First introduced in 1967, the Z28 was designed to defeat the Mustang in SCCA racing and went on to win the championship in both 1968 and 1969. An option package for the new Camaro, it was the brainchild of Chevrolet marketing and competition whiz Vince Piggins. At its heart was a specially built 302 CI V-8 crafted from the 327 CI block and the short stroke 283 CI crank. Published horsepower was rated at 290 HP, though estimates of its real horsepower ranged from 350-400 HP. Also included was the F41 Sport Suspension, front disc brakes, metallic-lined rear drums, quick steering, 15x6 Corvette wheels and E70-15 performance tires, a special hood with a working air intake, close-ratio 4-speed gearbox, trunk lid spoiler, and broad racing stripes. Camaros were slightly changed for 1968 after a successful introductory year. Side vent windows at the A-pillar were eliminated as Astro Ventilation made its debut. Federal mandates required side marker lights front and rear, and rectangular turn signal lamps in the grille replaced the round lamps used for 1967. Most importantly, staggered rear shocks—one mounted ahead of the rear axle and one behind—reduced wheel hop under hard acceleration. This 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 was produced at the Norwood, Ohio, Assembly Plant on the third week of April in 1968 and was sold new from McDonald Chevrolet in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, on June 1, 1968. It was born with the desirable Z28 package that included the 302/290 HP “MO” engine and M21 Muncie 4-speed transmission. Finished from the factory in the very rare and unique color of Corvette Bronze, the original owner would drive this beautiful Z28 for three years until he would put it into storage, where it would stay until 2000 when it would be treated to a meticulous 5-year rotisserie nut-and-bolt restoration with some of the country’s most knowledgeable Camaro experts involved. Thus, this Camaro has been restored to a concourse level using many original or N.O.S. GM parts. This Camaro retains its matching-numbers 302/290 HP engine, matching-numbers M21 Muncie 4-speed transmission, and matching rear end. This Camaro is also fully and completely documented to a level we rarely ever see and includes such original documents as; the original Bill of Sale, original build sheet, original Oklahoma Vehicle Inspection sticker, original Protect-O-Plate, original owner protection book, original owner’s manual, original warranty info, and original service work order. Other documents accompanying this Camaro are: the Jerry MacNeish inspection report, a letter from MacNeish about the car, a list of original GM parts, a list of N.O.S. GM parts, complete ownership history, an email conversation about the car with the original owner, and a November 2011 Hemmings Muscle Machines article on this exact Car. Several reports about the restoration as well as photographs are also present, along with pictures of the part numbers and Vin numbers verifying and showing each item in its disassembled state during the Restoration. You will be very hard-pressed to find another such Camaro in meticulously, professionally and correctly restored condition. Complete with the high level of original documentation and history that accompanies this car, it is indeed a rare find and further increases the value and collectability of this rare Z28.
