They Never built it #2

[Gars68Tux]

Thanks Mark, yeah, I've seen a few aftermarket as well...I was thinking a guy could go into the Chevy parts dept (dealer), back in the day, and get them too, but maybe not.

[fsc66]

May 2004 Mecum ad for car:

[fsc66]

Closeup:

[fsc66]

1991 ad:

[MO]

Thanks Mark, yeah, I've seen a few aftermarket as well...I was thinking a guy could go into the Chevy parts dept (dealer), back in the day, and get them too, but maybe not.

Yes, you could get headers at a Chevrolet parts department. But why, when you could get headers at a much better price through aftermarket sources? That's why they were ultimately dropped.

[Gars68Tux]

MO, was referring to headers with provisions for A.I.R., bolt on, no mods needed. Chick pretty well summed it up several posts ago, no such thing was offered from GM at the time. That's why headers were supplied in the trunk for the owner to install however they chose to do. The factory and dealers weren't  gonna remove the smog system that met the new 50 state federal emission requirements...

[Kelley W King]

I wonder why anyone would pay GM,s prices then. I remember buying Cyclone headers new for $70 in about 1970. Appliance headers were a new thing and I think they were less than that. Of course Hookers were more but still around a $100. Speed shops had them stacked on the floor at the counters in the box.

[Gars68Tux]

I've noticed the prices in the White Book. It's a wonder they sold any headers at all. In 68 for example, $400 (round numbers) for the basic Z/28 package, or $779 with headers, assembly required! Probably could've got Hooker or Hedman for less than $50 ?  I guess the drawback was, one would have to wait a year or so as it probably took aftermarket a short while to develop a set of headers for the new Camaro....Then again, Maybe Nova headers would fit without modification.

Kelley, that was my best guess. Remember, the Camaro was a new model. Maybe headers weren't available from aftermarket, initially. The factory only offered headers (as an RPO) for about 1year...Jan 67-Jan 68 (aprox).

I recall paying $70 for Hedman, on sale, back in '78. 

[tomstiel]

I was an intern at GM at the Warren Tech Center back in 1991.  The Tech Center News published the following about the Estes '68 Z/28.   Note the comments about the cross-ram being removed before it was sold to the public.  Enjoy the read.

that car was once owned my Al Maynard,,,long time drag racer