1969 Camaro Z/28 Garnet Red Crashed Survivor Restoration Part 1 - Introduction of a 2nd Z/28 Series

[@MrJeffcoley1]

I used to jog past a house where a 69 Camaro was being restored. Day by day I saw the car come together, mechanical work and bodywork progressing nicely. One day, it was done. Beautiful, looked like a brand new car that just drove off the showroom floor. Within a week it was wrecked. Tragic.

[@bobrollans8460]

This is why they make new bodies

[@jamesjohnson4093]

I can't wait to see the restoration of this Z/28! You do phenomenal work. I love this channel!

[@ronnieeller5431]

I have a 1969 SS 396 Camaro I would like to have restored where are you all original except for the paint

[@GreeceUranusPutin]

That's the definition of NOT a survivor.

[@jamesearnhardt8497]

This car is awesome! I have a fox body with minor shock tower frame rust and most body shops said the car is trash and won't touch it. I was about to give up on my fox and seeing this video gives me hope that things can get repaired. I love my car and hate to give up on it. Awesome videos, thanks.

[@nickanderson3440]

Awesome. Cant wait to watch to this series. Would love some details on the frame pulling process.

[@THOMMGB]

What I like about this video is that I'll learn what's really possible with repairing such damage. Best of luck to you on this project.

[@petebird7171]

As other people have commented your work is first class, this is going to be very interesting, looking forward to it, 👍👍👍👍

[@JOSHHARRIS-v3w]

Really happy this popped up in my recommendations

[@willthetrill4849]

This is what happened to alot of the muscle cars back then. The speed freaks were having fun but then lost control and crashed. Whoever had this car was speeding a long time ago, lost control and wrapped it around a pole. Hope the driver didn't get badly hurt

[@WireWeHere]

A bedroom ran the light?

[@SesameStreetRacingChannel]

no accessory holes on those heads...

[@digitalpizza1]

Hi Gib, Yes you are correct. I noticed that after the video. However, the right head is correct, but the left head is not correct. So that will have to be corrected when the original 302 is rebuilt and reinstalled into the car. Thanks for your support of the channel Gib, I really appreciate it :)

[@jonalarcon8564]

Yes they are the fulie heads I have a few pairs of 291, 462, the 291a are the newest head of all those heads but didn't come on a 69 302 engine

[@jonalarcon8564]

@@digitalpizza1 you're correct the large hump head didn't come originally with the car, the 69 302 had accessories bolt holes , and the hump was smaller , the hump head on the right side is a hump head but a fulie head originally for the dog house injection for the corvettes, that chevy decided to install on alot of their intermediate cars because they made so many, the 69 302 was the first hump head that had accessorie hole in it .

[@Timodon1]

As an old Mopar fan i must say it hurt to see this! Lets hope the car will smile again on the streets!

[@4N5W3R5]

Yeah its a real shame... So few of these rare Mopar Camaros around anymore... Let me guess do you call Magazines Clips also? lol

[@Timodon1]

@@4N5W3R5 Hi there! Are you ok?

[@lucky-rowe2623]

Did you find pieces of the drivers left leg imbedded inside?

[@darinp5612]

why? plenty of room for the driver during a side collision

[@lucky-rowe2623]

@@darinp5612 3:54 enough said.

[@darinp5612]

@@lucky-rowe2623 no, you definitely didn't say enough. Plenty of room

[@georgejosephhaigh7725]

WOW!!! Looking at that kinda reminds me of the 67 Firebird my brother had with a 400 in it with some work done to it ( it was just a little to much car for him) because he ended up losing control of it one day and took a Chane link fence 8 trash cans a metal shed and ended up wedged between two pine trees , it was a beautiful car at one time . Red with black vinyl top & white interior , sad to see those car's looking like that thank God for people like you that bring them back 👍👍 😈☠👍✌✌

[@3713msg]

It is always really hard to repair, when a car take a hard hit to the cowl area.

[@2koolchris291]

Oh my. My dream car. Wow that’s bad. Glad you’re rebuilding it. Oh boy that’s going to be a hard project

[@Rarerat]

Really looking forward to seeing the restoration, but there are many incorrect parts shown in the video. The hood is a repro hood & not a gm original nor was that car born with a ZL-2 hood. The heads shown are not the correct 186 's, . The booster does not look to be the correct 9204, replacement water pump, & if the carb sitting on the seat is the one you are referring to be the original it looks to be a double pumper and not a correct 4053.

[@digitalpizza1]

Hi Rarerat, Yes I am now aware of all those things. When I made the video, it was the first time I had seen the car and was mainly just premature reactions and statements about the car. But as we disassembled it, these things became evident. It is still a pretty original car overall and I think well worth saving despite what a lot of people have said about that its a parts car etc. In my opinion, there is no such thing as an original Z parts car LOL.

[@Rarerat]

@@digitalpizza1 I completely agree, good luck with the restoration.

[@french6290]

Original Paint!! That can be "buffed out".

[@christianxzowner2958]

This coming off the assembly line ...must ve look sublime

[@Ray-fc8bo]

As much as I love Zs.....they made 19K+ in '69.....ther're not hard to find. Is this worth it???

[@digitalpizza1]

As I have said in previous comments, any original numbers matching 69 Z/28 is worth saving if it is not totally destroyed or rusted beyond repair.

[@DanEBoyd]

It's an iconic car.

[@timmullens9479]

cowl hits are tricky -so many variables ,,

[@digitalpizza1]

Yep, you have got that right. That's why we are only going to use top notch body guys.

[@allenbeaulieu7077]

My first car was a ‘69 Camaro convertible 327 3 on the floor. Burgundy on black. I still dream about that car, I bought it used in 1973. Put two years wages in it hotrodding it and don’t regret a second or a dime. Hope you guys fix her up nice. Big Al.

[@digitalpizza1]

Thanks Al, I appreciate it

[@jamesthompson8008]

So when dealing with this much damage in a cowl/firewall/pillar, would you be able to pull that in 3 different axis on frame machine? OR is it better to cut & replace altogether? I'm not seeing how you get away from both of those approaches on this severity of damage. Also what is the path to bringing the unit body back into square here? Best of luck with it, I agree it is worth it in this case.

[@freebird7284]

good candidate for replacement body which is available complete, used to be around 10k

[@hansgruber650]

Hey they fixed Lee Majors so.....

[@Imnotyourdoormat]

got the original stamping from the tree the ol dude wrapped it around during a holeshot that went wrong too, the woodchips are from the chipmunk's nest that went flying but.....car can be fixed tho and well worth the effort too.

[@yamahaguy1732]

I just skipped through the video does it have the 302?

[@digitalpizza1]

Yes it does, I show that towards the end of the video

[@rongreen8485]

Amazing!!! When I was 12 (1972) my idiot neighbor had a 69 Z that he just beat the sh!t out of it. Very cool car... Silver w/ black stripes and interior, 302 4 speed. He was sideway in a turn smoking tires out of control ended up on a fire hydrant. His car looked like this car only stoved in right behind the driver's door. Too bad for his car, I think he parted it out then junked the rest. Glad to see this fixed and back on the road.

[@digitalpizza1]

Thanks Ron Stay tuned for a lot more videos on this car

[@MiturBinEsderty]

This is a better candidate for restoration despite the crash all the original parts are the the structural work is easier than finding OEM NOS parts

[@markopolo945]

Awesome a Blue one with white stripes and Red one with black stripes!

[@joecosgrove5711]

Impressive that car was in dire need of restoration thanks for saving her (rare bird )

[@wade998]

How long ago was it wrecked?

[@digitalpizza1]

Not sure but I think it was within a year

[@wade998]

@@digitalpizza1 wow, I had envisioned it wrecked back in the 80's-90s or so.

[@Arcade-fix]

Did this car come from Maine?

[@digitalpizza1]

I think it was purchased from Maine, but it was originally from Maryland and was wrecked in Maryland

[@Arcade-fix]

@@digitalpizza1 I think I've seen that car years ago when I lived in Maine. I want to say Princeton area. I think it had low miles.

[@phoenixblack1220]

Wow. A shame indeed. What a beautiful car nonetheless. Looking at the work you did on your blue Z/28, I’m positive this car is going to be gorgeous once again. Looking forward to the tear down.

[@imdjc4]

5:18 Man....that process was FAST!

[@pontiacsrule8761]

Thanks for making this

[@jimwiskus8862]

What’s the latest on this beautiful car?

[@jad43701]

I'm a Mustang guy, but to see this poor baby in this condition is heartbreaking. It's one of the few cars I would cheat with !

[@JLange642]

I'm wondering why is the original block in the trunk, yet an engine in it? If you pulled the original engine out why put one back-you can't drive this? Any guesses?

[@shelbylancer454]

Judging by the traction bars and other items if the car wasn’t wrecked it would not be around to save. Wrecked and parked, great job!

[@johndavey72]

Hi . Lot's of opinions.The proof will be in the pudding as we say in the UK. The repair industry has changed beyond recognition since 1969. And this doesn't have the dreaded high strength steel so will respond well . l would relish repairing this but l' m sure you would agree that you need skill and experience to bring this one back from the dead ! Looking forward to seeing the progress . Thanks for sharing .

[@chriswells1440]

I remember the late '80s there was a orange Z 28 Camaro running around. I remember it going around the McDonald's parking lot sideways all the way through it. I heard it had a 302 and I'm like, I should be able to waste his ass I was 18 at the time. I had a 71 Camaro back then. That Z 28 is still around . I have seen that car at car shows. That cars worth bunch of money now. Dan from phantom works would love that car.

[@vettetech81]

Looks like John Wick may have owned that one... LoL

[@johntouvell2854]

It looks like you are going to have your hands full that's going to be alot of work wish you the very best on it.

[@digitalpizza1]

Thanks John, That's an understatement :)

[@mikestang679]

Ouch!!! T-Bone special.........Bring em' back ALIVE......

[@tommy2camaro]

what happened to this restoration? Anymore videos?

[@digitalpizza1]

Yes, look on the playlist on my channel

[@Toolaholic7]

$100,000.00 and up car fully restored

[@jeffstewart3614]

the heads are not the correct heads for a dz302. sorry.

[@digitalpizza1]

Yes, I am aware of that and addressed that in a previous reply to a comment

[@ClockFixer]

Dayummmmmmmmmmmmm................ alot of work !

[@ajrecoverydadsdatta8112]

wow that's a lot of work

[@shelbylancer454]

I meant great job on the resto!

[@digitalpizza1]

Thanks Shelby 😎

[@jimwelsh1908]

It has the subframe to change the subframe

[@fordnut4914]

Looks like it hit everything but the lottery. 😂

[@joetrippi1603]

Got me hooked

[@Bigskyguy56]

This is a crime against humanity...CRASHING A # MATCHING '69 Z/28. It brings tears to my old eyes to see this abuse. But, I will wait & see how she turns out.

[@geraldscott4302]

It may not have been abuse. This is the risk you take just by driving a classic car. I have a fully restored 1972 Corvette, nothing special about it other than it's in literally better than new condition. It has the base 200hp 350/automatic. Completely stock, NO GHETTO WHEELS. I keep it under a cover in the garage and take it out and drive it around the neighborhood residential streets once in a while, but I won't take it out on a main road. I have been hit 3 times in late model commuter cars by speeding distracted so called "drivers" I was rear ended HARD while driving the speed limit on a 65 mph road in my '06 Crown Vic by an idiot in a late model Challenger. He must have been doing over 80 mph. Destroyed the whole front end of his car. I'm sure it was probably totaled. I'm still driving the Crown Vic, it tore up the bumper cover, bent the trunk lid, and broke the tail light, which I replaced. No frame damage. Accidents (actually I wouldn't even call it an "accident" because there was EXTREME carelessness and negligence by the moron that hit me) like this are very common. No way am I risking my Corvette by putting it in a situation like that.

[@fordnut4914]

Drop it off to Arthur tussik he will have it up and going no time.

[@nicholasyoder]

69 Z28 came with flat hoods

[@digitalpizza1]

As of January 69, Zs could be ordered with cowl hoods , or “special ducted hoods” as Chevrolet called them. This is a June car and the hood has a may of 69 date stamp on it. So chances are this car was ordered with it.

[@nicholasyoder]

digitalpizza oh wow cool thanks for the info I love these cars my favorite

[@stevedeleon8775]

Speaking as a Auto Body Shop Technician...I can tell you that Camaro Is TOAST!..That Subframe Undercarriage Assy. Is History..

[@chrisknobbe7914]

Re body time, and why is the block in the trunk? Probably has a hole in it.

[@digitalpizza1]

No, the original block is fine. It is in the machine shop being reconditioned. It has a couple of minor fixes that are being performed.

[@justsumguy2u]

If it were mine, I would've stripped it down to the bare chassis and sent the rest to the crusher. Yeah, it looks pretty once done, but what are the chances that the frame geometry will ever be right again? I'd rather use the parts to build another one, even if it would just be a clone at that point

[@digitalpizza1]

The blue car is a different car The red one has not been fixed yet

[@99goat99]

If the car had never been wrecked, it would have been used, and would have rusted accordingly. She was parked because of the crash, and that's what made it possible to save this car now.

[@clintdavis9511]

I did this but worse to a 87 Formula 350. I was ejected thru the drivers side window. The steering column was bent over the console. The brake pedal over to the gas pedal. The drivers side T-top flew out like a frisbee and remarkably didnt have a scratch on it. Damn tree!

[@digitalpizza1]

Wow , that’s scary, it wasn’t time to go yet I guess 😎

[@clintdavis9511]

@@digitalpizza1 Did the driver of the red Z live?

[@digitalpizza1]

Yes, he actually walked away 😳

[@dannywilsher4165]

I remember seeing a company that remanufactures new bodies for these Camaro's...

[@keithbandy8959]

tell them the cost to fix it

[@digitalpizza1]

I will went it’s done

[@billybwatson6697]

FYI it did not survive. may be rescued but a Survivor is a car that stayed intact.

[@digitalpizza1]

Survivor was used in the context that the car was a survivor from alteration and retained most of its originality before the crash

[@RobertNES816]

That's one thing about old cars. They don't crash well. Newer cars atleast the cabin is stronger.

[@Jgeneraledger23]

What a nightmare. Is that a true DZ302 car? Kid was probably driving

[@MrDarcykampe]

Ouch. Whoever crashed it must end up with mangled legs since no legroom left on driverside.

[@DanEBoyd]

Do a google search for "Mosteller's Camaro." It was a '69 Z28 which went airborne, and then roof-first into a tree, folding it like a taco. Unfortunately the driver and passenger were killed. But the car sat for years on the roof of their shop, as a testament to why triple digit speeds are bad on city streets.

[@jonalarcon8564]

Strip it down and put it on the frame straightening rack , anything can be fixed

[@johnmilner7603]

What a shame. Uni-body and rockers are gone along with floor in places. Will be watching this build since I owned many Z/28’s and did own a 1968 Z/28 back in 1974 and currently own a 1970 Z/28 which I purchased in 1981.

[@nealwiley9950]

Bro in law wrapped his 69Z around a tree is same spot....will be watching closely on the following vids on the how-to's

[@mojunk19]

Yard art

[@Stillstoned1]

a million dollars later you have 100 thousand dollar car

[@tedpetrimoulx5020]

Get a different tube and just get the frame right. You have all the correct tags.

[@c50ge]

YOU SHOULD TAKE IT TO MY PAINTLESS DENT REPAIR GUY!

[@digitalpizza1]

That’s who dented it 😎

[@baby-sharkgto4902]

I feel like "survivor" may not be the best way to describe this car. I do k ow what a "survivor" is.... but still

[@AnthonyStone-d7u]

Ouch I meant the car and driver. If you fix that to 100% you are as good as anyone could ever be at fixing everything not just mechanical.

[@MichaelSmith-dg1fb]

Ah..that'll buff out

[@dannywilsher4165]

I had a 68 SS Camaro till my bro decided I didn't need it and sold it. About a week later when I found out about it and went looking for it and found pieces of it scattered all over town.... The guy that bought it parted it out and sold it for close to scrap prices...

[@muscleonly1]

By survivor I hope you mean the people survived!

[@digitalpizza1]

Ha yes I know. Not sure about that. I do know it’s been a while since it was wrecked

[@colclumper]

I wouldn't want to be in any accidents in those old cars

[@mdogg1604]

Why couldn't that be a Yugo? What a shame.

[@James-it5gr]

Good candidate for a dynacorn body

[@mrmanitoba]

Where's part 2? It's been 6 months. In reality the owner needs to move on.

[@rushflare8208]

part 2 is on his channel... should probably take the 15 seconds to look before writing a comment like this

[@mrmanitoba]

@@rushflare8208 OOPS, although you did answer the question and I didn't have to look.

[@bowtie3]

Something's off about the story of that car. The crash etc..

[@jeffrey4547]

i got a 79 chevy short box 4x4 quad traction cheyenne full option truck all stock with the 400 sb heavy duty 400 turbo has factory paint runs and drives good for a trade been offer a lot for it all ready like every time i drive it . i even got a engine for the car sitting just waiting for a 69 z28 project car

[@jerryrichter4904]

wrong heads should have little humps mine is original 186

[@digitalpizza1]

Yes, this comment has been corrected in previous comments

[@stewartcampbell7794]

Part's Karr 4 Sure ! Unie-Body . NO Recovery Here & a Small Block . Had Same Issue / 68 Nova SS Rat-Rock . [ I Went Lumber Jack'in ] . Bought 69 SS Chassie Less Engine & that Fixed Everything . Frame Fix'in Guy Stated He Could Bend Back on X & Y Axis but was Unable 2 Fix Z Axis ! YYZ , Rock-Crush'in Rat-Man ! Good Luck & Happy Trail's ...

[@mokelv]

I did that to a brand new 69 nova in1969 with with a 327 4speed, car had less than 1000 miles on it, Insurance company junked it, firewall was bent

[@digitalpizza1]

Ouch, bummer I also had a 69 Nova My dad bought it brand new I was 13 and loved it 😎

[@mokelv]

@@digitalpizza1 I hate seeing that pic. brings back bad memories

[@carlballinger844]

worst place to hit a car, there's more structure inside, pillar, dash, firewall, floor

[@richardcawalla1148]

Whacked that badly , this car will never be really right again .

[@michiganmotorsports]

Dang, I hate when a house smacks into my car! Good luck - it's bad.

[@woodrowdelozier1]

Not original or numbers matching anymore

[@edreed5706]

I'm a firm believer that anything can be fixed. I just wouldn't start a project that far gone. It would end up a parts car.

[@digitalpizza1]

Everyone has their limitations. These original “real” Zs are an endangered species and deserve to be saved.

[@edreed5706]

@@digitalpizza1 I totally agree. I've been a mechanic for 45 years. Worked on a lot of hot rods. I definitely couldn't do this one.

[@biscuitboy3617]

The car looks like it's bent. If it's the original hood, where are the stripes? why does it look more shiney than the rest of the car? This car is going to need a whole new floor and trunk pan, rocker panels, quarters, fenders, at least one door, a new roof and front pillars. It would be cheaper to buy a new Dynacorn body and swap all the original parts into it!

[@digitalpizza1]

As noted in previous comments, it was later determined that the hood had been added but is in fact an original date coded hood that had obviously been painted, badly :)

[@michaelhill2844]

I don't think it hit a house. I think a house hit IT.

[@jerrynavarro2404]

Dang

[@sucapizda]

The rest of the tree and that torn off corner of the house are still lodged in the drivers scull.

[@digitalpizza1]

Yes, that is what I thought also until someone posted on here that he knew the guy who wrecked it, he said he walked away. Unbelievably lucky!

[@Veryrandy8508]

For that poor car to be hit in the cowl is the worst spot ever it's the core of the body 69 camaros came with cylinder heads that had bolt holes like the 186 head

[@alshotrodgarage4779]

20,000 z28 made in 1969….

[@jimcrowell5093]

😞hurt but not broken