1969 CHEVROLET Z-28 CAMARO #87
Originally driven by Jerry Petersen

Jerry Petersen’s 1969 Chevrolet, Z-28 Camaro was built for and first raced in, the Original Trans-Am Series in the 1972 season.   With Trans-Am Series racing being very expensive, even in the early 70’s and with a limited budget, a full season campaign was never considered.   Of the four Trans-Am races in which Jerry competed, in 1972, he had two very respectable finishes, a 9th at Donnybrook and a 10th at Watkins Glen.    A broken transmission at Mid-Ohio and a crash at Road America held him back from good finishes at the other two.

In 1971, Richie Allin built and race prepared this theft recovered 1969 Z-28 Camaro.   He was replacing Jerry’s previous T/A, 1967 Camaro, a car that Richie himself destroyed, at a driver’s school.   This Penske-Donohue Spec. Camaro was built to the, then available, specifications from the GM R&D engineering drawings provided by Mark Donohue and Vince Piggens, who Jerry and Richie had met racing, the previous season.  This car, painted bright blue metallic, with unique and very distinctive red and white stripes crossing the roof and going down the rear quarter panels, wore large number 87’s.   This unique paint scheme found in the photos in the early log book and uncovered in the recent restoration was used to find its original identity, using the Road America historic photo archives.   Richie Allin was then located, still living in the Chardon, Ohio area, and was invited to inspect and verify the car and his work at the SVRA historic race event at Mid-Ohio in 1990.  He has since provided a letter of verification, a wealth of information, and original documents and photos.

This ’69 Z/28 Camaro has its original SCCA Log Book and Roll Bar Number 18-494.   It was historically certified by SVRA in 1990, with its 6-0056 number.  It still retains its Trans-Am spec, all iron 302 ci. Engine, Borg-Warner super T-10, four-speed Transmission, 14 point roll cage, J-56 Brakes, Minilite wheels and Mark Donohue seat.

Race History:

The Petersen Camaro ran in four races in the Trans-Am Series in 1972.

June 4th   Mid-Ohio - finished 31st
June 18th   Watkins Glen - finished 10th
July 4th   Donnybrooke - finished 9th
July 15th   Road America - finished 30th

In 2008 a complete cosmetic detailed restoration was completed by Lance Smith of Huntington Cars, its current owner.

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