1969 Chevrolet Camaro Hardtop Sport Coupe

This 1969 Chevrolet Z-28 Camaro 'FIA' Racing Car is fitted with a 305 cubic-inch V8 engine that produces just over 400 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox, Moser 12-bolt rear end, and four-wheel disc brakes.

The Trans Am Series made famous racing greats, which made it a competitive racing series and one that was difficult for the average 'Joe' to compete with considerable amounts of success. In 1970, four Miami Region SCCA enthusiasts teamed up to battle these racing greats. The four individuals were auto parts salesman John Maynard, mechanic Pete Flanagan, office machine technician Ed O'Conner, and John Oliver who owned a 1969 Z28 Camaro.

Converting the Camaro into a FIA Group 4 racer took nearly a year and considerable amounts of financial resources. The car was given the required safety requirements, all of its street equipment removed, the engine tuned, a heavy-duty suspension fitted, braking system improved, and various other necessary improvements.

The car was entered in the 24 Hours of Daytona where it qualified well and soon earned itself international fame. The fame was not intentional, as it was involved in the first crash of the race. A major media publication published the caption 'FIRST CRASH – A contact incident came early in the 24 Hours of Daytona when the No. 3 Martini & Rossi Porsche spun in the path of the Oliver/Maynard/Dobkin Camaro in Turn Two of the 3.81 mile circuit. Both cars continued but the Porsche had to stop for suspension repairs'. Twenty-three hours later, the S-CAR-GO was listed as 'not running' due to mechanical failure and listed as a mid-pack finisher.

The car was repaired, painted in black, riding on new magnesium racing wheels, and wearing the number 88. It was entered in the 12 Hours of Sebring and ran well for the first six hours of the race. It was running near the leaders in the Touring Class when the Franklin rear end disintegrated and forced a premature retirement. They had completed 131 laps and were given 35th overall, which was good enough to beat out Mario Andretti, Jackie Ickx, Sam Posey and Masten Gregory.

The Z-28 Camaro would return to regional SCCA competition as the cost of racing in the national spotlight was too much. The car was later sold to Roberto 'Cowboy' Gonzales who used it in Mexico in nearby SCCA 'A' Sedan events. The current owner purchased the car in 1999 and treated it to a thorough and authentic restoration back to its Daytona race livery and mechanical configuration. It was brought to the 2007 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by RM Auctions, where it had an estimated value of $85,000 - $125,000. It was offered without reserve. As the gavel fell, the lot had been sold for $85,250 including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007