So what's the deal on L79s?

[markjohnson]

I've always been under the assumption that something happened at General Motors in 1967 that limited the big-horse stuff on everything except Corvettes. The late year re-introduction of the L78 in Chevelles & Camaros, the extremely rare '67 L79 Nova, and let's not forget the big-car L72's. There were lots of L72 full-size cars in 1966 and 1968 but the '67 L72's are practically non-existent. There's probably a VERY interesting Chevrolet-issued memo floating around somewhere to explain this.

[Lee Stewart]

Originally Posted by markjohnson

I've always been under the assumption that something happened at General Motors in 1967 that limited the big-horse stuff on everything except Corvettes. The late year re-introduction of the L78 in Chevelles & Camaros, the extremely rare '67 L79 Nova, and let's not forget the big-car L72's. There were lots of L72 full-size cars in 1966 and 1968 but the '67 L72's are practically non-existent. There's probably a VERY interesting Chevrolet-issued memo floating around somewhere to explain this.

That memo probably coincided with the one that stated that only the Corvette would have multiple carbs for the 1967 model year as an RPO. Though the only affected cars were the GTO and the 442.

I was always under the impression that the introduction of the L78 to the Camaro SS was timed with it being chosen as the Pace Car for the Indy 500. Am I wrong?

[Schonyenko2]

L79s were still available in Chevelles, and Novas in 68 at 325 HP. Both ran very well. Would blow the doors off most SS Chevelles up to the L78s and give them a good run depending on rear end ratios.
The early Chevy lls were the prodigy of Bill Thomas who started dropping 375 hp Corvette 327s transplants in. The "Deuce" legend started with those cars and continued with the factory L79s in 66. They were one of the most feared street cars prior to the big dog LS6 Chevelles.
Yenko redefined the Chevyll L79 with the LT/1 350 70 Deuces. Neither one was much afraid of any semi stock car on the street.