1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 | Tire Tracks

Roger Mecca takes a 1969 Camaro Z/28 for a test drive to see where all the hype came from.

[@SuperFrankieOSX]

I absolutely love this generation of Muscle Cars, I have a 68 Mustang Coupe, nothing beats these great classics.

[@orbits2]

86 Dodge Omni GLHS

[@alexlevy322]

Mopar "L" body. Had an 86 GLH Turbo, Palamino Blue... God I miss that car. Had to sell it due to life changes...

[@YellowjacketGTO]

Me as well but this is not a muscle car. Its a pony car so is the mustang.

[@justme307]

@@YellowjacketGTO FACT: What you think are muscle cars were really Super Cars. That's what they were called from the early 60s to the early 70s. So there were super cars and pony cars. Late 70s the term muscle car was coined to encompass both super cars and pony cars.

[@YellowjacketGTO]

@@justme307 lol oppinion is not fact sonny. Have a drink and relax.

[@hmackprotection1]

69 is the BEST body style Camaro ever produced

[@heychevrolet299]

Soon2Be Fulfilled yes it is

[@hmackprotection1]

Hey Chevrolet, right on man

[@scottieboy7853]

I agree 💯

[@pumpkinhero5489]

Agreed

[@fernandorocha8459]

@@heychevrolet299 Camaro Z28 69, and third gen best versions of Camaro

[@clarkgriswold5903]

What a beautiful Z28, just stunning!

[@JustFun-bm8dz]

I have owned one since 2000. My favorite body style ever!

[@pontiacGXPfan]

when Camaros weren't impossible to see out of

[@philliprokkas195]

pontiacGXPfan lmao

[@theeoddments960]

I still can’t see out of my a body skylark

[@jimmycline4778]

Matrox One 😂 exactly!

[@hakeemsd70m]

@Matrox One Well, you could see out of old cars when you looked behind you, so you didn't really need a passenger mirror, unlike today's Camaro of where you really can't see shit out of the back and you have to crane your entire body just to see past the blind spots. One thing I imagine about those times is that people didn't complain about stupid things like "interior quality " or dumb stuff like that.

[@kevinkendall3122]

Rare color combo Frost green/green int.

[@billymania11]

The styling of the 1969 Camaro Z/28 was the car's drawing card. It just looks so right. The actual interior and mechanicals are fairly low-rent but that's fine as it was targeted at regular consumers. Many of the Z's have been rebuilt/refurbished 2 or 3 times by now! It's just fun to still see them on the road.

[@stevenlaubach5947]

My first car when I was 16 was a 69 Camaro non Z28 but it was totaled on my graduation from high school doing 120 mph four drunk teens no seat belts. My second 69 Camaro was a SS 396 375 HP that was incredible. My favorite car in the world always wanted a hugger orange Z28.

[@p4277]

I’ve had my 69 Camaro for over 40 years and I love it more than ever! Mine is not a Z28, it’s a convertible with a 327/Powerglide. But it’s the same color as this car, Frost Green Metallic. Mine has a dark green interior and a white top. There were a lot of choices for colors back then.

[@leonlawrencez28]

Love this car. The Z28 heritage is awesome!!!!

[@vernhoke7730]

I've had 6 Camaros over that years, 2-'67s, a '74 (my first Camaro), an '84 Z28, an '85 IROC 5.0 TPI and an '87 IROC 5.7 TPI. I wanted a '67 as my first car but the old man said I'd kill myself, he might've been right. I'd have to say my favorite would be the 1967 or 1968.

[@camaro69green31]

A perfect example of a 69 Z!! Love this car. Always have since I was a kid. I fell in love with the Camaro at the age of 10 in 1977. THIS car is why I have always owned a Camaro and do to this day.

[@pjwashington5818]

I love this guy! Great minds think alike

[@charlespapineau5428]

My first car was a 69 Camaro convertible. Great memories a day and an awesome Z28!

[@gprimeofx]

The 1969 Z/28 without the RS-package is the perfect car. I'll have mine in Hugger Orange or Rallye Green, thank you!

[@sunny689]

Yes! Finally a Camaro with the hood stripes painted correctly!

[@possiblycrazy442]

Love the green. Could you imagine a new car with a green or blue interior?

[@dh4605]

No need to imagine. The 2017 Lincoln Continental has an available 'Rhapsody' blue interior; though I'm sure the take rate is slim as it is only available as part of the most expensive Black Label packages. Around 13 years ago Audi offered a green interior in some of their cars, but has since discontinued it.

[@possiblycrazy442]

Thank you for sharing. I just googled that and it is a pleasant sight. I'm glad someone is still doing it outside of exotic supercars, even if there is a large pay-wall in front of it.

[@CamaroAmx]

I’d love to buy a car with blue interior.

[@LaMaiStyle]

That’s a beautiful car.

[@fernandorocha8459]

Beautiful this Camaro Z28 69 green

[@shawnbroyles8274]

Love that color combination

[@danhealyeverythingoutdoors7105]

Now that is just AWESOME !

[@joevette6290]

Those 302's didnt last very long the high compression and high revs killed the rings in engine as you can see your 69 Z has a " blue" exhaust from finished rings

[@TheGeil8500]

I loved the 1969 Z28 Even though I am a Mopar and Ford fan. They just kick butt from the factory. A 302 with a radical cam from the factory.

[@lyleswavel320]

327 block, 289 crank brought it down to 302, trans am track racing rules 305 cubic inch or less, it is high winding to 7500rpm

[@blackericdenice]

That guy look like he sit when going number one.

[@fast03vette4me]

I use only genuine Andy Granatelli,,, STP Brand,,, for exhaust smoke and more H.P. The Racer`s Edge!

[@joesmith306]

They're awesome with big blocks.

[@ckelley63]

How do you not like a Z/28 ?

[@johnmilner7603]

Whoever striped the rear F’d up unless this rear spoiler was Dealer installed. Factory installed rear spoilers will not have a stripe on the bottom lip of the trunk lid. You were lucky to get 800 miles to a quart of oil in the 67-69 302 and 70 LT1 350 Z/28’s.

[@michaelmontanez948]

If the car originally had a dealer installed spoiler, then it's not F'd up

[@nicholasyoder]

I own a yellow 69 z28. It's THE muscle car in my opinion.

[@YellowjacketGTO]

Great pony car. But its not a muscle car never has been.

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

The only thing it's missing is the RS package.

[@aaronrainey788]

I think I heard 0-60 in about 8 seconds. Well, while they were not intended for launching off down a straight line, this number is a bit off.

[@jeffjackson9679]

Yeah. This nerd doesn't know how to drive and/or do research. The original Z28s weren't super fast by any means, but most stock one hit 60 in anywhere from 6.8-7.0 seconds depending on what publication you read.

[@twolak1972]

Probably more like 10 seconds. The 69 Z was a pooch off the li e unlike the 69 Boss 302 which was a ROCKET.

[@stefanovichmichael9686]

BS​@@twolak1972

[@joecummings9662]

My friend has a Olympic gold z/28 funnest car I ever drove

[@robertjohnson4401]

I owned a first generation 68 Camaro with the 327. A fun car to drive. The technology of cars today is so far ahead of the cars in the late 60s. My 2016 Honda Accord Sport with the 4-cylinder engine and automatic has a better 0-60 time at 7.8 seconds than the 69 Z-28 at 8.0 seconds. And the Accord gets three times better gas mileage.

[@leosun8469]

Nice Camaro, but the stripes are incorrect with this car. Very cool paint/interior combo and color. You don’t see many frost green deluxe interiors.

[@MidnightMechanic]

Bring back the 302 in LS trim, that motor can do 9 grand in an era OHV engines were lucky to do 7! Completely underrated motor by both the public and the power rating, they're Formula 3000 engines that are well worth rebuilding, if you can find the early era 327 cranks that fit them, before they swapped to 350 crank journal sizes.

[@thegreenerthemeaner]

Midnight Mechanic Blocks with code MO had small journal 3" stroke cranks. DZ blocks had large journal. 327s had 3.25" stroke cranks by the way.

[@MidnightMechanic]

So they ran both blocks in the 2 years the 302 was still being produced? I've heard of the DZ blocks with the 327 cranks, so what's the car's RPO code to designate it having an MO block instead of the DZ?

[@nickgough6904]

302s were 327 4-bolt main blocks with 283 forged cranks. 4" bore, 3" stroke. Off-the-shelf parts. Forged aluminum pistons with forged steel conn rods. Cams were allegedly from the fuelie 327s. Intake manifolds were likely by Edelbrock.

[@mikeheggem9488]

Intake manifolds were by winters foundry, hence the (snowflake) logo in the casting.

[@rebeccamann3893]

My favorite car and dream car and the license plate would say eat my dust 69

[@worldssickestmedia2713]

Yeah. The Z28 outsold the Boss 302. But in 1969 the Camaro didn't outsell the Mustang. In fact the only year Camaro outsold Mustang was 1977. And that was during the Mustang 2 era. Mustang has been kickin everyone's arse in sales since 1964 and still remains to do so.

[@waynes.2983]

I thought the headlamps had covers on the 69.

[@twolak1972]

On the RS.

[@nimamojtahedzadeh1568]

Please upload more Tire Tracks videos. The really work alongside those Retro Reviews vids.

[@brendas.1374]

I miss my 69 Camaro Z/28 ☹️

[@sherylellingson3538]

The quintessential american muscle car IS the mustang. I cannot tell you how many times kids all look at mine and say, look dad, it's a mustang!! Not very many can say that about a camaro.

[@twolak1972]

Yup. Go to any car show and where are all the people FLOCKED, Around the Boss mustang and Mach 1 exhibits, Camaros don,t draw the same crowds.

[@YellowjacketGTO]

Lol its not even a muscle car. Its a pony car. And Ford keeps lying with the 5.0 badge its a 4.9 liter just like the Z 302 is.

[@alexcorona]

Yeah because the average person knows all about the later GT350s....not lol Car guys yes, but not 99% of the general public. Even if you mention GT350 most car people will think of the early ones....

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

EVERYTHING AVOCADO in the 70s 🧔

[@wcsd9577]

I love the green colors. My '69 Z28 is Fathom Green exterior and dark green interior. Wouldn't have it any other way!

[@lenwoodcruze3594]

Eventho I gave this a thumbs up I still feel like this was a missed opportunity to compare it to a few other notable Camaros that followed.

[@spaghettiman1]

That blue exhaust smoke. Not a good thing.

[@srhatfield]

spaghettiman1 I saw that too! They have some serious blow by going on there...

[@spaghettiman1]

Blue smoke is oil bypass. It's from valve seals or piston rings leaking.

[@orbits2]

True. This car no doubts sets around in a garage. leak leak leak

[@encoencomen8361]

Probably worn valve seals. Little bit of lubrication don't hurt no one. Ha,ha.

[@zxtenn]

I noticed that too, engine could use a freshening like most, its always something and not an everyday car but I love that color and it has the deluxe interior. He is right being the 302 was never a 'drag car' . I had a 69 Z with a 302 and before that I built a 67 RS Yenko Camaro clone, 427/425 with 456 gears and a 4 speed, that BB would walk on that doggy 302 regardless its a true classic and worth a fortune--- only a hand few had the rear disc brakes as options, those days are forever gone and nothing but a distant memory for some

[@justsumguy2u]

I love the sound of those solid lifters. It's too bad Chevy made the new Camaro so ugly---it's like the once-hot cheerleader that put on 50 lbs, and it looks fat and bloated everywhere. The original's lines are so crisp and clean, devoid of fat and flab.

[@tomlea3713]

I would like a '69 Ram Air IV Trans Am please. Thanks! The Z/28 is a great car too

[@rebeccamann3893]

Ford maverick and Ford mustang 🐎 we're there best cars now in 2022 they have brought the maverick name in a truck

[@tedahwooga]

burning engine oil, engine is time for a rebuild

[@kyoakland]

yup

[@captainbuttnuggets4786]

Still got mine 32yrs later

[@Blackout_1692]

no Camaro or Mustang for me the AMC Javelin was always my favorite

[@orbits2]

Lonely?

[@CamaroAmx]

I have a 73 javelin/amx.

[@joecummings9662]

68/69 max my favorite

[@Hot80s]

whats up with that body-color frt bumper? It needs a chrome one.

[@dacrd]

It's called an Endura bumper it's correct the center caps and black grille however are NOT.

[@zapper302]

Loved my Daytona Yellow Z. With Enduro front bumper.

[@georgehill7881]

When I was 17 years old, I bought a brand new 1969 Camaro Z28 in Cortez Silver w/Black stripes, at O'Neill's Chevrolet in Avon, Connecticut for $3,700. With the stock 3:73 rear end it would go 120 MPH at a rock steady 5,500 RPM & would rev another 2,000 RPM to a screaming 7,500 RPM at about 150mph on the highway ! But at the dragstrip, it would finish the quarter mile in only 3rd gear !!! But with a 4:56 rear end, headers, traction bars and cheater slicks, and running in the SS/H Stock Eliminator Class it ran in the mid 13's. With even more rear end gear & better slicks it eventually became a high 10 second SS/H Class stock machine !!!!! Not bad for almost a factory stock engine car !!!!

[@michaelburt412]

Hey. It’s still not a mustang

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Engine is smoking...and handle knobs turned yellow.

[@PhenomProductions23]

If (1968's Bullitt) had been made a year later. Steve McQueen would have driven a '69 Forest Green Z/28 4-speed with no Badges. The Bad guys would have driven the '69 Charger in Black. Same year as the Dukes of Hazzard Charger.

[@twolak1972]

No he would,nt have. The 67 gt 390 /4 speed Steve McQueen drove would eat any 69 Z ALIVE.

[@PhenomProductions23]

McQueen drove a '68 390 with the GT badging removed and aftermarket Magnesium Torque thrust wheels. As fast as the 4 speed was it was a straight line car only and it had an open Differential. During practice runs between Steve and The Driver of the Charger, Legendary Hollywood Stunt Driver Bill Hickman who posed as one of the 2 bad guys... The Fastback couldn't keep up with the Chargers 440 4-speed in a straight line. The man who Hot Rodded the 390 for Steve told him not to Rev it past 6500 rpm in any gear or he would Grenade the engine. Any 60's Mustang Owner will tell you, at speeds over 90 There might as well be No Steering. Because it's Very Loose and the front end starts to lift very high and you can feel you're about to lose control as the steering isn't responding to you. And it makes you shit bricks as your life flashes before you. GT: 325hp / 427 ft-lb / Top Speed: 120 mph R/T: 375hp / 482 ft-lb / Top Speed: 140 Mph The F-Body always had better Handling even in the 1st Gen Cars. '69 Z28 302 V8 290hp / 290 ft-lb Deliberately Underrated by Chevrolet, when it was tested it revealed a true 375hp corvette cam motor still pulling hard at 7000 rpm Purpose designed Track Car for SCCA Trans Am Racing just like the Mach 1 and Boss 302 Mustang. Top Speed: 130 Mph and they came with a .3.73 Posi from the factory, the engine didn't like rpm below 3,000, it loves the high Rpms, it was a race motor with solid lifters and it was beating 90% of the SS 396 Camaros on the street with a 302 race motor built with Corvette Forged Internals. At the track a 69 Z28 with 4.88 Gears was running low 13s in the 1/4 mile

[@alexcorona]

Most people lust after the SS, more so than the Z28. Bigger engine and cheaper... with 99% same look.

[@YellowjacketGTO]

Meh not really. More ss cars to choose from and the high windibg 302.4 cid engine was made for the track not light to light. It did cost a bit more.

[@Steve1766]

oh no not Jani 😭

[@jacktheraven]

wrong shifter ball

[@DWH072]

Center caps correct ?

[@Bullwinkle1969]

If it has the JL8 4 wheel disc brake package. Very rare option. Don't really know if they came with the disc brake center caps?

[@williammorgan8786]

center caps are from a '67.

[@twolak1972]

HAHA SET FORD ON ITS HEELS FOR DEXADES, LOL. WHAT A CROCK , FORDS,boss 302 won the 70 trans am racing title. The boss had better low end and mid range power boasting 385 hp from it's high winding SB. The Z28 was a dog out of the hole and only came to life around 4000 rpm,s . By that time any drag race was already over.

[@billgator2005]

well here i am again ....not for decades to come...but in 67-69 ford was in serious doo doo...eats mustangs?? nolt really... CI vs CI it could compete on equal ground...

[@joe-hp4nk]

Nice car except for the puke green.

[@roguegeek]

‘69 is definitely the most popular of all Camaros, but it’s so incredibly overrated. You see them everywhere and, in stock form, they just didn’t handle very well.

[@alexcorona]

It only had 260HP, thats why you can flat foot it out of turns with no spin 😂😂😂

[@alexcorona]

and 260 was way overrated, since engines back then were tested with 0 accessories connected. Installed in the car it was making closer to 220 at the flywheel....

[@YellowjacketGTO]

Um no the 69 Z was rated 290 just like the mustang boss was. But they both put out a lot more.

[@igotthemagicinm3843]

When i think muscle car i think 454 chevelle ss bud

[@Cliff00936]

igot themagicinm3 yes like the 68' Chevelle.

[@igotthemagicinm3843]

Cliff00936 '70 is the best ;)

[@josephmercurio1024]

This guy driving the Camaro is full of s#@@hi@t, the mustang hit the 1 million mark way before 1967 like this dude said, it was 1965 when it hit 1 million.

[@puppycat65481]

0-60 in 8 secs.?............my minivan does it in 10 ....lol

[@loveonjohn]

Power steering was standard.

[@thud9797]

Negative Ghost rider, it was an option. Maybe you're thinking of power brakes which was standard.

[@loveonjohn]

@@thud9797 power steering was standard on '69 Z-28

[@thud9797]

@@loveonjohn Nah, no way. There's too many out there without it.

[@loveonjohn]

@@thud9797 Sure way to know it's a fake. Drum brakes in front not avail with a Z and all real Z's have power steering. I've owned mine since 1982.

[@williammorgan8786]

one more time, power steering was an option. research it.

[@tomwolak3362]

Shit. Put that next to a 69 or 70 mustang of any flavor and youlle see the difference immediately. Mustangs are the all time most gorgeous bodystyle. Camaros are just wanna bees. Couldnt give me a camaro over any mustang.

[@AaBb-zj2ld]

not a muscle car. its a pony car lol.

[@TedSchoenling]

Not everybody. I like the '68 better. I don't like the '69s fenders.

[@possiblycrazy442]

Another '67 - '68 fan!

[@ardyshane23]

Agreed. Not only that, it's a good motor, but not my favorite even from that generation.

[@CamaroAmx]

I’d take a 67

[@robertjohnson4401]

Ted Schoenling I agree. I owned a 68 Camaro with the 327 2-barrel. I installed the 1.94 valve heads and 4-barrel carburetor to increase the horsepower from 210 to 275. I miss that car.

[@foxnotch]

I also prefer the 67/68 over the 69s. I don't like the 69 tail lights at all.

[@24revealer]

Then Pontiac send its Phoenix in the form of a 1969 Trans Am to eat the ferocious Camaro animal full of mustangs!

[@midnightsun2483]

I never considered the mustang a muscle car

[@alexcorona]

Midnightsun 4 speed, lightweight body, dual exhaust, big block as an option. Thats really all you needed to qualify as a muscle car.

[@midnightsun2483]

And a backseat

[@chrisharrison83]

Uncle Rocky Bought One off the Show room floor Z28 Camero With T-Tops a 90's model parked it at his Mother's house my Grandmother Mary Bruton Terrece Apartments Stolen same day he brought it they never found I say Tijuana!!