Restore or Preserve: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

It’s fascinating how a secret can gain a life of its own once the cat is out of the bag. Such is the case with the First Generation Camaro Z28. Only those “in the know” were aware of this thinly-disguised road-going racer when Chevrolet released it in 1967. However, by the time our feature car rolled off the line in 1969, Z28 sales had grown by a staggering thirty-three times. The company could never have envisaged the sales success nor that the Z28 badge would become revered years after its competition days ended. This 1969 model presents well, but the seller admits it would benefit from a repaint. It is an original and unmolested vehicle that would turn as many heads today as it undoubtedly did when new. The seller listed the Z28 here on eBay in Hampton, Virginia. The bidding currently sits below the reserve at $65,100.

By the late 1960s, every man and his dog seemed serious about competing in the 5.0-liter category in the popular Trans Am series. Many enthusiasts believe the golden years were from 1968 until 1972. Ford produced the Mustang Boss 302, AMC fielded Javelins, and Chevrolet joined the party with the Camaro Z28. All were designed with a “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” philosophy, and these cars could rightly be considered “halo” models. This 1969 Z28 rolled off the lot wearing attractive Fathom Green, with the seller admitting it has received one repaint. It still presents acceptably, but they say it would benefit from a repeat performance by a professional. The panels are straight, and there is no evidence of rust. The exterior is clean, and the underside shots reveal spotless floors and rails. The body retains its correct spoilers and hood, while the trim and glass are excellent. Although this Camaro would undoubtedly benefit from a cosmetic refresh, there would be no shame in the new owner retaining it untouched.

Apart from a few subtle badges and spoilers, there was little to indicate what made the Z28 special and desirable. We need to delve below the surface to confirm this is a homologation special designed to allow the Camaro to compete in the 5.0-liter Trans Am class. Chevrolet quoted a power output of 290hp at 5,300rpm for its 302ci V8, but conventional wisdom suggests Chevrolet was less than honest on that subject. The 302 would rev well beyond the figure quoted by Chevrolet, with independent tests confirming that a stock Z28 motor punched out more than 350hp. This Camaro is numbers-matching, from its beautiful DZ V8 to the four-speed manual transmission and rear end. The seller recently replaced the engine gaskets and seals and fitted a host of new front suspension and steering components. The work should ensure the car is in excellent mechanical health. They say it runs and drives extremely well, with the exhaust producing a pleasing pop at the tailpipe.

Unfortunately, the seller doesn’t supply any photos providing an overview of the Z28’s interior, but piecing together what we have paints a positive picture. The car features Black vinyl trim that looks excellent. The dash and faux woodgrain are spotless, the gauge cluster features clear lenses and crisp markings, while the console houses the factory sports gauges and the shifter for the four-speed with an intact factory reverse lock-out. There are no visible aftermarket additions, with the pushbutton radio occupying its rightful place in the dash.

During its first year of production, Chevrolet sold 602 examples of the Camaro Z28. Wind the clock forward to 1969, and that figure grew to a staggering 20,302. People liked what they saw with the Z28 and continue to do so today. If anything surprises me about this car, it is the subdued auction action. The vehicle has only attracted ten bids from five people, with both figures lower than expected. However, it is worth noting that it isn’t a cheap proposition. While it has broad appeal in the classic world, a significantly lower number of enthusiasts will have the financial wherewithal to seriously bid on this classic. I expect bidding to pass $70,000 before exceeding the reserve, while a figure of $80,000 by the time the hammer falls is possible. Do you agree, or does your estimate differ from mine?