Homologation specials have been part of the automotive landscape for decades, although the practice hasn’t been as prevalent since the dawn of the new millennium. It probably reached its zenith from the 1960s until the late 1980s, spawning vehicles like the Superbird, the Aerocoupe, the BMW E30 M3, and the Mustang Boss 302. Another notable example is the Camaro Z28, which was little more than a thinly-disguised race car for the road. Our feature 1969 Z28 is an absolute gem, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L for spotting it for us. It is listed for sale here on Craigslist in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The seller set an asking price of $89,000 for this 1960s classic.

Subtlety was never the Z28’s strong suit, although the Garnet Red gracing the panels of our feature Camaro is more restrained than other colors on the ’69 color palette. It is hard to find fault with the presentation because every aspect of this classic looks superb. The seller doesn’t mention any previous restoration work, but the lack of paint and panel defects suggests it has received attention. The Z28 shines beautifully, the distinctive Black stripes are crisp, and there are no issues with the trim or glass. Although the single underside shot is of poor quality, it indicates this classic is rock-solid and rust-free. The Z28 rolls on a set of spotless Rally wheels that add an aggressive finishing touch to the exterior.

The positive vibes continue when we examine the Camaro’s interior. The seller indicates they recently replaced the carpet, but the impression is that most of the remaining Black trim and upholstery is original. There are no glaring flaws or faults, and aftermarket additions appear limited to a stereo and matching speakers. The dash and pad are excellent, the console is equally impressive, and there’s no wear on the wheel. I’ve always felt the placement of the sports gauge cluster on the console was an impractical move by Chevrolet, but they form part of the character of the Z28. There’s little doubt that the new owner would feel no shame about the interior condition at a show or a Cars & Coffee.

Everything we’ve seen so far has served as the entree before reaching a tasty main course. Chevrolet developed the Z28 as competition to vehicles like the Mustang Boss 302 in the highly-competitive Trans Am Series. It didn’t heavily promote the badge on its release in 1967, with only 602 buyers handing over their cash to park one in their garage. Two years later, the story was dramatically different. Sales climbed to an impressive 20,302, which is easy to understand when considering the performance potential on offer. Chevrolet developed the Z28 for competition in the 5.0-liter Trans Am category, with its 302ci V8 barely sneaking under the capacity limit and featuring a host of internal upgrades like solid lifters, a forged steel crankshaft, better conrods, and an aluminum intake topped by a Holley carburetor. The company quoted a power output of 290hp, but it was known to be somewhat “frugal” with the truth. Independent testing revealed figures close to 350hp, which makes sense when assessing the specifications. This car features its numbers-matching engine, which feeds its power to a 12-bolt 4.10 Posi rear end via a four-speed Muncie transmission. Power steering and power front disc brakes should remove the physical effort from the driving experience. Although Chevrolet didn’t design the Z28 for the strip, it could still cover the ¼ mile in 15.6 seconds. However, one glance at the power and torque curves demonstrates the focus was clearly on track competition, with power peaking at 5,800rpm and maximum torque delivery occurring at 4,500rpm. The seller states they recently rebuilt the Z28’s front end with new shocks and springs. They don’t provide information on how it runs or drives, but the visual condition suggests the news should be positive.

Some classic cars will blend into the background like an automotive chameleon, while others make a bold visual statement. This 1969 Camaro Z28 fits perfectly into the second category and will command respect from enthusiasts. The asking price means it isn’t on speaking terms with affordability, but recent sales results, consistent value increases, and its overall condition should justify the figure. I’d be surprised if the seller has a seething horde beating on their door with a fist full of cash, but I won’t be surprised if they find a buyer pretty quickly. Do you agree?