1969 was the final year for the first-generation Chevy Camaro. As the 1970 Camaro was late to market, the 1969 model-year production cycle ran nearly a year and a half, from September 1968 to February 1970. The extended cycle meant 243,085 1969 Camaros were built, more than either of the previous two years.
The 1969 Chevy Camaro had a number of appearance changes from the previous year. New front and rear fenders had flattened wheel wells, giving the Camaro a more aggressive appearance. The doors and valance were also restyled. The grille had sharper angles. The dash instrument pods were more squared, with console gauges that looked much the same as in earlier years. The optional JL8 Four Wheel Disc Brakes were available throughout the model range.
Chevrolet Assistant Staff Engineer Vince Piggins helped create the Chevy Camaro Z/28 option package with SCCA racing in mind. The package included the rev-happy DZ 302 cubic-inch Small Block that was woefully underrated at 290 horsepower. The 302 was created to get under the 305 cubic-inch displacement limit for racing in the SCCA five-liter sedan class. Since there were no engines in the Camaro lineup that would qualify, Piggins combined a 327 cube engine block with a 283 crank to create a 302 cubic-inch Small Block with plenty of punch. Also included in the Z/28 package was a heavy-duty radiator with a temperature-controlled fan, front disc brakes or four-wheel disc brakes, a four-speed manual gearbox, F41 Front and Rear Special Suspension, a quicker ratio steering box, 15×7-inch wheels wrapped in raised white-letter tires, Z/28 emblems on the front fender, grille, and rear panel. Automatic transmission and air conditioning were not available with the Z/28 package.
Our feature 1969 Chevy Camaro Z/28 is finished in Olympic Gold with white stripes over a black vinyl interior. It is equipped with the DZ 302 Small Block with dual four-barrel carbs and the rare, dealer-installed Cross Ram intake, four-speed manual gearbox, Positraction rear end, power steering, power disc brakes, Rally wheels with raised white-letter Firestone Wide Oval bias-ply tires, ducted hood, special interior group, Soft Ray tinted glass, and an AM pushbutton radio.
Comments
The comment made about 600 dealer installed cross rams is untrue as there are no documents to substantiate that claim. There is only one car that has proof that the dealer put a cross ram in the trunk and I owned and restored the car. All the others are untrue and only want to be to increase the value of the car many of which are reproduction parts.
Was an original subscriber to the late, great “Hemings Muscle Machines “ which sadly went out of print media recently after 20 years. In an article about a featured ‘69 Z/28, the first paragraph told how many of this car were build then added “ of which twice that number are still on the road today.” Buyer beware on most “real” muscle cars for sale today. Clone SS Chevelles were even out there when my insurance agent late Dad wanted me to get rid of my ‘72 Chevelle SS 350 (I added Holley 650 & Hooker headers) that he hated in 1974. He found a better one that hadn’t been wreaked like mine. It was a Malibu with a cowl hood with SS emblems and nothing else.
Per the article above, the ‘69 Camaro had flared fender wells for a more aggressive appearance. The 67 & 68 had flattened wheel wheels.
Just reading the in article and all the Z/28 parts on board gets my adrenaline flowing. Guess my generation was more carcentric than today’s?
The car Larry is talking about is Rally green with white stripes, It also has the JL8 package. WHAT A CAR !!
they just do not build like this any more!!! Awesome Z-28 wish I keep mine.