1969/1970 Magazine road tests

[crossboss]

Boys,
I was going through my old magazine road tests from 1969/70, and according to the editors the Z/28 and Boss 302s were almost equal on street performance (Not talking about the T/A cars). You agree?

[firstgenaddict]

I would think the gearing would have an awful lot to do with it.
A 4.30 geared 4 spd Boss 302 VS a 4.10 Z28 with a M20 would be a helluva drag race.
I have said for a LONG time that if you and your buddy ordered 69 Z28's - yours with M20 4.10 car and his with a 3.73 M21 - he would swear there was something seriously wrong with his car... it would be like he was dragging a boat anchor compared to the M20 4.10. 

[Z10Mike]

FWIW:  I worked with an older fellow at one of the Big Three about 15 yrs ago.  This guy both street raced and sanctioned drag raced a number of 1st Gen Z28's and knew Jerry M. as well.  He said emphatically that the best combination for street racing a 302 was when it was paired with a wide box and the 4.10 gears.  He said that low first gear made the most of the 302 out of the hole.  Dave was a heck of a guy and had more stories about Woodward "as it was" than I could hope to recall.  Unfortunately, Dave retired around 2009 and and I lost track of him. 

[crossboss]

It seems unanimous both were equal. And I agree, the 'better' set up on both were with the wide ratio trans (lower 1st gear), and with 4.10s (Z/28), and 4.30s (Boss 302).

[GMAD_Van Nuys]

My friend's 1968 Z28 originally had 4.56 gears, but as it was going to be a daily driver, the entire differential, including the drum brakes, were switched with the owner's friend, who owned a 1969 Z28 that had 4.10s.  I didn't get a ride when the Z28 had the 4.56 differential, but it sure ran well with the 4.10s and a M21 transmission.  I have a 1970 BOSS 302 that originally was ordered with 4.30 gears with a Detroit Locker, but it now has 4.11s and a Traction-Lok.  I asked my friend if he had thoughts of buying another 1968 Z28, and he did try to find one, but gave up and bought a Porsche.  I do have a friend and neighbor who bought a 1969 Z28 that had all the original paperwork, including warranty and maintenance records, but he paid over $100K for the Z28 over 10 years ago.   

[MO]

I'd say the cars were pretty equal for the most part, but the average driver was not. And magazines were full of ringers, support and talented drivers. How many actual off the showroom road tests are there from those days? 

[firstgenaddict]

Both 69 Z's I have had were M20 4.10 cars and I wouldn't want one any other way... they were easy to drive and pulled HARD out of the hole.