Two New ZL-1 Camaros in 1969
- In 1969 the ZL-1 did not have badging but the 2012 ZL-1 does.
Rosenthal Chevrolet 1969
I was helping to work my way through college as a mechanic at Rosenthal Chevrolet from 1968-70.
Two New ZL-1 Camaros
Rosenthal got two (2) 1969 ZL-1 Camaros. One was sold and the other car was parted out. Yes, the second car did not sell so the decision was made to replace the engine and transmission in the remaining car and sell the car.
The Details
Rosenthal was big into racing and high performance at that time. Gene Altizer (a racer) was the shop foreman who also did put his hands on transmissions. Mousie Brown (also a racer) if memory serves me correctly did the workover on the ZL-1. What is most memorable was the Last Drive of the ZL-1. Mousie aggressively drove the ZL-1 in our large service area. The F70 x 14 raised white letter tires could not handle the power. It was fitting for this car to have its true character demonstrated, by a professional, before its dismemberment. This one and only demonstration of the power and performance of this special car is something that represents a cherished memory.It has been reported that 12 cars had the engines removed. This car would logically be one of the 12.
Final Thoughts
- Yenko Chevrolet and Baldwin Motion Chevrolet built their own 427 powered 1969 Camaros
I have many memories of these 2 cars and many other great products in that era. Specific reason for this post is to relate my recollections associated with these very special cars. One car that was sold and one car that was effectively parted out by replacing the engine and transmission to sell the car and then to sell the ZL-1 engine and transmission independently.
A Ghost Remembered
Of the two cars, the one that I remember best was the one that was in the Rosenthal showroom. It was a “plain vanilla” silver with black interior Camaro ZL-1. It sat s;ightly higher and squarer than the other 69’s which would be consistent with the heavy duty big block springs and lighter weight of the all aluminum 427. Basic hub caps provided an appearance reminiscent of the 1963 Biscayne 409.No center console for the four speed floor shift. It did have the cowl induction hood, however. And, a placard board on top of the car proclaiming All Aluminum 427 with 550 Horsepower. If memory serves me correctly, the window sticker price was around $7,700.
