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No Reserve: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/Z28

The owner of this 1969 Camaro RS/Z28 inherited it from his father, who was obviously a man who was keen on a bit of performance from his motorcars. The owner has now decided that the Camaro needs to go to someone who will be able to restore it and return it to its former glory. It is located in Beaumont, California, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. There has only been a single bid of $25,000 submitted on the Z28 in what appears to be a No Reserve auction. While there has only been that solitary bid to this point, there are 99 people who are currently watching the listing.

It would seem that the owner of the Camaro is not a car enthusiast, because while he is able to provide a basic description of the vehicle, he is reliant upon his grandfather to answer any technical questions about the car. Having said that, it does appear as though he is more than willing to answer these questions, which bodes quite well for any potential buyers. The Z28 is finished in Hugger Orange, and with the wheels that are currently fitted to it, it must have been a tough-looking vehicle in its heyday. We don’t receive much information about the state of the floors and the frame, but given the fact that the car appears to have spent its life in California, there is some cause for cautious optimism. The owner refers to there being rust “on” the trunk, but I’m not sure whether he is referring to what can be seen externally, or whether there might be some present in the trunk pan itself. There is surface corrosion present on other surfaces such as the roof, but actual rot in the external panels and rockers is really minimal. As far as the external trim and chrome are concerned, almost everything appears to be present, but I suspect that the covers for the headlights might be either damaged or missing altogether. If this is the case, then replacement parts are available, but they aren’t particularly cheap. If perfection is key, then a complete grille and headlight door kit is available, but this will cost around $1,200.

The interior of the Camaro might be a bit of a surprise packet because while it looks pretty filthy, the upholstery looks like it might be in good condition. The same would appear to be true of the console, which still has its gauges in place. There are some components that will require replacement, including the dash pad and the carpet set, but I think that the rest of the interior could potentially scrub up quite well with a decent quality cleaner and some plain old hard work.

There are no engine photos provided by the owner, but we do know that the original 302ci V8 and 4-speed manual transmission are both present, but have been removed from the car. The owner states that both will require a rebuild, but it should be well worth the effort. That sweet little engine is capable of producing an “official” 290hp, which is enough to propel a Z28 from 0-60 in 7.3 seconds, and through the ¼ mile in 15.6 seconds. The power output figures have always been the source of some conjecture because while the official rating was 290hp, there are some pretty reliable sources that place the reality at somewhere closer to 350hp. In straight-line performance, the Z28 might lag behind the true muscle cars, but it is a car that really comes into its own when the going becomes twisty. The 302 is a relatively light engine, and with a total vehicle weight of 3,250lbs, the Z28 possessed nimble handling in a 1969 context.

This 1969 Camaro RS/Z28 is in need of a full restoration, but the seemingly complete and solid nature of the car means that it has the potential to be a relatively straightforward project. If the owner is correct and the engine and transmission are original, then once restored, it would be a car that could quite easily command a value of $70,000 or more in today’s market. Leaving the value side of the equation aside for a second, once restored, this has the potential to be one truly rewarding and exhilarating car to own. Combine the two together, and what you have is a restoration car that should be well worth the effort.

Comments

  1. Avatar George Mattar

    Common car. Over priced.

    Like 8
    • Avatar Steve R

      Not to the two people who have already bid on it.

      If it really does have matching numbers it is not overpriced to real buyers. The people on this site aren’t generally in the market for the cars they comment on. It seems like the most vehement are the least interested.

      The seller didn’t do himself any favors with his ad, he is leaving a considerable amount of money on the table by not including pictures on the engine stampings, but that’s his problem.

      If this car is as advertised, someone will have a rare and unusually optioned car when the auction ends.

      Steve R

      Like 34
    • Avatar rick schaper

      sorry but one cannot just go find a 302 4 speed, not common at all, pretty rare actually.

      Like 6
      • Avatar PRA4SNW

        Why find one when the ad clearly states that it comes with the engine and tranny?

        Like 0
      • Avatar Steven Brown

        A 302 is a 327 block with a 283 crank

        Like 0
  2. Avatar JOHN Member

    This is sort of an oddball… vinyl top, no cowl induction, no rear spoiler, Endura bumper option. Not a single underhood photo, nothing of the bottom, which should be easy as high as this car sits, no trunk photo’s limited interior photo’s and only a few of the photo’s are of decent quality. I would love a 69 Z/28, but the pricing on this seems to be optimistic. But, a 69 Z, it will sell.

    Like 4
    • Avatar al8apex

      it is an EARLY build car, notice the straight head rests. The early cars only had the flat hood and the spoilers were an OPTION. Odd that the buyer ordered the RS, vinyl top (although they were VERY popular back then) and endura bumper but not the spoilers

      Like 11
  3. Avatar gaspumpchas

    Not sure on the price, George, but with the original 302 and 4 speed?? I understand the 302’s on these blew up readily (after all it is a Chevy- Can Hear Every Valve Yelling). There’s a believable story about the grandfather, but Zero feedback is a red flag. I put nothing past anything on fleabay. You guys think the orig 302 makes it worth the coin? Sorry for the comment- couldnt resist. I’m a Ford guy, but I like all of em!! Good luck to the new owner!
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 4
    • Avatar Paul

      Gaspumpchas…..I can tell you are not too familiar with these cars…….I have both mustangs and Camaros (camaro are way more durable) at least with my experience.
      After owning both GM and Ford products over the years I see the difference…
      Lots of my family working for Ford… so we all mainly bought Ford products…I had to kinda hide my real feelings that GM products where simply better in my mind from my friends and work colleagues.. Now after taking both apart any understanding both, from a engineering standpoint….I do sincerely believe that Chevy engines are better.
      For Many years I would not admit this. Just like many Ford guys (and Chevy guys) it’s seems as if you don’t believe the other guys products are good…or a least you don’t want to admit it!

      Like 7
      • Avatar gaspumpchas

        Great commentary, paul. I have worked on ’em all and I like them all. I will say its natural for a Ford guy to throw a jab at gm. its in the Genes. And vice versa! I had a 88 ford f100 that literally broke down everytime I drove it. Got to the point that I didnt even take the Dog with me, as I didnt thing it was fair to make her walk home also! I bought a 98 chev c-2500 on ebay 12 years ago for $1300, had 245k on it when I bought it, has almost 300k on it now and it has never let me down. Rust free well used Texas truck. Would drive across country tomorrow. Like i said, sorry for the jab. A guy in high school had a brand new z28, and I will never forget the sound of that solid lifter 302. Sorry this is off topic.
        Cheers
        GPC

        Like 5
  4. Avatar Danger Dan

    I call BS on the $25k offer. That’s the reserve-

    Like 8
  5. Avatar Troy s

    Would enjoy seeing a picture of it from its heyday with those wheels on it. Real sharp.

    Like 3
  6. Avatar rdxblast

    Gone already

    Like 4
  7. Avatar Camaro Joe

    John, there are probably a bunch of 69 Z/28’s out there that are original but not what you see at the average car show. The cowl induction hood was a fairly rare option in 1969. Most of the cars you see with it these days were dealer installed, or added years later.

    The Endura front bumper was an option, one of my cars has it but it’s rare. There were a couple of delete options, one would delete the front and rear spoilers, the other would delete the stripes. Chevy didn’t give you any money back, so almost nobody took that deal. I was 30 years into owning a couple of them before I knew that. Just when you think you know everything, you find out your’re wrong.

    My guess is this is a special order car that the original owner specified exactly what he wanted. Is it worth a lot of money because it’s rare and might be one of one? Probably not. One of my cars was a “spoiler delete” car, but I didn’t like the way it looked when It came from California in 1974, so when I finally got it in 1996 I put spoilers on it when I restored it.

    If you’re going to bid on it, make sure the stamp on the engine block is correct and the 4053-DZ Holley carb is there. The last one of them I bought was $550 and that was 23 years ago. I’m pretty sure then haven’t got cheaper.

    Like 15
    • Avatar Troy s

      Camaro Joe, did any of your Z/28’s have the chambered exaust? I’ve seen pictures of an early Z with a different type of cowl induction set up as well, where one large air snorkel turned back and connected at the firewall. Believe that was a race set up. The cross ram intake, all sorts of eye and ear candy really. Great car.

      Like 0
      • Avatar gbvette62

        Not many Camaros came with chambered exhaust. At the start of 1969 production, the chambered exhaust was standard on the Z/28 and SS396, but it was dropped in November 68. It was then offered as an option until around May 69. Around 1500 cars were ordered with the optional RPO NC8 chambered exhaust system.

        In 67 and 68, the cowl air cleaner was available as an option with the Z/28 package. The cowl induction hood didn’t become available until 69. The cowl air cleaner was a factory option, but was not factory installed. It had to be installed by the dealer or customer, and required cutting a hole in the firewall, above the heater box. Because of this, the firewall hole on original cowl induction Z/28’s, is often pretty jagged and ugly.

        Like 5
      • Avatar Marty Parker

        What is (was) a chambered exhaust?

        Like 0
    • Avatar Steve

      On a related note, i seem to recall my late brother, who was a 69 Camaro nut- his pace car replica was featured on BF) telling me that the trunk rods were different to account for the weight of the trunk spoiler and a sure sign of an “add on” spoiler that wouldnt stay up on its own (as well as factory mounting holes appearing different than dealer or owner drilled holes).

      Like 4
      • Avatar Desertrat

        Steve I own a 69 camaro that came from factory with no spoiler, installed the rear spoiler and it had no effect on the trunk lid staying open. Now what you may be thinking about is the 69/70 mustang., I use to have a 70 Mach 1 also came from factory with out rear spoiler but when I added spoiler the trunk would not stay open due to the extra weight, needed the support rod.

        Like 1
      • Avatar Lynn Member

        Believe it or not the hood springs on the cowl induction hood were different than the springs on the flat hood

        Like 1
    • Avatar Lynn Member

      # correct carb are in the thousands of dollars now. Distributors and alternators too. Also seems like lots of cross ram (not this car) intakes now days. Never a factory option. Dealer or owner installed only. This car has the rear bumper guards. Mandatory on any 69 Z/28. They sat lower so the bumper guards would make the bumpers line up with other vehicles.

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Classic Steel

    Advert pulled already…
    Must of sold directly.
    I sent message on this as my second HS was a 69 rally z blue in color with the rubber bumper.

    Oh well probably saved a marriage with to many cars already

    Like 5
  9. Avatar Matt R

    Pardon my ignorance, is this raised? Or do they sit this high stock?

    Like 0
    • Avatar al8apex

      engine and trans out

      Like 2
      • Avatar Matt R

        Ah weight. That makes sense. Thanks for that.

        Like 1
  10. Avatar JoeNYWF64

    The tailight area should not be black unless this was originally a big block car. Or simply, it was later painted black by owner or a body shop.
    Odd the 1st gen z28 requires rear bumper guards – the 307v8 & 6 cylinder cars do not.
    Performance should be better with the z28, unless it was the tires or driver back then, tho i wonder what the actual NET hp & torque was.
    & I wonder what a 307 does the qtr mile in. lol

    Like 0
    • Avatar al8apex

      painting the rear black was a “thing” back then, especially on one with a black vinyl roof.

      ALL 67-72 Z28’s came standard with the larger/optional rear bumper guards

      Like 3
      • Avatar Stillrunners

        Yep….those bumperetts were a good way to spot the real deal back in the day.

        Like 1
  11. Avatar Frank

    There’s no drivetrain in the car, and a blacked out rear panel, indicative of a big block car.
    How about a picture of the vin and cowl tag for starters . . . and a peak under the hood?

    Like 0
  12. Avatar John Oliveri

    Nah, you never considered his buddy put the first bid in, and was never heard from again, very vague car,

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Frank

    If you look at where the trunk torsion springs are mounted you’ll notice there are two positions. The lower position is for non spoiler cars. The upper position is for spoiler cars. It’s a little difficult to move them to the other position but it can be accomplished with minimal difficulty.

    Like 5
  14. Avatar victor Sanchez

    I have a 1969 Camaro Z/28 302, M21 Garnet red white stripes white interior should have a white vinyl top just didn’t want to ruin a very good paint job, anyway I have come down with Parkinsons which makes it hard to drive the 4 speed if anyone has an Idea what I could get for my Z/28 please let me know, it is totally restored good enough that I wax the under carriage for car shows I have taken best restored several times. I spent around $65,000.00 restoring it /// take care everyone and have a good and safe Christmas and Happy New Year.

    Like 5
  15. Avatar John Oliveri

    Hope you get a million dollars for it, donate half to find a cure, so you get well to enjoy your car again, God Bless Merry Christmas

    Like 2
  16. Avatar Camaro Joe

    Victor, I hope you get well and prosper. Good, but not perfectly restored cars are selling for $35,000 to $40,000, depending if they’re numbers matching or correct motor but not original. Your car should be worth in the $50,000 to $60,000 range if it’s as nice as you say it is.

    Barrett Jackson money is $65,000 to $75,000 (or more, I’ve seen really stupid stuff there), but B/J costs money to get the car there. Then there’s an entry fee, then they take a chunk of your money off the sale price. They won’t take a lot of “reserve” cars, so if it’s “no reserve” you’re hoping they get the right money for it. If the bidders don’t show up . . . . . . . . you’re screwed.

    The bottom line is it’s worth what somebody will pay for it. 97% of the public either doesn’t know what it is, or doesn’t have the money to pay for it. You’re selling to the 3% that want it. The trick is to find them. Selling them of here or Bring-A-Trailer isn’t a bad option. They’re a lot cheaper than B/J.

    Like 2
  17. Avatar Camaro Joe

    JoeNYWF64, the Z/28’s had 15″ wheels, every other Camaro (even COPO cars) had 14″. That was because Penske needed bigger Impala brakes to road race. My guess is that’s the reason for the bumper guards.

    Marty Parker, the chambered exhaust had no mufflers. It has two pipes that crossed each other behind the rear axle where the muffler would have been. They have “dimples” in the pipes that were supposed to dampen the noise. They were loud on a good day.

    I’m helping my friend’s Nephew get his Aunt’s original owner 69 Z/28 running. It’s an original chambered exhaust car. She carried the window sticker in the glove box because the PA cops didn’t like the noise and she had to prove it was factory to keep from getting a ticket for open pipes.

    Troy, that 67/68 cowl induction air cleaner set up has ducts from the base of the windshield cowl area. I’ve seen pictures of them, but I assume they were Trans Am parts.

    Lynn, I bought an original 4053 DZ Holley for my car at the Butler PA swap meet in 1983 for $125. Several people told me I was crazy. It has the Chevy part numbers on it. It had been sitting in a body shop for years, full of crud. Tommy the carb guy didn’t want to rebuild it, but money talks so he did it. That was one of the better things I did in those days. I can believe thousands of dollars now.

    Like 4
    • Avatar 68custom

      I think the 15 inch wheels were installed for bigger better tires and maybe the JL-8 four wheel disc brake option since the front disc brakes were also included on every 69 SS car as well as the Z/28.

      Like 1
  18. Avatar Camaro Joe

    68custom, all first generation 67/69 Z/28’s had 15″ wheels. The 67/68 cars had 15 x 6″ wheels, the 69 models had 15 x 7″ wheels. The JL-8 option was only on 1969 cars. The 15 x 7″ wheels are the same on those cars. I looked at one a while ago, gott’a get back to working on it.

    Like 1
  19. Avatar TimM

    I knew it would not last!!

    Like 0

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