Some classics possess the “wow” factor courtesy of exceptional preservation or a meticulous restoration, while others achieve it by virtue of their mechanical specifications. This 1969 Chevrolet Camaro falls comfortably into the second category because its engine bay houses one of the rarest and most desirable engines produced by an American manufacturer. It is a genuine, date-correct ZL-1 V8 making mountains of power and torque. It is wrapped in a package that presents superbly, and is set to find a new home. The seller has listed the Camaro here on eBay in Goldsboro, North Carolina. They set their BIN at $185,000, but there is the option to make an offer.
There’s a lot to unpack with this First Generation Camaro, which recently emerged into the light of day following two decades of museum display. The Cowl Tag confirms its original owner ordered it in Azure Turquoise, but it underwent a color change to stunning Hugger Orange. I believe this happened before its display life commenced, and the lack of active service helps explain why it remains beautifully preserved. The seller describes the finish as “show quality,” and it is hard to dispute that assessment. The panels are laser-straight, and the paint shines like a mirror. There is no evidence of rust in any of the original steel beyond a small bubble near the left-hand outer wheel housing. The underside shots confirm that the Camaro is rock-solid and clean enough to eat your lunch off. I can’t spot any issues with the trim or glass, but the spoilers, cowl induction hood, and wider steel wheels suggest there is more to this classic than first meets the eye.
It is disappointing that the seller doesn’t supply better engine shots because what hides under the hood is the undoubted star of the show. It is a 427ci V8 that sends its power to a 12-bolt rear end via a four-speed M22 “Rock Crusher” manual transmission. However, this big-block is no ordinary motor. It is a genuine date-correct ZL-1 powerplant that has achieved legendary status due to its rarity and cost. The seller claims that it is 1-of-230 engines produced in 1969, and while I can’t confirm that figure beyond doubt, the astronomical cost of these brutes makes the claim believable. Many motors were utilized for Can Am racing purposes, while some were sold over the counter at dealerships. Sixty-nine were bolted into Camaros courtesy of special dealer orders using COPO 9560. Most were destined for drag racing purposes, but it is a little-known fact that two of those cars found their way to Australia. Tire magnate Bob Jane ordered both. An automatic version saw ¼-mile action, while Jane used the manual version to win the 1971 Australian Touring Car Championship. That car has been meticulously restored and remains in the hands of a private collector. Close-up shots of this engine reveal the distinctive “snowflakes,” confirming that the aluminum engine block and cylinder heads are genuine Winters castings. It has received a rebuild, with a range of upgraded internal components pushing the already impressive output beyond 600hp. The seller supplies this YouTube video that features the engine running. It sounds as tough and lumpy as you might expect from a V8 with an aggressive camshaft, with no evidence of anything untoward. They also include documentation confirming the ZL-1’s specifications and receipts verifying the work performed.
This Camaro’s interior is underwhelming, but that isn’t because it is tired or neglected. It is simply because the ZL-1 is a hard act to follow! There is nothing wrong with its presentation or condition, and it is comfortably acceptable for a vehicle of this caliber. The Black vinyl upholstered surfaces are free from marks and distress, with the carpet in a similar state. The dash and pad are spotless, and the dash retains the factory AM radio. The under-dash gauge cluster helps the driver monitor the health of the beast under the hood, and a Sony CD player is hidden in the glovebox.
This 1969 Camaro is a stunning car, and its only genuine fault appears to be the small paint bubble mentioned by the seller. It will undoubtedly attract attention wherever it goes, but crowds will swell once they learn what is hiding under the hood. It isn’t a numbers-matching classic, but the new owner will slip behind the wheel of a car that is as close as possible to the real deal. This is the seller’s second attempt to send it to a new home, and the BIN figure means they will have a limited base of potential buyers. Their challenge will be to find someone with the cash to splash on what is, after all, a luxury purchase. Do you think they will succeed or need to lower their expectations?
Auction car. Fact is, I remember the lettering on the windshield, I just can’t remember which show, but it’s optioned with original features, and detailed to the nines, typical of auction cars. Perhaps being a bit presumptuous, when they got it home, the old lady blew a gasket, “HOW MUCH?” and here’s your chance if you missed it. I bet it happens more than they will admit. It was fun for a while.
Good old days. My 69 Z28 crossram 2×4 four speed sticker was
Good old days. My 69 Z28 crossram 2×4 four speed sticker was $5270. If we only knew then what we know now. Have a good day
45270
Yes good old days. My very first Camaro just sold last year at Mecum for $175K. Had I only kept it longer than 9 years but family came along. I knew it was a rare 1 of 602 67 Z28 but didn’t know all the backstory as it was a short term test vehicle that was then sold to Rinke Chevy in Warren after Pete Estes and Vince Piggins put on almost 4000 miles testing it. Bought it for $1800 in 1970 with 24000 miles on it.
In the ebay description the buyer could be a little more transparent about the fact this is a tribute car, not a real factory ZL1.
The 185K price tag plainly denotes that it’s a clone.
I get the clone thing and it’s value.
Over here a clone of a GTHO phase III, will set you back a cool quarter of a million. And the base car would have started life as a Falcon 500 (base model).
But to get that money, it has to have everything (date correct) that a HO had.
Genuine phase III’s start at $1.25 million. Not bad for a car that sold new for $3500 Aus. (My dad bought one new, I can vouch the Speedo needle went past 140mph.)
So I completely understand the value of this car, and I learnt something about GM’s special engines.
Thanks barn finds for educating me.
You learned something!
Why the tire blocks? Is there a problem with the brakes? For the asking price I wonder why everything isn’t perfect
The car is perhaps on a slope and the seller is just being cautious with their “investment.” My driveway has a slight slope to it so when I pull my Olds out of the garage, if I am washing or working on it, I’ll chock either one of two wheels – and my brakes work fine. Not worried about it rolling down the driveway, it’s more out of habit than anything else.
should have been “either one or two…” Too bad there is no way to edit one’s comment.
$185K tor a tribute car???? Please, GMAB!!!
Froze emergency brake cable is my guess
Bull. He’s just over cautious due to the incline for a very expensive car.
It’s much faster going downhill
It would be much more stunning if it was still turquoise imo.
Another thing, I don’t want to hear paint bubble on a $185k car.
Does it say the mileage on this?
Does this say the mileage since it was sitting in a museum?
I am kind of curious, as I have no idea, but what value might the motor have by itself. I imagine they are close to non-existent?
A virgin motor just sold on B-A-T for $50,000.
I bought an actual 1966 L72 motor original and complete minus oil pan and water pump for 7K in 2015.
Purchased at Bill Thomas racing in Anaheim new and went straight in a boat.
I can’t imagine this motor in a Camaro or a Vette as my big a$$ Biscayne gets all squirrely with any kind of rubber under it. Did I mention race gas only?
That was not an L72 motor in the 1969 ZL 1 corvette. That was a completely new motor.
nice car. shame it’s not the factory born color.you don’t see very many that color and would have made this 1 just a bit more special. good luck to the seller.
So unless I’m missing something, this isn’t even a true COPO car, let alone a ZL-1………clone car built from what???……that engine obviously has value, no doubt…….but not $185 k value!!!…….color change, custom exhaust now on the car…..not for me, not at that figure…….but they say, a sucker is born every day…….lol!…….
Let me see, I found 35 cents under the couch cushions 42cents in my glove box and 15cents on the garage shelf.. dang it I’m combining up short. Maybe next car…
I find it odd that without the rear spoiler & RWLs, from a distance, parked, this could be mistaken for grandma’s car. Yet she could have ordered a ’69 RS with the 230 6 cylinder(which came with a blacked out grill) & optional nose “racing” stripe.
Thank God the car was not described as a, “Tribute”, or, “Homage”.
First, the reason that you use wheel chauks for a car of this stature is so whoever jumps in to steal it has to exhibit professional driving abilities.
Secondly, plain and simple. It’s a beautiful beast.
Sometimes you guys get a little bit too serious. Fun and get a good laugh every now and then.
Anyone on this third rock can and will, and always are asking more for what they have and will always find disclaimers as to what you have.
Remember the old adage. Probably heard it from your dad or maybe grandpa.
Come on guys, anyone who has this kind of crazy money for this kind of crazy car will fly their personal “old guy” history mechanic out to touch feel and squeeze this car.
Damn I enjoy this format. I get a kick in ass every time I find a dream car. You all are fun.
Not a COPO and not a tribute, BUT a real deal ZL-1 alum block engine… Those alone run $50,000, not sure the rest of the car is $130,000 worth, but I could see this car fetching close to if not just over $100K
I have a REAL COPO Camaro for sale, it has a date correct 427 Iron Block, looks as good as this one, in it’s original Dusk Blue and can be had for a quite a bit less than $180K
Ok you experts, first off, you cannot clone a car. It is a replica. And as mentioned at this price, it is a replica or tribute car. Secondly, there are parts on this car that are NOT OEM GM. That starter motor for one. It is a very nice car that you can get in and drive, but will not win any top awards at MCACN if that’s your goal.
I don’t think the seller is claiming that you’ll win any MCACN awards with it. Nowhere in the seller’s description do I see claims that this is a COPO car (it isn’t, VIN is not listed in the registry and the VIN is too late in the run). He’s not even calling it a tribute car, although, that’s probably the closest, best description, as it is an X11 body code and is built in the style of most of the COPO cars. The ZL-1 engine immediately jumps this car up and although, as I mentioned previously, I don’t see $185K in her, I’m pretty sure someone will buy this car and hopefully enjoy it as it was intended, for low 100,000 dollar area.
IF the car was a COPO car and had a transplanted ZL-1 engine, they might be close to $180K on her.
Re the Bob Jane Camaro, CAMS (Conspiracy Against Motor Sport) banned the ZL-1 427. Despite the fact it was a factory option.
Reengined with a 350, it still won the championship the next year.
All this and no idea on rear end gears? Please… Sad it will be squirreled away and not driven like it was meant to.
Flat out ridiculous. I’ll take 5 daily street drivers for that amount so I can take them out & hammer the snots out of them till the wheels fall off or scattershield, scatters! Exactly use them for what they were MADE for! Not into trailer queens AT ALL! Especially replicas. REPLICA!!
If I’m going to wear a fur coat, you can damn well bet it’ll be a CHINCHILLA & not FAUX! GEEZ!