Everything You Need to Know About the Original Chevy Camaro Z/28
Caught mostly unaware, GM, Mopar, and AMC were late to the game when Ford took the automotive world by storm in late 1964 with the Mustang, a fun and affordable antidote to driving boredom. It took a couple of years, but by 1967, GM came on strong with the Chevrolet Camaro (and Pontiac Firebird, its kissing cousin). The Camaro muscle car established itself as a Ford archrival, both on the street and in motorsport.
That rivalry would play out in Trans-Am racing, which began in 1966 when the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) established the series as a manufacturer’s championship for modified sedans and coupés. Two classes competed: under 2.0-liter and over, the latter dominated by small-block V-8s from America. Here, the Camaro Z/28 was a shining star in the race series’ golden era, from 1968 to 1972.
This example of a first-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, in this case from 1968, was through RM Sotheby’s for $39,050 in 2018.
Ryan Merrill, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Our subject car, which spawned a Camaro bloodline that continues today, is the first generation of Chevy’s enduring icon, introduced in the fall of 1966 as a 1967 model and built through 1969. First-generation engine and appearance options were almost overwhelming. The RS Package, available on any model, included hidden headlights, sleek tail lamps, and exterior bright trim. The SS Performance Package featured a 350-cubic-inch or 396-cubic-inch V-8 engine (instead of Chevy’s standard 230-cubic-inch straight-six mill). That SS version also had an upgraded chassis for improved handling, and was strengthened to deal with the V-8’s additional power.
This car crossed the auction block with its original upholstery, carpet, and console.
Ryan Merrill, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Motorsport enthusiasts, however, wanted the Z/28 variant, which was purpose-built to do battle on the track. The car’s new engine was based on Chevy’s ubiquitous 327-cubic-inch small-block V-8, though reduced in the Z/28 to a 302-cubic-inch displacement. With a forged-steel crank, solid lifters, bigger valves, and a hotter cam, the power plant pulled to 7,500 rpm, and while officially rated at just 290 hp, the motor actually delivered about 350 hp—an impressive 1.15 hp per cubic inch.
Under the hood, the Z/28 was fit with a 302-cubic-inch small-block V-8 officially rated at 290 hp, though, in reality, it produces closer to 350 hp.
Ryan Merrill, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
In 1967, only about 600 buyers checked the Z28 option box (there was no slash included in the Z28 nomenclature for the first year), but 1968 and 1969 saw about 7,200 and 20,300 Z/28s built, respectively. More expensive than a garden-variety, base Camaro by $400, the Z/28 Camaro was developed with a focus on speed and handling, featuring a four-speed manual transmission and front-wheel power disc brakes, while power steering and air conditioning were left behind at the factory.
Would-be buyers will find that examples of the first-generation Camaro Z/28 run from concours queens to ramshackle parts-bin concoctions. Numbers-matching examples in good condition can top $85,000, while concours-quality finds can nudge $150,000 and beyond. Depending on options, values can vary wildly.
Only about 600 buyers checked the Z/28 option box in 1967, but about 7,200 examples were built in 1968.
Ryan Merrill, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
As always, the best advice is to let the previous owner do the restoration and the heavy lifting, and just bring Benjamins. The discount is usually in the buyer’s favor, as the cost of an accurate restoration and finding NOS (new old stock) parts rarely pencils out. But who cares? The Camaro Z/28 is such a remarkable time machine that whether one goes over or under, the long play is the pleasure in owning and driving an iconic American muscle car that represents the best of the Camaro breed.
Click here for more photos of this 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28.
Ryan Merrill, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
Authors
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Robert Ross
