The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 was a high-performance Camaro produced in regional numbers to be sold to the general. The common sales allowed the van to qualify to enter the Governmental Blistering Rod Company (NHRA) drag racing competition. The ZL1 was expensive and regional mostly to equal one Chevrolet dealership, although a handful were ordered by other dealers in North America.
Background
The 1969 Camaro ZL1 was intended by drag racer Dick Harrell to compete in NHRA racing. The vehicle was especial ordered by Harrell nailed down Fred Gibb Chevrolet in La Harpe, Illinois. The vehicles could by oneself be ordered whether the dealership regular 50 units. A complete of 69 were produced, with a diminutive figure of other Chevrolet dealers picking up the remaining 19. The ZL1 was designated by the Chevrolet workshop as a Central Work Industry Circuit (COPO) 9560 motorcar, according to Corvette-Musclecars.com.
ZL1 Surprises
Gibb Chevrolet took delivery of the ZL1 in Dec 1968, nevertheless discovered the sticker reward was enhanced than $7,200 in 1969 dollars ($41,661 in 2009 dollars). The ZL1 either sat on the sales portion for another than a year or were returned to Chevrolet to be distributed to another dealership. Many ZL1s were sold with $1,000 allowance offers from Gibb. The ZL1s were invoiced to Gibb Chevrolet as stripped down models featuring exclusive the high-performance engine and drivetrain. Options were added at the dealership.
Under the Hood
The ZL1 originated as a Super Sport 396 with a performance F41 sport suspension. Reports of a 575-horsepower ZL1 were never verified. Faculty was transmitted complete a four-speed, close-ratio textbook transmission or the Turbo Hydramatic automatic.
Mechanicals
The ZL1 was fitted with mill tires and exhaust, a cowl-induction hood, a 4:10 Posi rear axle and front CD brakes. The SS container was removed and the 396-cubic-inch V-8 was replaced with an all-aluminum 427 that weighed individual 500 pounds, which was homogenous in weight to a Chevrolet small-block 327. The 427 generated 430 horsepower and 450 foot-pounds of torque. The engine could be tuned to build 524 gross horsepower whether it was equipped with a four-barrel, specially tuned carburettor, tuned ignition and racing headers, and provided it was stripped of the air cleaner and accessories, such as air conditioning.Remainder of the Camaro ZL1 was a usual factory-issued inventory vehicle with no amenities.
Performance
The 1969 Camaro ZL1 with the 430-horsepower 427 hit 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and covered the quarter mile in 13.16 at 110 mph. This performance easily beat the top foundry Camaro entertainer, the 375-horsepower Super Sport 396, which achieved 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds and the quarter-mile in 14.7 seconds at 98.7 mph. On the drag strip, Super Inventory and Drag Racing magazine clocked the ZL1 in the quarter mile at 11.62 seconds at 122.15 mph.
