OK, I finally got the vin# and body tag on this car. I researched it and still don't know what I have, although I'm now leaning towards a fake Z/28. Can someone verify this? Here's the info:VIV# 1Q87L 7L630621
Body Tag
ST77 1FQ87 L 263262
TR 64B A51W78LW78U
06B S 099751

This is what I have come up with;1977 sports coupe,orange paint, saddle interior built in Van Nuys. There is no "Z" so I think it is not an Z 28. The car has the original paint and has the Z/28 trim, perhaps added at dealer or later?? Any help would be appreciated, since I'm going to either restore an Z or modify an non.Thanks Blue

according to my camaro white book 1FQ87 is either a z28 or a sport coupe..the sport coupes having only a 6 cylinder engine in them. i see the fifth digit in your vin (the engine code) is L=350 cu in. i would say this is a factory z unless it was a sport coupe with a special order 350..but i highly doubt it...look for a built sheet that should tell you for sure

The 77 Z28 came out in February, so a June (06B) car could be a Z28.

On the last line of the cowl tag, are there any dashes (-) between any of the numbers and letters? If there are, they are important in identifying an LA Z28. In that line, a Z28 should have an "8", where a non-z28 should have a "-" in its place.

Like d80camaroman says, a build sheet would really help, and most LA cars carry at least one copy inside them somewhere.

Thanks for the info. I don't remember seeing a dash in the series. I'll have to check again. However this car was/is pretty torn apert, so no build sheet. The interior is gutted, also no info on the drivers fender. The car has been sitting for awhile and has 77K on the odometer. Thanks again for the info, I'll look for that "dash", I know there is no "Z" nor "Z28" in the body tag.Blue

Just got back and the body tag has two dashes, so I guess it's an non Z. Where would I get a duplicate build sheet? I really would hate to modify an Z car. Thanks Blue

Correct. If the bottom line has two dashes, it indicates that it is a Sport Coupe and didn't have power windows.

There is no way to get a duplicate build sheet if there isn't one hidden somewhere inside the car. GM has said for years that the build sheets no longer exist for Chevys. Lately, there has been a rumor floating around that they might have microfilmed copies of them somewhere and are working on eventually making them available.

For now, you don't have any option except that maybe somewhere inside that car there might be one hidden. The likely spot is there probably is one stuck to the top of the gas tank where it lays against the trunkpan. To get that one, you have to lower the tank.

I heard that rumor too, so I e-mailed the GM media archives. For 25.00 they sent me a copy of the original invoice for my 81 z!
Its not a rumor at least not for later cars.The paperwork is available.

Another good place to look for the build sheet is behind the upper portion of the back seat. Mine was tucked under the springs. It's easy to check, just remove the two bolts at the bottom, pull it out a little, reach up and feel around for something that feels like paper.
If I remember correctly, Caterpillar said that he doesn't have the original engine, that's too bad because the engine codes are different for Z cars in 1977. Even though they were still LM-1's, the Z's had different codes. I believe CLU is the code for a 4 speed and CHZ is the code with auto.

DanH, where did you Email to get the copy of your invoice? Thanks! -Nick

GMMA.research@gm.com or
1-800-851-8984.
I spoke with Jennifer, gave her my vin # for 25.00 she send me a copy of the original invoice copied from microfilm, Gives you all the original options prices,dealer cost and selling dealers name and address. Give them a try.
Dan.

[This message has been edited by DanH (edited October 04, 2003).]

I'm no expert, but I believe what Gary S says. My 78, though built in Norwood, has the date code, then A31 for power windows, then Z28,(I guess this is where Van Nuys puts an 8) then BU1 for steering column and instrument panel color. All this on the last line of the cowl tag.
It is my guess, not knowledge, but guess that it isn't a Z and doesn't have power windows. Still, it would really look great if it was restored back to Z clone status. The 77Z is just a cool looking car. I know you're just dyin' to modify this thing, and it's up to you, so don't let me keep buggin' you about it.

DanH, Thanks for the Info. I will give it a try. -Nick

Kinda off subject, but reading through the thread, I want to say thanks for the GM contact info for the build sheet. I have the metal tag on the warranty sheet, but no build sheet. I got the car in quite a state of dis-repair. It is nowhere near original. It came with 307, which was gone years ago for the '69 .040 over 350 it now has. I am new to the site, but like what I see here. Lots of knowledge flying around here. Thanks

How early of years do they have the build sheet?I have a 1971.Would they have one for that?

------------------
1971 Camaro Plans
400sbc with a 4 speed transmission
Red Body Black Interior
+Rear Spoiler
+RS Front End
(RS Clone)

I contacted GMMA.research@gm.com and gave them my vin# just like DanH said, and she gave me a price of $25.00. Two days later, she sent me an email with the copy of the microfilm via acrobat reader and said that since it was so easy to find the invoice to my car, she wouldn't charge anything. That was awesome. Thanks Dan.
Buning Lime, I read a post here one time about a guy that had some extra build sheets for Camaros from 70-72. I emailed him and it turns out that his father was an assembly line worker and had grabbed a bunch of paper to use as scrap for his kids to scribble on. When the guy I talked to grew up, he cleaned out his parents basement and there were two boxes with hundreds of these build sheets. He wasn't selling them, but if you gave him your vin, and he had the build, he'd send it to you for free. I can't remeber his name, but maybe someone else here can. I think I know what his address is but I'm not sure if I'm thinking of the right guy. I won't post it since I'm not sure, but if you want it, email me and I'll tell you.


[This message has been edited by Als78z28 (edited October 11, 2003).]

I'm glad that worked out for you! This is a great service that G.M. is offering,I hope they have info for all years.

DanH, I tried to call GMMA, but all I got was messages, so I just Emailed them. I'll let you know if I can get any info on my '77.
-Nick

Thought I would share this with some of you. Below is the response I received from Jennifer at GM Media Archives.

Unfortunately, the invoice records pre-1977 for Chevrolet Division do not
exist. They were purged sometime in the late 1970's and have not been able
to be recovered.

I'm still waiting.....but fortunately I'm looking for info on my '77. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

I finally got in touch with Jennifer at GMMA. She said they only have complete records for Chevrolets 1978 and newer. For 1977 Chevys they do have "some" records. She said she would check the microfilm for the invoice for my car and that she should have an answer for me by Tuesday. I'm still hoping!

Good luck. Since I have my invoice, I'm going to have a repro window sticker made for my car. I don't feel bad about doing this becaause I'm only using factual information to do this. If I sell my car, I won't lie and say it's the original sticker.

I was able to get an accurate repro Window Sticker made from my build sheet, which I found behind the rear seatback. Getting the invoice will be a bonus!

Has anybody heard any more on the "Chevrolet Archives Project" that was being undertaken by Jim Mattison (of Pontiac Historic Services fame)?

Thanks DanH! Wow! Got It! Jennifer Emailed my car's factory invoice to me today! I can't think of a better piece of documentation to have. I can't believe they still have that stuff 26 years later.

Hi,
Any chance you could post what jenefer sent you ? I would love to see what they still have.
Thanks
John in Rochester NY

Sorry, I have no idea how to do that. But I can tell you that she Emailed (via Acrobat Reader) an actual copy of the factory invoice. It came from microfilm, so it's actually a photograph of the original invoice. It has all the options, retail and wholesale prices and original dealer info.If you don't have a build sheet, this is the best documentation you can get. I'm shocked that after 26 years this thing still existed.