'69 Camaro Z-28 homecoming.......Forty years later ! ! !

Jack Matyas · 01-18-2011, 10:22 AM

Haven't built or restored one of these in a few years and inflation has set it here too - some sellers think we're not in a recession still while others are more intune with the times with reasonable prices -- been doing a little advance checking on how far I'm going to go with this project .This beauty sure needs alot of parts and pieces ..........and a bunch of help from my friends ! ! ! Thanks to those of you who have called with stuff for sale -- I'll need all the racer help I can get .

Some have suggested it might be cheaper to make this an A/SA car ...........nah - I've already got plenty of headaches . And not enough time . Its amazing how many guys ( and gals ) out there have these cars in one stage or another .

Doug Blackley · 01-18-2011, 06:32 PM

The 502 with a set of 4.11's and the stick would make for a fun street car Jack.

cicero819 · 01-18-2011, 08:26 PM

Jack first off congratulation on finding your first if only we all could be so lucky, mine has been turn into a Civic or some lamp shade of some type. What I would suggest do to the economic realities is to start driving it as soon as you've made it safe and start enjoying the ride. Doesn't have to be a trailer queen to have fun with. claude

Isaac Zane · 01-20-2011, 11:53 AM

It looks like Jim may be heading towards putting his Z/28 back on the street. Figuring he'd get more use and enjoyment out of it. He just picked up a cross ram set-up for it. If any of those who have a correct engine that Jack isn't interested in, could you send (pm?) me any information.
Thanks,

Jack Matyas · 05-01-2011, 01:12 PM

Wow how time flies - it was just yesterday that this baby came home but other projects got "in the way" and now racing season is here .But the good news is that bodyshop guys don't race and they finally called to get my job in .I've picked out a local shop just because they have worked on a zillion of these cars and really like what they do .While there they'll put a new quarter on along with a new rear tail panel .I've decided to wait on paintwork till after all the mechanicals are done .Speaking of which I still need an engine and a ton of other parts .......talk about a money pit . Maybe I can phone up President Obama and see if he'll bailout my car company at a low rate or even free ! ! ! Or maybe I should try "The Donald" - he's a business guy who's moving up - he'll understand ............

I was hoping to have this done by early Summer to take in a cruise night or two but times going by and I'm short on help ..................

Glenn Hayes · 05-01-2011, 05:56 PM

Great story Jack .... put a 302 back in it and have a ball

cicero819 · 05-01-2011, 09:34 PM

Great pics Jack, are you still going with the Cragars. The original wheels with the taxi cab cover for wheel treatment is quite nice. The interior looks in pretty good shape. you can always go to the bank and float a loan on Beautification of your neighborhood Grant. Claude

cicero819 · 07-27-2011, 03:27 PM

Car is looking good Jack, soon it's going to be 1969 again. My two cents Jack but I would install the taxi cab hubcap.14" cragar look a little small.lol Claude

Rich Biebel · 07-27-2011, 07:14 PM

So it's a '69 Z/28 with RS package.....Hideaway headlights....I think if i recall right it can't be an SS but it can be a Z/28 with RS option....
Houndstooth interior.....maybe Rosewood wheel......

We had a M-H generator customer today who is an old friend and long time Div.1 drag racer/ car owner.

He has a '67 Camaro....he bought it new....it's got 2700 miles on it.......396/375 4 speed....mostly all original.......and it has sat in garages most of it's life in NY..........I did go to NY National once when he took it out.......that was about 40 years ago! I cringe when I think of the cars and parts we basically threw away back then.....Who knew as the saying goes.....

Geerhead55 · 07-28-2011, 12:32 AM

Rich,,,there were RS/SS Camaros in '69 and RS-Z/28s but no SS-Z/28s. All Z/28s (67-69) were 302s, whereas RS/SS cars could have a 350 or a 396. Of course there were also just standard RS cars,SS cars and Z/28s without the RS option.
Jack,,I envy you,,I wish I had my '69 Z back that was stolen in '75,,,kind of rare as it was Burnished Brown/ White stripes. Have fun with yours.
Danny Durham

01-18-2011, 10:22 AM	#1
Jack Matyas Live Reporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Bethlehem , PA -Christmas City , USA Posts: 4,933 Likes: 411 Liked 2,058 Times in 401 Posts	Re: '69 Camaro Z-28 homecoming.......Forty years later ! ! ! Haven't built or restored one of these in a few years and inflation has set it here too - some sellers think we're not in a recession still while others are more intune with the times with reasonable prices -- been doing a little advance checking on how far I'm going to go with this project .This beauty sure needs alot of parts and pieces ..........and a bunch of help from my friends ! ! ! Thanks to those of you who have called with stuff for sale -- I'll need all the racer help I can get . Some have suggested it might be cheaper to make this an A/SA car ...........nah - I've already got plenty of headaches . And not enough time . Its amazing how many guys ( and gals ) out there have these cars in one stage or another . __________________ Jack Matyas 1547 FS/C 2015 Camaro COPO # 62- 2012 Camaro Convertible COPO

01-18-2011, 06:32 PM	#2
Doug Blackley Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Hanover, MA Posts: 430 Likes: 3 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: '69 Camaro Z-28 homecoming.......Forty years later ! ! ! The 502 with a set of 4.11's and the stick would make for a fun street car Jack. __________________ Doug Blackley 1697 STK

01-18-2011, 08:26 PM	#3
cicero819 VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Aylmer Quebec, Canada Posts: 1,087 Likes: 31 Liked 69 Times in 30 Posts	Re: '69 Camaro Z-28 homecoming.......Forty years later ! ! ! Jack first off congratulation on finding your first if only we all could be so lucky, mine has been turn into a Civic or some lamp shade of some type. What I would suggest do to the economic realities is to start driving it as soon as you've made it safe and start enjoying the ride. Doesn't have to be a trailer queen to have fun with. claude

01-20-2011, 11:53 AM	#4
Isaac Zane Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: North Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 361 Likes: 392 Liked 50 Times in 14 Posts	Re: '69 Camaro Z-28 homecoming.......Forty years later ! ! ! It looks like Jim may be heading towards putting his Z/28 back on the street. Figuring he'd get more use and enjoyment out of it. He just picked up a cross ram set-up for it. If any of those who have a correct engine that Jack isn't interested in, could you send (pm?) me any information. Thanks, __________________ Isaac Zane STK 1237 J/SA Buick Apollo Patriot Guard Rider DOOF 43

05-01-2011, 01:12 PM	#5
Jack Matyas Live Reporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Bethlehem , PA -Christmas City , USA Posts: 4,933 Likes: 411 Liked 2,058 Times in 401 Posts	Re: '69 Camaro Z-28 homecoming.......Forty years later ! ! ! Wow how time flies - it was just yesterday that this baby came home but other projects got "in the way" and now racing season is here .But the good news is that bodyshop guys don't race and they finally called to get my job in .I've picked out a local shop just because they have worked on a zillion of these cars and really like what they do .While there they'll put a new quarter on along with a new rear tail panel .I've decided to wait on paintwork till after all the mechanicals are done .Speaking of which I still need an engine and a ton of other parts .......talk about a money pit . Maybe I can phone up President Obama and see if he'll bailout my car company at a low rate or even free ! ! ! Or maybe I should try "The Donald" - he's a business guy who's moving up - he'll understand ............ I was hoping to have this done by early Summer to take in a cruise night or two but times going by and I'm short on help .................. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Jack Matyas 1547 FS/C 2015 Camaro COPO # 62- 2012 Camaro Convertible COPO

05-01-2011, 05:56 PM	#6
Glenn Hayes Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Weeki Wachee, Florida Posts: 348 Likes: 416 Liked 18 Times in 12 Posts	Re: '69 Camaro Z-28 homecoming.......Forty years later ! ! ! Great story Jack .... put a 302 back in it and have a ball __________________ "Real Race Cars Have Tailgates"

05-01-2011, 09:34 PM	#7
cicero819 VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Aylmer Quebec, Canada Posts: 1,087 Likes: 31 Liked 69 Times in 30 Posts	Re: '69 Camaro Z-28 homecoming.......Forty years later ! ! ! Great pics Jack, are you still going with the Cragars. The original wheels with the taxi cab cover for wheel treatment is quite nice. The interior looks in pretty good shape. you can always go to the bank and float a loan on Beautification of your neighborhood Grant. Claude

07-27-2011, 03:27 PM	#8
cicero819 VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Aylmer Quebec, Canada Posts: 1,087 Likes: 31 Liked 69 Times in 30 Posts	Re: '69 Camaro Z-28 homecoming.......Forty years later ! ! ! Car is looking good Jack, soon it's going to be 1969 again. My two cents Jack but I would install the taxi cab hubcap.14" cragar look a little small.lol Claude

07-27-2011, 07:14 PM	#9
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,320 Likes: 25 Liked 557 Times in 217 Posts	Re: '69 Camaro Z-28 homecoming.......Forty years later ! ! ! So it's a '69 Z/28 with RS package.....Hideaway headlights....I think if i recall right it can't be an SS but it can be a Z/28 with RS option.... Houndstooth interior.....maybe Rosewood wheel...... We had a M-H generator customer today who is an old friend and long time Div.1 drag racer/ car owner. He has a '67 Camaro....he bought it new....it's got 2700 miles on it.......396/375 4 speed....mostly all original.......and it has sat in garages most of it's life in NY..........I did go to NY National once when he took it out.......that was about 40 years ago! I cringe when I think of the cars and parts we basically threw away back then.....Who knew as the saying goes..... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R

07-28-2011, 12:32 AM	#10
Geerhead55 VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tacoma, Washington Posts: 1,632 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: '69 Camaro Z-28 homecoming.......Forty years later ! ! ! Rich,,,there were RS/SS Camaros in '69 and RS-Z/28s but no SS-Z/28s. All Z/28s (67-69) were 302s, whereas RS/SS cars could have a 350 or a 396. Of course there were also just standard RS cars,SS cars and Z/28s without the RS option. Jack,,I envy you,,I wish I had my '69 Z back that was stolen in '75,,,kind of rare as it was Burnished Brown/ White stripes. Have fun with yours. Danny Durham

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