1969 Camaro RS/Z28 Barn Find
When was the last time you saw a 1969 Camaro RS/Z28 in this shape? How about in a Major Car Show?
When we first saw this car at the 2010 Forge Muscle Car Show we knew we had to get some photos. After all this is one rare Camaro. It is a 1969 RS/Z28 with the soft front bumper and only has 36,000 miles. Unfortunately, the car was parked in 1975 and isn’t in the best shape! It is mostly original according to the owner, Robert Hurst. The tires are obviously new and a few other parts were changed out back in the day just as most of us would have done but nothing major.
So here you have a low miles 1969 Camaro RS/Z28 and it is rusted beyond belief. What would you do with it? I can’t even figure out if I should post this in the Barn Find pages, our Feature Car pages, Project Car pages or simply call it a Rat Rod Muscle Car! It is surely an intriguing find.
The old Z28 302 doesn’t look so mean now does it?
What would you do with this car if you found it? I know a 1969 Camaro RS/Z28 can bring big money but I don’t think this car can be restored for what such cars are selling for today. Given that, how much would you pay for this car? I want to hear from you!
Not the RS/Z28 I dream about!
Check out the original tire and jack under the car.
Those new tires and wheels certainly look out of place.
See the hole in the floorboard?
What would you do with this car? Leave your comment below and let us know.
Its certainly a nice find.I would show it as-is for a while then treat it to a full blown restoration.
I would get it running and drive it like it is for a while.
Wow, that baby has seen better days. I would beat in an old for sale sign into the drivers side floor and drive it. LOL Hopefully some day someone will take car of her.
shoot id gut it tub it stick a roll cage drop a insanely nice drag engine and make a street sleeper out of it……
wow drive it you dont see many of them in tht condition on the road hahaha.
The car will be fixed. 3 wheels are original. Smog, shocks,and horns are gone. 39000 miles, engine still turns over. Nothing else has had a bolt turned. The car still sets good and looks a lot worse than it is. I have had a bunch of camaros. copos 67 zs 68 zs and I still have several 69 zs and pace cars. I hope I have not hurt any ones feelings by bringing this old car out to let people see it, but how long has it been since you have seen one with the original plug wires. Please do not give me to hard a time, if it bothers people I will not have it out anymore. Thanks, Robert Hurst Campton, Ky.
Robert, If someone is “hurt” by having this car at a show they have a problem. A real car guy enjoys all cars in all conditions. I personally get bored with over chromed and over done show cars. Yours is a unique vehicle; it is part of history and the real world. I enjoyed seeing it at the Forge Classic Muscle Car show and some day it will make for some fantastic “before and after photos”. Good luck with your restoration and keep those of us who are interested informed on your progress.
Robert,
Love your car. Thanks for showing it. You found what most car nuts only dream about. Good for you and again, Thanks for sharing.
Id pay 20-25K for it as is.
These survivor cars really intrigue me. I would spend more time looking at this one than a $100,000 pro street car. Give me originality. This car should be in the Smithsonian.
I think your car is awesome and I would love to see it in person!
i would try my best to restore it but if it is too far gone, i would part it out, it could finish loads of other Z28 restorations, especially the 100% complete and original engine, if i had it, i might just clean the interior a little but keep it like it is, its a beautiful car just by knowing it’s all original
Thank you Frank, its hard to find people like you and also to find camaros like this. People are just silly if they would tub a car out like this and put a roll cage in it. I think its great to have a car in this condition and i would keep it and cherish the fact that i have original 69 Z28
It is a shame to show this rare car in its present condition to anyone, anywhere. I suggest contracting the best Camaro restorers in the country and let them bring it back to 1969. People who let any decent old car (especially F-Bodies) deteriorate should be beaten with a tire iron. What a beauty this car must have been. And I wasn’t even aware that RS/Z28s even existed. In fact, I believe I heard someone on the Barrett-Jackson Scotsdale Auction broadcast last year say that such an animal never roamed our streets.
Sorry, I typed Merlins name in my comment. As I was saying Merlin, I can tell you are a real car guy.
It begs the question why a 1969 r/s s/s z/28 w/36K miles was parked for 35(?) years and allowed to decompose to that condition. That’s just criminal…(just sayin’)
There is no cure for stupidity and I’m not talking about the car being left outside.Great piece of unrestored history.
Guess what car guys and gals, Changed oil, plugs, filed points, did a little pre-lubing, rebuilt carb. Cranked over about 10 times and fired right up. 65 pounds oil pressure. Misses a little, but no knocks, rattles, or squeaks. Happy days are here again.
hey aint nothin wrong with showin that car looks kool 2 me n everyboby else!!!! would like 2 hear it start 1 time though….
Loved seeing the pics of that RS/Z28!!! That inspired me to get my 69 Z28 on the road in its current condition faster. She may not be the prettiest thing, but its all about where you start! I think the next car show that happens…I’ll be driving mine there as is!!!
Hello,
Once a Camaro fan, always a Camaro.
I just purchased a X77 Z28 in simular shape.
I haven’t taken one bolt off it yet. Coming up with my
game plan.
It’s a rush though. Even in the shape it’s in.
If you curious, I’d send you a picture of mine.
Let me know. . . .
Nice car. I would pay $10,000 for it ha. Anyway I would make it into a driver.
WHAT! This car is a diamond just a bit ruff, Have a little fun with it as is and then treat it like it should have been from birth. full frame off. Remember Its not just a camaro, its a rs/Z with 36000 rounds.I wish I could see it in person.Treat it with respect or sell it to someone who can bring her back. Bruce, Member northstar camaro club/Minnesota.
I would do the mechanical repairs and fix up the interior then drive it as is. great old american iron.
Robert, I would clean it up as best as possible and put it in a museum so the future generations can see a original untouched piece of automotive history.
Sell the car as is to a serious restoration shop as a rolling ad at car shows. The shop should restore 1/2 of the car from the driver side to the centerline. Take a really good video of the restoration to run at the car shows. The cost would be paid back by work for the shop as THE place to go for serious work on Z28’s/RS and retired first series racers. I’ve seen this done to an early Vette, it would be a really neat display for the shop. But the shop better be really good as the car will be looked at like something at Pebble Beach.
Robert: I’d look it over w/a magnifing glass(in otherwords);look close at it to find the original faceplates that describe the car as it is intackt! A rare car such as this needs to be touched on like a cotton/feather, have only the work done to patch & seal the problem areas that need touched up! Because This 1969 RS/Z28 is priceless in it’s current shape! It’s better not to change it’s character by massive updates; cause the more you modify the car: the more value it loses! Ty for showing the car!
Pull the frame out from under it and rebuild everything, bolt a Dynacorn body on it and start transferring parts.
I would leave it just as it is. Besides getting her to safely drive for showing.It’s a rare piece of auto history and it’s so true that they are only original once!!
Most car guys would have *^*^*! all over there selves if they found what you did. Be proud of it and do as you wish and what is in your blood, and you can’t go wrong!
I would love to see this car in person too !
Leave it as is..original untouched rough cars with that kind of “patina” are getting harder and harder to find,and are about as precious as an archaelogical find. I have an unrestored cranberry red 1970 SS454 4spd. Chevelle in rough shape like that and most people say leave it, they like to see them in that condition.
WHEN HE WANTS TO SELL IT ILL TAKE IT OFF HIS HANDS
405-833-1586
I’m almost finishing a frame off resto of my 69 Z-28, I had to replace the floor,trunk floor,rear clip and all of the front sheet metal but, I did the work except for the paint and engine work and it was well worth the time I put in it.I am not a rich banker just a retired fire fighter who loves cars. Please restore it /// my Z is as follows Garnet red,white stripes, white interior, DZ 302,M-21, 3;55 posi
WOW… What a treasure! I’d keep it like it is for a while and then I’d break the bank getting it back in “as new” condition. Out of all the great cars that ended up with a cult-like following, the ’69 Camaro has to be in the top three. Add great options like the RS trim group and the Z/28 performance option and you have got yourself one of the baddest of the bad! It is true that the car likely wouldn’t appraise or sell for the cost of the full restoration, but you don’t save great cars like this “just” for the investment potential that they represent. This is an absolute classic that should have no expense spared because the true value of the end result can’t really be measured in mere dollars and cents. Rest assured….if you just HAD to get rid of it, there are definitely folks out there who have the money and the sense to disregard current market trends who would gladly pay you the price of your restoration costs and then some. All I can say is that some guys have ALL THE LUCK!!!
I would leave the car the way she was found!!!
beautiful the way it is
I would be a player on this car thanks for showing it 931-242-8142
If it were me, I would slowly repair and replace things to get it back up and running and on the road, keeping as much stock as I could. I would just enjoy the car for what it is. What it is the best looking camaro ever built. You have a special car from a special time of automotive history. Have fun with and don’t worry about what anyone else says!
I would drive it and work on restoring this fine car. It gives me hope,my 1969 Camaro needs a lot of metal replacement but not as much as this car. My car is a plain jane but I have a lot of good parts including NOS quarter panel from the late 70’s or early 80’s not sure got them in 84. I have faith this car will be restored and so will mine someday..Don’t sell it,fix it!!!!!!!! Even driving a beater 1969 Camaro RS/Z28 is better then not having one or saying I sold a 1969 RS/Z28 for $$$$$ it was a barn find i made a lot of $$$. Be proud you have a 1969RS/Z28 enjoy the car!!!!!
An absolute beauty, I had one thirty years ago and even back then wished it was that original, I’m sure you’ll find a good home for your classic 69RS-Z/28 that will give it the new life it deserves, I havent the money or I’d surely pay your price. I build custom Harleys for a living and would trade any day one of equal value, good luck and thanks for sharing You are truely blessed to have found such a treasure,
I would love to be able to have the money to get a camaro like this one. The 1969 to me is the best one to have and to be able to have your family work on it as a family project would be awesome. It looks great
I would leave it as is, people seem to like rusty-original cars over the heavily modified cars, and Im one of them. Someone who is doing a 100-percent original restoration, as in all the way down to date-coded correct parts, would love to own this car or even use it as a guide to their own restoration. To whoever owns it, take good care of it, they’re only original once.
i would drive it like archie. never restore it just keep racking on mile after mile keeping it just working.
thats what i would do!
but thats jsut me.
what would you do?
Car is for sale. $27,000. Have to many projects to do this one as it deserves. 606-438-0011. No calls after 9:00 pm. est Thanks, Robert
Why not have some type of sweepstakes for it, Robert? I’m sure that you could easily raise the 27k that way……plus someone with the necessary skills (but not the necessary 27k) might be able to win it and restore it correctly….like myself! Reading some of the comments above only reinforces that not all people with money have brains or common sense. This car deserves to be restored back to its original glory, it’s a now rare piece of American Musclecar history!
Car is for sale. 25K. Robert 606-438-0011 before 7:00 pm EST.
i dont know why some call it “unmolested”,,,,shocks were changed,,,,cowl induction airfilter changed,,shackles on leaf springs,,o well,,
Robert, Did you ever sell this car?
Josh, really know your stuff. flat hood Z air cleaner correct. guess with your knowledge you could do a how to book on Z/28….o well.. still have car.
I have a ’69’ totally restored and a multiple award winner.
All matching numbers and original window sticker!!!! I have almost double the money into it for what I am selling it for.