Who said that they never built a LS6-70 Camaro? Can this be true?

[Larry E.]

Re: Who said that they never built a LS6-70 Camaro? Can this be true?

Thanks Mike for neat report. Too bad the Gov. Regs. and Insurance Company could not have waited for a couple of
more months. We (Chevrolet People) could have had the perfect "Trifecta"!! Larry

[Terry M.]

Re: Who said that they never built a LS6-70 Camaro? Can this be true?

The 1970 "pre=production" Corvettes (at least 6, but less than 14) were built in October 1969, and the first batch have a trim tag so dated. Those that have surfaced (three of them) do NOT have an LS7.

If one believes the automotive press of the time there were at least two and possibly three 1970 Corvettes with LS7 shown to the press -- two are pictured in a magazine of the time -- one with the Hooker style "racing" side pipes and at least one and maybe both were automatic transmission. No VIN information is included in either of the stories, so we are left clueless as to whether these were creations of St Louis or Warren. And of course we don't know if any were the "pre-production" cars mentioned above.

Wouldn't it be fun if one showed up with supporting documentation? I am not holding my breath, though. FWIW: When I asked Zora about them he said he signed the order to crush them, but he had this wicked grin and a sparkle in his eyes. I wish I knew what that meant.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Who said that they never built a LS6-70 Camaro? Can this be true?

I am surprised no one remembers why it was canceled, where are those St Louis experts? And the cork screws?

What cars did get the 460HP motor then(?) ...note not the 450HP...

[Patrick H.]

Re: Who said that they never built a LS6-70 Camaro? Can this be true?

I am surprised no one remembers why it was canceled, where are those St Louis experts? And the cork screws?

It has been widely known that Chevrolet had an engine "de-proliferation" program that affected the 1970 model year. As a result several motors that were in the planning stages were eliminated from production plans. I believe that this was done to simplify production lines as well as cut cost.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Who said that they never built a LS6-70 Camaro? Can this be true?

Where you there in CE at the time? Doubtful, they would put in special lines to build special engines even six to 9 years later and, the big consolidation did not come until the 80's.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Who said that they never built a LS6-70 Camaro? Can this be true?

Where you there in CE at the time? Doubtful, they would put in special lines to build special engines even six to 9 years later and, the big consolidation did not come until the 80's.

Go ahead and Google it then if you don't believe me.
DeLorean was Chevrolet GM at the time, and engine options got the ax.

http://books.google.com/books?id=FM-JoiIzvQYC&pg=PA119&lpg=PA119&dq=1970+de-proliferation+of+chevrolet+engines&source=bl&ots=hiBKqsAtsn&sig=dBioC3wYi_WRTB_trrjKb7L8DsY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=gJedUfTZAcWs4AOshoHQBw&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=1970 de-proliferation of chevrolet engines&f=false

At the time? I was probably 2 years old when the options were cancelled.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Who said that they never built a LS6-70 Camaro? Can this be true?

Patric, I don't and with good reason. If you read the John D history and 'also' understood how long it took to do something significant inside GM, even with the General Manager's title and an edict, it would not happen that fast...your own statement looks foolish, sorry.
First, he was He was Pontiac General Manager until Feb 69 at which time he was promoted to the Chevrolet GM position. No way in a matter of months would he cancel high performance which was one of the things he pushed at Pontiac - show me the letter. Also for your benefit is that as is written often, he bucked central office, disliked the infighting. And..he was regarded as a hero at Pontiac and that legacy would carry forward even after he left. The I can tell you that GM had new engine lines to build hi perf being installed in '78.

GM think was as the many saying went, and it would only be legal requirements forced upon them in the early 70's for emissions, low speed bumpers, etc. that year over year were a scramble to meet targets.

#1 Canceled as you read an AIM has to do with other reasons

#2 - This is digressing from the original thread, who was there? Anyone talking about cork screws? Who has a 454 70 Corvette bought new?

[Patrick H.]

Re: Who said that they never built a LS6-70 Camaro? Can this be true?

Fine Ron. Believe what you want. It's not in my job description to do your research for you, however.
I see no need to call anyone foolish.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Who said that they never built a LS6-70 Camaro? Can this be true?

Pat, qualifying writings and statements are one thing, person another, read again.


On your second point, show me the data, not some conjecture with no facts to back it up.

And you hastily jump to what you want to see, missing something substantial there, take 5 and let's see if anyone else has comment to the questions posed.

[Dick W.]

Re: Who said that they never built a LS6-70 Camaro? Can this be true?

It has been widely known that Chevrolet had an engine "de-proliferation" program that affected the 1970 model year. As a result several motors that were in the planning stages were eliminated from production plans. I believe that this was done to simplify production lines as well as cut cost.

Pressure from insurance companies and the emission regulations. Plus during that era, if my memory serves me, the "bean counters" were running GM. Just Googled, Roche was CEO and came from a statistician background. Excitement and performance suffered during the reign of such CEOs.

[William C.]

Re: Who said that they never built a LS6-70 Camaro? Can this be true?

Plus a LOT of engineering was focused on the pending MANDITORY (Federal regs) issues coming up for '71 model year. Lowered compressions tougher tailpipe controls, and the late timing of the '70 models in some lines all were issues that took precedence over LOW volume High Perf toys.

[Steven B.]

Re: Who said that they never built a LS6-70 Camaro? Can this be true?

'Had a buddy while in AF who ordered an LS7 Corvette coupe and as you can guess when the car was delivered no LS7. He was pretty hot and was advised no LS7 Corvettes were to be built. He ordered an LS7 hoping to beat another friend's Motion Corvette.

[Bill M.]

Re: Who said that they never built a LS6-70 Camaro? Can this be true?

Plus a LOT of engineering was focused on the pending MANDITORY (Federal regs) issues coming up for '71 model year. Lowered compressions tougher tailpipe controls, and the late timing of the '70 models in some lines all were issues that took precedence over LOW volume High Perf toys.

There may have been a bottleneck at Tonawanda too. There was a new high-tech assembly line installed to build the 400 CID small block for 1970. That may have required a lot of Tonawanda engineering talent that otherwise might have worked on the LS7.

I know there was some problem with the Mark IV also. The initial intent for the 1970 402 was for it to be a 4 inch bore, 4 inch stroke; that's the way we tested it in the Tonawanda dyno lab. It got released as a .0.030 over 396; I don't know why.

[Steven B.]

Re: Who said that they never built a LS6-70 Camaro? Can this be true?

There may have been a bottleneck at Tonawanda too. There was a new high-tech assembly line installed to build the 400 CID small block for 1970. That may have required a lot of Tonawanda engineering talent that otherwise might have worked on the LS7.

I know there was some problem with the Mark IV also. The initial intent for the 1970 402 was for it to be a 4 inch bore, 4 inch stroke; that's the way we tested it in the Tonawanda dyno lab. It got released as a .0.030 over 396; I don't know why.

Bill, possibly because so many $$$ and ad development was invested in SS 396? I had a friend who bought a new one and didn't know he had a 402. Most didn't back then.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Who said that they never built a LS6-70 Camaro? Can this be true?

You guys completely missed the hint - what do you inside guys know about the early 70 development cars and cork screws?