Return to Sender – Dennis Albaugh’s ’69 ZL1 Camaro
The 1969 ZL1 Camaro is the ultimate muscle car anomaly.
Its iconic status is well earned, given the raw horsepower of its all-aluminum 427c.i. big block V8. But its price was as astounding as its performance. In an era when a Z28 Camaro, Plymouth Road Runner, or Mustang Boss 302 cost upwards of $4,000, the ZL1 commanded more than $7,000 from a buyer.
That was a lot of cash in the late-1960s, even for drag racers competing in the NHRA Super Stock and soon-to-be Pro Stock classes. Illinois Chevy dealer Fred Gibb is the father of the ZL1. He convinced Chevy, through the famed COPO (Central Office Production Order) option, to produce 50 of the Camaros to make them legal for NHRA competition.
While the performance was outstanding – Gibb’s ZL1s tuned by Dick Harrell turned 10-second quarter-mile blasts – the high sticker price compelled Gibb to return 37 of the cars to Chevy when he was only able to sell 13. Chevy produced only 69, of which more than 50 may exist today.
Dennis Albaugh’s Fathom Green ZL1 is a prime example of the legendary car. It was one of the cars Gibb received at his dealership in March of 1969, only to return it to Chevrolet for redistribution two months later. With just over 3,600 miles on the odometer, it saw little street time.
Like Dennis’s car, all ZL1s appeared quite stock (except for the cowl induction hood) but were loaded with performance parts, from the claimed 430-horsepower engine (contemporary dyno tests put output at 550 horsepower) to the stronger 4.10-geared Positraction rear axle. Dennis’s car came with the Muncie M-21 close-ration four-speed manual transmission. Front power disc brakes and heavy-duty springs were standard, as was a heavy-duty radiator and a transistor distributor.
A black vinyl interior was standard in all ZL1s, and only five exterior colors were offered: Cortez Silver, Fathom Green, Dusk Blue, LeMans Blue and Hugger Orange. Stock 14-inch wheels and F70 tires were standard.
The heart of the ZL1 – and the cost monster at more than $4,100 – was the aluminum big block originally developed for Can-Am racing. Gibb thought that engine would be a beast in a Camaro, and he was right. It used a 12:1 compression ratio, a huge Holley double-pumper carburetor on an open-plenum aluminum intake, and ultra-strong internal components to produce tire-shredding performance.
It’s little wonder the ZL1 Camaro has attained legendary status among muscle car enthusiasts, commanding top dollar at auction. Now, like then, their performance and prestige comes with a substantial price tag – one that’s well worth it for discerning collectors like Dennis.
Photos by John Jackson & Damon Lee
