A Saturday morning visit to Cars and Coffee uncovered this real X33 Camaro Z/28.

Dave Lindsley is a car enthusiast of the first order and an absolute Chevy fanatic and knows a real Bowtie when he sees one. His cars have been featured in many magazines (his 1967 Plymouth GTX Hemi is the cover feature in the current issue of Musclecar Enthusiast, and he's a stickler for documentation and authenticity so this Rallye Green with white stripes 1969 Camaro Z/28 is fully documented; it's the real deal! This was validated by all the attention it garnered at this week's Cars and Coffee gathering in Irvine, California. From 7 AM to 9 AM, the car was surrounded by admirers who were simply stunned by the car's presentation, even among several other noteworthy Chevys. Dave feels that this is due in part to the fact that Rallye Green with white stripes was a very rare color combination back in 1969. You simply don't see very many Z/28s in this particular color combination.

From any angle this car is a stunner, straight as an arrow with a flawless finish. Here are all the important RPO codes:

• X33--Z/28 trim, only built in Norwood, Ohio
• M21--Close ratio 4-speed transmission with Hurst shifter
• G80--3.73 to 1 Positraction 12-bolt rear end
• D80--Front and rear spoilers
• J52--Power front disc brakes
• N44--Quick ratio steering
• U16--Factory-installed dash-mounted 8000 RPM tachometer
• U17--Console with ammeter, temperature, oil pressure, and fuel gauges
• U69--AM/FM radio

The heart of any Z/28 is the 302-cubic-inch high compression small block. Featuring a solid lifter camshaft, 11.1 forged pistons, and a 780 CFM dual-feed Holley carburetor mounted atop a Z/28-specific aluminum high-rise intake manifold, firing up this engine will send a chill up your spine. This Z/28 also features a heavy-duty radiator with a seven blade clutch fan, quick ratio steering, E70 X 15 GoodYear RWL tires on 15-inch by 7-inch Rallye Wheels with the heavy duty suspension. In talking with some knowledgeable Chevy guys at Cars and Coffee, even though the engine wasn't detailed yet to Dave's exacting standards--the car was just taken out of storage--everything was where it was supposed to be, including the smog pump and the deep groove pulleys that are unique to the 302 V8.

Open the doors and you'll find a nearly flawless and fully restored interior; excellent soft trim, the correct steering wheel, and the hallmark four-pod console surrounding the four-speed Hurst shifter that is emulated on the current 2010 Camaro. Get behind the wheel and you'll feel like Mark Donahue. Sitting in the bucket seats you're immediately transported back in time to 1969 when the Trans Am-inspired Z/28 was the scourge of street and strip, Chevy's answer to Ford's Boss 302. While big block cars have their appeal, to many early Camaro enthusiasts, the Z/28 represents the best balance between power and handling with far less weight positioned over the front wheels. In 1969 Chevy produced 20,302 Z/28s, owing in part to the extended production year that extended to November 1969 due to delays in the introduction of the all new 1970 Camaro and is considered the most iconic of the first generation Camaros.

Based on recent sales and auctions for comparable cars, most of the Chevy "experts" I chatted with at Cars and Coffee felt that this particular Z/28--based on its condition and documentation--was fairly priced at $55,500. take a closer look at the car by viewing the high-resolution images in the Automotive Traveler image gallery. If you're interested in more details on the car, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it through Automotive Traveler.