Newbie here. I can’t begin to tell you how helpful and enlightening this site has been, but I’m afraid that I now know just enough to be dangerous! Your insights and thoughts will be appreciated.
I have an opportunity to purchase an absolutely gorgeous 69 Lemans Blue Z28 ‘restoration’. The issue is that there is absolutely nothing in the drivetrain that would indicate that this car was originally a Z. The trim plate looks good (see below) and the car matches the trim plate specs, but nothing else ties it back to being an original Z. The VIN would indicate a late 1969 manufacture, and the trim tag bears that out as best it can. Dash VIN matches the cowl partial. This is what I know:
1. The block is an unstamped 014. Incorrect, but workable.
2. I’m nearly certain the heads are fine although I wasn’t able to date-check them.
3. Carb is a service replacement with a DE stamp at the end of the first line. Again, incorrect but workable.
4. Tranny is def a Muncie (3925661), but no date stamp or partial VIN. There is a small and faint ‘37658’ where I would have guessed the partial VIN to be. Service replacement I presume, although not certain if M21 or M22.
5. Axle code is ‘BV 0117G2’ with a stamped ‘E’ under the code. That predates the build date of the car by 9 months and also contradicts BV not being available after 06/69. Casting date on the diff is ‘A39’ and it’s upside-down.
On the plus side, the car looks as though it were recently driven off the showroom floor. Exhaust hanger plate is there, rear drum pressure valve is there, 6x8 tach, console gauges, Z21 trim option, steel ZL2 cowl-induction hood with functional louver. It is a stunningly pretty car and runs like a scalded pup, but there is absolutely no provenance whatsoever. The car is being offered by a very reputable dealership and they have made a pretty fair price concession on it. Obviously, no one else has bought it, which may be telling.
I doubt that I will ever sell the car. Can you guys (gals) let me know if there may be additional ideas or resources that would be helpful in establishing the claim that this was originally a Z28? Would it be good to own even if I can’t establish its authenticity?
Thanks in advance!
