Buzz
The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 came equipped with a standard cowl-induction hood. The optional Rally Sport package featured headlights hidden behind sleek hinged doors. Explore more images of classic muscle cars.While not the fastest muscle car, the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 stood out with its one-year-only design and a distinctive blend of brake, engine, exhaust, and induction features, making it arguably the most sought-after Z28 model ever.
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Priced at an additional $458 over the $2,726 base cost of a Camaro coupe, the RPO Z28 package included the F41 handling suspension, E70X15 raised-letter tires on seven-inch wide rims, quicker steering, and twin rally stripes. Front disc brakes were standard, and for the first time, four-wheel discs were available as a $500 option, with only 206 sets produced, about half of which were installed on full race cars.
The Z28 exclusively featured a solid-lifter 302-cid V-8 paired with an 850-cfm four-barrel carburetor. Despite its official 290-horsepower rating, dyno tests revealed it was closer to 400 horsepower. Dealer options included dual four-barrel carburetors, available since '67, and in '69, a $500 upgrade offered twin 600-cfm Holleys on a cross-ram manifold, though the horsepower rating remained unchanged. Additionally, chambered exhaust pipes, among the least restrictive ever offered by Chevy, were also an option.
The Z28's unique engine was a solid-lifter 302-cid V-8 equipped with an 850-cfm four-barrel carburetor.A distinctive feature for the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 was the $79 cowl-induction hood. This innovative design included a valve that opened at 80% throttle, allowing cooler air from the windshield base to enter the engine.
The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 was exclusively paired with a Hurst-shifted close-ratio four-speed transmission. Standard gearing was 3.73:1, with optional ratios up to 4.10:1. Positraction was also available. The Rally Sport package enhanced the car's aesthetics with transparent louvers on its hidden-headlamp covers.
The Z28's handling was exceptionally precise, supported by responsive power steering. Equipped with a four-barrel carburetor, it could complete the quarter mile in 14.8 seconds at 101 mph. However, the small-block engine's lack of low-end torque was exacerbated by the dual-quad setup, which required high revs. Even launching at 4000 rpm often resulted in a sluggish start.
The Z28's dominance in Trans Am championships during 1968 and 1969 highlighted its primary role as a road-racer, with street performance taking a secondary role. Enthusiasts who appreciated its raw, aggressive nature purchased 7,199 units in 1968, and sales nearly tripled for the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28, setting a record that remained unbroken until 1978.
With its road-racing heritage, the Z28 featured a high-strung engine less suited for street driving but delivered exceptional handling, making it one of the top-performing muscle cars of its time.The 1969 Z28 stood out as one of the most visually striking cars of the classic muscle car era, showcasing Chevy's ability to blend performance and style. For more images of the '69 Z28 and a nostalgic journey through vintage Camaro brochures, continue reading the next three pages of this article.
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Specifications
Wheelbase, inches: 108.1
Weight, lbs: 3,765
Number built: 20,302
Base price: $3,185
Top Available Engine
Type: ohv V-8
Displacement, cid: 302
Fuel system: 2 x 4 bbl.
Compression ratio: 11.0:1
Horsepower @ rpm: 290 @ 5800
Torque @ rpm: 290 @ 4200
Representative Performance
0-60 mph, sec: 7.4
1/4 mile, sec @ mph: 15.12 @ 94.8
1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Photos
©2007 Doug Mitchel The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28, like all '69 Camaros, replaced the smooth curves of the 1967 and 1968 models with a new design featuring sharper lines and horizontal wheel arches.The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 was a legendary small-block powerhouse, drawing inspiration from its road-racing heritage for many of its design elements. Unlike muscle cars focused solely on straight-line speed, the Z28 emphasized road-hugging performance, incorporating aerodynamic features like front and rear spoilers to enhance its capabilities.
©2007 Doug Mitchel Along with front and rear spoilers, the Z28 featured bold body stripes, paying homage to the Trans Am race cars that influenced its design.
©2007 Doug Mitchel Every Z28 was equipped with a powerful 290-horsepower 302-cid V-8. When paired with the optional trim package that concealed the headlights behind louvered panels, the Z28s featured "rally sport" branding on their front fenders.
©2007 Doug Mitchel The Z28 was ordered on 19,014 vehicles in 1969, the same year Ford introduced its Mustang Boss 302. Ford managed to sell only 1,934 Boss 302s that year.Chevy created significant showroom buzz with its detailed and visually appealing model brochures. To revisit some of the most iconic Camaro promotional materials from the muscle car era, explore the next two pages.
Vintage Chevrolet Camaro Brochures
Chevy showcased the desired image for its latest model by featuring a Super Sport edition on the cover of the brochure for the inaugural 1967 Camaro.Chevrolet launched the Camaro in 1967, emphasizing high performance as a core aspect of its appeal from the beginning. This page highlights a collection of brochures promoting the sporty and dynamic nature of the new pony car.
In 1967, the SS package added $210 to the price of the $2,572 Camaro Sport Coupe or $2,809 convertible. It featured a new 295-horsepower 350-cid V-8 engine, though the hood vents were purely decorative.
To emphasize its aggressive stance, all 1969 Camaros were designed as "huggers." The SS model on this brochure cover combines the Rally Sport package with hidden headlights and an optional ($42) body-color front bumper for a striking look.
Chevy confidently promoted the performance-driven attitude of the '69 SS Camaro through bold marketing and design elements like bright hood vents and striking body stripes.Explore additional classic Camaro brochures on the following page.
More Vintage Chevrolet Camaro Brochures
The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS features the optional Super Scoop, a force-air induction hood designed to utilize the high-pressure zone at the windshield's base. This innovative feature channels air to the high-performance V-8, boosting engine power.In the 1960s and '70s, Chevrolet leveraged GM's substantial marketing budget to create some of the most polished car advertisements and brochures in the industry. The Camaro layouts from this era exemplify these exceptional production standards.
When the 1972 Chevrolet Camaro SS brochure was released, muscle cars were facing challenges due to safety regulations, environmental concerns, rising insurance costs, and increasing gas prices. Despite these hurdles, the brochure still emphasized the car's performance capabilities.
The 1972 Chevrolet Camaro Z28, though impacted by the decline of muscle cars, stood out with its 255 horsepower engine, wide tires, and finely tuned suspension, making it one of the most well-rounded performance vehicles of its time.
