I was shopping for a camaro and came across this one.Never heard this one before.It's Camaro Z-28 Players Special 1991, V8 TPI, 5 speed manual.He says the car is one of only 50 racecars built in California for GM Motorsport players special series.Can anyone confirm that this car exists?And if it existed what was special about it?

 

I'll refer this to Mark--a expert on the Players cars. I'll just add this in the meantime.
A players car should have the R7U option (some were 1LE, some were not) Is it an American car? ir MPH guages?

 

opps wrong section

 

Player's Ltd. GM Motorsports was a series that was run in Canada from 1986-1992 (East division in 1986-1992 and West division in 1987-1992). The race was the best sponsored series EVER in Canada. Races were at F1 tracks, Ovals. All broadcast on TV (Wide world of sports)

GM produced "purpose built" showroom stock cars for these race series. Approx. 90-100 cars were built each year in 1986-1989, and more in 1991 since 1991 contained both 1990 and 1991 race years. About 70% of the cars were camaro's and 30% were Trans Ams, although as the years progress mored Camaro's were choosen over the Trans Ams.

In 1991, there was 97 Players Challenge Camaros built. Combine that with the fact that ALL the cars had the 1LE option, makes for a pretty rare car. And it may have racing history.

What's special about your car? Here are some details (verified with GM documentation):

- Engines are built from selected components and extensive efforts were made to reduce variatsions. (IE. All cylinder heads were from the same casting batch to minimize compression ratio and flow variations, all cam lobes were contour checked, close attention was paid to piston clearances and fuel injectors were flow checked). All engines were dyno tested and those selected were within a 1% power band.
- All engines were sealed to prevent unauthorized adjustments. (Paint marks on bolts, some visable paint, others ultra violet).
- Special front struts to retain damping ability under extreme conditions. (in 1988 the teams were supplied with matching rear ones, but in 1987 they used stock components, 1989 and up they came from the factory that way)
- 1989-up rear springs were pre-selected at the factory based on track feedback
- 1989-up rear sway bar was reduced to 23mm from the 24mm due to track feedback.
- lower volume power steering pump reduced fluid temps. (same pump as 1987 but with change to serpentine.)
- 100% inspection of all cars at assembly plant
- corner weights measured and recorded to 0.1 KG for each car.
- special spare wheel assembly to clear new brakes (this became standard equipment in 1989)

Provided to, or adjusted by the teams:

- Front brakes and rear brakes were stock in 1986, but teams were allowed to use special race pads. In 1987 a front brake kit was available (corvette calipers, 12" rotors), 1988 similar front kit although this was the soon to be 1LE package, 1989-up 1LE.
- Dual dump side exhuast provided to the teams. Manufacture by Walker in Ontario. All parts carried GM part numbers. (You can still look these up at any GM dealer)
- Revised engine PROM. Optimized performance and fuel range. Special driver's aides (IE. shift light came on at 5000 instead of stock 4000-range). Fuel shut off at 5650rpm.

Interesting note from GM. Max shift points were recommended at 5200 in 1st, 5150 in 2nd, 5000 in third, and 5050 in 4th. These are based on the gear ratios, as well as engine power. GM determined these were the optimum range for the cars (based on 305 TPI, 5 speed and 3.45 gears).

I have at least 1000+ pages on the series ... more information than most people care to know.

Looks like you found a good investment.

MArk.

 

I found the ad you are referring to. In order for this car to be a valid Players Challenge Car, it needs to have the option code "R7U". If it is not there, then it is a regular Camaro. IT may also have power windows and power mirrors. The cars were meant to be sold after the race series, hence they did come with options. So you get a 1LE and power options! Can't ask for more.

If the person insists that it is genuine, but the RPO sheet is missing, then you will need to contact GM vintage services in order to verify it as real.

If you are buying this car as an investment, then do check the VIN stamp on the block and ensure it is the correct engine for the car. As it has 225,000 KMs it could have been rebuilt.

The good news is that the ad states it is a one owner car. They may have the original bill of sale and such, which would be invaluable for documenting the car.

Email me if you need info, or if you want help ID'ing the car.

Mark.

 

Thanks for all the detailed info.I don't think about cars as an invesment but it doesn't mean that i don't want to be sure about the cars orginality, i don't care about the cars history or i want to bend over for something worthless. I'm going to give the guy a call and check the car out tomorrow.I'll let you know about the price and the condition of the car.What the seals looks like?Do you think i should still look for those or am i being too optimistic about the cars condition?

 

If your buying a "Players" car, then it is an investment, since it will command more money than a non-players car. How much more ... well that will depend on who wants your car. People often like to know that their car is "rare".

I suspect that the seller knows the car is rarer than most, and as such is asking for more money than a typical car.

The best approach is to play dumb, ask questions and let the seller talk.

If you do buy the car, I'd suggest you get it appriased if you want to insure it for more than book value. In order to justify this, you will need some basic paper work (IE. GM Vintage Services info, original bill of sale, etc.). The more you have, the better.

As for the engine seals. When you look under the hood, the seals are paint splotches on the bolts that hold the TPI runners to the upper plenum, the bolt heads for the throttle body, and bolts that hold the valve covers down. I suspect the paint is not there, but you might see traces of it.

Rather than the seals, I would check the option codes for R7U. Next I would check the VIN on the block. If it is an original motor, and the car has R7U, then you have all the unique components. That car will never had had a roll cage, racing PROM, or exhaust upgrade. These are race only parts.

With any car, check for original components. Upgrades can increase the value in some ways, but detract in others. Again depends what you want the car for.

To many people, the players car are just beat up old race cars. Hence little value. Personally, I think of them as the 80's COPO camaro's. You have a chance to own a 1LE Camaro, and to make it even more rare, a Players Challenge edition. If you ever sell it, it should hold it's value better than any other car ... except for the 1987-1988 convertibles ... those things are still expensive.

Mark.