69 Z28 LOS?

[wdwisser]

Hello all and happy new year!

I am trying to confirm my car is a true Z28. I’ve purchased the car from my uncle who passed away. He purchased it from his cousin who had drag raced the car for years. The gas tank and the back seat has been out of the car previously, so I won’t be able to pull the build sheet, if it was there at all. The original engine and trans are no longer with the car  .

What other things can I use to confirm the cars origins. With being a LOS car not much help with the cowl tag giving any details. The cowl tag information is below:

ST 12437   LOS146822   BDY
TR 713       52  52          PNT
                  Y191

I’ve tried to attach pictures of the cowl tag and VIN but it says there too large.

It has a 7k tach with a 6k redline. It does have power disc brakes and it still has the deep groove alternator and water pump pulleys. It has the brake line block on the subframe below the drivers door and multi leaf rear springs.

Anything else I should be looking for to determine if a true Z28?

[169INDY]

Post the Rear End details with Photos, Resize to meet sites limits

[boomer632]

LOS cars did not have build sheets like the NOR cars often did. Didnt have X codes either on TT so you're going to have to look for other clues. Drive train components, had to be 4 speed, deluxe bumper guards, tach, etc. Good luck with investigation. I would get NCRS report first to see actual build date and dealer origin.

[wdwisser]

I did reach out to the NCRS and they said they could not find anything on my VIN, I’m not sure why some cars have info and some don’t, but I was out of luck this time.

[boomer632]

I did reach out to the NCRS and they said they could not find anything on my VIN, I’m not sure why some cars have info and some don’t, but I was out of luck this time.

Wow that is odd. Never heard of that happening.

[william]

I did reach out to the NCRS and they said they could not find anything on my VIN, I’m not sure why some cars have info and some don’t, but I was out of luck this time.

Based on the data posted, your VIN is in the L506xxx range. The NCRS has no data from Norwood in the range N508855-N587275. I have seen NCRS reports from Van Nuys at the time your car was built. Maybe they were a bit confused. I would try them again, emphasize your car is a VN build.

Even so, not going to have details on the original build configuration. Many of the Z/28 'tells' people look for [speedo cable routing, welded LH tailpipe plate] are also present on LM1 and L48 4-speed cars. A UH radiator or BO/BU/BV rear axle dated to the car would be nice; BO was Z/28 only. 

[wdwisser]

My VIN is 124379L506081

I've attached pictures of my VIN and a couple of the cowl tag. The cowl tag is a little rough so hopefully it is readable.

[wdwisser]

I just posted again to request documents from the NCRS (https://www.chevymuscledocs.com) is where it sent me, but do I need to be an NCRS member to receive the information?

[fsc66]

You do not to need to be a member of NCRS to request information on other than Corvettes. For Corvettes you do need to be a member. They force you to join NCRS to garner info on your Vette, pretty lousy of them. I advise my customers to have another existing member of NCRS to order their information when needed rather than having to join

[bcmiller]

You can use some lacquer thinner on a rag to clean up that body tag.  No NOT use anything abrasive.

[wdwisser]

Well, I guess I'm not sure if I requested the information correctly from the NCRS site so if anyone knows a member that would be willing help me out it would be appreciated.

[bcmiller]

Did you get billed or a confirmation that your order for information went through?

[wdwisser]

I received a confirmation of an order from Chevy Muscle Docs Shipping Data Service request. I'm not sure if this is the correct place to order from but that is where the NCRS site too me to.

[william]

You can use some lacquer thinner on a rag to clean up that body tag.  No NOT use anything abrasive.

Tag looks to have been disfigured in an engine bay fire.

[Charley]

LOS cars did not have build sheets like the NOR cars often did. Didnt have X codes either on TT so you're going to have to look for other clues. Drive train components, had to be 4 speed, deluxe bumper guards, tach, etc. Good luck with investigation. I would get NCRS report first to see actual build date and dealer origin.

Boomer you have it backwards on build sheets. LA cars quite often had them and once in a blue moon a Norwood car has them.

[bcmiller]

Charley is correct.

[bcmiller]

I received a confirmation of an order from Chevy Muscle Docs Shipping Data Service request. I'm not sure if this is the correct place to order from but that is where the NCRS site too me to.

That’s the correct place.

[Jonesy]

Yep that tag looks like it got hot. I got NCRS docs on both my LA Cars. My one, 9L508474 is close to yours. Im sure they will have it.

Get a pic of your rear axle tube stamping. its stamped on the passenger side, forward facing surface of the axle tube.

 

[68 Ragtop]

I received a confirmation of an order from Chevy Muscle Docs Shipping Data Service request. I'm not sure if this is the correct place to order from but that is where the NCRS site too me to.

Just making sure you know that all this will tell you is when and where it shipped. It has no optional equipment list on it, so has no value in determining if you have a Z/28 or not.

Axle data is somewhat helpful, and it has been requested from you. Can't tell you any more without it.

[Ptjsk]

I received a confirmation of an order from Chevy Muscle Docs Shipping Data Service request. I'm not sure if this is the correct place to order from but that is where the NCRS site too me to.

That is correct.  I have used the NCRS site for three of my Corvettes and then also for the '69 Z28 I just acquired.  For the "Z" you have to go to the Chevy Muscle Docs as you have already done.  It does take about three weeks to obtain your document. 

Pat

[Ptjsk]

LOS cars did not have build sheets like the NOR cars often did. Didnt have X codes either on TT so you're going to have to look for other clues. Drive train components, had to be 4 speed, deluxe bumper guards, tach, etc. Good luck with investigation. I would get NCRS report first to see actual build date and dealer origin.

Boomer you have it backwards on build sheets. LA cars quite often had them and once in a blue moon a Norwood car has them.

This is correct.  Chassis Build Sheets can/may be found on the fuel tanks.  I do have the Chassis Build Sheet that was on top of my fuel tank.  The previous owner (2nd owner of 49 years) I purchased the car from found it when he removed the tank in 2005.  It's in poor shape, but definitely readable and validates the pedigree of my car.  It has the VIN, the options that are Z28 only (UH radiator, CZ Carb, Open air cleaner, 15" wheels and tires, and the 302 motor).  Most definitely worth its weight in gold! 

Pat

[bcmiller]

You can use some lacquer thinner on a rag to clean up that body tag.  No NOT use anything abrasive.

Tag looks to have been disfigured in an engine bay fire.

I would still like to see it without the extra paint.

[David K]

A few things to look for to help move the ball a bit further forward:
Clean the paint off the trim tag
The alternator numbers on the case
The starter numbers
The rear axle numbers on the tube
Not sure if the LOS cars got the X behind the rear seat. If the rear seat has not been out-it could have a broadcast sheet tucked inside.

Even if it’s confirmed a yes it was a Z off the assembly line, what are the plans? Source a DZ engine?

[wdwisser]

All, Sorry for the delay in responding... I've been busy the past week or so with year-end activities.

Anyhow, I believe the rear axle has been replaced, but I will get out to the garage to pull that info. The gas tank has already been out of the car so any paperwork that might have been there is not there, I took the gas tank out this past fall and nothing. The back seat looks to have been out as well as the rear seat belts are gone, but I will need to find time to pull them but the car is currently tucked away for the winter so difficult to get to the interior.

The engine has been replaced by a Chevy 350 but it does still retain some items from the original (e.g. deep groove water pump pulley and alternator pulley.) I will see what the alternator numbers are on that if I can find them. I'm assuming the starter was replaced when the 350 went into it but I can look and see what numbers on that one too.

I tried to find the numbers on the steering idler arm but there is so much dirt and grime on it and it's in an odd position it's hard to clean it up properly. I thought that might give me a clue, too.

The plan would be to source another DZ engine and get it back to "stock" condition as possible.

[william]

It's the pitman arm; 5.75" center to center that was used for fast ratio steering. Also, shorter steering arms.

Speaking from experience, once the drive train is gone a no paperwork Z/28 will never return the investment your plan requires. Getting very tough to find AD wheels [$4,000], 837 alternator [$2,000], et cetera. Your car is very early production, finding the right dates will take years. Today, acquiring every Z-specific part the car needs represents $25k+.

[bcmiller]

Very wise advice from william.

[bcmiller]

My advice, build a 383 to look like a 302, use a period correct M20, 3.55 gears and enjoy it. Put on Z stripes if you want.

[wdwisser]

All, I've purchased a lot of the Z items years ago when I was planning to purchase the vehicle from my uncle prior to his passing. I've already have a period correct 302 DZ block, carb, intake, manifolds, M21 trans, and a lot of engine pieces parts to make it like it was when it came off the assembly line. It is not the exact engine from the car but period correct. I have the AD wheels that came with the car so just trying to piece together if it really was a Z to confirm what I have is a Z. It won't change my plans to continue to put things in as they should be and I am still missing a few pieces (e.g. rear axle probably), maybe the alternator and some other smaller items to make look like it came from the factory.

[bcmiller]

Good luck. Will be hard to prove in was a Z28.

[hpaddict]

obllique lighting can help ID shallow objects on a flat surface.

[68camaroz28]

All, I've purchased a lot of the Z items years ago when I was planning to purchase the vehicle from my uncle prior to his passing. I've already have a period correct 302 DZ block, carb, intake, manifolds, M21 trans, and a lot of engine pieces parts to make it like it was when it came off the assembly line. It is not the exact engine from the car but period correct. I have the AD wheels that came with the car so just trying to piece together if it really was a Z to confirm what I have is a Z. It won't change my plans to continue to put things in as they should be and I am still missing a few pieces (e.g. rear axle probably), maybe the alternator and some other smaller items to make look like it came from the factory.

What's the date on the AD wheels? What condition is the car in? How about some pics of the car? Good luck with your project!

[68 Ragtop]

obllique lighting can help ID shallow objects on a flat surface.

All the lighting in the world won't make a Z/28 code appear on that tag. 10D perhaps.

[wdwisser]

All, I've purchased a lot of the Z items years ago when I was planning to purchase the vehicle from my uncle prior to his passing. I've already have a period correct 302 DZ block, carb, intake, manifolds, M21 trans, and a lot of engine pieces parts to make it like it was when it came off the assembly line. It is not the exact engine from the car but period correct. I have the AD wheels that came with the car so just trying to piece together if it really was a Z to confirm what I have is a Z. It won't change my plans to continue to put things in as they should be and I am still missing a few pieces (e.g. rear axle probably), maybe the alternator and some other smaller items to make look like it came from the factory.

What's the date on the AD wheels? What condition is the car in? How about some pics of the car? Good luck with your project!

The car is put away for the winter so I will need to wait to pull the trim ring off to pull dates. I will post some pictures after downloading them from the phone. Car is in good condition with modifications done when it was a drag car that need to be un-done.