Hello,

Was it possible for a '69 Z28 to come w/o a factory tach and console pkg? I'm currently thinking about purchasing an X33 code, early Jan'69 build that doesnt have either....is it a true Z28?

thanks,
Dave

I have had them both ways original, so I would say your right.

Until about May 1969 factory instrumentation was not a requirement; many Z/28s were built without them.

At that time Chevrolet revised Z/28 ordering requirements and a tachometer became a mandatory option.

thanks guys...that's what I've been told by the current owner of the car. can either of you tell me if the engine stamping is orig or not? please send me your email and I will provide the pics...thanks again

my email address = dgmz28@optonline.net

I have owned my 69 Z28 since 1977. It is an April build and did not come with a tach or console.

One additional check to confirm it’s a Z28 is to look behind the driver side rear tire. There should be a steel plate welded to the uni-body frame hump going over the axel. This plate will also have a half circle cut out at the top center. The plate was added to the Z28s to support the dual exhaust and has two threaded bolts to secure the pipe hanger.

Check the weld too. If the weld looks nice and clean like a Mig or Tig did the job its fake. They were stick welded and appear to have been done in a hurry.

I have since installed a tach and console.

If you purchase this car I would appreciate some information from you.

Write back….

John

According to Jerry McNeish, tach and gauges (U17 option) were not mandatory in any 69 Z28. Also, you could have a tach and no gauges (U16 option), which would include a fuel gauge mounted in the center of the dash between speedo and tach. Of coarse the standard base was just a speedo and a fuel gauge, no tach, no gauges.

Without a build sheet, is there anyway to tell if a car came originally with a tach and gauges?

Unless the guy went out and bought another factory dash bezel that was for a tach, you could probably remove the tach and see if the hole cut out for it looks nice and clean or just cut out to fit. Or are you saying the car in question doesn't have a tach and gauges and you just want to see if it did.

Inspect the wiring harnesses under the dash and under the hood to see if they are original, reproduction or other. Check the julian date stamp on the back of the tach to see if it matches the build date of the car also confirm the yellow and red lines on the tach match the application, ie: ss350, 396, z28, etc..., and of coarse like dennis said, inspect the dash cutouts and see if they are factory cutouts or not.

I didn't know a tach had a julian date code on it. I'm going to have to check mine while I have it out.

Tlhis is an older posting but I know they definitely came without a tach and console. I purchased a Rallye Green one in August of 69 that had no tach, no console and gauges, and radio delete. I also saw one last week at the Camaro nationals. Mine only had Style trim, and D80 as options. I installed a Smiths tach on the steering column, and an am radio. The standard radio delete plate went with the car in the glove box. I was funny when the tack rotated down when I locked her in reverse.
Oh yes I forgot. No cowl hood either!

John. What would be the difference on the dual exhaust support from a SS or a big block. I would think if the frame had a bracket welded for a Z dual exhaust it would also have one for an SS or BB car.

The exhaust hanger reinforcement bracket was neither Z nor SS specific. It was for any car that was optioned with dual exhaust.

except convertibles ;) they had stiffer framing and didnt require the exhaust plate :)