Built for combat on the race tracks of the Trans-Am series, the small-block-powered Z/28 battled the likes of the Mustang Boss 302 and the Plymouth AAR 'Cuda. Featuring an engine that was unique to the Z/28, a high-revving 302 cubic inch powerplant, it was both ferocious and agile, and all of that translated to the street versions. Today, the Z/28 is an A-list collectable, and fortunately, real ones are tough to clone thanks to that bespoke engine. No longer are big blocks the end-all, be-all of muscle cars, the Z/28 proves that going around corners is at least as much fun as making tire smoke.

This particular 1969 Camaro Z/28 is a numbers-matching car with just 58,300 original miles. A 2011 $60,000 restoration returned it to a high level, but it isn't a concours piece and that's completely intentional. In fact, it appears that this car was purchased in 1969 with only one intention: kick ass, take names. The original buyer spec'd the Z/28 setup, but little else, and it's obvious that this Z was built for combat. No power-robbing accessories, no weight-adding styling add-ons, just a gorgeous F-body with a serious powerplant under the hood. Wearing its correct shade of code 67 Burgundy paint with white SS stripes, this car looks the part of a predator. Super clean bodywork is the result of careful ownership over the years, including the current owner in whose care it has resided since 1980. The Z's no-nonsense attitude is evident everywhere you look, but it's also quite attractive with a high-gloss finish that was given a professional cut and buff to make it shine like no 1969 enamel ever could. Panel gaps are very good and you can easily see in the photographs how straight the bodywork is. They didn't bother with "upgrades" like folding headlights or a cowl-induction hood, since they weren't on the car when it was new, and instead focused on getting the basics as clean and straight as possible with spectacular results. This is one of those cars that gets better and better the more you look at it.

The entire black bucket seat interior was replaced during the restoration, including seat covers, carpets, and door panels, as well as fresh weather-stripping throughout, so it seals up nicely. You'll note there's no console, which was just dead weight anyway, but the 4-speed Hurst shifter looks especially butch sticking out of the transmission tunnel like that, and I think I prefer the look. The factory instruments are unrestored, but given the low mileage they're in excellent condition and fully functional. Perhaps the only demerit inside is a cracked steering wheel, which is notable only because the rest is so good. The reproduction seat covers fit well and the seats themselves are comfortable enough for all-day drives. The original AM radio is still in the center of the dash and works properly, a somewhat rare find on any old car. The trunk shows off what we believe to be original spatter-finish paint as well as a full-sized spare and jack assembly, and an inexpensive reproduction mat would be a smart investment for the next owner of this car (Harwood Motors can install one before delivery if you'd like).

The DZ-code 302 cubic inch V8 is this car's original, numbers-matching engine, fully rebuilt and detailed properly. Finned valve covers are the Z/28's most noteworthy feature and they've been restored along with the rest of the nicely finished engine bay. A correct Winters intake manifold, Chevy Orange paint on the block itself, and as-cast exhaust manifolds ensure that this Z is making the full 290 horsepower. Accurate details like the reproduction GM-stamped hoses and tower hose clamps, oversized alternator pulley, and reproduction wiring harness give it a very authentic look under the hood. A Thrush dual exhaust system gives it an amazing bark as you power through the gears and terminates in correct-looking tips under the rear bumper.

The original, numbers-matching 4-speed Muncie gearbox shoves torque back to a heavy-duty 12-bolt rear end with 3.73 gears inside, so the sucker is insanely responsive on the street and gets to the sweet spot in its powerband quickly. It appears that the floors are original and while the chassis is not detailed for show, it's quite clean and shows a life in a warm climate without the usual issues these cars face. Correct Rally wheels were fitted with 225/60/15 Uniroyal radials that are a nice compromise between ride and handling, making this Z a very pleasant car to drive and an amazing car to drive hard.

These muscular pony cars are my personal favorites and I particularly admire the take-no-prisoners attitude of this very attractive Z/28. An ideal blend of provenance, quality, drivability, and price, if I were going to buy a Camaro to keep forever in my personal collection, this might be it.