Chevrolet introduced its new Camaro “pony car” in 1967 to compete against the widely popular Ford Mustang. They even went as far as developing “Special Performance Package Z28” to challenge the Mustang on the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) Trans Am circuit. While the Z/28 nameplate has stuck around for years, the original concept with a special 302 cubic inch V8 was only a three-year iteration. This ’69 Camaro Z/28 looks beautiful, but not perfect, and the seller believes the odometer reading of just 17,.000 miles is accurate. Located in Homer City, Pennsylvania, this driver-quality Camaro is available here on eBay where the bidding holds at $55,600.
To compete in SCCA, the Z/28 couldn’t have an engine that measured more than 305 cubic inches. To get there, the engineers took a 327 block with a 283 crankshaft to come up with a 302 V8 that was conservatively rated at 290 hp (sources suggest it was more like 360). The motor was not carried over in the 1970 Camaro redesign when a 350 took over Z/28 duties. Production numbers of the first-generation Z/28 were low: 602 in 1967, 7,199 in 1968, and 20,302 in 1969, the year of the seller’s car. As an option, the RPO Z28 usually cost around $400.
Two things about the seller’s Camaro Z/28 are not original, but he/she has verified its authenticity. The paint was changed at the dealer from Fathom Green to Tuxedo Black (why?) and the engine block was replaced under warranty in 1970, though the hang-on parts are mostly from the original set-up. The M20 4-speed manual transmission is the one that came with the car new. The same can be said for the suspension parts except for the shocks.
The black interior is from the factory and looks to be in great condition, though the carpeting may be a bit faded in places. The sheet metal is good, and the finish presents well enough, although the seller admits there is some checking and blemishes in the 54-year-old repaint. It’s suggested that this Camaro could make a fine “driver” for the foreseeable future before forking out the big bucks for a restoration. And if did opt to restore this Chevy, would you go back to the Fathom Green finish?
“I was told”, “probably” not the words you want to see in your collector car ad….
That 302 was a race car motor put in a street car. Most likely over 400 hp and a motor that would turn over 7000 RPM’s.
“most likely” sounds convincing.
Easily made 350-360 out of the showroom but could be improved. A friend (yeah I know) had a 69 and I helped him reinstall the balanced and blueprinted 302. It dynoed at a little over 400 hp with the factory manifolds and single 850 double pumper,
I know I’m old when these sell for $60-100k+ plus. A few friends in HS had these and I thought they paid too much($3k) in 1978. I remember one that was a ’69 Z/28-RS, Hugger Orange-white stripes, cowl hood and those 302 emblems. Looker and it sounded sooo good!
Could find them all day for $12-15 hundred back in the early to mid ’70’s!
No Tach? why? They knew everyone would put an aftermarket one in?
Just answered my own question, and every $$ counts. Still needs a big Sun Tach on the Column.
A military buddy of mine had a mint red one with the rally strips. It wasn’t the fastest but it was the prettiest. Nice Camaro
My mother’s was yellow with black rally stripes and the dual 4bl w/crossram intake option. There were only 203 with that option package
Tack was in the dash
I own a 69 Camero in the green with white stripes. It originally came with a I6 in it, but that had a broken piston in it when I bought it. Previous owner had added the stripes. With the help of my dad and a really good Chevy parts man, we built a 302 for it. Don’t know why they would change the paint at the dealer unless something BAD happened in transit to the dealer!
I’m pretty sure that the crossram option was dealer installed only and not offered by the factory. There were three ’69 Z-28s in our high school parking lot in 1970. Two of them were identical, light green with white stripes. The third was dark green with white stripes and he still has it. Iconic pieces of machinery for sure.
Agreed, apparently my mother’s Z/28 RS, yellow with black stripes , had the cross ram installed when it was delivered at the dealership.
I won a big bet with college prof. Economics. Bet was i didn’t have to write the final exam, if i showed him Chevrolet made a 302 ? 🥴 Pre internet bet obviously lol. He thought he knew cars, 😵 misses one of the great motors made. Of course its always been overshadowed by the Ford.
I read somewhere the 302 is about the finest balanced engine there ever was.
Any hi perf non RS ’69 camaros come with a blacked out grill? If no, odd.
Am i STILL seeing above original Chevy motor mounts, at least on the driver’s side, with the recall fix of a cable looped around?! How safe is that “fix”?
Do any aftermkt or even NOS chevy motor mounts still have the defect?
I had a 69 “Zipper” Z06. Medium blue- black stripes, black interior. Damn that thang was fun. I had the engine rebuilt at one time by some really big gear heads. I could just fire her up but break on & she would rock back & forth with the cam they put in her. She was wicked fast. Ate Road Runners for breakfast & Mustangs for lunch…lol
You would have ate most of them before the big cam.
The crossram intake with 2 4bbl carbs would take the hp numbers to 400hp+.with a 3in stroke was able to attain the 7000rpm and a solid lifter cam.
Could find them all day for $12-15 hundred back in the early to mid ’70’s!
I thought the real ones came with hide-away head lights?