1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

Carving Up the California Coast

   Chevrolet introduced the Camaro in 1967 as a response to Ford’s Mustang “pony car”. The Z28 model was designed to “homologate”, or qualify the car for racing in the Sports Car Club of America’s Trans Am road racing series which restricted engines in the race cars to 305 cubic inch inches in the higher displacement class. Chevrolet responded by introducing the 302 cubic engine rated at 290 horsepower and 290 foot pounds of torque. The reality was that the engine actually produced 375 horsepower. Like many muscle cars the rating was under-reported in order to reduce insurance costs for the street vehicles. The Z28 took the Trans Am championship in 1968 and 1969. The street version was a handful because the high revving engine was difficult to tame but handling was excellent. There were many options including the RPO ZL2 Special Ducted Hood. The “Super Scoop” was a $79 option that featured a high-rise section with a rearward facing duct at the base of the windshield which introduced high pressure air into the carburetor. Interestingly, Chevrolet did not put its marketing power behind selling the 1967 and 1968 models leading to dismal sales. Learning from its mistake, Chevy changed course in 1969 and over 20,000 1969 Camaros, both hardtops and convertibles, were produced making it the highest selling Z28 until 1978.