Help with Identifying 1969 Hugger Orange SS 396 Poss. L78 Camaro with L89 option

[Maxsg1973]

Hello CRG Team,
I have an opportunity to buy a 1969 Camaro and it may be a L78 car.
My question: Is anyone familiar with this car? The current owner has a display board claiming it to be a L78 car with the L89 option. I have yet to inspect the car and have made arrangements to view the car this week. I’m trying to get some community help and see if anyone may have the original Jerry MacNeish report or know the history of this car? I have a feeling (Jerry MacNeish) was listing the RPO on the Certificate of Authenticity if it was verified in 2013 but I'm not sure if that's the case. This certificate only says SS396. Somefeed back on that too would be great. The current owner said it would be $1600 to get a copy of the original report and I have not verified that as of yet but may be accurate. Owner has no other documents. I am aware of the many incorrect items in the engine bay from examining the engine bay picture but I am not an expert by any means.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[bertfam]

I suggest you get in touch with Jerry. Also, have the current owner show you the second page (and subsequent, if any) which will tell you exactly what Jerry found when he did the inspection.

Jerry's contact information is on his WEB PAGE.

Ed

[68 Ragtop]

That first page of Jerry's report means nothing other than he inspected it. You need to see the meat of the report on the subsequent pages.
How convenient the seller has lost the rest of the report. If I was the seller and the car was even near real, you can bet I would have the full report available as it would add more than the cost of the report.
Looks to early for an X code. Aluminum water pump tells me it was built to owners wishes rather than back to factory.
I also recognize the back ground and all the old guys in it. That's Pavilions in Scottsdale AZ. Guaranteed if that was real they would know about it on The Supercar Registry (yenko.net).
Even if it's not real, they will know about it. Most are retired and go there every week and have probably seen it a hundred times.
Opportunity you say? Is it a dealer car?

[maroman]

There was a car just like this in central Pa. about 20 years ago. Could this be it?

[KurtS]

How convenient to lose the report and keep the certificate. A copy of the report isn't that much...
Came out of FL, then CT.
Use to have a restamped JH block, so it sure can't be an original L89 block.
124379N555742

[Maxsg1973]

Hello Gentleman,
Thank you for your advise it is much appreciated.
I did mention in the original post that is the only document the current owner has other than the title. I will take your advise and call Jerry MacNeish before viewing the car.
The pictures of the car where taken at the Pavilions in Scottsdale by me before I knew the current owner would decide to offer the car to me for purchase.
The current owner is not a dealer to my knowledge.
Based on the VIN the car is a December built car and may be a close to 12B (second week of December) build week, when I do the numbers it may have an X code on the trim tag (X22  SS396 / X66  SS396). I feel it's a 12A (no X codes) car from my limited experience in doing the math that I don't really know how to do Haha. But then how did Jerry know its a SS396? It may have an X code. Haha. I also believe it should be a JJ Engine Suffix Code if its a real L78 with the L89 option.
I did happen to meet a gentleman by the name of Larry C. at the Pavilions that is very knowledgeable about Camaros and I do understand he has seen the car out there. I will reach out to him as well and see what he may understand about the car.
I've been looking for a L78 for a little bit so I've seen lots of creative advertising and descriptions of cars for sale.
If anyone else wants to add anymore information or knows anything about the car that would be great.
Thank you

[ko-lek-tor]

Hello Gentleman,
Thank you for your advise it is much appreciated.
I did mention in the original post that is the only document the current owner has other than the title. I will take your advise and call Jerry MacNeish before viewing the car.
The pictures of the car where taken at the Pavilions in Scottsdale by me before I knew the current owner would decide to offer the car to me for purchase.
The current owner is not a dealer to my knowledge.
Based on the VIN the car is a December built car and may be a close to 12B (second week of December) build week, when I do the numbers it may have an X code on the trim tag (X22  SS396 / X66  SS396). I feel it's a 12A (no X codes) car from my limited experience in doing the math that I don't really know how to do Haha. But then how did Jerry know its a SS396? It may have an X code. Haha. I also believe it should be a JJ Engine Suffix Code if its a real L78 with the L89 option.
I did happen to meet a gentleman by the name of Larry C. at the Pavilions that is very knowledgeable about Camaros and I do understand he has seen the car out there. I will reach out to him as well and see what he may understand about the car.
I've been looking for a L78 for a little bit so I've seen lots of creative advertising and descriptions of cars for sale.
If anyone else wants to add anymore information or knows anything about the car that would be great.
Thank you

Everything you need to know is in reply #4 above your reply
I do NOT believe this car will have an X code based on its vin.

[Maxsg1973]

Understood. I did just hear back from a friend that has seen the car and to be polite I believe its an L89 clone. Thank you guys for your help!

[1969CAMAN]

None of the above information is based on facts. It's all speculation by people who have never reviewed/inspected the information or have viewed this car.

[bcmiller]

If you want, post up some pics of the engine, transmission and axle stamps - and you will get some feedback.

[68camaroz28]

None of the above information is based on facts. It's all speculation by people who have never reviewed/inspected the information or have viewed this car.

Welcome aboard and as Bryon asked post some pics. Also JerryM report statement on findings would be based on facts. Again welcome aboard!

[KurtS]

None of the above information is based on facts. It's all speculation by people who have never reviewed/inspected the information or have viewed this car.

I do not agree with that characterization of the discussion.
If you want to clarify the situation, either post up Jerry's complete report and/or post the drivetrain stampings.

If you continue to contact members of this forum and harass them about this post, you will be banned. This is your one and only warning.

[KurtS]

I confirmed with Jerry that he will send a copy of his report for $250. Cheaper than an inspection!

[Kelley W King]

That VIN is about 2,200 before my 12A with no X code. Probably in the "lost zone" dealer docs like mine.

[bergy]

If that's the "L89" HO car that I'm familliar with - it has a repop TT.