The Z/28 would go on to become a mainstay in the Chevrolet Camaro lineup in the years following 1967, but the inaugural model is one rare F-Body, with a total of only 602 produced. In fact, many potential Camaro buyers were probably not even aware of its availability, as there wasn’t any mention of the Z28 in any sales brochures at the time. Coming from the factory with a stout 302, these cars proved an excellent choice for Trans Am-type racing during the period, with this 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 here on eBay being a retired SCCA competitor. This one’s spent most of its life in Connecticut, and is presently located in the town of Cromwell, some 15 miles south of Hartford. First-year Zs don’t come cheap, and this example is no exception, with the owner setting his buy-it-now price here at $79,000.
It would be hard to try and speculate how many ‘67 Camaros have been cloned into a Z/28, but there are plenty of clues here that this one’s a true unrestored original. It’s still wearing its original Taho Turquoise paint, with the seller including a fine photo assortment of the car through the years, plus this Chevy is also a member of the Z/28 registry as entry #234. Readers my age or older probably owned a label maker at some point, and this car retains its lettered tape from the previous owner/racer, Charles Malcolm Murphy, Jr. A little internet sleuthing reveals that Mr. Murphy sadly passed away in 2023, but the Camaro was special enough to be mentioned in his obituary, revealing that this car was still owned by him until 2020.
If there’s any disappointing news to report here, it’s the three-letter term “NOM” used by the seller to describe the engine. That stands for non-original motor, and with all the exercise this car’s had, it’s not really surprising that a replacement powerplant had to be installed sometime in the past. Fortunately, the current small block is running, and it’s great to see that cowl induction air cleaner assembly in place. An additional positive is that the Muncie M21 manual transmission is confirmed as the factory component.
Outside, the body is showing a few battle scars and some areas with rust, although the corrosion level appears fairly minimal. However, considering the car’s background, the exterior remains in pretty decent condition overall. It probably wouldn’t take an exhaustive amount of effort to get the panels smoothed out and ready for fresh paint, but IMHO, preservation seems key here, and keeping this factory racer as-is in the appearance department is also a viable option.
This one’s about as minimal as they come on the inside, with no radio and no console, just that beautiful stick-shifter poking up through the tunnel! The odometer is reading 47,891 miles, and with the car’s background, I’m guessing that may be actual. In the world of Camaros, the ‘67 Z/28 is a hot commodity, and I’m curious what our readers have to say about this one, and its cost of $79k. What are your thoughts here?
80k… Yep, just don’t see it. Correct me if I’m wrong.
I don’t either. The motor being NOM doesn’t either. You’re not wrong.
Definitely NOT a restoration candidate, just a perfect survivor, take a drive out on a country road occasionally Camaro. I’d neutralize the rust spots, do some cleaning of the car, leaving some. This is a time capsule.
You are absolutely correct, restoring this car would wipe away much of what makes it unique. Doing so would turn it into just another 1st generation Camaro in a row of other 1st generation Camaros at a coffee and cars.
I’m not sure of its value, but I wouldn’t consider the NOM engine as a deal breaker considering it’s documented racing history. I hope the original owner kept some of the cars paperwork.
Steve R
When it was on BaT a few months ago, the seller stated that the original owner passed away in 2019, and there are no SCCA log books or other race history available. The only thing the seller received were the photos shown on eBay and the clipping from the 1969 “Competition Press”. A customer of mine was considering this car when it was on BaT, and I tried to find out some history on the driver. As near as I could tell, it was a dual use daily driver and race car that was raced only a couple years in amateur SCCA club races.
I don’t know that I agree that if restored it would be “just another 1st generation Camaro…” It still would be a documented, original 1967 Z/28, one of only 602 made in 67. I don’t know about you, but it’s pretty rare when I see a 67 Z/28 anywhere. One of my customers has a 67 Z/28, a 68 RS Z/28 (that I found for him) and two 69 Z’s, but beyond his 67 I think I’ve only ever seen one or two other restored ones that weren’t restored race cars.
gbvette62, I agree it would still be something special parked in a line of other 1st generation Camaros, the problem is, how many would recognize it? No Z28 emblems or engine call out, no deck lid spoiler, it will disappear into the background, which might not be a bad thing considering the only people that would recognize would be pretty knowledgeable and already appreciate it for it’s rarity.
Steve R
J…. I agree neutralize the rut spots and fix that rust hole on the quarter panel. Do a detail over the whole Camaro. Get those early rims E/T racing tires and yes hit the country roads. And wake up the horses,cows, pigs and chickens 😂 Go to some shows. To me it’s to special with its history and driver to restore. Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
Take it to the road race corse.
This is a fascinating old race car. It was on BaT a few months back where it was no sale at $46K. From all appearances it was only raced part time for a couple years. Unfortunately there’s no indication that it was ever raced in a Trans Am race, which would significantly increase it’s desirability and value. Of course, at the same time that probably saved it from becoming heavily modified.
The original MO code 302 is long gone, replaced by a 327, but everything else (trans, rear end, etc), appear to be original. The seller claims it was ordered with J56 4 wheel disc brakes, and the J56 parts appear to be there, but 69 was the only year J56 was available as a factory installed option. Instead it looks like an original 12 bolt 3.73 rear with Posi and metallic brake linings. The cowl induction air cleaner is a repro, unfortunately.
I think the the asking price is a high, especially considering the missing 302, but I still like it. The question is, what do you do with this car? Documented race history is nice, but as a limited use amateur race car it doesn’t add much value or interest. Restored as a race car, in it’s current state it’s so close to stock that it wouldn’t be a very good vintage racer. At the same time because it’s so close to stock it would be a shame to do the mods needed to make it a competitive vintage racer. It could be restored to stock, but it would still be a NOM Z28. I guess you could leave it as is (as the owner of two very nice original unrestored cars I understand the “it’s only original once” thinking), but personally I’m not a fan of “patina”, and to me it’s not nice enough to try to preserve as is.
A 327 isn’t going to wind like a race prepped 302, or so I am told by my great wise advisor. Care to guess who that is? He says it is a nice car but is sad what the wealthy are willing to pay for something like this as it takes so many people who could truly appreciate a car like this, out of the running as to be the new owner. This is going to go to someone who already has many many cars, will they love it as much as someone who just would have this as their “fun” car? Grandpa says if he were really well off and was parting with a car(s), he would insist it went to an average guy at an affordable price and a solemn promise that the car would not be flipped. He says, that not only spreads joy, it keeps the old car hobby alive.
I don’t know why it would hurt anything to clean it up and get the paint back in order and to repair the metal. It like it’s going to hurt the value? There’s the photos, put some of the lettering back and a set of what were they blue streaks racing tires and enjoy the smiles per mile. Very cool Camaro, destroke that 327 and let it sing!
What would an original engine 1967 Z-28 cost? This looked cool at first, but I’m thinking the potential owner better be OK with parting with $80K, because the money will never be recovered.
My original 67 sold 2 years ago at Mecum for $174K. Wish I had still owned it but it was in Reggie Jackson’s collection. BTW only 194 of the 602 are known to exist now.
Canmanls, if the buyer can’t find a real “MO” 302 block for it (good luck with that) I’d leave the 327. I have three cars with real “DZ” block 302’s (2 69 Z/28’s and a 57 Bel Air with the spare 302 motor) and the two 327 powered cars I have are much better drivers.
The 302’s only make power if you rev them and that usually gets you in trouble these days. You can make the same top end power with more bottom end torque with a 327, 350 is of course better. I used to drive my friend’s 69 Z/28 before and after he hurt the 302 and replaced it with a LT-1 350. The LT-1 was worlds better in every way. But I still love 302’s.
I agree that with no Trans AM history it’s not worth anywhere near $80K and the cost to restore it could put you under water. I’ve been to Barrett Jackson and Mecum (both for entertainment only) and never saw a 67. Does anyone know what a restored 67 has sold for lately?
My customer I mentioned above paid around $130,000 for his 67 about 5 years ago. His is a white cowl air cleaner car that was fully restored and had Jerry NacNeish documentation.
Last year (2024) I know two 67’s went through Mecum Kissimmee. A Marina Blue RS Z/27 sold for $275,000, and a red one I didn’t see sold for about $95K. I heard this year a nice low miles red 67 was no sale at $100K.
I own a Corvette oriented business, but I’m involved with 1st gen Camaros too. My customer with the 67, also has a 68 and two 69’s, but I’m always chasing pony cars for him. I also crew on a 67 Camaro vintage racer that has both Trans Am and IMSA history. It started life as an SS396, but was converted into a Trans Am car in 72.
The A Sedan race history did pique my interest and does adds interests, but it would take Trans Am history to really enhance it’s value.
I agree with you on the power of the 327 but you did see my last line, let it sing! The song of an 8 to 10k RPM is music. Yep has to be properly built, but if you hear it once you don’t forget it! Seen 283’s do it and I know a 302 will get there I am not too sure a 327 can move that fast.
Unfortunately that song is all but extinct, especially in drag racing. You could always tell when a small high raving V8, typically in a dragster, was making a run. If you were down track past the finish line it would stand out even if you were in the middle of :conversation. I haven’t heard something singing that way make a pass in years (2008 was the last time), even supposed nostalgia dragsters have switched to big inch small block V8’s which sound like every other car going down the track. It seems these high winding small V8’s, across the board are dying, unless they run in a class that still checks for displacement.
Steve R
Very Cool!
I have a friend whom I raced many years with on an enduro team and in PRO3 who owns a ’67 with the 302. It’s all original and he does put miles on it once in a while.
I am really surprised how lacking this write up has about what made these cars special.
And to re-emphasis what is mentioned in other comments – without the 302, it’s just another 1st gen camero with some race history. The 302 is most of it’s value.
To say a 327 can stand in is laughable – the 302, would wind out higher than the 327 could and would spend every lap bouncing off 8K, and the following year when they went to large journal on the crank they became pretty damn durable.
Then again, there’s the asking price and then there’s the selling price…………..
302 long gone , no mention of what’s in it now could be a 307 for all we know. 79000 nope! Peace!
Several commenters have mentioned that it now has a 327. You’ve got to read through the comments – they are oftentimes more informative than the original ad.
Did I miss it, or is there no evidence of a roll cage? I guess he might have run a drivers’ school and maybe a few SCCA Regionals with a bolt in Autopower rollbar…. my buddy did that with his 1971 Z-28 (running A/SR because of the 350 CID… and the ex-Corvette Rochester fuel injection.) In fact I still have that rollbar if anyone is interested.
This could be fun, bolt a bar in and run some Vintage races. But not for that kind of money.
OOPS! I did miss the frame that showed the roll cage.
Still….. too much money.
A good friend ended up with Z28 #1. It was originally a race car. So he restored it to exact racing spec. Once completed he took it to shows and the historic races at Laguna Seca. Mike Joy did a multi special on the car. Jon was going to place it in a Mechom Auction, but Mr Dale Mechom showed up with a very large check to make sure it did not make the auction block. It is now in his private Camaro collection.