1967 Z-28 articles and road tests

[Jon Mello]

Not sure how I missed this the first time but a big block without a black tail pan??  Doesnt look like a body color that would be exempt..

With the engine ID not visible on the front fender, it could be a case of a miscaptioned photo. Could be an SS350. However, Getty Images has a photo from the January 30th, 1967 test by Motor Trend and also describes the car as a 396. Since this is around when the first 396 Camaros were being produced, it could be a case where the factory either had an oversight on this car or had not yet decided on whether to do the black-out or not.

[Jon Mello]

'67 Z-28 article from the December 1983 issue of Classic Sixties Magazine. Back in the '80s when this car was restored it was not widely known that the rear spoilers were not truly a factory available option on these cars. (Jon Mello Collection)

[cook_dw]

With the engine ID not visible on the front fender, it could be a case of a miscaptioned photo. Could be an SS350. However, Getty Images has a photo from the January 30th, 1967 test by Motor Trend and also describes the car as a 396. Since this is around when the first 396 Camaros were being produced, it could be a case where the factory either had an oversight on this car or had not yet decided on whether to do the black-out or not.

Very interesting..  No telling where that car is now..

[Trans Åm]

I must say I'm surprised that there was already enough talk to warrant a restoration, investigation, and magazine write-up on a Z-car back then!
I could understand by 1986 or after, but I didn't know  people were already talking about rarity or production numbers back in '81-'83. Thought this stuff wasn't really written or talked about until mid to late '80's

Jon--
     Was your '69 Z considered anything "special" or rare when you bought it(IIRC 1979)?
Were 1967 Z-28's already a hot item by the time you owned your first one? Or were you an insider with a good intuition. 

[Jon Mello]

You're right. There was not a whole lot written in magazines on the '67 Z-28s in the '70s or early '80s but it started to get more coverage as the '80s went along. There was some good information written about them in Michael Lamm's "The Great Camaro" book which came out in 1978 and Gary Witzenburg's "Camaro! From Challenger to Champion" which came out not too long after that.

I got my '69 Z in 1977 and paid $2500 for it which was around the top of the scale at that time. All kinds of muscle cars and pony cars were available at this time. A '69 Z was not considered rare but was a desirable car. I traded my '69 Z for a '67 Z in 1980. The local dealership sold at least five of these cars in '67 and there were still a couple in town in the late '70s. I knew they were very rare and even though my '69 was in much nicer shape, I wanted the rarity of the '67.

[Trans Åm]

Thanks for the insight. Man those cars were raw performance cars, when you really think about it(the '67's). Purpose built competition machines. That first '67 of your was not only rare in total production numbers, but also rare in that it had not been modified to kingdom come racing. Pretty cool.

(also, was that first '67 the green with black stripes car? I got some pictures from you a while back of such a car)

[Jon Mello]

No, my first one was Tahoe turquoise.

[Ron C.]

Jon did you notice the plates on the 67 Z cars in the press releases were different? One was the famous 13m 640 and the other was 13m 963.Did you finish your gold 67z? Would like to see it one day at the camaro nats in maryland.How about a 50 year reunion at maryland with the 67Z cars next year?

[Jon Mello]

Ron, yes I have seen the different plates but believe it to be the same car because of the unique flat rear spoiler and identical color scheme. I did get my gold Z done. Some pics can be seen here... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/624547/all/jon-mello-s-1-z-28

It's a long haul for me to go to Maryland. I am trying to put together a large group of '67 Zs for the MCACN show for Nov 2017. Hopefully the largest group ever assembled.

Jon did you notice the plates on the 67 Z cars in the press releases were different? One was the famous 13m 640 and the other was 13m 963.Did you finish your gold 67z? Would like to see it one day at the camaro nats in maryland.How about a 50 year reunion at maryland with the 67Z cars next year?

[Ron C.]

The car looks great Jon. Very nice!!

[Jon Mello]

Wayne Guinn (guinns-engineering) has this '67 Z-28 technical bulletin available on ebay...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-Camaro-Z-28-Original-Technical-Memo-Vince-Piggins-Press-Release-/262796976037?hash=item3d2feb9fa5:g:X3gAAOSwjDZYbb3v





Infamous 1967 Camaro Z-28 Technical Handout


A unique opportunity to own a significant piece of Chevrolet history


Original three page Technical Memo introducing the 1967 Camaro Z-28 distributed to the press at Riverside Raceway in November 26, 1966.   

The handout was produced by Walt Mackenzie under the direction of Vince Piggins and distributed through Product Promotion. This (only) surviving piece was kept by Vince Piggins in Product Promotion files.

This piece of literature was coveted by Vince. He explained to me that he thought it was representative of the pinnacle of his career which is a powerful statement considering his many notable accomplishments.  Vince was kind enough to gift this to me during an interview just before his retirement (1981) at the time I was researching my book "Camaro Untold Secrets".  It's considered by many to be the rarest piece of all Camaro Literature in existence and an extraordinary historical document.

Note: Of particular interest are the options listed some of which did not make regular production. It was also the first time the spoiler equipment was seen on a Camaro.   

It deserves to be framed and publicly displayed. It has been suggested that a benefactor might purchase and donate to a museum.         

Condition: The handout was stored in a file cabinet in Product Performance for 15 years when it was given to me and it’s been in my possession for 36 years. It shows a very slight degree of yellowing due to age, a barely visible crease at the staple location and has minor iron oxidation where the staple (now removed) once was, Ask Questions

[camaroboy68ss]

I like how even that memo, the car is already sporting the long tube headers and implies they are standard parts. Its kind of hard to tell but is the piece for the plenum air cleaner attached to the firewall, while the motor is sporting the typical open element?

[MO]

No duct attached, just a hole in the firewall.

[Jon Mello]

The hole is cut in the firewall but the duct is not attached in that photo. In other pics from that era, the car has the complete cowl plenum air cleaner on it.

[group/7]

This is from Corvette News, volume 10, number 3. not seen this shot before. looks like it's at a race track, you can see cars on the hill behind. Jon probably has the answer.