BUSTING the 70 1/2 Z28 Camaro MYTH

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BUSTING the 70 1/2 Z28 Camaro MYTH

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BUSTING the 70 1/2 Z28 Camaro MYTH - 5/20/2008 1:38:44 AM

Z15CAM

Posts: 70
Joined: 9/29/2006
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I''m in the process of busting the MYTH that the 70 1/2 Z28 does not exist.

Here are some of my findings:

Although not conclusive Magazines and Dealers of the time referred to the 70 models as the 70 1/2 Camaro.

Here is more convincing evidence:

No one told GM that the 70 1/2 Z28 does not exist: Check out GM Photo Archives at this Site: http://gmphotostore.com/prodinfo.asp?number=53217955 specifically refers to the car as
Quote: "1970 1/2 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Coupe" and here is a GM Photograph of the car with the GM Logo on the PIC:

The 9796 COPO Spoiler is a COPO Option, not a RPO, and no way associated with the 69 COPO 427 or Fleet Cars but has great historic value relative to Trans/AM Racing thus making the "1970 1/2 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Coupe" ordered with 9796 COPO Spoiler a SPECIAL CAR and deserves recognition because just looking at one Demands Attention.

Yah! I run Double Reds and so does Ferrari

)). I didn''t install the bumperettes after painting the car. I do the mechanical, painting; whatever.

GOOD ARGUMENT - HUH!!

Now all I have to do is find that 39 year old GM Promoption POSTER of the 69 Camaro that some dealers used to advertise the 69 design as a 1970 model. Humm, could do with some help on this - they EXIST.

In the mean time here''s a bit of info: Quote: "The Great Camaro" by Michael Lamb (3rd printing Feb 80) Pg 59 says "many Camaros with the appearance of 69''s were registered as 1970 models. Unofficial figures put the number of 1970 produced 69''s at 53,526 units". I doubt the VIN''s were dated 70 but there is significant evidence that 69 Camaros were Titled and Registered as 70 models.

One thing I would like to add is that aside from a new body and the 360Hp mechanical cam 350 LT1 engine the 70 Z28 Camaro is more closely related to the 69 Z28 model then the following years. It shares the same electrics, drive train, steering column and other components plus parts from the 69 Chevelle like the larger ball joints and 70 Vette engine... etc.

When I bought mine in 76 it didn''t have the original engine so it got a 600Hp 460ci BBC, mechanical roller, Nascar 830 Holley on an Edlebrock RPM Air Gap to an M21 and 12 Bolt Posi 3.31:1 gears. It originally came with 4.10''s. I traded the 4 series for a 3 series carrier with a buddy running a 70 BBC Chevelle.

< Message edited by Z15CAM -- 9/27/2008 9:26:23 PM >

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RE: BUSTING the 70 1/2 Z28 Camaro MYTH - 7/3/2008 5:51:07 PM

jamesjunk

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Joined: 10/24/2007
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what myth are you writing about exactly? that there wasnt a 70 1/2 z28 or that 69 bodies were sold as 70s?

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Post #: 2

RE: BUSTING the 70 1/2 Z28 Camaro MYTH - 7/4/2008 6:34:43 AM

cplthomas

Posts: 2473
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have always heard it was a myth. I am interested to see what other data you turn up.

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RE: BUSTING the 70 1/2 Z28 Camaro MYTH - 8/19/2008 5:39:04 AM

Z15CAM

Posts: 70
Joined: 9/29/2006
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Here''s a little UpDate: Don''t be afraid to offer your opinions :o

If you bought your Camaro in March of 1970 was it a 1st or 2nd Generation Model? GM and Dealer Advertising referred to the newer model as a 70 1/2. DMV registration regulate for 1 year not 1/2 a year. Some 50,000 69 1st Generation Models along with the newer 2nd Generation Model sold in 1970 where titled and registered as 1970 models. So when referring to a Camaro registered in 1970 you can not be sure if it is a 1st or 2nd Generation Design. I could be wrong on this but I believe there were just as many 69 models sold in 1970 as there were 70 Models. I remember seeing a poster at Xmas in 1969 on a GM Dealer wall showing a 69 Camaro as a 1970 Model. In order to distinguish the difference, GM and Dealer Advertising along with Old Farts like my self refer to the 70 Model as a 70 1/2 Camaro.

This movement about abolishing reference to the 70 1/2 Camaro never existed in the past. I can only guess it might be a Covert Operation conceived by Diabolic Fraternity of disgruntled 69 Camaro Owners with 1970 Registrations – LOL

I''m hitting on the consumers point of view; other words, people that bought these cars some 39 years ago. I was 20 years old and could NOT afford my 70Z until 76 which I paid $1,600 for. It had a L78 out of a 66 Corvette in it. The people that bought the 69Z or 70Z in 1970 were in their mid 20''s or early 30''''s with jobs and could afford them and did not think twice about putting BBC in them as where Yenko, Baldwin and Nikky. The logical thing to do or per say consumer revenge, because GM dropped the LS6 and Muscle Performance was being targeted by both Gov’t and Insurance policies and gas prices were rising was to put a BBC in a 70Z. The new Camaro was simply the Most Versatile Performance Body ever produced by Detroit to that date. As a result out of the some 8311 70 Z’s made very few survived with the original Engine. It''s a shame because the 70 350ci LT1 360Hp was a very nice engine and probably one of the rarest engines to find today.

I hope I''m getting across to fellow enthusiasts that I can present a strong argument for the 70 1/2 Label and do it accurately without offense because it represents the Only Time in Camaro History that 2 Models where offered as New Cars in the same year and today these 2 models are regarded as Most Desirable or should I say Most Popular. I feel I can justifiably refer to my car the way GM introduced and advertised it and that is: Quote: 1970 1/2 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Coupe

I don''''t know what this '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' thing is about this forum - LOL

< Message edited by Z15CAM -- 8/19/2008 5:55:23 AM >

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RE: BUSTING the 70 1/2 Z28 Camaro MYTH - 8/19/2008 8:07:10 AM

detailer57

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Ok, I am sort of old. I was a kid in 1970 and my parents bought a 70 1/2 Camaro. New from Rahway Auto in NJ. So since then I am a Camaro enthusiast.
The 2nd gen body stye was released around the beginning of May 1970, hence 70 1/2. There are some 1st gen Camaros that were produced in 1970. they are still considered 69. I worked for several GM dealers in parts dept. I totally restored my parents, then mine, 70 1/2 Camaro. GM parts books refered to them as 69. However, they also had a ref to VIN #.

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RE: BUSTING the 70 1/2 Z28 Camaro MYTH - 8/19/2008 6:53:55 PM

Z15CAM

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detailer57:

From what I understand the last 2nd Gen rolled off the production line in November of 1969 at the Norwood plant, and many were sold as NEW Cars in 1970 with 70 registrations while Plants Retooled for the new model. As you say, introduced in March or May of 1970. I agree the 69 Cowl Tag never referenced a 2nd Gen as a 70 Model.

Since you worked at several GM Dealers. I''''m wondering if you ever saw a Poster released around Mid December of 69 advertising the 69 Model as a 70. I remember seeing one on the wall of the GM Dealer in Barry Ont CDA. I''''ve a tough time convincing people that this poster exists - Thanks.

< Message edited by Z15CAM -- 8/19/2008 7:00:35 PM >

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RE: BUSTING the 70 1/2 Z28 Camaro MYTH - 8/21/2008 5:54:31 AM

detailer57

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I do have a "fuzzy" memory of such a poster/ad.
But I think you will have a hard time finding anything about it.

I doubt anyone unless they are really a fanatic will have one. Back then it was not a big deal, so I am sure they all were tossed.

Maybe find a small town chevy dealer, family owned, if there are any left. They might have something.

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RE: BUSTING the 70 1/2 Z28 Camaro MYTH - 8/25/2008 10:16:39 AM

Bamaro

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Because of the delayed release until March, both Camaro & Firebird were generally referred to as 70 1/2 model years prior to release. By release time, Chevy had dropped the 1/2 but I believe Pontiac kept using it for awhile. Most magazines sold early in 70 referred to both using the 1/2.

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RE: BUSTING the 70 1/2 Z28 Camaro MYTH - 9/27/2008 9:20:00 PM

Z15CAM

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Here''''s a GM 2 page ad "Introducing the new Chevrolets for 1970" which shows a 70 Chevelle, 70 Vette, 70 Impala & a 69 Camaro, Mark at Team Camaro found:

I don''''t specifically remember this one but the one I saw only had the 69 Camaro Model advertised as a 1970 and was a fair sized POSTER on the Wall of a GM Dealership at Xmas in 1969 and the back ground of that AD looks very similar to the POSTER. I believe it was a White Z28 Coupe or possibly a SS Model with Red Stripes.

< Message edited by Z15CAM -- 9/28/2008 12:04:01 AM >

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