Drawing a bead on NHRA Super Stock drag classes, Chevrolet performance guru, Vince Piggins, authorized the factory to fit a batch of 1969 Camaros w/ a version of the 427-cid V-8 used by the all-conquering Can-Am Chaparral. This was a 'Central Office Production Order' project, just like the COPO Chevelles that were produced in 1969. These cars featured a 427ci V8 engine, producing around 430 horsepower, and w/ only 69 units produced, they are one of the rarest Camaros ever built. The ZL-1 was designed primarily for drag racing, featuring lightweight components w/ features that included heavy-duty suspension, power brakes, and a close-ratio four-speed manual transmission. Customers could expect to spend around $7,800 for a ZL1, which was roughly double the price of an L78-equipped SS 396 Coupe. Due to the ZL1's rarity, when one of these cars goes up for sale today, it's a very big deal. In 2020, an original, matching-numbers Hugger Orange car sold for $1,094,500 at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale sale. Hagerty Valuation Tools' price for a good condition 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is a little lower, but still a lot of money: $622,000. If you are a huge fan of the '69 Camaro ZL-1, but don't have the bank roll to fork out for an original, then the car you are looking at now might be exactly what you are searching for!
'Red Hills Rods & Classics' is thrilled to offer you this absolutely gorgeous 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1 Replica! This beautiful Camaro was the recipient of a professional nut & bolt rotisserie restoration in 2011, which consisted of creating a correct ZL-1 replica in every way possible. The final result is nothing short of breathtaking. This Camaro is an original Tuxedo Black (Code 10) car, which just adds to its overall desirability. The body was completely stripped, w/ all body panels carefully massaged to make them laser straight. There is no bondo or body filler on the car whatsoever. It was then refinished in its factory correct Tuxedo Black paint, which has been polished and buffed to a brilliant shine throughout. Other exterior features include Rally Sport trim, Style Trim, new black vinyl roof, a cowl-induction hood, ZL-1 badging, as well as front & rear spoilers. The ZL-1 badges are 100% correct, and were only used on the two original ZL-1 prototype cars. Interesting side note: the gentleman who did the restoration purchased the rights from GM to remanufacture these original OEM ZL-1 badges. The chrome bumpers, and all of the stainless-steel trim is in excellent condition. The undercarriage is super clean w/ shiny black floors and chassis features such as Hotchkiss subframe connectors, CalTracs adjustable rear traction bars, and power-assisted front disc brakes. This Camaro has an excellent stance, and rolls on black 18" Forgeline steel wheels w/ dog-dish hubcaps, wrapped w/ Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 performance radial tires (275/40/R18 on the rear & 235/40/R18 up front). You can walk around this car a dozen times and it looks perfect from every angle.
Pop-open the driver's door and you will find a factory correct black vinyl interior that looks absolutely stock in appearance. The interior was completely re-trimmed during the restoration, including the front bucket seats & rear bench seat, which were reupholstered in correct black vinyl. Other interior appointments include a Rosewood steering wheel, center console w/ faux-wood trim, Rally gauges, factory AM Delco radio, 140-mph speedometer, Hurst floor shifter, and retractable front lap belts. The interior is in excellent condition throughout w/ minimal signs of wear. The trunk area is sparce just as you would expect, w/ an original (not a reproduction) Goodyear F70-14 spare tire & jack assembly.
Now, let's get to the heart of this beast, shall we?
Pop-open the hood and you will find the all-aluminum ZL-1 COPO 9560 427ci motor w/ the correct Winters Snow Flake stamp & date code, as well as a ZL1-specification casting number (3946053). In 1997, the Winters Foundry (who produced the original ZL-1 blocks in 1969) decided to do some spring cleaning. One of the chief Chevrolet engineers that had worked on the 1969 Zl-1 project got word that the old block molds that had unused for years were being discarded. He then convinced Chevrolet to produce these ZL-1 blocks again in 'limited-quantities'. Only 200 of these new blocks were produced. Before they poured the new blocks, the same engineer used his knowledge, and nearly 30 years of historical information & data, and decided to 'update' the new ZL-1 blocks to make them stronger, more efficient, and to run cooler than the original 1969 blocks. This Camaro has one of the 200 'updated' blocks poured from original ZL-1 molds. It is also thought to be one of only a few w/ the correct Winters Snow Flake stamp and correct date code. Other engine features include: correct ZL-1 rated 12:1 compression ratio, correct aluminum intake manifold (3933198) w/ Winters Foundry markings, Holley 850 cfm 4-barrel carburetor, single fuel line w/ no return (correct for a Zl-1 Camaro), all cadmium plating redone, correct TR washer style bolts, Chevrolet Performance aluminum heads, MSD Pro-Billet Ready-to-Run distributor, coated Hooker headers, COPO curved-neck radiator, 8" balancer, deep-groove accessory pulleys, correct 1-Q-69 dated spark plug wires, GM-marked radiator hoses, etc. While the ZL-1 engine was installed in 2011 during the restoration, it was subsequently rebuilt in 2019. The motor, which produces 520hp w/ 500 Ft. Lbs./Torque is linked to a Muncie M22 'Rock Crusher' 4-speed transmission w/ the correct bellhousing & lightweight GM flywheel, which feeds power to the asphalt-shredding 12-bolt Posi rear end w/ 4.10 gears. She fires up nicely, settling into a nice smooth idle, and when you get her out on the road, you realize what a beast she really is! She has loads of power & torque and sounds absolutely amazing, thanks to the custom dual exhaust system w/ an H-pipe and Flowmaster mufflers. The power steering & power disc brakes make driving around town effortless. If you don't like attention, then this is not the car for you, as anywhere that you decide to take her, there will be a crowd gathered around snapping photos on their smartphones.
The new owner will receive a binder of paperwork w/ build information, invoices, appraisal paperwork, component manuals, etc., along w/ a beautiful poster board, (2) plaques for 'Outstanding in Class' @ the Houston Auto Rama and the 'President's Award' from the Corvette/Chevy Expo (only given to cars scoring 98, 99, or 100), along w/ the free & clear title. If you have been searching for a very special & highly unique 1969 Chevrolet Camaro that can win 'First Place' awards and any automotive event that you choose to enter, but also a car that can be driven and enjoyed to the fullest, you will want to take a very close look at this gorgeous 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Zl-1 Replica!
