'69 Camaro pre production prototypes & pilot cars ?

[group/7]

I posted this pic here before, but I don't think there was a answer. what is the story on this one ? SS with Z stripes and looks like a Z/28 emblem on the left front fender. a prototype, or pilot car ?

with the knowledge base here, some one should know the answer.

looks like a official GM photo.

Mike

[bcmiller]

What is/was the source of the photo?

[Stingr69]

Probably just a pre-production marketing photo.  They added and changed stuff all the time that was different from production.  Michael Lamm's book has a number of similar pix.  They get a lot crazier than that.

[69pace]

Well its a 69 body, and assume real cowl induction so maybe a pre-release December 1968 photo. Can't blow it up enough without distortion to see the side running engine displacement let alone the fender emblem.

[william]

Nearly identical to the photo on the back page of the '69 Chevrolet Sports Department brochure.

Probably a late Styling car, when final striping/trim decisions are made. The car on the brochure is configured as a Z/28 with Style Trim but has a black grille and standard headlamp trim. Possibly the same car used for the "We've got a mean streak" print ad. Also seen in the showroom brochure, with the later rev depicted with a ducted hood.

The only known '69 Pilot build, a Z/28, was recently sold and is undergoing restoration.
 

[BULLITT65]

William was/is there anything special about that pilot built Z/28?
Do you know when it was completed?

[william]

It is N500003, never had a body tag. It was displayed at MCACN many years ago. Engine was dated June 15 so built sometime afterwards. Intake had a hand-stamped part number; dash cluster looked hand made.

Only feature that stood out was that it was built with a Muncie shifter; had the 67-68 punched tunnel hole with the welded reinforcing ring. Looks like the decision to use a Hurst shifter was a late change. Initially thought to be painted gold, looks to have been red or orange originally.

It was recently sold, resto is in process.

[X33RS]

Is that the one you mentioned to me last year that a friend of yours at D&R had?  The details sound familiar.  If so I'm glad to see it's getting the attention it deserves.

[william]

Same car!

It's in good hands.