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NO RESERVE - LOT #1309.1
STORIED RACER

THE WEED CHEVROLET AND

TONY PIZZI 1969 CAMARO Z/28

There are some Camaros that stand out above the rest, specially prepped by Tony Pizzi Automotive, would
and this 1969 Z/28 is one of them. Most know the find its way under the Z28’s cowl hood. The original
Camaro Z/28 as Chevy’s track star, a homologation DZ302 V8 was replaced by the larger/torquier 396ci
special built to compete against its Detroit rivals in L78 powerplant. From there, the Camaro would
what many consider to be the golden era of the SCCA carve out its own pillar of success, developing a
Trans Am series. It was a faster and meaner pony car, reputation as one of the fastest B/Stock Camaros in
a car that ruled the Trans Am circuit and propelled the United States. By 1971 the car campaigned by
Mark Donahue and the Penske team to back-to- Weed Chevrolet and Tony Pizzi Automotive would
back championships. But this 1969 Camaro Z/28 is find itself duking it out in the finals of what some
different; it has a racing legacy all its own and is one consider the “Super Bowl of drag racing,” the NHRA
of the most storied and well-documented Camaros U.S. Nationals.
in existence. And, come the 2021 Barrett-Jackson The Camaro became so successful in its racing efforts
Scottsdale Auction, this legendary racer will cross the that it became a favorite of the motoring press and
block with No Reserve.
would grace the pages of the April 1972 issue of
Let’s start from the beginning. On May 12, 1969, this Super Stock and Drag Illustrated magazine. The
white-striped Rally Green-over-black Camaro Z/28 Z/28 eventually retired from racing in 1974, and
left Chevrolet’s Norwood, Ohio, assembly plant. On would sit in Liberatore Jr.’s garage until September
June 9, the car was delivered to Weed Chevrolet in 2018. In the hands of the second owner, the Camaro
Bristol, Pennsylvania. There it would be introduced to underwent a concours-quality rotisserie restoration
its first owner, Weed Chevrolet mechanic Americo A. that was completed in the early stages of 2020.
Liberatore Jr. The car was driven a total of 469 miles The body retains most of the original sheet metal,
before the need for speed and desire to go racing though the rear quarters were replaced because of the
kicked in. Set up for battle in the quarter-mile, the modifications that had been made for racing. The
mean green Camaro would earn its stripes competing car was beautifully finished in its original color of
in the NHRA’s Stock Eliminator Class, quickly Rally Green with white racing stripes. Additionally,
becoming a legend in the drag racing world. By 1970, the period racing livery was re-created with magnetic
Liberatore Jr. would partner with the highly successful decals for those wishing to journey back in time.
and well-known racer Tony Pizzi.
The car sits on new Firestone Sport Car 200 E70-15
As the Camaro grew more successful at the drag strip, 4-ply tires and retains most of the original interior,
the decision was made to step things up and enter including the dashboard, gauges, steering wheel,
the highly competitive B/Stock category. Though seats, seat belts and spare wheel. Only the door panels
powerful, the Z/28’s high-revving 302ci V8 lacked and carpeting were replaced. As for the powertrain,
the needed torque to be competitive. A new engine, the original matching-numbers DZ302 V8 was

74 BARRETT-JACKSON EXPERIENCE SPRING 2021