'69 Corvette ZL1 - Long Lead Press Show tribute car - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Keith Seymore · 08-18-2014, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Back in late 1968 (calendar year), when the 1969 models were introduced, there was a big event out on "Black Lake" (the Vehicle Dynamics pad). The motoring press was invited in for this auspicious event and, on the pad, were some special vehicles. Namely - two ZL1 all aluminum 427 powered Corvettes, plus a smattering of ZL1 powered Camaros. In addition, there was one engine placed on a stand, both for display purposes and as a backup motor in case something happened to one of the engines in the car.

I was not permitted to share until recently but here is a little project I helped with:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/17/au...=top-news&_r=0

K

hounddogs! · 08-18-2014, 11:33 AM

I would have loved to have had a hand in that. More history please...

Keith Seymore · 08-18-2014, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hounddogs!

More history please...

I think the article is fairly comprehensive about the history of the car and the original event.

My involvement came through my officemate (back in the late 80's) who was present for the original press show. He had always told me stories about that day, so I knew most of the details. I was able to connect some of the old school engineers with the gentlemen doing the car, filling them in with some important details and "color commentary".

One other personal connection: There were two regular production ZL1 Corvettes built. One of the cars was driven by George Heberling, who was the Asst Staff Engineer for the Engineering/Assembly Liaison group, as his company vehicle. I went to GMI and was good friends with his son Kris.

K

tune_1 · 08-18-2014, 05:23 PM

Keith Thanks for posting the link. I really like the posts that you have made about your Dad's GTO and your restoration of your pickup. All of the background about GM is really interesting.

Thanks
Dwight

tommys72 · 08-23-2014, 08:02 PM

Cool story and some nice unknown history

Keith Seymore · 02-16-2015, 07:42 AM

Back in the news again:

http://www.motortrend.com/classic/ro...e_lt_2_review/

K

JMac11 · 02-16-2015, 10:02 AM

Keith....
Heard a similar story about the 70 1/2 Camaros. There were 396's already planned but the late start the 454 Camaros were going to be a 71 issue, but after fitting the LS 454 in the Camaros, they were a tad too quick and they got shelved. Always wanted to build a 70 1/2 RS fitted with the LS 454.

08-18-2014, 11:33 AM	#2
hounddogs! Restoring it $200 at a time... Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NE Kansas Posts: 889	Re: '69 Corvette ZL1 - Long Lead Press Show tribute car I would have loved to have had a hand in that. More history please... __________________ Charter member of the 'Put the dimmer switch back on the damn floor where it belongs' Society '68 5.3L-4 speed LWB C20; grandpa bought it for the farm in '71. Now LS 5.3, rather than 327. DD '09 Pilot Weekender '65 Skylark 300-4V-4 speed Wife's '07 Lexus ES350; 117 actuator motors and I can't see the engine. Son's '04 F250 SuperCab 6.0

08-18-2014, 05:23 PM	#4
tune_1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Oklahoma City Okla Posts: 196	Re: '69 Corvette ZL1 - Long Lead Press Show tribute car Keith Thanks for posting the link. I really like the posts that you have made about your Dad's GTO and your restoration of your pickup. All of the background about GM is really interesting. Thanks Dwight

08-23-2014, 08:02 PM	#5
tommys72 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: springfield mo Posts: 3,076	Re: '69 Corvette ZL1 - Long Lead Press Show tribute car Cool story and some nice unknown history __________________ United States Marine Corps 2000-2011 Iraq and Afghanistan veteran Just living life now and enjoying it and my wife, daughter and son

02-16-2015, 07:42 AM	#6
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,237	Re: '69 Corvette ZL1 - Long Lead Press Show tribute car Back in the news again: http://www.motortrend.com/classic/ro...e_lt_2_review/ K __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/

02-16-2015, 10:02 AM	#7
JMac11 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tallahassee Fl Posts: 773	Re: '69 Corvette ZL1 - Long Lead Press Show tribute car Keith.... Heard a similar story about the 70 1/2 Camaros. There were 396's already planned but the late start the 454 Camaros were going to be a 71 issue, but after fitting the LS 454 in the Camaros, they were a tad too quick and they got shelved. Always wanted to build a 70 1/2 RS fitted with the LS 454.



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