It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, which is undoubtedly the case with the above image of this 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28. It is the sign leaning against the front wheel that is key because this classic still sits on the Firestone tires it wore when it left the factory. That sounds incredible, but it is no less so than the rest of the story surrounding the Z28. The seller has been its custodian for twenty years, maintaining and preserving this Camaro to an exceptionally high standard. All good things must end, and the time has come for this amazing vehicle to find a new home. Therefore, the seller has listed it here on eBay in Hickory, Mississippi. The four submitted bids fall below the reserve at $55,100, but there is a BIN option of $175,000 for those who wish to splash their cash on what could be one of the best original ’69 Z28s left on the planet.
The history of this Camaro is documented by one of the most extensive collections of paperwork I have ever seen. It dates back to Day One and covers an eight-foot long table. Everything that a purist could wish for is included, seemingly guaranteeing that this classic doesn’t hold any mysteries for potential buyers. The first owner ordered the car in Garnet Red, and the first thing they did upon getting it home was to swap out the original wheels and tires for aftermarket items. They squirreled the Rally wheels and Firestone Sport Car 200 tires in a dry corner of their workshop, where they avoided the type of deterioration that can destroy rubber. The car saw active service until it was parked under a cover in 1978. It remained virtually forgotten until being discovered by the second owner in 1991. The Camaro was impressively well preserved, with no evidence of rust. However, its presentation wasn’t up to scratch, with the owner treating it to a meticulous nut-and-bolt refresh that focused on achieving a factory-fresh result. I believe they achieved that goal, with the car seeing limited use until the seller became its custodian around twenty years ago. The lack of activity during the past three decades means that the car still presents as beautifully as it did in 1993. There are no chips, marks, scratches, or other imperfections. It has avoided the rust problems that often plague these classics, retaining all of its original Chevrolet steel. The plated trim is exceptional, and the glass is crystal clear. If you parked this Camaro on a Chevrolet showroom floor today, it wouldn’t look out of place.
The Z28 option was one of Chevrolet’s great unintentional secrets when the company launched the Camaro in 1967. Only 602 buyers handed over the money for one during the first year, but the cat was out of the bag pretty quickly. By 1969, that total had swelled to 20,302, and the Z28 badge had cemented its place in automotive folklore. The company produced it as a homologation special for the highly competitive Trans Am series, offering a single drivetrain configuration. Buyers received a 302ci V8, a four-speed manual transmission, and a 12-bolt rear end. The engine generates 290hp and 290 ft/lbs of torque by Chevrolet’s admission, although many enthusiasts believe that the true figures are higher. The originality of our feature car extends to the drivetrain, which is numbers-matching. The first owner accrued 54,000 miles on the clock before parking the Z28 in 1978. The odometer now reads 58,100, indicating that while it hasn’t been driven into the ground. It hasn’t spent every day hidden away in a garage. It has been driven and enjoyed, and the new owner could continue that trend with this turnkey classic.
The seller states that the only non-original item inside this Camaro is the vinyl on the driver’s seat base. The rest of the Black trim is genuine, and its condition is exceptional. There is no evidence of wear, deterioration, or UV damage. The dash and pad are spotless, with the same true of the console and carpet. It has avoided the oft-seen aftermarket additions, retaining the factory radio and console-mounted sports gauge cluster. It doesn’t merely look good, because the seller states that everything inside this car works exactly as it did when it left the factory.
I initially stated that this 1969 Camaro Z28 may be one of the best examples left on the planet, and I stand by that belief. Purists will point out that it isn’t totally original following the restoration work, and that is a valid point. However, the previous owner didn’t stray from the path taken by Chevrolet during the original build, merely ensuring that the car presented to the same standard that the company would have achieved on its best day. The seller’s BIN is eye-watering, and many readers will question whether it is justified. It certainly isn’t if you believe NADA of Hagerty, especially since values have dropped marginally during the past year. However, some enthusiasts will throw caution to the wind, spending well beyond what seems a logical amount because they simply must own the car of their dreams. Do you think that will be the case, or will the seller have to compromise if this Z28 is to find a new home?
It’s a beautiful car.
My second car in HS was a rally Z28 camaro. Blue and white stripes etc
I am sure this will be close to a Yenco
Camaro price.
58,000 miles on original tires for $175k, i think i will pass.
Tell us that you didn’t even read the write-up without telling us that you didn’t even read the write-up.
What write-up?
Ideal Camaro package. Wow. 🏁
Beautiful car, I’m not sure about the asking price, but EBay? Why not an auction? That’s where I see these cars.
Don’t want to be rich, winning the lottery would destroy my happy life, and probably marriage.
And on my way to self destruction Id buy this car.
Yes, Old Grey, my sentiments exactly.
Just a poor dirt farmer trying to scratch a living out of the land.
Knowing a complete nut/bolt restoration is worthy of top dollar,(and rightly so, kudos to the owner) does the value of 4 original tires really have that much impact on the asking price? I could see the added value if say the car was totally original and unrestored riding on the originals having never been off the car.
But in the end, if this gets max $ for the owner then again kudos are due.
GLWTS, great car.
Wow, with original tires, this one was not abused at the drag strip or a rally coarse. Unless those original tires were removed for a while, while some substitutes were installed.
From Adam’s write up: “The first owner ordered the car in Garnet Red, and the first thing they did upon getting it home was to swap out the original wheels and tires for aftermarket items. They squirreled the Rally wheels and Firestone Sport Car 200 tires in a dry corner of their workshop, where they avoided the type of deterioration that can destroy rubber.” This might be the best Z/28 in the country, spectacular!
Read the article and you would know he removed them shortly after purchasing it new!
Those tires have to be cracked after 56 years, I wouldn’t go over 10mph on them. Nice car but it doesn’t have all the trim and options.
Tell us that you didn’t even read the write-up without telling us that you didn’t even read the write-up.
Sorry, I ain’t buying’…..I’ve heard & seen some crazy price figures, but this has to be the absolute worst….the miles on the car certainly don’t help…..engine (& possibly other driveline parts should be gone thru)….unless you’re a lottery winner or deep pocket millionaire & just have to have it…….I’m truly hoping no true enthusiast bites on this one…….
The price seems steep but someone will probably pay it due to the documentation and originality. Barret-Jackson would be a better venue to bring top dollar. The Palm Beach auction is coming soon and there’s still time to consign.
At that price, it will never be driven again. What a shame. Each to his/her own.
I’m not sure having the original tires matters when the car has 58,000 miles and has had so much work done. It’s like Dolly Parton bragging about having her original teeth. Besides, they render the car useless, because no matter how carefully they were stored, 56-year-old tires are not safe to drive on.
No kidding, really?
Being nit picky (with this car you have to be), if I were trying to sell a $175k car I would spend a little time doing prep work…pull the floor mats out of the back seat area, straighten out the belts on the seat, vacuum EVERYWHERE, polish the exhaust tips…before taking pics.
It’s a beautiful car. Will it bring $175k? I’m sure there’s a wallet out there opening as we speak.
They say there’s a sucker born every day…….
Find me one close to shiny like like this with this mileage & UNrestored.
Paint chips, scratches, & small door dings accepted – & expected.
Why not wipe the dirt off the orig tires’ sidewalls? Odd 1 tire is dirtier than the others.
Friend of mine had one that looked like this one back when they were used cars. The original 302 had gave way to an LT-1 and he repainted it a shade of Porsche red. Was a goin’ machine. This is a fine looking example.
I don’t see Firestone tires in the pics. For that much money, spend it on the reproduction Firestones that belong on the car. I have a 69 SS 396 Camaro and I spent the money to have the right tires so that it looks like it did in 1969. My car rides just fine on those tires.
If it’s original down to the paint,175k is not out of thier current value range.Originals with lower miles have topped 300k at B-J.
The car that topped 300K at BJ wasn’t even on the same planet as this car. While this one is an absolutely stunning car that I would walk over hot coals to own, I’m afraid that 175K is out of the question. It’s got 58,000 miles on it and the seller is asking 1,000-mile, cross ram intake, 4-wheel disc brakes, RS/SS money for it.
I agree oldhotrodder, way, way, overpriced….in my humble opinion people that ask these crazy prices are the beginning of the end for our great old car hobby….to me, this price figure is a rip off……
The ’69 Blue Maxi z29 Car and Driver.built camaro was i believe the 1st car to get the 1970 1/2 350 z28 motor. The chevy dealer service guys were floored when it was brought in for service.
When I first read this,I was impressed that they got
58,000 miles on those tires,then I read the posting.
I’m wondering why he has 3 Firestone tires on the car and one Goodrich TA radial?
Where do you see 3 Firestones and 1 T/A? Just curious.
If you look at the pictures posted on the Craigslist listing. you can see the left rear tire is the odd one.
Regarding the odd tire, my mistake. What I saw in the ebay listing were the T/A’s being run before they were switched back to the originals.
I’m reminded of my first new car, ’67 Z28, red/white stripes, 7k RPMs, no problem except to the clutch! Two babies and a house pmt. and the car had to go!
Dang, that had to hurt!
3 Items stand out to me. 1. the speedometer does not rest @0 but at 4-5 mph. 2.Paint/over spray on the door latch striker bolt. 3. Overspray in/on the trunk hinge.
I’d be in if the tires had the original ’69 air.