I aquired a 79 camaro about a week ago. I'm starting a resto on it. I have some questions about the cowl tag. I've been on NastyZ28.com but my number format seems different. Maybe cause its a canadian car?

79 03E F087C2155 08
62R 69C 69U W
A51 --- Y8283289

The VIN is 1Q87L9L593180
Any help decoding that would be greatly appreciated
Thanks

It looks like you have an L.A. built car by the "L" on your VIN.

GM Canada says that L.A. cars were never sent to Canada, ever. You can call GM Canada and give them that VIN. If it was sent there they will have every ounce of information on it when it was built. Only Norwood Ohio cars were sent to Canada.
I went this route with my 70. Only Canada kept such great records of cars coming into the Country. My build sheet said my car was built in LA, but a shipping company out of N.Y. financed it. The original owner said he bought it in Edmonton Alberta brand new.
So who knows.

70 SS/RS Guy,

Don't know where GM of Canada go that info, but it's incorrect. LA built cars were shipped to Canada. My 79 Z28 that I factory ordered is proof of that.

John
79Z28

If it was an LA car it would be smog pumped right?

If it was it isn't now. The engine and tranny have been changed. Can anyone tell me if it's a Z28? It has all the bodywork but its been painted (spraypaint!!!)and the decals are gone.

My 81 Z28 was also built in LA and shipped to Alberta Canada. I have the build sheet and that info is on it.

shzaz28,

An air pump was used on the California cars, but the Federal cars didn't have them. High altitude cars, such as those destined for Denver, Colorado, also had them.

John
79Z28

I'm pretty sure "L" is for Van Nuys California. Dont know weather thats the same as Los Angeles or not.
Also my 79z never had an air pump. It came equiped with an EGR, exhaust restrictor, & a catalytic converter. Aside from the regular vac switches in the air cleaner & the 2 in the t-stat housing, thats it.

My norwood built 1980 Z28 was shipped to Canada initially. w/Z49.

It came stock with a smog pump which I promptly pitched into the dumpster.

My 80 z28 was built in California, and shipped direct to Calgary Alberta, no smog equipment, or signs that it ever had any though, but is a 350 4 spd car, which I don't think you could get in California?

SInce the car was built for export to Cnada, it wouldn't have the air pump, even though it was produced at the Van Nuys plant.

Most, if not all, 1980 Z28's that were shipped to Canada had the air pump. Starting in 1980, the auto emission regulations were gradually stiffened in Canada to agree with the US codes , the air pump was one result of that.

John
79Z28

No Air pump on my 80' Z28. Norwood car for Canada.