The 1967 Camaro Z28 was one of Chevrolet’s best-kept secrets, with only 602 buyers splashing the cash on what would become an American legend. By 1969, the story was different, with sales rising to an impressive 20,302. This Z28 is from that year, but a previous owner dismantled it in 1993 for a planned restoration. It stalled relatively early and has suffered the same fate in the hands of its current owner. They have decided it needs to go to a new home and to a passionate enthusiast capable of doing it justice. You will find the Camaro listed here on eBay in Darden, Tennessee. Bidding has raced past the reserve and sits at $17,827.
Most enthusiasts accept that pony car projects from the 1960s and 1970s almost invariably feature rust issues requiring attention. It can range from relatively minor to catastrophic, but this Z28 is better than most. The seller indicates the floors, trunk pan, and rails are solid. I can see small holes in the supplied photos, but they aren’t at what I describe as the “Fred Flintstone” stage. The rear quarter panels and wheel wells were more severely impacted, but the car has replacements for those items and a new trunk lid. The buyer needs to source a hood, but it seems the remaining hardware, trim, and glass are intact. How the new owner tackles the build will depend on their ultimate goal, but there are positives to consider with cars from this era. Admittedly, rust is a problem. However, modern prevention techniques mean that once the issue is eliminated, it may be gone permanently.
This Camaro’s interior has seen better days, but it is another aspect of the car offering plenty of positive attributes. It is complete and features the correct factory tachometer and console-mounted sports gauge cluster. It requires total restoration, and the buyer would be wise to thoroughly clean everything before compiling a shopping list. The seller includes new front seatcovers, but I can see it requires a carpet set, door trims, some plastic and faux woodgrain, and gauge lenses. The list will undoubtedly grow, but with high-quality reproduction parts readily available, there is nothing to prevent the buyer from returning the inside of this classic to a factory-fresh state.
We’ve reached the aspect of this Camaro that will likely disappoint some readers. The defining characteristic of the Z28 is the sweet 302ci V8 under the hood. This high-revving delight sent 290hp through a four-speed manual transmission to a Posi rear end. Although designed for the track rather than the drag strip, a 1969 Z28 could still demolish the ¼-mile in 15.6 seconds before winding its way to 131mph. The seller indicates that not only isn’t this car numbers-matching, but the V8 under the hood is a 350 of unknown specifications. They supply no information on its health or whether it turns freely. However, the car retains its original transmission and rear end, which might represent the starting point for a faithful refurbishment. Locating a date-correct motor may take time, but I did spot a couple of engine blocks on one online site with prices ranging from $3,400 to $6,500. It is an option worth considering when we assess this car’s potential value with a 302 nestling in the engine bay.
For many enthusiasts, the sticking point with this 1969 Camaro Z28 as a restoration project could be the loss of its original motor. Sourcing a correct replacement should be possible, although it may require patience and the recognition that doing so will make the build a faithful refurbishment. However, following that path to a high-end finish should produce a classic with a market value of around $70,000 in the current market. Would you choose that approach, or is there another path that is too tempting to resist?
Not worth anywhere near what he is asking. A 350 is a fine engine, but the investment idiots want purity, so this time that greed is gonna bite them where the sun does not shine. Fine with me. This kind of car should be restored, but in someones garage over the course of many weekends and evenings. It needs to be done, not because they later want to cash in, but because they want to drive and love it. In that scenario, no one would care if the engine wasn’t numbers matching. In reality, who really should care anyway?
I agree this price is way to high for this project. Since the big draw for a 69 Z/28 is the 302 V8, and this car is missing that engine…it’s really not worth much. The “investment idiots” (as you called them) care about numbers matching because it’s what makes this car worth more than a standard 69 Camaro coupe. Do I think a perfect 69 Z/28 is worth $75K – $100K or more? No, I don’t. However, I appreciate a numbers matching car any day, or even nicely restored or original example.
Will 69 Z 28 mania ever end? Very common car with almost 20,000 built. I am old enough to remember buying running and driving these 69s for $2,000. And by the early 80s, mint, unbutchered example were selling for about $7,000. This pile of junk is for dreamers. $150,000 to correctly restore. Worth maybe $85,000 done.
I paid $1800 for a running driving Hugger Orange 69 Z/28 in 1981, with the deluxe houndstooth interior. My dad said I was crazy. Paid $600 to have it painted. A few years later, got married, had a daughter, life got in the way, sold it. Who would have ever thought it?
Geez, George please tell me you are not comparing 1980 prices with today’s market? I used to get a soda and candy bar back in the day for under 50 cents also. Try to do that in today’s market also!Regarding the rarity, if
20k of these cars were produced, I would almost guess after 54 years of these
cars raced, trashed, crushed, that number you quoted
above has dropped significantly, regarding viability and still in existence. This car is not common or the market place would reflect that specific value.
The market always determines the value of a
commodity or product, based on consumption,demand and availability…PERIOD ! Please read or check out a book regarding ECON 101 and reference world market place, perhaps you will be Enlightened!
Supply and demand controls the price of everything. Some people refuse to see that concept.
Way too much $.Someone started putting cheater quarters on, trunk drop downs and rear wheel outer houses are shot.This car needs a through inspection guarantee theres more rot to great you after you dip it.I think the it’s about 12k too much.
Incorrect steering wheel too. I agree with the previous comments. It will cost far more to restore than it will ever be worth.
While the 350 is a fine motor, the “290”hp 302 defined the Z28. Nope. No thank you.
To get all the performance out of the 302 you had to wind it up, and that isn’t always practical or comfortable. The 350 was a better all around regular driving engine. A buddy bought a new Honda S2000 about twenty years back. At first that 9000 RPM redline was a hoot, but he said it got old pretty fast. Honda figured it out too, and a few years later gave them an engine with more grunt and less revs that only a can am racer would need. If I were ever in the market for one of those, I would for sure look for a later model. A high revving engine might be fun to talk about but it isn’t always so fun to live with. Besides, you missed my point. A 350 would be cheaper and hence, make this project affordable for us average Joes, not some investment to be sold to some dotcom trillionaire.
No. Just no.
If only I had room , I already have a complete 302 dz with air pump and factory m-21 . I removed it in 1974 during the gas crunch and installed a crate mexican 350 low comp and auto trans . 23 or 28,000 orig miles . Ive been looking for the original car via the vin but unsuccessful. Stored and ran it in a t bucket for 6 months . Way too much .
Gary, if you are waiting for 1980 prices to locate a 69 for your engine, you may as well sell that engine now in a hot market place, to maximize your profit margin! Because the other is not going to take place! Good luck with that one!
This car appears to have a lot more rust issues than had mentioned. If I had a 1969 Z28 I don’t necessarily have to have numbers matching but I would want a 302 in it to appreciate the car the Z28 was meant to be in handling and driving pleasure. Sourcing a 302 is not easy being that they only appeared in the Z28 for 3 years and when you do find one the price isn’t going to be pretty. Add to it the crazy price you are paying for the vehicle and the work still needed, it’s not going to be cheap to finish the job. There is a reason 2 different people left the job to stall!! Sad but true. Someone will buy it but that’s not me!! Rather find one with the 302 still in it.
Since the number matching aspect is lost it should be possible to “grub up” a 302 with a 327 block, 283 crank, RPO cam, heads, intake, etc. from the aftermarket for less than an original, but the asking/selling price is still too high.
These get more comical every time I see one. $18K for what? A bucket of rust and a Fisher Body plate.
ACZ, it’s not comical, truly it’s not. You are just having a issue with excepting reality. You are not the only Lone Ranger stuck in a time Warp on here, regarding the current market place pricing. Will the symptoms subside for all those lone rangers…doubt it. That old Ronnie Milsap song applies here..lost in the 50s or in this case lost in the 60s
pricing value..take care.
Danny, I can’t agree. $18K should buy something. This car is nothing. No original engine, no body worth a hoot, no value. What the seller wants is the profit from selling a fully restored 69 Z28.
ACZ, I respectably once again totally disagree. I work in this market place on a daily basis. Unfortunately, the majority of people are on the outside looking In and cannot grasp what is taking place. You have different perspectives circulating within this current market place that places a high premium on these cars. You have original state, modified state, and a limited variation. Each of these venues have different approaches when it comes to value. What you consider nothing,
very well appeals to one of the
above listed categories, as a starting point for a future build, and potential big dollars, especially in this current hot
market. Again, as Ronnie Milsap,
Sang this is not the 50s anymore or your not in Kansas anymore, toto..take care.
Danny, I’m not on the outside looking in. I have spent a lifetime in the car business. All I can say is that it appears that we can agree to disagree.
ACZ, I respect that you have worked in the car business the majority of your lifetime. However, you did not specifically, state which market of the car business, nor if you are currently working within this market place in question. I have been working in this specific market since the early 90s, and still currently deeply involved on a daily basis. With all due respect again, I am not going to agree to disagree with you based on the true reality that currently exists within this market place. If you choose to not to accept reality, make that deal with yourself.. Once again, the ocean is filled with water, you just may not like the taste of it…take care
The person offer the $18k for this has either the money to restore or the knowhow to do it. I will let the buyer decide the value of the car.
Put this gem on my watch list, legit first gen z’s seem to be following the SWC yellow brick road , price wise. Gary, if you have a unmolested 302 DZ, along with B/Hsg. and trans., it is gold or better, I would put a sell ” feeler” out there just to see what the market thinks , a couple pics of numbers and a dedicated email, don’t use your main phone or cell.( Idiot factor). Maybe make a deal or hold for a bit.
I say be bold and source a period correct 302, and restore it to driver quality status…it’s not about the “money” anymore…….this is a unicorn 1967 Zed-28 worth bringing back.
These cars are disappearing by the day, and you can almost hear them appreciating, with the multi-generational shift to BEV (electric vehicles).
Get ‘em while we still can, guys….
Sorry, ‘69 Zed-28…..