• THE REAL NUMBERS?
According to Chevrolet, the 302 produced 290 hp @ 5,800 rpm and 290 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm. There’s no question the 302 was underrated, but by how much? Insiders talk about 375 hp at 6,800 rpm. Road testers could take the 302 to beyond 7,000 rpm and the engine was still pulling. Keeping the horsepower rating low kept the insurance premiums down for youthful drivers and was a transparent foil for SCCA specifications.
• BETTER BRAKES
Thanks to the research and data collected with Donahue’s race car, Chevrolet engineers developed a four-wheel disc package that became available in March of 1968 as a “Heavy-Duty Service Package” to conform to SCCA/FIA rules. This over-the-counter service option was primarily geared for racers, however it was suitable for dealer or customer installation.
• ’69 Z/28 PRODUCTION
20,302
• SUPERIOR SPOILER STUDY
During the 1968 season, the Penske crew was invited to bring their Camaro race car back to Detroit for a vehicle dynamics analysis by Chevrolet Engineering. While the race car was at GM’s Milford, MI, test facility, Chevrolet Engineering gathered new data on spoiler position and angles for application on the ’69 Z/28.
PHASES AND
CHANGES
The Z/28 option package went through a variety of configurations during the extended 1969 model year, which lasted from the car’s introduction in September 1968 to the end of the model run in February 1970. Changes were made primarily to the exhaust and brake systems:
Z/28 Option Package – Dated September 26, 1968
Includes 302-inch V-8 engine, dual exhaust with deep tone mufflers, special front and rear suspension, rear bumper guards, heavy-duty radiator and temperature-controlled fan, quick ratio steering, 15x7 rally wheels, E70x15 special white-lettered tires, 3.73:1 ratio axle and special rally stripes on hood and rear deck. Available only when four-speed transmission and power disc brakes are ordered. Positraction rear axle recommended. Package price $458.15.
Z/28 Option Package – Dated October 18, 1968
Includes 302-inch V-8 engine with bright accents, chambered dual-exhaust system, Z/28 emblems on grille, front fender and rear panel, special front and rear suspension, rear bumper guards, heavy-duty radiator and temperature-controlled fan, quick ratio steering, 15x7 wheels with trim rings, E70x15 special white-lettered blackwall tires, special paint stripes on hood and rear deck. Available only when four-speed transmission and power front or four-wheel disc brakes are ordered. Positraction rear axle recommended. JL-8 (four-wheel discs) recommended. Package price $458.15.
Z/28 Option Package – Dated January 2, 1969
Includes 302-inch V-8 engine with bright accents, dual exhaust, Z/28 emblems on grille, front fender and rear panel, special front and rear suspension, rear bumper guards, heavy-duty radiator and temperature-controlled fan, quick ratio steering, stripes on 15x7 wheels with trim rings, E70x15 special white-lettered blackwall tires and special paint on hood and rear deck. Available only when tachometer gauge or special instrumentation, four-speed transmission and power front or four-wheel disc brakes are ordered. Positraction rear axle recommended. JL-8 (four-wheel discs) recommended. Package price $473.95
Z/28 Option Package – Dated April 1, 1969
Includes 302-inch V-8 engine with bright accents, chambered dual-exhaust system, Z/28 emblems on grille, front fender and rear panel, special front and rear suspension, rear bumper guards, heavy-duty radiator and temperature-controlled fan, quick ratio steering, 15x7 wheels with special center caps and trim rings, E70x15 special white-lettered blackwall tires, auxiliary front valance panel and rear deck spoiler, plus special paint stripes on hood and rear deck. Available only when four-speed transmission and power front or four-wheel disc brakes are ordered. Positraction rear axle recommended. Package price $506.15.
Z/28 Option Package – Dated September 18, 1969
Includes 302-inch V-8 engine with bright accents, dual exhausts with bright tips, Z/28 emblems on grille, front fender and rear panel, special front and rear suspension, rear bumper guards, heavy-duty radiator and temperature-controlled fan, quick ratio steering, 15x7 wheels with special center caps and trim rings, E70x15 special white-lettered blackwall tires, auxiliary front-valance panel and rear-deck spoiler, plus special paint stripes on hood and rear deck. Available only when tachometer gauge or special instrumentation, four-speed transmission and power front-disc brakes are ordered. Positraction rear axle recommended. Package price $522.40
Z/28 Option Package – Dated November 3, 1969
Includes 302-inch V-8 engine with bright accents, dual exhausts with bright tips, Z/28 emblems on grille, front fender and rear panel, special front and rear suspension, rear bumper guards, heavy-duty radiator and temperature-controlled fan, quick ratio steering, 15x7 wheels with special center caps and trim rings, E70x15 special white-lettered blackwall tires, auxiliary front-valance panel and rear-deck spoiler, plus special paint stripes on hood and rear deck. Available only when tachometer gauge or special instrumentation, four-speed transmission and power front-disc brakes are ordered. Positraction rear axle recommended. Package price $522.40