Nicky71

Lately I've been really itching to get a 69 Z/28. The problem is, I would have to sell my current 67 L-79 Coupe to get it. I know there are a lot of members on the forum who have first-gen Camaros and I would be very interested in hearing their perspectives on how the Camaro stacks up against a midyear Corvette. Am I nuts to consider this?

66427-450

:lol: that's like asking if you should trade a hot blonde for a hot brunette........ all up to you my friend.

(actually "I'd" prefer a '69 302 Z with 4.11's to a hydro cammed SB C-2)


[Modified by 66427-450, 3:03 PM 3/22/2004]

six-T-six

A 69 RS/SS vert with a 396 would be pretty sweet!

Daren Schneider

As long as I dont hear that bad Four letter word (FORD), I am ok with it.

Actually, I used to commute 1/2 by car to my job and I remember this guy using a 69 DZ302 with steep gears as his daily driver. That car sounded sweet. It killed me to see him drive it in the rain. I think he put it in the garage for winters.

67L36Driver

Reasons not to go from Vet to Camaro.
Poor weight distribution, steel body, and lack of irs.

Not me, no no no no no, but then I've been driving mine since '76 so what do I know. Never owned a Camaro but did have a Dodge Challanger (383) for a time.

SWCDuke

Talk to John Z. He has both a restored '67 300HP convert. and an original 30K mile '69 Z-28.

I recall looking at the '69 Camaros when I was a Pontiac production engineer overseeing the '69 Firebird pilot production at Van Nuys (Both Camaros and Firebirds were built on the same line at Van Nuys.). Love the look of the '69 Camaro (much better looking than the F-bird.), but I never cared for the flat seats and dash board design with the square bezels around the gages.

Next to a vintage Corvette, a vintage Z-28 is the best choice!

Duke

c1vette

Well Nick, whatever you decide ... just follow your gut.

If it were me, I'd keep the vette. But on the other hand, if you are selling it, let me know! :yesnod:

jimgessner

Well Nick, the Camaro Z-28'S are neat cars. You have to keep the "R's" up as the 302 is only happy at 3500+ RPM.

I have owned a 69, a 70 and a 71. The 2nd generation I personally liked better than the 69. Dave McLellan, chief Corvette engineer on the C-4 along with Jerry Palmer designed the 70 Camaro Z-28 as 'the most uncomprised' car of the time.

By that, David presented the chassis and engine to Jerry, and said build a great body for this driveline. Usually, the engineers get a car.......and then they have to squeeze a 396 or something into it that the car was never designed for. Result, 55/45 front weight, poor stopping etc.

I think with the Corvette LT-1 , 350 engine, as the powerplant, it was the best Camaro made. By 1973, you had to settle for the L-82 motor at 190hp. A far cry from 360hp in 1970.

Why not keep the 67 Corvette, and go look for a Gen II 1970-72 Z-28? They are less expensive by about $13000 than a 69 Z, and I think a better ride. And with a RS front, they are a better looking car.

Just my 2 cents. Call if you decide to sell the 67 Corvette. I want it.

Regards,
Jim

Denney

Nick, many moons ago I owned a 69 RS/SS Pace Car and loved it (although I have to admit it WAS a rust bucket). It ~only~ had the solid lifter 350ci/300hp and a 4-speed, but it moved out quite well (assuming you could get some grip into the tires). When the 30th anniversary Camaro came out it reminded me of that 69 and I have been looking for another 69 Pace Car ever since (unfortunately the price just keeps rising and putting me further and further behind in my plans to get it). Would I part with a vette to get one? Possibly. Depends on the car. Bottom line, if you want the Z, go for it. :thumbs:

Grey Ghost

[QUOTE] :lol: that's like asking if you should trade a hot blonde for a hot brunette........ all up to you my friend.
(QUOTE]

I have to agree. I love a 69 Z and lusted after one for many years back in the early 90's. Never did get one. I think they have some bad areas that will be rusted on many of them - be careful and learn where to look and check for it.

They are great looking cars. But, a 67 Corvette Coupe, is WAY more exclusive than the Z. You will see a ton of Camaro's on cruise night...but not many midyears. So, if exclusivity means something to you...you may want to think twice.

Just wondering...I seem to take it that you have never really been satisfied with your Vette ? I'll tell ya' just to confuse you maybe a little more...a convertible midyear can't be beat by anything in my book. There is nothing like a 2 seat convertible to make you feel like "part of the car." A coupe has all that room inside, but a convertible seems like you just strap it own. Try it -you'll like it !

Gordonm

I had a 70 RS Camaro as my first car. I'd love to have that car back. I had a 69 RS SS Pace Car for 13 years also. Loved that car. Sold it for the Vette. Currently have a 72 LT1 Vette. All great cars. My brother in law has a 69 Z28. He had the 302 in it for a while. What a different motor. Ran to 8500 rpm with the 140 cam in it. Not much bottom end but a real screamer. Currently has a 600 HP 421 SB in it. Now that is a fun car to drive. I don't think you will go wrong with a 69 Z28. Nice cars to drive.


[Modified by Gordonm, 6:46 PM 3/22/2004]

Nicky71

I guess the bad thing about being my age (24) is that I never got to enjoy muscle cars when they were just used cars and relatively cheap/plentiful. So now each time I get the desire to try something different, it's really tough letting go.

Thanks for all the great input and suggestions. Now that the weather seems to be getting better, I think I probably need to drive a Z and see how it compares to a midyear.

Nicky71

Yeah, that's another problem I have...can't seem to be satisfied with the same woman for very long either :D

Birdball

Darn it Nicky- where were you 6 months ago when I sold my 69 Z28!! I would have traded you in a heartbeat. I rebuilt the 302 and put in a tremec 5 speed because the 4:10 gears were killer on the highway with the 4 speed. It was my daily driver for the spring/summer/fall, and the 302 was no where near as impressive as a well built 327. I say, keep your vette, spend 5-10K on a non-z28 69 with a 350, you will have the look, more power, and be able to keep the vette!

Matt

JohnZ

My "other" toy is a 31K-mile original/unrestored/unmolested/fully GM-documented stock '69 Z/28, all original, no rust; may be the only one left that hasn't been tubbed and slammed with a blown big-block sticking through the hood. Highly-optioned for a Z (Deluxe interior, console, gages, PS, PB, rear defogger, etc.), took first place the last two years in a row in the "Original Unrestored" class at the Camaro Superfest Nationals against a dozen other trailered cars (mine was the only "driven" car).

It's a blast to drive (once you get the 302 spooled-up), and howls to 6500+ all day long; gets lots of lookers on the street and when I show it - one of the few "real" Z/28's left that hasn't been butchered by a succession of "Bubba" owners over the years - spent three years and looked at twenty-some cars before I stumbled across it in Canada and bought it on the spot. Would I get rid of a '67 Corvette for it? No way - that's why I have both. :D :yesnod:


:steering:

66427-450

The Z-28 302 was a great engine! ..... but nothing mysterious from a power production perspective; it "basically" had a 327/375 cam and heads, 427/425 carb.... the only thing unique was that big intake. Of course as far as durability goes they used specially prepared crank/rotating components, floating pins, etc.

My friend had a '68 we raced for years, that's were I got addicted to the 4500-7500 RPM range. He shutdown a local hemi roadrunner with that little mouse, he'd get ~ 2 car lengths ahead to 4th....... then the hemi'd come on strong at the other end and get within ~1/2 a car length at the line (I don't think the mopar had enough gear but it was great seeing that 302 spank that big hemi's butt).

However we never picked on our big brother (a solid lifter BB C-2 with 4.56's)

PS: Super looking Z John ! I agree many have been pieced back together after a rough life..... but not many made it thru the golden years unmodified .



[Modified by 66427-450, 4:16 PM 3/23/2004]

jimgessner

Way to go John,

There is no substitute for an original, unmolested performance Chevrolet !! :iagree:

Biggus Blockus

My 67 Camaro is not a Z-28, but I own both a midyear vette conv and a first gen Camaro convert. I love them both for different reasons. The vette is a beast - a romantic brute that seats only 2 - and is impractical in every way.

The Camaro is a crusier, has an ample backseat & a big trunk. I can take the whole family for a drive & still turn heads and give the kiddies a thrill by depressing my right foot. It is a little more practical than the vette, but still a 10 on the giggle scale.

They are both great cars. I couldn't decide between them - so I have both!

Ironcross

I like them both, Vettes and Camaros. But if you have to sell the Vette to get the Camaro, I wouldn`t. They made 6300+ L79 Vettes and 20,000+ 69 Z28`s and several thousand more clones. I have in my current collection, 4 Vettes and 5 Camaros. 3 early big block Camaros, 2 SS 68`s and a very rare 67 L78 SS/RS and a 95 Z28 Black convertible, plus a 2002 SS Black convertible. both 6 speeds. Keep the Vette and get the Camaro also. :thumbs: The 67 is below.

Silverpearl 66

NO WAY !!!!!!!!!
My wife and I had a 69 Z/28 in the mid 70's we had it for 3 years, black,black vinyl top, white stripes and 302. Now we have a 66 Corvette vert. L79 a/c both tops, anyway we have had it 22 years. Keep the Corvette ! If you got enough room in the garage, put up the title for the Corvette for financing on the Z/28 and have them both.
Be aware I think that the 69 Z/28 is the most cloned car there ever was.