Hi...I'm pretty new to this forum, so maybe some of you professionals out there can help me. My question is this..I bought a body of a 1971 Camaro which is supposed to be a Z28. The VIN starts as 124871L506*** if this helps at all. Also the trim tag reads INT as 777 and PNT as 53/53, but no Z28. Ive read before that Van Nuys Camaros didnt have the Z28 on their tags, but maybe you may know more. The car has no drivetrain, so matching numbers are out, but the things it does have are the floor mounted gas pedal, manual trans hump, full instrumentation missing the tach (thinkin someone pulled it to sell it), and no A/C. The guy was setting it up for racing and had cut a hole in the trunk (yikes) for a fuel cell, and while he was doing this he shaved the rear sway bar brackets in favor of a better aftermarket bar. It came with Z28 emblems but I know that means nothing as new 70 to 73 Z28's are "built" quite often today. I'd appreciate any help you may give me. I know some stuff about Camaros, and I guess the bottom line is when your car is like this one, you can build what you like. However I dont wish to add to the fabbed Camaros that are already out there which hurt the hobby. Thanks again for this great forum.

Check for these items also-spacer underneath the front lower A-arm bumpers/Front sway bar has a little protrusion on the passenger side that indicates heavier sway bar.Radiator support should have the widier opening for heavy duty cooling.Thats a start I'am sure someone will add to the list.
Rick

The Special gas pedal strongly indicates that it is a Z28.

The lack of air conditioning also helps.

Just about the only way to be 100% sure with a Van Nuys 71 would be to find a build sheet.

Since the trunk has been chopped for a fuel cell, you probably aren't going to get a build sheet from the top of the gas tank anymore. The interior probably doesn't have much left either to be hiding a build sheet.

In a situation like this, you just have to guess, and the gas pedal suggests that it IS a Z28.

Unfortunately the front was missing when I got it, but I have the 71 grille with a Z28 emblem in it and LT-1 valve covers that he threw in with it. Guy said he used the subframe for a rod project, we all know the type. I originally bought this shell to replace the one on my 70 SS350, but now Im in a quandry. I had no idea what the car was, nor did he (surprisingly). My 70 is pretty rusted up as I live in good ole WI, where as the 71 is very solid. What would you do in this situation? Any help is appreciated.

At this point considering all that is missing, it doesn't really matter if it is a true Z. It is too far gone to restore as such anyway. From what you have noted with the gas pedal, it sounds like it once was a real Z, before the previous owner hacked it up. Try to ask him waht he did with the parts and who he bought the car from...maybe you will locate some or all of the good parts for it. The trunk and tach can be fixed.