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1969 SS Camaro Stock Eliminator |
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Chevrolet/Traco ZL1 Prototype Engine Complete Documentation Here is the Chevrolet Prototype #001 Aluminum ZL1 Engine as pictured in this original photograph. It's documented spectacular history begins inside Chevrolet engineering - extends to the most famous engine builder in the United States (TRACO) and then onto compete in the the most competitive race series of the time (Can Am) as the first aluminum 427 developed for and campaigned by Lothar Motschenbacher, who was one of the top drivers of the series. After much corporate debate, the production engine was made available for the 1969 Corvette and Camaro as Regular Production Option (RPO) ZL1 in extremely limited quantities. See Guinn's Engineering for Complete Details |
 You've seen it for decades.... Untold thousands of Chevy fans have been looking at this historic engine for over thirty-five years. It's photograph has graced the cover of "How to Hot Rod Big Block Chevy's" since the book's first printing in 1971. This Prototype Aluminum ZL1 Engine holds a special place in the development of the ZL1 as it represents the final stage immediately before production. |
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| The Chevrolet Prototype ZL1 Can Am Aluminum Engine now resides in what was originally a 1969 RS/SS-396, Built by Randall Klien from Lincoln NE to run in the Stock Eliminator classes. It is in a full-race state of tune, specifically set-up for Drag Racing. Estimated at 600 plus HP. | |
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| Flawless execution makes this one of the finest and most potent surviving Camaro drag race cars today. Stock Eliminator Class prepared interior is like new. | |
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| Text book perfect drag race chassis and suspension preparation. Heavy welds re-enforce the spring perch (note the eight leaf springs). | |
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| Telltale remnants of the RS option (components removed for weight savings) are witnessed by the back-up lights in the rear tail pan. |  |
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| The racer looks great! Arriving on a Saturday with a dead battery (a switch was inadvertently left on) it took awhile, and a few men's efforts, to get her out and off the 18 wheeler enclosed car carrier. The big rigs carry only the driver you know, so it certainly helped having a few hands around to welcome the new arrival. | |
| There's more to come on our Camaro racer, it's historic engine, and the car's previous owner/builder/racer, Randall Klein. |  |
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