Few enthusiasts will argue that some classics are more deserving of legendary status than others. Of those that have rolled from American factories, the First Generation Camaro Z28 will comfortably make that list. This 1969 example is stunning, from its sparkling paint to its original drivetrain. It would be ideal for someone seeking an investment-grade classic, but there is one further piece to the puzzle that may make it irresistible. The Z28 is listed here on eBay in Newport Beach, California. Frantic bidding has pushed the price to $58,100. However, the seller’s decision to list it with No Reserve might lead you to view it as an automotive must-have.
When Chevrolet released the First Generation Camaro in 1967, the best-kept secret was the Z28 option. Few people were aware of this package that was designed to homologate the Camaro for Trans Am competition. The company only sold 602 examples during the first year, but the cat was soon out of the bag. The total rose to 7,199 the following year, and our feature car is 1-of-20,302 produced during 1969. I typically avoid using terms like “iconic” when describing classics featured at Barn Finds. However, when the subject turns to paint shades, the Hugger Orange cloaking this Camaro’s exterior falls comfortably into that category. The seller confirms the Z28 underwent restoration but that this occurred years ago. Its overall presentation suggests it hasn’t seen much active service since because the paint is almost perfect, and the panels are laser-straight. The gaps are tight and consistent, and the underside shots reveal that life in California has left this Z28 rust-free. The spoilers and Cowl Induction hood add a sense of presence and were features designed to maximize the chance of competition success. The trim and glass appear flawless, with the same true of the Rally wheels and their fittings.
It is sometimes easy to focus on one particular aspect of a vehicle’s performance while missing its “big picture” potential. Such can be the case with the Camaro Z28. This car features its beautiful 302ci V8 that produces 290hp and 290 ft/lbs of torque. Those ponies feed to a 4.10 Posi rear end via a four-speed manual transmission, with power front disc brakes bringing proceedings to a safe halt. The ¼-mile ET of 15.6 seconds is hardly overwhelming, but that emphasizes how easy it is to miss the true nature of cars of this caliber. That V8 doesn’t produce maximum torque until the tach hits 4,200 rpm, while peak power arrives at nearly 6,000. Therefore, the drag strip is not this car’s natural habitat. Chevrolet developed its engine for circuit work where the driver could maintain a constant flow and row through the transmission to extract the best from the Z28. Therefore, this classic’s new owner will find this car most rewarding on a twisting ribbon of tarmac. The seller indicates this is a numbers-matching vehicle in excellent mechanical health. It runs and drives perfectly, and this YouTube video helps its cause. It provides a comprehensive walkaround and lets us hear that sweet V8 in action. There are no signs of smoke or odd noises that might indicate deeper issues.
Finding anything worth criticizing about the Camaro’s interior is almost impossible, but it features a couple of surprising options to improve occupant comfort. The seats are trimmed in Black vinyl and Houndstooth cloth that is free from wear. The carpet is equally impressive, and there are no signs of problems with the dash, pad, or console. The faux woodgrain looks flawless, and this interior would undoubtedly receive positive comments if the new owner were to rock up to a Cars & Coffee. It features the items you would typically expect, including a factory tachometer and the sports gauge cluster on the console. However, those seeking a more luxurious motoring experience will welcome the ice-cold factory air conditioning and the AM/FM stereo radio. I am unsure how many buyers ordered a ’69 Z28 with A/C, but I think this might be one of the first I have ever seen.
You have probably gathered that I like this 1969 Camaro Z28, and I admit I would happily park it in my garage if I had the available cash. The auction action confirms I am not alone because it has already attracted fifty-nine bids. Classic auctions tend to intensify as the end draws near, and I see no reason why that shouldn’t be the case here. The idea of the bidding total climbing into triple figures could easily come to pass, but it will be fascinating to see whether we have any readers willing to make a play for this classic. The No Reserve status means it is guaranteed to find a new home, so why shouldn’t it be yours?
You could not option a Z28 with AC because of the high rev range. It is clearly aftermarket using a factory AC dashboard layout likely installed during the restoration.
Yes air detracts from the originality of the car. To each their own I suppose. Air was first offered in ’73 but not with the close ratio 4-speed. The high reving nature of the solid lifter engines and low axle ratios eliminated the availability of air.
The compressor on the AC in this car is the “rotary” 5 cylinder Japanese unit introduced in the late ’60s for the high winding engines they were putting in their cars. No vibration and no rev limit. The old GM, Ford, and Chrysler units wouldn’t handle much above 4000 rpm.
Watching TV auctions, I can say without any reservation, it’s this car, and cars like it, that are the biggest draw, and for good reason. There’s simply nothing else in the world like it. In the 60s and 70s, we were still very much a “build our own, buy our own” country. We had little information on what other countries had for cars, nor cared for that matter. We had freakin’ Z28s, for crying out loud. Not much could top that,,,or so we thought. Well, we took them for granted, and trashed 98% of them. They were built to beat the heck out of. Then the global thing took hold, and suddenly folks around the world found out what a ’69 Z28 really was. While I’m sure some of these stay here, many bought at auction go far away. By far my favorite Z28 and again, rarely, if ever seen, and believe me, me and my buddies would have noticed a car like this.
After market A/C is a turn off for me. Hugger Orange (72-72) is wrong shade. It is a actual orange color and not a shade of red. The Hugger Orange car I had came with white stripes and also was a Rally Sport car.
In 1997 I was managing a Tire Warehouse in Claremont, N.H. A customer from Lempster who owned a restoration shop came and ordered 4 P235/60/R15 B.F. Goodrich Radial T/As. He came in the next week and pulled in a 1970 Orange Hemi Cuda. Tech mounted and balance the tires. As he was paying the bill, I stated that it will be nice to see this beauty on the road again. He replied that the Cuda next stop was a container that was being shipped to Japan. As he left, I just shook my head.
Absolutely, Howard. This car was really the closest you could get to a race car in the crazy 1960’s. It was a near-perfect blend of power and handling.
Certainly gets a big WOW! from me.
I have a twin to this car, if you aren’t local you won’t like driving it home with the 4.10 rear gears. I drove mine 900 miles to my 10 year college class reunion in 1985. The car ran great, but the noise from the solid lifter 302 got really old after a few miles.
The next few times I went to a class reunion I had the cars on a trailer behind my Suburban.
I am in the process of selling off a commercial building that i have had for years , some of the money made will go to help the needy but some is going to be spent on a big block convertible camaro 1969 that i will only keep for a year but i will get to relive younger times !
This one is a beauty but i had one and a tin top doesn’t do it for me …
YOLO
The 69 Z28 is my favorite! Its one of only two cars in my life that I owned twice. It was Cortez Silver over black that I purchased when it was only a few years old. Years later I called the person I sold it to and purchased it back for the same money but in far less condition. They say the third time is the charm, I wonder where it is today ha!
If it had the cross ram intake and the high lift cam this thing would be a real beast.In reality these dyno’d at right around 306hp and we all know these run well into the 7-8000rpm range thanks to the solid lift valvetrain.GM slightly underrated these for insurance reasons,over 300hp and premiums would be alot higher.The best small block GM ever made,hands down….
Agree. I will never forget the first time I touched around 7000 RPM in my 1969. I had never heard an engine scream like that. What a sound!
I think you are a little bit light with 306 hp… there was a dyno sheet floating around one of the Z28 forums of a stock 69 getting almost 280 rear wheel horsepower, so that is around 322 HP at the crank. But hey, 322 is fairly close to the 306 mark. There are other claims of 350-400 HP, who knows. All I know is I want one… sort of a bucket list car for me.
My parents had a Z-28/RS , yellow with black stripes. It had the dual carb crossram , no body ever managed to stay ahead of us.
No negatives from me, Beautiful!
The driving experience of a real Z-28 is unreal. It was truly a race car turned loose on the streets. If you didn’t keep the revs up, you had fouled plugs constantly. It was the most ridiculous street car, but man, what a blast it was to drive! Current performance cars are probably faster, but are far more refined than these beasts.
I would be interested to know if that AC compressor throws the belt every time you really get jiggly with that tach spun up to about 6000 rpm.
Although I like first gen Camaros, Gen 2 With the 350-LT1 M22 & 12 bolt that’s a monster motor.
Nothing like the 302……nothing.
No one is paying attention apparently, the trim tag on the firewall is the dead giveaway read it a x77 code should be there which would qualify it as a base real z28 a lot of money for a clone
I was intrigued until I learned of the aftermarket A/C; that not only detracts from the originality of the car, it also limits this car to being a low-speed boulevard cruiser. Still a sweet-looking ride.
Better have a trunk full of spark plugs if you are going to boulevard cruise. Lug that car and the carb will load up the plugs in just few miles of cruising. You had to drive everywhere at 2500-3000rpm+
There are a few Sanden compressors that will rev to 9500 rpm, but this looks to be a typical model, good only for about 6000 rpm.
I bought a brand new one in the latter part of 1969. It was the last of the first gen, I put a couple thousand miles on it and took to out to Lyon’s drag strip. Best run was a 13.8. Awesome car.
I’m reminded of the ’67, red w/stripes I bought from Fletcher Jones Chevrolet back in early ’68. The tach went to 7k, so I don’t know how high it would rev, just tossed the lining off the clutch, twice! One sweet, bullet proof engine.
No one ordered this car with A/C. NA.
Nice car but that is not a disc brake master cylinder and if you really want to keep it a legit Z/28, NO A/C. One last beef, if someone is going to restore a car to the degree this one is, why can’t they put the correct tires on it.