Newbie Needs some help with a 69 Z 28

[rockingchairmotors]

Hello All

My name is Jeff and I live in Nazareth PA.  I just looked a 1969 Z 28.  Owner says its a real car and I have no reason to doubt him.  I have been doing some research and the car does have a lot of correct things.  That being said I know you can buy everything to make a Z 28.  I was able to take a few pictures and if I can figure out how to post them I will.  Firewall plate has x 77, block has the DZ , I was not able to get under the car and check the rear or trans.I do have a few questions:

1.  Car does not have a tach.  Should it have a tach or was this an option?

2.  Car does have a round tire inflation sticker on the door that says 15" tires.  It looks real and worn.  Is this the correct location for the sticker?

3.  The original carb is off.  It does have a DZ but should the numbers match the vin? 

I'm sure I will have other questions but thanks in advance for your help.

[BillOhio]

If you have the pictures in your phone, and android, I use an app called reduce photo size. I reduce to like 640x480 and you can save right to your gallery. i dont know if this app works with an iphone or not. That gets them small enough to post.
The tire stickers I have seen are rectangle on the drivers door, I dont think they used a round one in 69.  The carb wont be numbers matching but will have a date code.

[william]

Post the VIN and tag data. Maybe someone knows the car.

1. Z/28 did not include or require a tachometer until early 1969. At that time it became a required option; either as part of Special Instrumentation which required a console or a new tach only option. The tach only option [U16] immediately had supply problems so for some time Special Instrumentation [U17] and a console [D55] had to be ordered.

2. That is the proper location but if the sticker is round it's for a '68. All '69 tire labels were rectangular.

3. The partial VIN stamp was always on the pad with the code until October '68. At that time it could be on the pad or on the lower left side of the block. As of early January '69, it was permanently on the side of the block. The date and DZ code remained on the pad.

[Kelley W King]

Thanks William about the tach only supply problem. I was not aware of that. Might be why the tach and center fuel guage are kind of rare. I looked at a no tach, X77 original owner car years ago. It was red and was in Raleigh NC. It is the only verified one I have seen.

[william]

There was an 05A no tach Z/28 around here years ago. Maybe overlooked the omission.

Based on our records, U16 shows up early April. Wonder if some early '69s could have had it.

[Stingr69]

Thanks William about the tach only supply problem. I was not aware of that. Might be why the tach and center fuel guage are kind of rare. I looked at a no tach, X77 original owner car years ago. It was red and was in Raleigh NC. It is the only verified one I have seen.

October of '68 production X7 '69 here with no tach, no clock, no console, no spoilers. Might not be so rare.

[Kelley W King]

I am thinking the one I saw in Raleigh was 03. I know it had X code so most likely early 69.

[Danzo]

Do as William suggested. Don't be one of those guys who finds out to late its not real. Remember there are more 69Z's now than there were in 1969! All the info is here, take advantage of it.

[z28z11]

1. Z/28 did not include or require a tachometer until early 1969. At that time it became a required option; either as part of Special Instrumentation which required a console or a new tach only option. The tach only option [U16] immediately had supply problems so for some time Special Instrumentation [U17] and a console [D55] had to be ordered.

William,

How early is early ? My 01C X77 has a console, no tach, no gauges, echoed on the dealer invoice - I always wanted to put the tach and gauges in it, but now leaning towards leaving it like it was and what it is. Shame, I let my factory 6-8 go a few years back, dated January '69 (stupid move, but I needed the cash out of it at the time).

Regards,
Steve

[BULLITT65]

Welcome to the site RCM.

There are few guys here that can post the pics for you. But as suggested post the VIN and any other numbers you gathered and many times the CRG may have some info on the car, from a past sale.

Tachometers: My early 10B L.A. 69 RS Z, did not come with a tach or gauges. Flat hood, but does have factory spoilers as best I can tell. I decided to put in a Stewart Warner Tach, and SW mechanical water and oil pressure gauges.
my late 08C norwood car is a factory U16 (tach only) car with center fuel gauge.
*I have seen a couple Z cars built around the August time frame with the center fuel gauge, but not many. Plus many guys have added the console over the years, so those U16 cars probably don't show up that often.

Steve I would't sweat having sold that Tach. I think a period correct tach would look cool, and would show how original and un-modified your car still is.

[Kelley W King]

08E tach and center fuel. No console

[william]

1. Z/28 did not include or require a tachometer until early 1969. At that time it became a required option; either as part of Special Instrumentation which required a console or a new tach only option. The tach only option [U16] immediately had supply problems so for some time Special Instrumentation [U17] and a console [D55] had to be ordered.

William,

How early is early ? My 01C X77 has a console, no tach, no gauges, echoed on the dealer invoice - I always wanted to put the tach and gauges in it, but now leaning towards leaving it like it was and what it is. Shame, I let my factory 6-8 go a few years back, dated January '69 (stupid move, but I needed the cash out of it at the time).

Regards,
Steve

Generally, when Chevy made changes like this it applied to cars ordered afterwards. With an 01C tag date, your car was likely already in process when the tach requirement was established.

[KK302]

There was an 05A no tach Z/28 around here years ago. Maybe overlooked the omission.

Based on our records, U16 shows up early April. Wonder if some early '69s could have had it.

I've also got an 05A with no console, gauges, or tach. But it does have the deluxe comfortweave interior.

[Stingr69]

I've also got an 05A with no console, gauges, or tach. But it does have the deluxe comfortweave interior.

Yep, thats what I have too. Very rare color interior though....Deluxe Medium Green Comfortweave.  Never seen another one in person.  Most of it was already gone before I got the car 40 years ago but I have a few interior pieces tucked away. Rare for a good reason. 

[X33RS]

I have a question William.  Since it may possibly be related to the required tach option you posted.

When the required tach option went into affect (I'm guessing Feb onward??) would this also be the same time frame they changed the tach to the 6-8 configuration??  Or was that phased in a little later?