A forgotten 1969 Camaro barn find turned out to be a real Z/28, rescued after three decades in storage.
A dusty relic that many might have dismissed as just another project car has turned out to be a genuine piece of Chevrolet performance history. A recently unearthed 1969 Camaro, pulled from storage after more than 30 years, has been confirmed as a true Z/28—making it one of the more significant barn finds to surface this year.
According to Backyard Barn Finds, the car had been parked since 1992, following a tragic family story. Originally purchased as a high school graduation gift, the young recipient passed away before ever driving it. Since then, the Camaro sat neglected, its faded paint and rusted panels concealing the authenticity beneath.
The first clue came from the trim tag stamped with “X77,” a designation often tied to Z/28 models. While not definitive proof on its own, further inspection strengthened the case. The car carried a factory 12-bolt rear axle, dual exhaust doubler plate, and five-leaf rear springs, all hallmarks of the high-performance variant. Investigators also noted the telltale white paint inside the cowl area, a quirk associated with Norwood-built Z/28s wearing white stripes.
Although the Camaro no longer has its original drivetrain, its body panels, VIN plates, and paperwork all checked out. The car came with multiple boxes of parts, including a factory-style cowl hood, glass, sheet metal panels, and even a pair of Recaro LSC bucket seats—an indication that the car may have once seen duty as a show car before its long hibernation.
Ultimately, Parker, the buyer, confirmed the matching VINs and struck a $10,000 deal to bring the Camaro home. While its restoration will be extensive, the combination of authenticity, originality, and clean paperwork makes this Z/28 a highly promising project.
