ZLP955 Racing BITD

[68camaroz28]

James said it pretty good as did many others as in "how cool is this" to have pictures of your Camaro from back in the day when it was racing. How did you end up locating Tim? But no matter way to go and congratulations. I just had a friend telling me last week about a drag car back in the day when it was hitting the upper end (mph) the back of the hood would come up so air could pass thru to assist top end instead of the engine compartment acting as a wind stop. Again, congrats Tim!

[BULLITT65]

Tim you are also lucky you got the license plates with it, since I don't see them on the car, in the "found in condition". Many guys hold onto the plates now, and do not include them in the sale of a car here in California.

[ZLP955]

Thanks to everyone for your positive comments!

As to how I found those pictures, I must offer sincere thanks to CRG member SMKZ28; I was about to turn in, when I had a quick read of his latest posts on the Trans-Am Camaro sub-forum, and noted his link to the Petersen/SEMA archive project here: https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php
So I headed over there and started searching, and after going through hundreds of pages trying various search keywords - BINGO!
I did end up sleeping (eventually) after finding those pictures in the early hours, I was tempted to wake my wife up to tell her the news, but although she's very supportive of my hobby, decided that might not be such a good idea...... reckon I slept with a smile though, because I couldn't get the grin off my face all the next day.
That archive site has heaps of excellent period photos, I have only just scratched the surface and the hunt for more continues - but it's captured and preserved a snapshot of such a wonderful period in car culture and history.

[ZLP955]

OK, so time for a question: anyone care to speculate what size wheels and tires the car is running in those pictures? To me, the rear wheel opening lips look stock, so I think the mini-tubbing and lip flaring took place later when the repaint occurred.... thoughts?

[Sauron327]

Very nice, and the old school paint job to top it off. Not many drag cars with proven history left. Some would like to see it in its original paint scheme with drag history. I hand lettered and pinstriped this documented car which gained far more attention than if it was just a normally restored car. Two years on display in New York. Never would have hit the magazine if just another restored car.  https://www.hotrod.com/articles/1969-amc-hurst-rambler-scrambler-terrorized-northeast-dragstrips-1970s/?fbclid=IwAR1EALnonoi3BR4LT3m28L_MdiuYYFFif3a4XgJUR77HzSY3VCFU0ie09aE

Your car in the Home Grown scheme would be great.

[ZLP955]

Scott, I've long admired your work but that is outstanding and inspiring! I know what you mean about restoring the car to dead stock; although I've not seen many silver over blue Camaros, I think if one can be sure about the details, then a recreation of a race car can be far more interesting than another restored cookie-cutter car.
I need to give this fork in the road careful consideration now, in light of these pictures.

[janobyte]

Bring the old war horse back to life.

[69Z28-RS]

OK, so time for a question: anyone care to speculate what size wheels and tires the car is running in those pictures? To me, the rear wheel opening lips look stock, so I think the mini-tubbing and lip flaring took place later when the repaint occurred.... thoughts?

It appears the front wheels are 'narrow'; I'm guessing 4-5" wheel width, but no more than 6".  The rear wheels are likely 8" (best guess) but possibly wider...

[Jon Mello]

Congrats, Tim.  Very cool to find those photos.  The tube out of the hood like that is for housing the tach.  Probably a Jones cable driven model.  I have seen that same "tube" on vintage drag boats for the same purpose and I believe that is what they were designed for.  You can buy a new one here if you scroll down toward the bottom of the page... http://dragboatcity.com/new-parts/

[BULLITT65]

I vote vintage racer with the "Fiasco" paint job like in the newly found pics. The flat hood with that tach mount would be one of kind!

[ZLP955]

Very interesting Jon, good eye on the tach mount! I just went and had a look at the original hood, and there are just 2 small holes where that was mounted, so I imagine one hole for the drive cable and one to bolt the tube.....
Gary - thanks for the thoughts on wheel width. I thought the front runners looked a little wider than 4" myself, so maybe 5"? Will have to search period Cragar catalogs to see what sizes were available then.
Austin, Jano - thanks for the comments. Hmmm this really has given me much to consider! I embraced the dead stock restoration plan because that gave me certainty over how to do the car, but..... can't ignore it's history now.

[firstgenaddict]

I figured it was for a tach...
I love it... SILVER /BLUE   - BLACK / BLUE  -  are my favorite color combos...

I would have to go back to the 71 period paint... so unique and very clean looking.
The pinstripes on the front fenders around the z28 emblems... the lettered 301.56 CUI man that is just too cool...

ARE ANY OF THE ORIGINAL GRAPHICS UNDER THE CURRENT PAINT - wondering about the colors?

[janobyte]

All opinion,,I really like the "cleanliness" of the Hot Rod pics. Looked great on the TA Z's. Foose  brought it back some time ago. The look, a few years ago in the Good Guys mag.

Im thinking 28x10 on 15s in the rear, thought there was a width limit. Fronts ran tall to increase rollout profile.

Easy to bench race "this is what I would do", but I'm really into period/60's era drag cars, that were campaigned. Mine was more an event, trophy class beast. No history. IF all the important born with stuff was gone,,it would be a 68 Winternational Stocker look alike. Pullin' gears way more fun then watching folks walk by, lol. IMO.

[crossboss]

Awesome story, with an excellent ending…you found pictures of your car's racing past. As some posters mentioned, I would restore it to its former racing glory, including the name, graphics, and paint.

[Jon Mello]

I would bet they are 15x4 on the front and 15x7 on the rear in the '71 pics.

I also am in the camp that votes to return it to it's racing livery, etc.  I much prefer the '71 paint scheme over the later one but it's all personal preference and you are the owner.  I don't think there is a wrong answer, except for an LS engine transplant.