1969 L-78 Pace Car

[69 ice cat 8]

Have found a '69 Pace car with a L-78 motor in it. Car has what appears to be mostly if not all original cracked (checked) laquer paint. Original sheet metal, original spatter spray in trunk. Has a 272 block with JL suffix code. The problem I have is the trim tag shows 05 E as the assembly. Have never seen one outside of the usual 02 D - 05 A assemblies. Have there been any documented or verified Pace Cars outside of the usual assemly time frame? Casting date on block E 27 9. Engine assembly is T0527JL. Is it possible that is was a special post production order? Does the vin # fall into a certain category that could connect it to a Pace Car time frame assembly? It is a Norwood car. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[william]

The limited info you have provided does nothing but raise flags.

I know of no Z11s beyond 05A and the same-day cast/build date on the motor is a stretch. However Chevy did build a few 67 Pace Cars well after the race so it is possible they did the same thing in '69.

Lets see pics of the body tag and block stamping. Care to reveal the VIN?

[69 ice cat 8]

Made a mistake on the assembly date on the stamp pad. It reads: T0529JL. Have not bought this car but am considering it so I do not have a picture of the cowl tag nor do I know the VIN. The pad had paint across it so was not able to look closely for broach marks. Is the VIN pertinent to linking it to a Pace Car?

[KurtS]

Yes.
For what you are buying, the VIN and tag pic and pad pic should be evaluated.
So far, I'm a doubter.....

[69 ice cat 8]

Can anyone please explain to me the link of the VIN to a Pace Car? Are there supposed to be certain production #'s? Thanks 

[Pacecarjeff]

The Pace Car VIN is no different then any other V8 Convertible.
However - all the 69 Pacecars were produced during a particular time frame.
Making all the VINs within a certain range.

[69 ice cat 8]

Does anybody know what the certain range of VIN's are supposed to be?

[Mark]

No, but they didn't extend into the 05E week of May.

Earliest known one is an 02D built car with a VIN that starts with 9N609xxx, it was on Ebay about 2 years ago.  Has a lower VIN than the 2 "real" pacecars and all the festival cars, and it wasn't recorded as being at the track for the race.

Last known VIN depends on whos list you look at, but its well before the VINs for 05E built cars.

[69 ice cat 8]

Have finally gotten the VIN. It is:12467n626382. Seems this would indicate a late built March car. Is this a possibility to match with the cowl tag? (an abnormality?)

[william]

Nope; the body tag was installed a day so prior to the VIN tag. One of the tags is not original to the car. It is at least a fake and may be stolen.

This should end your interest in this car.

[Mark]

Have you seen the tag personally?  Thats around an 03E dated VIN but definately not an 05E.  Of course a May 29th assembled engine is still a problem and obviously not original to the car but the tag might actually match the VIN if its an 03E tag.  If its really an 05E tag then its a fake cowl tag at best.

[Charley]

The fact that he says it is orig paint makes me want to look at everything closer before coming to a fake conclusion.

[Mark]

I can call my 17 year old checked laquer paint original too and some people would beleive it.  If its really an 05E tag with an 0529 assembled engine, i feel pretty safe in calling it a fake.  If its an 03E tag with an 0529 assembled engine then its probably a real pace car with a transplanted engine.  If its 03E with an 0329 assemble engine then theres the possibility thats its a real L78 pace car.  Until I see pictures of tags, and stamps anything is possible.

[69 Z11]

[69 Z11]

Really I do!  Finding an L-78 Pace Car would be awesome!