The CRAZIEST and RAREST Camaro Ever Made - The 1969 ZL1 Camaro

In this Rare Cars documentary, we go in depth into the absolutely legendary 1969 Camaro ZL1. The holy grail car for Camaro collectors around the world. But, these ZL1's don't just dominate the auction block pricing list, no these were SERIOUS performers.

We go through all the specs and history on specifically the 1969 Camaro ZL1 cars in this video

This is the 11th Rare Cars documentary so if you enjoyed it, please make sure to subscribe to the channel because we have more documentaries just like this one coming out on history’s most interesting cars like the GT40, Porsche 907, Ferrari P4 and oh so many more!

*Note, we are not historians. If you see an error in our research then please mention it in the comments!

[jamesmauliolakeakastonejr.]

COPO: Central Office Production Order, not Certified Office Production Order. Just saying.

[doubledave]

In 1969 these cars being $7200 adjusted for inflation means they would cost roughly $60k today. That price made them out of reach for most consumers. Now, the Dodge Demon is well over $100k new and they can't build enough of them fast enough. Insane.

[JAAB]

In 69 my brother attempted to order a 427 Camaro, not sure if he specifically wanted to order the Zl-1 option. Anyway, the dealer he went to was Davis Moore in Wichita, KS. When he talked to the salesman about ordering the Camaro the sales guy had no idea of what my brother wanted so the salesman brought in a sales manager. Long story short, my brother was told that he needed to provide a Super Stock certificate. In other words, although Chevy dealers (at least this dealer) could order a COPO car they could not sell this type of car to anybody walking in off the street without a SS certificate. So my brother bought a 69 Hemi Road Runner 4 speed car.

[bowtie-man]

Like I've said before, "I just loooove muscle in a plain jane wrapper ". And the ZL1 fits my definition to a tee.🥰🥰😍😍🤩🤩😛😛😏😏👊👊🤙🤙👍👍✌️✌️

[dennisdempseyradiooutofcontrol]

I have a old copy of all 69 Z-L1 dealer orders and all the options for every car, including the vin numbers I found them when I was searching for the Scuncio Z-L1 Camaro sold in Rhode Island back in the late 80's. I found the info when I was documenting my 69 L89/396 Camaro convertible that was ordered through the Chevrolet central buffalo office for a promotional vehicle

[dwighthopkins]

A family in my small town still owns a ZL1 bought by the family patriarch in 1969. My brother street raced against the man and told me stories of the car when I was a teenager. The car was taken off the street in early 1970 after a street racing incident claimed the life of another racer and the owner of the ZL1 couldn't bring himself to drive the car again. It still gets brought out occasionally for parades and car shows. It's all original and has less than 10, 000 miles on it. A real piece of history that is remarkable to see in person.

[piglos]

A ZL1 won the Australian Touring Car Championship (Australia's version of Trans Am) in 1971 in the hands of Bob Jane

[tcjohnson]

I know where one is. Been in the same place its entire life. Copo car, yellow with black interior, 4:11 rears, ZL1 427, zero optins, four speed. Went to elementary with a kid whose dad ordered it. Many years later his dad left it to him. He has left it to his son. Its in Florida, , , , thats all I will say. Beautiful piece of history.

[VirginiaFlintknapper]

COPO stands for Central Office Production Order.

[brentonkismylostaccount]

The L-88 and ZL-1 were solid lifter cams for the Big Block. Different profile grinds though.

[raybame]

I've joined your channel 'cause I like what I see. May you grow exponentially. 3.46K now to 100K.

[judgegixxer]

How can you not fall in love with these. I remember in the late 80's they were going for money.
Pontiac should have made an all aluminum Ram Air "V" done to the nuts in a bare bones 69' Firebird. DeLorean missed out.

[billyrayvalentine]

I remember reading decades ago that the test driveshafts would twist from the torque and they specially built driveshafts specifically for the ZL1

[rickyhyles]

My 67 is Gold just like that.
❤ It's been a lot of fun through the years

[morrischoo]

I remember a car show locally a guy had 2 yenkos there. And when all the bow tie guys were gawking at it, I noticed a yellow beater looking 69 sitting under a tree. It had a black interior and factory chambered exhaust . I was a Ford guy with the first then new Supercharged Lightning in the town. The bow tie guys didn't think O new anything just ignoring the 2 Yenkos. But I told the owner of all 3 of his Camaros that I chose the all aluminum original 427 yellow beater. I said it had the correct exhaust and foundry marks on the engine. He said I had a great eye. The others were dumbfounded. They never heard of a ZL1. This car was all original. And my new millionaire friend went out that week and bought a new SVT Lightning also. He wasn't too hung up to turn his head on Ford. My truck impressed the heck out of him. Along with my 93 Cobra and Built Big Block sleeper 75 F100 that would do over 145. The Cobra went to the founders of the Mca for thoroughbred rules book development. A Grail car now along with that Unrestored ZL1 . Great times.

[charlesdalton]

Thank you for another great episode. Of note on these cars - Gibbs Chevrolet ordered 50 originally, and then discovered he had to cover the cost of R&D. That caused the sky high price increase. He also was able to negotiate the return of several of the cars he ordered, which were then distributed to other dealers as you said.

[geoffbishop]

Tyre magnate Bob Jane bought 2 to Australia. Drag raced one and used the other to win the Australian Touring Car Championship (think Trans-Am) in 1971. It's now restored to that spec.

[scottbennett]

The actual reason GM didn't offer the 427 is that GM prohibited all vehicles except full-size cars and corvette to have engines over 400 cubic inches.

[christophercucchi]

I thought the Yenkos were the holy grail I am so thankful you educated me, I was only lucky enough to have owned 76 LT1 Camaro with 350 Holley 750 carb. Limited slip rear but when I got out on the highway and jumped on it, it took off like a shot, miss that car

[JulianWatsonThe]

I found your channel last week, was very surprised by the subscriber count. I really enjoy the work, keep it up.