Shortly after Chevrolet introduced the Camaro in 1967, the Z28 was created to compete in the Sports Car Club of America’s Trans Am Series. As such, its engine was limited (at the time) to 302 cubic inches and that motor was exclusive to the Z28 model. The seller of this ’69 Z28 had three for sale earlier this year here on Barn Finds, but has sold two so far, leaving this rough project as the only remainder. It comes with two engines, one being the original “DZ 302” the car was built with.
With limited production in 1968, Chevy ramped up Z28 assemblies the next year, selling more than 20,000 units. The $458 extra you paid for a Z28 when new also got you a cowl-induction hood, front disc brakes, and the F41 suspension that included tires and rims of greater width for better handling. The 302 V8 was rated at about one horse per cube, and you could only get the Z28 with a 4-speed manual transmission.
This Z28 once wore Dust Blue and white paint, but the car was exposed to a garage fire. It managed to escape before the vehicle was reduced to a crispy cinder. Yet the paint was ruined, the grill melted, and all of the glass would need to be replaced. On top of that, the Camaro spent a lot of time in the rough winters of the Midwest and rust is an issue. But the panels are original and perhaps some pieces can be saved.
The original 302 V8 has been taken apart and the 4-speed is out of the car. But a running 350 V8 with a Muncie 4-speed from 1970 resides under the hood. The seller has a collection of OEM parts that will accompany the sale. If the photos don’t tell you the whole story, the seller does have some videos to provide upon request. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this rare Z28 is available here on eBay where the opening bid of $18,500 has been cast with a reserve yet to be met. The seller is only the Chevy’s third owner and perhaps it can be saved. Thanks for the tip, Mitchell G.!
It was called Dusk Blue and the cowl hood also was an option, did not come standard with the Z 28 options…or a console and gauges…I have had 5 or 6 of them.
Early build with no X code. The block #s better match, otherwise there’s not much Z to build on.
Could this possibly be in any worse shape?
It certainly could be in a lot worse condition. It could have been burnt to a crisp in that fire. It could have been modified into a dirt track car. It could have been driven into a large tree at 100mph. A lot of things could have made it a lot worse than it currently is.
You are right, this isn’t that bad. A few years ago a friends subdivision burned to the ground. His family took one vehicle, his truck was left in the driveway and his 93 Mustang LX was in the garage. Every aluminum part on each was melted into puddles, anything that wasn’t metal had vaporized, every body panel was warped and had no structural integrity. Even the dirt bikes were reduced to frames. There wasn’t one piece of any car that was salvageable.
This car doesn’t even look like any if the body panels are warped.
Steve R
Bummer, I’ve always liked the 69 for some reason. Mike Decker in shop class has a fathom green one at Hickman High. $18.5K is a bit steep for me. I’ll buy a shell and make my own. Orange with Houndstooth seats to match my 1972 C/10 Pickup. The Drifter
$18,000! You have got to be kidding me. After a fire, there won’t be a single body panel that isn’t history. With the exception of the DZ motor, this thing is worth salvage money. I’m sure that many will disagree, but there is absolutely no reason to take this home at $18000.
Seller shows NOTHING for a bidder to think it is in fact a Z.
Every rubber and plastic part underneath is wasted.
Who cast that bid Ray Charles?