1967 396 Part 2

[cook_dw]

While doing some research  yesterday I was sent this link and then I remembered finding a video several years ago of what I think might be the first race the Jenkins 67 Camaro attended..  According to the video its at Cecil Dragway at the Run What You Brung race.  Not trying to stir the pot but I think it was and still is an interesting topic.  Notice the red wheels from Jenkins red Chevy II on the back.  By the looks of the clothing and the lack of leaves on the trees its pretty early in the year but idk about that part of the country and its season changes.  Maybe someone will remember when this event was held so we can possibly put a rough date on when it happened. 

I would have replied in the original thread but it is apparently locked.

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=1667.msg10330#msg10330


https://youtu.be/daWpqICnR_k

[bcmiller]

That video has been known for many years.

There was more than one L78 car built “very early”. Grumpy’s car does not have the lowest L78 VIN.

The debate will go on forever. Everyone wants to be first.

[cook_dw]

Then delete the thread if its not wanted for discussion.

[bcmiller]

The original thread got quite heated if memory serves me correct. Not nearly as much controversy as the EO 69, but heated enough.

I tried contacting the track years ago to find an exact date. Never got one. Contacted them through FB a few weeks back. Crickets.

It’s a very interesting car.  What  would you like to discuss?

[JoeC]

Jenkins brought his 1966 Chevy II to the Winternationals  Fed 5 ,1967 so he didn't have his Camaro ready for this race.

He red lighted against the Hot Rod Magazine 67 Camaro . it was a big story because the Hot Rod Camaro had a illegal BB engine from Bill Thomas

[bcmiller]

And those rear wheels look white on the Nova! I wonder why he wasn’t running the red ones.

[JoeC]

Bill Jenkins 67 didn't have the Camaro fender emblem which may indicate an early car unless they were removed

there are pictures of the 67 with SS and 396 flag emblems which are steel fenders

and there are pictures of the 67 with no SS and no 396 flag emblems which are fiberglass fenders

[maroman]

Where and when would the fiberglass fenders have been used?

[crossboss]

Where and when would the fiberglass fenders have been used?

+2. Stock and Super Stock that is not allowed.

[bcmiller]

I believe allowed in Gas and Modified Production.

[maroman]

Could they have been used in match races? A lot of things happened there.

[Jerry@CHP]

I interviewed Bill Jenkins in 1993.  He told me that both he and Paul Prior were responsible for getting the L78 engine into the Camaro.  This was done for NHRA Super Stock eliminator.  And as we know, Jenkins made history and won the NHRA US Nationals (the super bowl of drag racing) in 1967 with this car.  There may be a couple of earlier vins but that does not mean they were the first one.  The pace cars were modified for the Indy 500.  Jenkins sent his engine man, Joe Tryson to the Tech Center in Detroit to pick up this car.  Joe drove it back to Malvern, PA with no heater and 4.56 rear axle.  This is all straight from the horse's mouth.

Also, the fact that it was picked up at the Tech Center and not Norwood assembly tells the story that this was a very special 1st car production.  Jenkins sold it to the Kimble Brothers in 1970 and it was restored many years later.  I think d. Mecum owns the car now. 

Jerry

[Jerry@CHP]

Here's the Jenkins original '66 Chevy II.  It was totaled in a trailering accident coming home from the track in 1966.

[Jerry@CHP]

Here's a photo of Bill Jenkins in the winner's circle after winning both class eliminations and the eliminator.  September 1967.

[Charley]

The actual Pace cars had earlier vins and were built before the Jenkin's car. They came off the assembly line as L78 4 speed cars and then went to engineering to be modified for the race as evidenced by the engineering paperwork. The Jenkin's car is probably the 3rd or 4th L78 Camaro built.