Reader James M. spotted this story here on Facebook inquiring about the potential value of a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 that may or may not be for sale. It is described as a numbers-matching two-owner barn find, parked in 1998. Comments ensued asking about the Z/28’s cowl-induction hood, with one reply stating that “Not all Z-28’s had the ZL2 ‘steel ducted cowl induction hood’… Some came with the flat hood like a standard Camaro.” Can you imagine stumbling upon this car gathering dust in your neighborhood?
As chronicled in the “brief history of the Z/28” at jalopnik.com, Chevy built the Z/28 with SCCA Trans Am road racing in mind, and its 302 cubic inches (accomplished using a 327 block with a 283 crank) came in just under the 305 cid limit of the day. Chevy’s Z/28 Camaro duked it out with Ford’s Boss 302 Mustang, American Motor Corporation’s Javelin, and others on road-courses across the country, and the spoils of that war could be summed up as “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday.” For a taste of what it’s like to wrestle a 1969 Z/28 race car around the track, read this article at motortrend.com.
With its original interior and believed original 75,855 miles, the pictures of this high-performance coupe suggest that few cosmetic updates will be necessary. No engine pictures were included, but assuming the original engine survives, its 302.4 cid made 290 HP on paper, but in fact produced more like 360 HP, 400 with the optional dual four-barrel carburetors. Other upgrades included front disc brakes, faster 24:1 steering, and heavy-duty suspension (thanks to jalopnik.com for some details).
This potent two-door “ran when parked” in 1998, and the current owner’s father purchased it from the original owner in 1973. The original Facebook poster asked, based on the information given, what is the value (stated in probable ranges) a. in current condition, b. if it runs and drives, and c. if restored. I’m sure our expert readers will help him out with some useful comments below. Other than “Sell it to me for $1500,” what advice would you give if this Camaro turned up in your neighbor’s garage?
Is that mold on the car (And in it)?
That would have a major impact on any offer I made
Yuck!
No, does not appear to be mold or even algae. I believe what you are looking at on the car is years worth of pollen accumulation.
I would have at least hosed it off before asking what it might be worth.
Worth a bundle of its all there!
Yep, looks like typical Southern pine tree pollen and seeing the Fulton County tag is a clue on possible condition. Just seeing these limited photos on here I’d say it’s likely a very solid car not needing “restoration” but typical long sleep recommissioning. Hope they picked this up already ;I would have kept the cat in the bag instead of blabbing on the book.
Yes, we jokingly called it “pine sperm”!
Can’t even comment on facebook. Without the vin and current history of what is still there or not. Its up in the air of the value. My take, Chevy made so many of these. It will end up in Camaro craft magazine.
This guy says and I quote ” I don’t want to do any work on car that won’t at least get a dollar added to value for every dollar spent.” its what someone is willing to spend if and I do mean if what work as been done. Pretty much all the time. You end up losing money. Allen Simpson if you think your going to get dollar per dollar from a resto. Get into something else…
Can’t even comment on facebook. Without the vin and current history of what is still there or not. Its up in the air of the value. My take, Chevy made so many of these.
At the facebook website there is rust. Also rust hole on the back driver side rear window. So it need body work. I think this guy is just fishing and trolling for someone with money to spend. Need a Vin and history of what is there currently.
This guy says and I quote ” I don’t want to do any work on car that won’t at least get a dollar added to value for every dollar spent.” its what someone is willing to spend if and I do mean if what work as been done. Pretty much all the time. You end up losing money. Allen Simpson if you think your going to get dollar per dollar from a resto. Get into something else…
I’ve been traveling to the Atlanta area to buy my cars for years. Great climate for cars in great shape. Almost never any snow so no salt on the roads, not near the coast so no ocean brine, not being in a rain forest all make for some great cars. Even those vehicles that are known for rust rarely do in the Atlanta area.
They never came with two 4 barrels from the factory!
Not from factory but dealer option. https://musclecars.howstuffworks.com/classic-muscle-cars/1969-chevy-camaro-z28.htm
I believe you could order what you wanted?
True, you could order what you want and you could order that but it came in the truck, not installed. Not sure why but that is the way a dual quad option “came” or “was ordered” with the car…..put it this way, they did not build the car on the line with 2 4 barrels.
I did not read all the fine details but what is the RPM of the tach? I may be wrong but I heard all Z28’s had a 8000 tach in them, not 7000.
I have been wrong before but I did not know you could get a 69 Z28 with a flat hood. 68 and 67 yes, possible, 69 ????
302 badges on front fenders?
Tom, the Z-28 with a 302 came with a 7000 redline tach, as did the SS with 396. Z-28’s with larger engines got the 8000 redline tach.
Bingo! Suttre, yes. Huge metropolitan area with multiple same brand dealerships selling cars, lots of people moving in and out turning over inventory, racetracks, good climate for cars unless they got swallowed up by kudzu or pine straw, etc. Hot ‘Lanta.
#Tom
Flat hood was the default. The hood with the raised center was an option.
http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/chevy/69camz.html
302 emblems were on the front fenders through (roughly) the first half of 1968 production. The ’67s I’ve seen didn’t have the 302 emblems. When Chevrolet began to realize the marketing power of the Z28 name, the 302 emblems were replaced by Z28 script.
278 rw
I can’t say how much it’s worth but probably more than my new Ford Explorer. Just detail it, put a battery in it tune it up, make sure the brakes work properly and put it up for auction on BAT and see what you can get.
Why think the car has original miles when it was almost 30 years old when it was put away?
The interior could have been replaced a couple of times in that time.
My advice buy it!!!
$40,000 – 50,000 as it sits if complete. Options and history (if available) can change that. Just a guess though.
No, not even close to that. It looks to be a Green-Green car that was color changed to black…first strike. 20K MAX, maybe 24-25K if the drivetrain is original. Now if it is lucky enough to be an original code 10 exterior Tuxedo Black car with what appears to be a green interior (weird combo, but possible) then price will increase. Code 10 69 Z28s are in high demand.
flipper ?
Good God. Someone please wash this, put new rubber into it, and drive the poor thing. I feel its pain from here.
Again with the green?? Oy vey. Don’t any of these folks own a hose? None the less a great car with lots of potential.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d be a buyer. But this guy is chokin his chicken and wasting everyone’s time on this one.
Really. Is there a greater collection of know nothings ( generally speaking) than on social media…….. anywhere on this planet? Dad used to say opinions are like certain body parts…we all got ’em! Fie on ’em
Also exhaust headers came in the trunk. It may have been a California emission thing. The dealership I worked at the time took them out of the trunk and put them in storage till vehicle was sold. When we closed down the dealership, some were unclaimed and tossed. A couple of us saved them from the trash along with other “goodies”!
Tom, the Z-28 with a 302 came with a 7000 redline tach, as did the SS with 396. Z-28’s with larger engines got the 8000 redline tach.
What larger engine was available with Z-28 in 69?
302/290 was it for a 69 zapper
Only the ‘vette could have multi carbs beginning in ’67 I think, that would be one reason that dual quad cross ram intake was not installed on the assembly line. Probably not a good street set up anyways.
I believe federal emissions for all cars started in ’68, but I’m sure California had stricter regulations, nothing like what we deal with today! Cool old Z/28.
This car is worth a lot a money the way it is…somebody is going to walk away with a smile…..probably the flipper…the owner may not know what they have here!
I’d tell him to clean it up, get it running & driving, check to see if it is a numbers matching car, get documentation on it’s history & then call a reputable appraiser.
Wow, Green on green, exactly like the one I had years ago. Would definitely be interested in this car!
Wow, 302, 4spd, Z, Green on green, exactly like the one I had years ago. Would definitely be interested in this car!
The 302 came from a 327 crank and 283 block. Not a 283 crank in a 327. The 327 had a longer stroke. On the street these were known as a 301. Very fast hot rod motors.
Negative ghost rider, the 302 has a 3″ stroke & a 4″ bore. The 67 model 302 used the small journal 327 block with a 283 crank. For 68, it got large journals & a specific 302 crank. 1969 DZ engines went to the 4 bolt main block.
The 307 engine was a 327 stroke crank in a 283 bore block. Except the cranks were cast instead of forged & the block were large journal.
Still keep coming back to this post for this car. Really want to do it justice. Valuation w/out VIN, surmising what can be seen, and guessing what can’t. $20k max. I better be ready with cash in hand, and tears of joy!!