The appearance of this 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 buried in a Californian garage might allay the fears of some enthusiasts that the supply of hidden desirable classics could dry up. Its history is unclear, but it retains the critical components required to return it to active service following a total restoration. If you feel up for that challenge, the Z28 is listed here on eBay in San Diego, California. The Camaro has received a single bid of $36,000 in what appears to be a No Reserve auction.

The Z28 option was one of Chevrolet’s best-kept secrets when introduced in 1967. Few knew of its existence, resulting in only 602 buyers handing over their cash to drive one off the lot. This situation changed dramatically when our feature car rolled off the line, with Chevrolet producing 20,302 vehicles. The history of this Z28 is unclear, and the seller is sparing with their supplied information. They don’t state how long the car spent in hibernation, but wheeling it into the light of day reveals positive news. It is essentially complete and appears to be a prime candidate for total restoration. The LeMans Blue paint is well past its “best-before” date, and there are minor panel bumps and bruises, but nothing demands steel replacement. There are a couple of isolated exterior rust spots in the lower fenders, but the remaining lower extremities look clean. The underside shots are poor quality, but they seem to indicate prone areas like the floors and rails wear nothing beyond surface corrosion. If the Z28 has resided in its current location, that could be one of its most positive attributes. The trim and chrome may be restorable, with no glaring glass issues.

The first order of business with this Camaro’s interior will be to treat everything to a thorough cleaning. That strategy may reveal that many items are suitable for reuse. The door trims are damaged, and the carpet is faded, but the seats are free from physical damage, the pad isn’t cracked, and the dash looks pretty good. There are a couple of aftermarket gauges the new owner will remove as part of a faithful restoration. Still, an in-person inspection may confirm my belief that whipping the interior into shape could be the most affordable aspect of this restoration.

Lifting the hood reveals what stood the 1969 Camaro Z28 apart from mere mortals. Chevrolet developed this model as a homologation special for Trans Am competition, with the rules requiring an engine with a capacity below 5.0-liters. The company squeaked below the bar with a unique 302ci V8 producing an “official” 290hp and 290 ft/lbs of torque. Many believe both figures were grossly underestimated, stating that 350hp was closer to the mark. It sent that power to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission, with proceedings brought to a halt by power-assisted front disc brakes. The high-revving nature of this V8 meant its natural home wasn’t the drag strip. However, placing it on a race track or pointing it at a twisting ribbon of tarmac exposed a potent and accomplished car providing a rewarding driving experience. The seller indicates this car retains its correct engine and has 22,000 genuine miles on the clock. They don’t mention verifying evidence, but the claim is plausible if it has spent decades in hiding. There are no indications of whether the engine turns, but budgeting for a rebuild would be wise.

The seller’s lack of information about the history and condition of this 1969 Camaro Z28 would make an in-person inspection almost mandatory. Some might consider rolling the dice by not adopting that approach, but the financial outlay required to take this classic home poses an enormous risk. I’ll give the seller the benefit of the doubt because I see nothing in the supplied photos suggesting it isn’t all they claim. It will be wonderful to see this Camaro returned to its rightful place on our roads because its creators didn’t develop the Z28 to remain buried in a garage. Would you be up for that challenge?