looking at 69 camaro car is a la trim tag so non-x-coded car is advertized as L78 ss 396 4sp. did they make L78's on Van nuys plant ? car C.E. replacemnet block no paperwork . what are some things to look for to I.D. real L78 car I know some of the things , single fuel line,speedo cable,exhaust bracket,right tach ,. Any advice would be great thanks Dave

Without paperwork you will never know. Any physical characteristic [tach, fuel line, etc.] can easily be added.

LA built Camaros often have a body broadcast copy on top of the fuel tank. Useful but does not have engine code.

All Camaro engine options were built at the LA plant. For quite some time it was thought no COPOs were built there but at least one documented car exists.

Dave,
You probably already know the '69 Van Nuys cars had a broadcast build sheet on top of the gas tank. If it's a low mile car and has been kept out of the weather most of the time I would check it out. I can't say for sure about the L78 but years ago I had a L35 Van Nuys car. I was the third owner and it had the POP so I know 325 HP big blocks were available from that plant.
Good luck finding what you are looking for,
Doug

William, ya beat me to it!!

Line 3, box 173 is hard to read on my broadcast sheet but it sure looks like "engine" with a DZ right underneath.......

The broadcast sheet with the engine code in box 173 is a Chassis Broadcast Sheet, which is usually the one found on top of the gas tank. the Body broadcast sheet is different, and its the one that contains things like the body number, key codes, wheel styles, tire sizes, shock types, etc.

This may be too obvious, but does the seller have any history on the car? Previous owners, receipts etc.?

OK, if bigdave finds the chassis broadcast sheet on top of the gas tank and box 173 has a JH, JJ, JL, JM in it, it's an original 375 HP car, correct?
My chassis broadcast copy has a sequence number, a serial number (partial VIN), identification number, shock codes (PS & UN), and tire sizes (E70 15), wheel color (XX) and code (YH) to name a few. I don't see any key codes or wheel styles. There is about 150 boxes worth of info. on one of these. I can read I'm guessing about 90-95% of mine.
Good luck'
Doug

I wish car was papered with build sheet ,window sticker ,warranty card etc... then we would not have nothing to talk about here ,,, The car is priced right and within my budget for my own christmas present . just wanted a few other opinions on what to look for from some of you veteran camaro guys . I figure I better purchase before the owner watches barret-jackson and doubles his asking price ! thanks for the input . Dave

Z28doug - I have the broadcast sheet on my L78 LA car the part with the engine code is torn, but I know it is a L78 car because it calls for the correct deep grove pulley codes on the broadcast sheet. I can read about 90% also. I have a ss 350 car also that I can read the whole broadcast sheet and it has the correct engine code for ss, this car was in storage for 22 years with only 39K.

Thanks

As William said, anything that is used to help identify an L78 can be changed. However, if it has not been restored, or is an old restoration (like 15 years) chances are good that all the little details were not addressed. eg, the fuel lines may have been changed, but maybe they did not change the clips--- or maybe not the sending unit.
If it's a really low price, it could be:
1. The guy doesn't know the value of these cars.
2. He knows the value, but needs quick cash
3. He knows the value, but also knows the history of the car. He wants someone to get caught up in the good price, and maybe not check too close.

Anyway, I hope it turns out to be exactly what you want.

The owner knows what he has and also owns some other rare cars he is just thinning his herd .car needs paint and a few other things but runs and drives . price is fair, he is not giving away but he is throwing in n.o.s. parts to complete .

DAVE, http://www.rabbitstoys.com/yabbse/index.php?board=53;action=display;threadid=1119;st art=msg8856#msg8856