1969 Camaro's, part 4: M2 Machines 1:24 1969 Camaro Z/28

Now to the last car of the Camaro segment, and personally one of my favorites.  To complete the line of M2 Machines 1:24 1969 Camaro's the Z/28 casting would be next.  M2 has made the Z/28 before a while ago, and just last year it returns again.  With hugger orange paint and black stripes it was a must gotta-have for me, and now here it is.

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The Z/28 was built for the track as the Camaro participated with the SCCA Trans-Am racing series that also included the Firebird Trans-Am, the Boss Mustang, the Challenger T/A and AAR Cuda, and the AMC AMX.  To be confident on the track the Z/28 has modifications to the rear differential, transmission, engine with solid lifters, and heavy-duty suspension designed for track use.  The engine was a 302 CID V8 290 hp. and 350 Ib-ft of torque through a Hurst 4-speed manual.  At 20,000 units sold in 1969, it was plentiful compared to the 602 1967 Z/28 sold.  The orange paint with black stripes really stand out on this casting, as does the return of the chrome rally wheels with Goodyear white lettering on rubber tires.  The casting is actually quite different, and possibly based on the earlier Z/28 casting.

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The front has black eggcrate grille with chrome surround, round headlights, Z/28 badge in red, and the usual foglights, signal lights, 1969 plate, and lower chin spoiler below.  The hood has the reverse cowl design with chrome hood retainer clips and the 302 badge is missing on one side of my tester (the only malfunction that I found on my example).  The sides have the usual chrome trim surrounds, Z/28 badges at the front, and detailed vents on the rear fenders.  The rear has a spoiler on the trunklid, taillights that have the reverse lamps (Yay!), Z28 badge, and dual exhausts peeking out.  The trunk, again, the same not so much going on in there look, though the Camaro badge on the trunk has By Chevrolet spelled backwards.  As is the base which has the same details as the other two Camaro's save for an additional catback muffler just before the rear axle.

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Open up the hood to reveal the 302 V8 with a silver engine shroud to redirect air to the two air filters.  The engine block is orange, the valve covers silver, master cylinder, drive belt, everything else is pretty much the same as the other Camaro's.  The biggest difference is the interior:  The front seats are canted forward a bit and there are slots on the floor for a possible future rollcage add-on.  The door panels have silver outline trim to join the chrome door handles and window cranks.  The steering wheel is a 3-spoke design with a wooden rim, while the 4-speed shifter still has the wood trim that was removed from the dashboard.  The steering wheel popped off easily on my tester, so a dab of cement glue and overnight drying cured that problem; the front wheels still turn.  Considering the amount of bad luck this Z/28 has experienced at stores (one had a white one that was missing the gold master cylinder and another one that was badly damaged with the seats and rear trunk flying around the box), at least my example got off to a better start.

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There ya go, four fantastic examples of a 1969 Camaro with all its glory and details, and each one has a unique story to tell.  And they are my current top favorite Camaro's.  Kinda makes you think how another future Camaro casting can top these four favorites?

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