1969 Chevy Camaro SS/Z28

The '69 Camaro is GM's answer to the Mustang, perfected. The 1967-68 cars were good; the '69 is great. The redesigned body added aggression without losing elegance.

The Z28 became a legitimate race car for the street — the 302 V8 was designed specifically to dominate Trans-Am racing. The SS 396 put big-block power in a car that could actually handle it.

And the COPO 427 cars, ordered through dealer back channels to bypass GM's ban on engines over 400 cubic inches in intermediate cars, are now worth six figures. This is the Camaro that defined what a Camaro should be.

The '69 body holds up well under honest wear. Original Hugger Orange or LeMans Blue paint with age-appropriate fade looks right. The chrome bumpers and trim are substantial and rechrome well.

Watch for rust in the trunk floor, quarter panels, and subframe connectors — these cars rust from the inside out. Original Z28 cars with matching numbers command serious premiums. Clones are everywhere, and that's fine — but know what you're buying.

One of the most supported cars in the hobby. Reproduction parts cover everything from floor pans to complete front clips. Dynacorn makes full bodies. The aftermarket is so strong you could literally build a car from a catalog.

But that support has a downside: forgeries are common, especially for valuable packages like Z28 and COPO. Documentation matters. The Camaro Registry and PHS (Protect-O-Plate) can verify authenticity.

Daily driver? Possible with upgrades, but the 4-wheel drum brakes are scary by modern standards.