Frame Off Restored Camaro Z/28 302 V8 4 Speed

You simply wouldn't believe the number of E-mails and comments we get from people who look through our showroom, compliment us on how awesome the cars are and then lament: “but they're all too nice to drive”. I suppose that depends on your point of view, because I personally don't think there's any such thing as a classic that's too nice to drive, but I certainly understand what they're talking about. That's why I'm always excited to see a car like this pristine 1969 Camaro Z/28 roll through our production studio. It's certainly nice… So nice in fact that as the beneficiary of a recent concours style restoration, which completely detailed both its engine and undercarriage, it's every bit as impressive as our numbers matching cars. And it looks correct too… With a hot DZ 302 under its hood, a late 60s Muncie 4-speed under its floors and a factory accurate Daytona Yellow and black color combination, it could've rolled out of GM's Norwood, Ohio manufacturing facility yesterday. So if you're one of the many buyers who's always dreamed of owning some fully sorted American muscle, but doesn't want to pay six figures and then stress out about every bump in the road, this top notch Z/28 is just the car you've been looking for!

Yes indeed, this is an original GM code 76 Daytona Yellow car, and its modern two-stage paint and black rally stripes look spectacular over its classic '69 Camaro sheet-metal. Built not too long ago, it's the kind of car that wows 'em at the shows, drives like a modern piece and makes the owner grin like a mental patient every time he fires it up. Forget trailers, bug guts on the grille and gas mileage, because this one is all about hitting the road and having fun. The paint and bodywork was, of course, professionally done and presents exceptionally well. Gaps are good all around, with acceptable fit from the hood and trunk complementing a set of solid closing doors. The stripes were painted on, as is the fashion these days, and everything is buried under a thick coat of clear which makes washing and waxing a snap. Speaking of waxing, the experts in our RK Motors Charlotte detail shop just finished making the car shine like it forgot its job is to kick ass instead of look pretty. And the result is one razor sharp F1 Z/28 that's built for hitting both the road and the show field.

The overall look of this 1969 Camaro is beyond factory fresh; and thanks to an astute attention to detail, it has enough eyeball appeal to make people stop and take notice anywhere it goes. At the front of the car a traditional, pointed grille hangs a coveted red and silver “Z/28” emblem between pristine headlights and a fresh chrome bumper. Below that grille, clear marker lights ride front and center of an option D80 chin spoiler; and above that grille, a "Camaro by Chevrolet" header emblem perfectly complements an almost extinct standard factory hood. At the top of the car, like-new glass is framed by new stainless trim, bordered by a chrome driver's side mirror, topped by body-matched drip rails and cleared by satin finish stainless wipers. And at the sides of the car, traditional '69 Camaro fender brows ride between chrome door handles, RS-style fender louvers, chrome “Camaro” scripts, and two more prominent "Z/28" emblems. At the back of the car a show worthy chrome bumper, which sports optional chrome guards, rides between a fresh “Camaro by Chevrolet” decklid emblem, a D80 decklid spoiler and correct, unpolished stainless tail pipes. And '69 Camaro exclusive tail lights hang fresh lenses at the sides of a fourth red and silver “Z/28” emblem.

As a real-deal X77 Camaro, meaning it rolled out of GM's Norwood, Ohio manufacturing facility as a base car with Z/28 equipment, this top notch pony is fitted with an actual DZ motor and a whole roster of era-correct components. Oh, and don't let the fact that the high-revving mill is devoid of Chevrolet's traditional ZL2 cowl induction set up convince you that it's any less authentic either. In addition to the “Turbo-Fire” branding on the chrome open element air cleaner, this smooth powerplant sports reproduction GM hoses, correct tower clamps, and a pristine coat of vintage Chevy Orange paint which contrasts well against the car's satin black engine bay. At the top of the block, a correct 4-barrel 4053 list Holley carburetor mixes air from the chrome cleaner with fuel from fresh stainless lines and sends it into a familiar Winter aluminum intake. That intake funnels the perfect air/fuel mixture into authentic double hump heads which wear bright, finned aluminum Corvette valve covers. And at the sides of the engine restored cast iron exhaust manifolds, which are equipped with correct heat shields, funnel spent gases into a great sounding, reproduction true dual exhaust system. At the back of the engine, a reliable points distributor sends power through fresh Packard TV R Suppression wires; and at the front of the engine, a new V-belt spins a rebuilt alternator, a fresh water pump and a correct smog pump via familiar deep groove pulleys. Aesthetically, the car's clean engine compartment is top notch in every way from its array of bright chalk marks and fresh decals to its new Delco Energizer battery and correct Delco Moraine brake booster. And even the little details like its fresh hood insulation, gloss black heater box and green carburetor spring have been well-planned and professionally executed.

Underneath this awesome F1 you'll find a concours restored chassis that's ready for both vintage league laps at the track and a mirrored turntable at the convention center. Behind the smooth revving small block, power flows through a professionally rebuilt Muncie 4-speed transmission to an “RL” stamped 12 bolt rear end. At the ends of the car a Z/28-specific heavy duty suspension, which includes tuned coil springs, correct reproduction leaf springs, fresh shocks and correct power front disc and rear drum brakes, looks so spotless it could've rolled out of the showroom this morning. And at the center of the car, a thrill-inducing soundtrack roars through an aluminized true dual exhaust system which mirrors original pipes and hardware all the way down to its correctly placed brackets, transversely mounted muffler and bare finished tips. All this freshly restored muscle rolls on a traditional set of GM Rally wheels which spin vintage E70-15 Goodyear Wide Tread GT bias-ply tires around new trim rings and pit-free center caps. A plethora of factory accurate chalk marks and build stickers have been carefully placed throughout the cars pristine, correctly finished suspension components. And like its engine bay, this Camaro's chassis has been completed to the highest standards and presents well in every respect with clean, satin black floors contrasting well against bright stainless hardware, a mint stainless fuel tank and straight stainless brake and fuel lines.

Inside this brightly colored Camaro you'll find a restored, and correct, GM code 711 Black vinyl interior that's in excellent shape. At the front of the car, a crack-free black dash hangs an electric clock, a rebuilt AC speedometer and a rebuilt AC tachometer above a great looking reproduction AM radio. At the center of the car, a standard issue Camaro console props a traditional four pack of accessory gauges in front of a chrome Hurst shifter which is topped by a chrome shift knob and framed by a traditional wood grain shift plate. At the bottom of the car, like-new black carpet rides under rubber, bowtie branded floor mats and slick, Fisher door sills. And at the sides of the car, standard black door panels frame correct “Camaro” emblems, straight armrests and mirror-like chrome door and window handles in pristine stainless trim. In front of the driver a restored steering column spins a glossy Camaro steering wheel around a prominent blue bowtie. And behind the cockpit a restored trunk features fresh spatter paint, correct decklid decals, and a new jack and spare tire.

So no more messages about “too nice to drive” because we've heard you and responded with a bunch of great cars, including this Camaro, that are too nice NOT to drive. If you buy this sharp Z/28, you're not risking a rare, irreplaceable vehicle. You're scoring a fully sorted classic which has upgraded hardware, and is more stunning than ever before. You know its components are virtually bulletproof. And one rip through all four of its gears, where you'll find yourself somewhere north of 130 MPH, is all it'll take to convince you that this panther was made to prowl!