Danny purchased the Camaro in 1978 and, not long after, stored it in the basement of his home. Over time, the car became part of the scenery, surrounded by boxes and old furniture, and remained there for 47 years with little use. The vehicle barely moved during that period, aging in place beneath the house.
Curiosity eventually led Danny and his son, who shares his name, to investigate whether the car still held any value. They contacted a specialist from Backyard Barn Finds, a team known for authenticating and uncovering classic cars, to inspect the vehicle and clarify its specifications.
An Expert Inspection Confirms a Rare Configuration
When the expert, identified as Parker from Backyard Barn Finds, examined the car, the goal was clear. “I don’t want people telling me what I’ve got,” Danny said. “I want to tell them what I’ve got,” he explained, as relayed by Supercarblondie.
The Camaro was originally finished in Tuxedo Black, a color used on only about one percent of Camaros produced at the time. Parker checked the trim tag, paint code, and VIN against Z/28 specifications. He also noted a longer pitman arm, a feature typical of the Z/28 variant.
After reviewing the details, Parker confirmed that the car was indeed a 1969 Camaro Z/28 in the rare Tuxedo Black with white stripe configuration. According to Autoplus, this specific configuration represents a small fraction of production, with some reports citing 1,010 units produced for certain special versions.
A Model That Can Reach Six Figures on the Collector Market
Chevrolet has sold millions of Camaros over the decades, though certain versions remain highly sought after. Supercarblondie.com mentions examples such as a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 that turned out to be a Yenko and a 1969 COPO Camaro, one of 1,010 ever made, illustrating how limited-production models can significantly increase in value.
In the current collector market, a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 sells for an average of $103,000, according to data from Classic.com. Prices can rise substantially for well-preserved or low-mileage examples.
The same source notes that some Z/28 models have sold for $200,000 or more, while Autoplus.fr reports that certain records have reached as high as $330,000 for exceptional vehicles. For Danny’s car, experts estimate that, if restored correctly, it could reach around $200,000.
Restoration Challenges Before Any Potential Sale
Despite the rarity of the model, the car’s condition presents challenges. The years spent in the basement have taken a toll. The original 302 small block V8 engine and the original transmission are no longer present, which affects authenticity and value.
Restoring the vehicle would require extensive work: bodywork repairs, suspension and brake overhauls, interior refurbishment, electrical updates, and sourcing correct parts to match the factory configuration. The absence of the original engine and gearbox lowers the car’s market value, even though it remains attractive to collectors.
After learning of the Camaro’s true identity, Danny’s son, a race car driver, supported the idea of rebuilding it with the correct components.
