could not be serviced I'd guess the car was scrapped. Too bad I wasn't paying attention back in '69 when it was on display right here in WI.

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 23, 2019, 05:07:15 PM »

Here is a picture of a "regular" 1969 Corvette windshield. You can clearly see the difference.

67conv6cyl · « **Reply #16 on:** March 23, 2019, 06:26:03 PM »

The one on the covertte show car looks a little like a 70 Camaro windshield design.

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 23, 2019, 06:27:14 PM »

Quote from: 67conv6cyl on March 23, 2019, 06:26:03 PM

The one on the covertte show car looks a little like a 70 Camaro windshield design.

I was thinking the same thing.

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 24, 2019, 05:29:07 PM »

Several other black and white pictures of the Camaro Z/427, Corvette Aero Coupe, and Corvette Manta Ray can be found at the Revs Digital Library. These pictures were taken at Watkins Glen International Raceway in Watkins Glen, New York during the 22nd Annual Sports Car Weekend which featured the 6 Hours for the World Championship of Makes on Saturday, July 12, 1969 and the SCCA Can-Am on Sunday, July 13, 1969.

Click on the link to use the magnification tools on the pictures at their website

1st picture (Aero Coupe, Z/427, Manta Ray): https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=246216&collection=p17257coll1
2nd picture (Aero Coupe & Z/427): https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=253281&collection=p17257coll1
3rd picture (Manta Ray & Z/427): https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=270589&collection=p17257coll1

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 24, 2019, 05:32:15 PM »

More

Click on the link to use the magnification tools on the pictures at their website

1st picture (Aero Coupe): https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=251846&collection=p17257coll1
2nd picture (Aero Coupe): https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=234116&collection=p17257coll1
3rd picture (Manta Ray): https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=272021&collection=p17257coll1
4th picture (Head Designer Bill Mitchell in paddock): https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=302816&collection=p17257coll1

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 24, 2019, 05:37:41 PM »

Here is the cover and Camaro/Corvette ad from inside the front cover of the souvenir program for the 1969 Watkins Glen 6 Hour/Can-Am weekend event. (worthpoint.com)

Bruce McLaren won the Can-Am event in his Chevrolet powered McLaren M8B.

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 24, 2019, 05:42:30 PM »

Here is a link to an article on the Aero Corvette: http://www.superchevy.com/features/1507-1969-aero-coupe-show-car-bill-mitchells-play-toy/

While I haven't been able to identify if any of these concept cars were used to pace either of the races at Watkins Glen in 1969. I do have some visual evidence showing that the Corvette Aero Coupe was used the following year to pace the 1970 6 Hour and Can-Am events.

1 sportscardigest.com
2 vintagerpm.com

bcmiller · « **Reply #22 on:** March 27, 2019, 03:07:21 AM »

Slightly different view, showing hood stripes and front end details.

Pic is labelled as "Z-427 Camaro on Viewing Road 09-10-1969". I think the other pics I posted at the beginning of this thread were the same location and date.

Photo credit to GM

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 19, 2021, 06:57:02 PM »

Here is a great color photo of the 1969 Z/427 Camaro show/concept car near the start/finish line at the start of the SCCA Can-Am race held on Sunday, July 13, 1969 at Watkins Glen International Raceway in Watkins Glen, New York. I believe this is the first time an image of the rear of the car has appeared.

worthpoint.com

Jon Mello · « **Reply #24 on:** December 22, 2021, 03:14:55 PM »

Nice job of finding that, Scott.

ko-lek-tor · « **Reply #25 on:** January 01, 2022, 01:45:45 PM »

RS treatment to rear.

bcmiller · « **Reply #26 on:** January 01, 2022, 02:04:37 PM »

Quote from: ko-lek-tor on January 01, 2022, 01:45:45 PM

RS treatment to rear.

Somewhat. Hard for me to tell but looks like more than just that. Taillights may be unique.

rlw68 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 04, 2022, 11:02:12 PM »

Link to interior photo taken at Watkins Glenn 13-July-1969

https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=276966&collection=p17257coll1

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #28 on:** January 05, 2022, 03:39:51 AM »

Quote from: rlw68 on January 04, 2022, 11:02:12 PM

Link to interior photo taken at Watkins Glenn 13-July-1969

https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=276966&collection=p17257coll1

Thanks for posting that Rob.

william · « **Reply #29 on:** January 05, 2022, 05:14:38 PM »

200 MPH speedo, 20 mph increments.

Auto trans shift quadrant is in the dash for the M08 Sport-Shift option that nearly made production.

KurtS · « **Reply #30 on:** January 29, 2022, 02:21:45 AM »

And some rocker switches were the power top switch goes.

News:

Author Topic: 1969 Z/427 show car / concept car (Read 11998 times)