Just because a classic isn’t completely original doesn’t mean you should dismiss it immediately. The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 is a prime example. It is no longer numbers-matching, but its restoration included sourcing and rebuilding the period-correct 302ci V8, returning the car to its factory form. It presents superbly in one of the badge’s most desirable colors and is a turnkey proposition with no apparent needs. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder PRA4SNW for spotting the Z/28 listed here at Hemmings in Cape Coral, Florida. Bidding sits at $75,000 as the auction heads into its final days.
The 1969 model year may have been the last for Chevrolet’s First Generation Camaro, but the company pulled out all the stops on a cosmetic refresh. Almost every panel was new, but the changes remained quite subtle. The Z/28 variant had cemented its place in the line-up, setting a new record of 20,302 sales in 1969. Some may disagree, but I have always considered Hugger Orange the badge’s most iconic shade. It isn’t subtle, but it looks glorious when it’s in good condition. This Z/28 undoubtedly ticks that box following a 2023 rotisserie restoration. It has seen very little active service since the work ended, which explains why it still looks pristine. The depth of color and shine is impressive, while the laser-straight panels and tight, consistent gaps attest to the builder’s eye for detail. The contrasting White stripes look crisp, and the trim and glass are perfect. The Rally wheels round out a package that will draw crowds wherever it goes.
It is often said that racing improves the breed, as demonstrated by the Z/28. Chevrolet developed the package to compete in the cut-throat Trans Am series, with Ford firmly in its sights. It required something special beneath the hood, and the company’s engineers delivered. They developed one of the best V8s to power an American classic. Chevrolet quoted power and torque figures of 290hp and 290 ft/lbs for the high-revving 302ci V8, but it is widely acknowledged that it understated both figures substantially to avoid antagonizing insurance companies. Every car received a four-speed manual transmission, reflecting the badge’s competition pedigree. The seller says this Camaro isn’t numbers-matching, but it features a correct DZ-Code 302, a four-speed M21 transmission, and a 12-bolt 3.31 Posi rear end. The motor has only clocked fifty-five miles since a rebuild that included blueprinting and balancing. Therefore, with a few more miles under its belt, this turnkey classic should easily match its original performance figures.
The interior didn’t escape attention during the restoration, receiving a retrim in Code 727 Ivory vinyl. True to its performance roots, it has no radio, but the interior features a console with the Sports Gauge Package and a beautiful timber wheel. Unsurprisingly, the presentation is first-rate, with no wear or other issues. I’m unsure whether the builder had a Concours result in mind during the restoration, but the inside of this Camaro is another area that is seemingly perfect.
Purists will lament the fact that this 1969 Camaro Z/28 isn’t numbers-matching, and I understand that sentiment. However, it presents superbly, and I admire the fact that the current and previous owners strove to return a desirable classic to its factory form. The decision to balance and blueprint that sweet little V8 should unleash a few extra ponies, not that the Z/28 lacked in that department! It has attracted only three bids to reach the current figure, but with a Watch List tally of one hundred, I suspect that figure will climb. What would you pay to park this beautiful Camaro in your garage?
Beautiful car and nice resto, I’m not a fan of the non-RS grill and the hugger orange, but this car is very easy on the eyes otherwise. The NOM will hurt the final price a bit, but at least it has a period correct DZ engine.
On an NOM ’69 Z/28 the engine is not the witness anyway, so the DZ buys less than it looks. The ’69 VIN never says Z/28 (or SS or RS), so the only factory mark that carries the option is the cowl tag’s Fisher code: X33 with style trim, X77 without. RS only rode on X11, X22 or X33. That tag is stamped steel bolted to the body, so it is the car talking about itself, and a swapped tag looks identical. A DZ is a pad stamp, and a Chevy pad sits on the deck, so a decked pad erases the tie. What’s left is paper: original window sticker, dealer invoice, Protect-O-Plate, or a history older than the restoration. The body’s own tie is the partial VIN stamped in two hidden spots, on the cowl under the vent panel and on the firewall below the fan motor opening on a non-AC car, but that confirms the body, not the Z/28. Without the paper I would price it like the tag might be the only evidence it has.
My second car in HS was a blue and white striped Rally Sport Z28 with hidden headlights and neoprene ( rubber like) bumper.
This is a nice looking Z28 which I would be proud of to have in my collection!
Nice car that has most likely had most of the usual stuff added along the way, like cowl induction, spoilers, and style trim accents, none of which would have typically appeared on an X77 coded car like this one.
That’s okay though. It takes a special set of cahonas to restore a Z28 or big block SS car without a rear spoiler.
The owner clearly stated that the ZL2 and Z21 trim packages were added during the restoration, so I personally don’t see it as an issue. I believe that the the car is being presented factually and I for one find that refreshing. Also the fact that they had Jerry M. and NCRS take a peek at it tells me that they aren’t trying to hid anything.
Cliche made up car. These were rust buckets 50 years ago. Nothing has changed. All this hoopla over 69 Canaros yet nobody drives them.
Where’s the thumbs down button? I would hit it 20 times.
I don’t know if I’d trust a motor with only 55 miles on it. I’ve seen too many rebuilds go bad.
Agree 100%. I would definitely not trust a motor with that low of miles on it. So many rebuilds don’t seem to run right.
55 miles is the risk window, but the gate is earlier than that: a flat-tappet cam either survives its first 20 minutes at 2,000-plus rpm or it wipes a lobe, so 55 miles means it cleared break-in. What 55 miles has not done is seat the rings or settle the valvetrain. So the better question is not whether to trust 55 miles, it is what the build receipts say: bearing clearances and ring gaps, the oil used for break-in, and hot-idle oil pressure. A cold-start video with the gauge visible tells you more than the odometer does.
On a Z/28, I’d be more concerned about part and list numbers being correct than the condition of the build. The engine can be freshened up for a few hundred bucks, but missing DZ parts can cost thousands to replace.
What DZ parts are you referring to that could run “thousands of dollars”?
This little darlin’ doesn’t appear to have been restored by “Joe’s bait shop and restoration” so my guess would be a shop with extensive Z28 experience, and I can’t imagine that a restoration of this quality being done without lots of attention to detail.
Also, if MacNeish looked at the car after it was complete (which makes sense) he would almost certainly have caught any missing or incorrect parts. Even if he didn’t personally inspect the car, just his involvement indicates a desire by the owner and/or the restorer of the car for authenticity.
A DZ block for one thing. The seller admits that the block has good date codes, but could be out of anything.
Well, the DZ couldn’t have been out of anything out of the factory, I believe it was only installed in first gen Camaros.
Hugger Orange Z!! Love these but my wallet doesn’t…
Once again, I really need a lottery windfall LoL. Would buy it in a heartbeat.
Whattayou talking about? There’s a rear spoiler on it.Always thought they looked squashed without one.
Very cool automobile! Had a friend that had this cars twin except his had a hounds tooth interior.
If I were about 30 years younger, I would be all over this beauty.
Could have bought this exact car in 1983 for $6500, numbers matching and in this condition. Everyone told the guy selling it he was nuts. He had it parked in front of his dad’s auto service shop on 31-E in Southern KY. Someone from Tennessee stopped one day and snatched it for the asking price. There were a few back then who saw the future…I, unfortunately wasn’t one of them!
I think lots of us could say that. If I had all the cars I drove in high school I’d have a pretty good collection!
I had a 69 Zipper “Z28” that car was an animal. I bought it in 73, had the engine rebuilt & off to the races on Friday nights. We’d hit Hallsferry Road, then a couple of Steak n Shakes to drum up some races. I never lost a race. I dropped the clutch at 3500 & she stood up & I looked in the rearview mirror. She was blue with white stripes, black houndstooth interior. Those were the days.
I’m with you Adam, love the Hugger Orange. Props to the builder, I don’t think you can get a period correct DZ code 302 at your local O’Reilly auto parts.
Melton Mooney: There is no way respond directly to your answer to my question regarding the “parts that could cost thousands of dollars”.
I’m not sure what you mean by “a.DZ block for one thing”. The DZ motor was exclusive to the ’69 Z28 and was not available in any other model, so any DZ block HAS TO BE from a ’69 Z28.
I just saw this note regarding the auction:
“Hemmings Note: When this auction went live, we were incorrectly told that this was a period-correct, DZ-suffix 302 V8. We have subsequently learned that the block is a restamp and not an original DZ-suffix 302 V8. We apologize for this error.”
Well, that changes the equation substantially. That being the case, Melton’s comment becomes relevant as hell. While I still think that this is a beautiful automobile, I think that any potential bidder has to seriously consider this disclosure.
Personally, I am not a big “matching numbers” guy because I am not a collector, big it certainly affects value.
It did not meet reserve at the 76K that was bid.
Seller has changed it to an asking price of 105K.
That really surprises me because that is collector car money, and I just don’t see a non- matching numbers car pulling that kind of change.
Still a stunning car, but for not for museum money.
I just got an alert that the price has been reduced to 115K. Are sellers getting dumber?
You don’t have to answer that one.