Numbers-Matching: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 RS

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The 1969 model year marked the last for production of the First Generation Chevrolet Camaro and also signaled that the Z/28 derivative had cemented its place in motoring folklore. After modest initial sales, 20,302 buyers saw the benefit in splashing the extra cash to park one of these classics in their garage. Our feature car is the ultra-desirable Z/28 RS that presents superbly. Adding to its appeal, the Camaro houses its numbers-matching drivetrain that promises excellent performance. Located in Orange, California, the Camaro is listed for sale here on Craigslist. The price of admission for a classic like this will never be low, with potential buyers needing to be willing to hand over $89,000 for the privilege. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L, who continues to demonstrate the ability to spot some fantastic classics for us.

It isn’t easy to know where to start with this Camaro because it has so many strong points that would make it tempting for potential buyers with access to the required funds. Several shades on the 1969 Camaro color palette are breathtaking and Fathom Green rates in the top two or three in my book. Some enthusiasts are not fans of Green cars, but the color suits the Camaro perfectly. When an original owner teams it with a Dark Green vinyl top and White stripes, the visual impact is astounding. The seller indicates that a previous owner treated the Z/28 to a repaint, and it continues to present superbly. The paint has a beautiful depth of shine, and it graces panels that are laser straight. The gaps are tight and consistent, while the stripes look crisp and free from deterioration. The seller states that the car has spent its life in California, making its rust-free status no surprise. Because the original owner ticked the box beside the RS option, the Camaro features the distinctive grille with concealed headlamps. As with the remaining trim and chrome, this appears perfect. The Rally wheels are equally impressive, and they bring me to a point to ponder. Today, many new cars feature alloy wheels, and those with steel versions generally wear full wheel covers. Chevrolet’s Rally wheel proves that a steel wheel can still look classy, especially if its designers place some thought into the styling and add the correct embellishments like trim rings and chrome centers. I think that cars today lose visual impact now that the styled steelie has effectively passed into the pages of automotive history.

When we turn our attention to this Camaro’s interior, the news remains positive. If I were to mark it harshly, I might note some slight wear on the outer edge of the carpet on the driver’s side. It is insignificant, but it probably prevents this aspect of the Z/28 from achieving perfection. The upholstered surfaces are spotless, as are the dash and pad. The interior features the optional console with the sports gauges, while the dash cluster includes a factory tach. Since it is a more hard-edged offering, the interior isn’t loaded with luxury appointments. However, it features a factory AM radio with an optional rear speaker.

Lifting the hood reveals what separates a Z/28 from mere mortals. Chevrolet developed this model to compete in the popular Trans Am series and needed an engine with a capacity below 305ci to compete head-to-head with models like Ford’s Mustang. They achieved this with their 302ci V8 that punched out an “official” 290hp. Standard equipment on this version included a four-speed M20 manual transmission, while the original owner also specified a 12-bolt Posi rear end and power steering. Chevrolet claimed the Camaro could cover the ¼ mile in 15.6 seconds, but that figure only tells part of the Z/28 story. The power and torque curves for these motors demonstrate that they are “peaky” engines that produce their best reasonably high in the rev range. That makes them less suited to the drag strip and more at home on flowing roads or race tracks where a driver can exploit their potential. It also raises the question of the power output figure, with many knowledgeable individuals stating that Chevrolet was somewhat “frugal” with the truth. The widely held belief is that the truth lays well north of 300hp, with some feeling that 400hp could be possible. Whatever the reality, the seller indicates that this Camaro is a numbers-matching classic. It comes with a vast selection of documentation, including the original Window Sticker, Owner’s Manual, and other paperwork. The Z/28 runs and drives perfectly, meaning that it is a turnkey car ready for a spot of motoring pleasure.

In 1969, the Z/28 option added $435 to the purchase price of a new Camaro. That may sound like a bargain today, but it represented an additional 17% over the base sticker price. The RS option added a further $125 to the tally, making our feature car a cool 21% more expensive than a base model. However, more than 20,000 buyers weren’t perturbed and were willing to splash the extra cash for a memorable ownership experience. I can’t declare this Camaro a cheap classic with a clear conscience, but the asking price would seem justified when we assess its overall condition and originality. It has only been on the market a few days, so it will be interesting to see how quickly a buyer pops out of the woodwork.

Comments

  1. Greg B Greg BMember

    It’s nice but just can’t see paying 89k

    Like 6
  2. Claudio

    It is a nice green car , very green car and i am not willing to fork over so much green for a green Z

    Like 5
  3. Frank Sumatra

    Three things I can’t believe about this post:

    1) I can’t believe I paid $1500 for a 1969 Z-28 in 1972.

    2) I can’t believe the current values for these cars.

    3) I can’t believe this car will ever be driven.

    Like 13
    • joenywf64

      I can’t believe Chevy tooled up all these sheet metal body changes for just ONE model year! & yet you can get virtually every part today new including a roof & complete body. & that there were what 70 separate distinct options & a ton of color choices inside & out(how did they do that with primitive computers or none back then yet!) – compare that to the 2008 vs 2021 Dodge Challenger that still has same sheetmetal, if i’m not mistaken! & still hardly a colorful interior available, let alone a ton of things that are optional to make it affordable to people even on a strict budget.

      I also can’t believe that the ’69 camaro did not share the IMO much better looking ’69 updated firebird dash. A big clock front & center is not
      what i want to be looking at, tho i bet no one was ever late driving one of these with the clock. lol

      A green i can live with inside & out!

      Like 6
      • Frank Sumatra

        @joenyw64- I completely forgot about the clock until you mentioned it! I was looking at the tach and never cared about what time it was when I was driving mine.

        Like 0
    • Tyler

      I bought a Hugger orange 69 Z/28 for $1800 in 1981. My father couldn’t understand why I would pay that for a car that needed painting when I could have bought a 69 SS sitting right next to it for the same money that was ready to go. Sold it a few years later, & thought I made a killing by doubling my money. Sheesh!

      Like 3
      • walt

        I sold mine in 74 w/a fresh motor 4 $2500 & was glad 2 lose it then 2 live, getting out of USAF. W/expensive gas then .45 cents a gallon & gas lines around the block, making $1.35 a hour & getting 4-6 miles per gallon [fast miles-heavy foot]. 302 w/350 crank, 12.5 speed pro pistons, roller cam/lifters, gear drive, Edelbrock tarantula hi rise intake & 780 holley, high 12’s-low 13’s street car. It was green & I miss her + many other rides I’ve had over the years. Wish I still had all of them now, oh well, life goes on

        Like 1
    • Steve Jesus

      I paid $1100.00 for a 70, Boss 302 in 1974

      Like 4
      • Ike Onick

        Hell yeah! I defeated the rev limiter in my 1970 Boss in 1974 and blew the engine up.

        Like 2
  4. Don Page Jr.

    If he has documentation, why isn’t there a photo or two of it. At least a photo of the trim tag. I smell something and it ain’t roses.

    Like 1
  5. wuzjeepnowsaab

    If the vin checks – and I have no reason to doubt that it would – this is “worth” 80K all day long if it’s as nice as it presents. There aren’t many left and the RS option makes it even more desirable for collectors. If there’s documentation that shows the trail back to the original owners, even more so. I like it a lot…it wears that green well and even that in a Z is not a common color

    Like 5
  6. Melton Mooney

    It does look like a very correct unmolested RS Z/28. The 12 bolt and manual were not options on the Z btw, they were part of the package, but the many say that power steer was never available on any Z before ’70. A pic of the trim tag or docs would be nice if they help verify the car.

    Like 1
    • walt

      I’m pretty sure I had power steering & brakes on my 69 Z28, I bought it used in 72. I could be wrong thou, I really didn’t need it cause I was 21 & had muscles

      Like 0
  7. YankeeTR5

    Its a nicely presented car. But it will take a lot of dough to make it look like the Z28’s that are fetching the asking price at auctions. Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t need restoration or anything like that but I think this is a case of someone who has carefully used the car and expects just restored money. Always liked the RS option on these….

    Like 0
  8. Keith

    Way,Way to much green both in color and and price.But somebody will pay it.

    Like 1
  9. Ed Casala

    Guys complaining about the price need to realize this a craigslist ad. He is asking for 89K, what he accepts to sell the car is probably a different amount. Nice car, GLWTS.

    Like 1
    • Frank Sumatra

      So your saying the rules of economics are different on CL? How so? I have noticed over the years that most things are sold using the following process: 1) Set price. 2) Place ad. 3) Consider offers. 4) Sell item. 5) Keep item.

      Like 1
  10. Haynes

    Grew up with these cars…rich kids at my school had em and wrecked em…great memories but despite that… for the money…zl1 1le…better, safer and faster… maybe even a decent investment

    Like 0
  11. RoughDiamond

    They bring what they bring that’s for sure. I cannot get over how much different they look with the flat hood and no spoilers though.

    Like 1
  12. John

    I’d not seen a Z/28 with a vinyl roof before this car – interesting. I was told when I bought my 69 Z that power steering and A/C were not available because of the high RPM potential. I sure would have loved P/S. Parallel parking took muscle.

    Like 0
    • Keith

      Yes power steering was a option on the 69Z car but no solid lifter engine was available with A/C.

      Like 1
  13. joenywf64

    Walt, if you lived in LA, i don’t think today’s “premium” unleaded gas(why only 91 octane there, as opposed to 93 octane elsewhere?) would cut it in a ’69 z28 – nor would 93 octane.
    So with these gas prices
    http://www.losangelesgasprices.com
    + octane booster & the car’s horrible mpg, i would think using one could put the avg man in the poor house in short order these days! lol

    Like 1
    • Keith

      This car is a show car and not to be driven like a everyday vehicle.You need leaded race gas at over $10 a gallon for this type of engine. Unless the engine had all the mods to allow for unleaded fuel. I had a friend that we modified his 69 Z/28 and let me tell you put a set of 5:13 gears in and off road cam and made the thing a low 12 second car and was never beat on the street.Good thing gas was cheap back then.

      Like 0
    • walt

      I was keeping me kinda in the poor house then, sold it & got a lwb van & customized it into a ‘on the road home’ & modified rear bed so I transport/travel w/a Triumph 650 Bonneville. Sweet & never looked back. Kinda like a ‘Easy rider thing’. lol. Now my daily driver is a stock ’69 Mach 1′ w/351 windsor, it handles California gas now OK

      Like 0
  14. PRA4SNW

    gone.

    Like 0

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