FROM THE BARRETT-JACKSON AUTOMOTIVE EXPERTS: Jerry MacNeish talks about Z/28 Camaros and more

August 23, 2016
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

Barrett-Jackson Automotive Expert Jerry MacNeish

A nationally recognized authority on Camaros (especially Z/28, SS396 and COPO 427 models), as well as Chevelles and Nova SS Chevy IIs, Jerry MacNeish travels all over the country for his Maryland-based company, Camaro Hi-Performance, Inc., inspecting and verifying late 1960s models of those cars for clients wanting additional provenance for their vehicle or to either sell or buy. He is the author of two best-selling fact books that are now revised fourth editions: one on the 1967 and ’68 Z/28 Camaro and the other on the 1969 Camaro. MacNeish has written numerous articles for the United States Camaro Club, Maryland Camaro Club and International Camaro magazines, and he judges Camaros at concours events throughout the United States. He has been part of the Barrett-Jackson team of experts since 2012.

My expertise in Camaros, Chevelles and Novas started when these cars were new. I was one of the fortunate few who, thanks to my dad, was able to purchase a new L78 SS 396 Chevelle right out of high school. Back in those days, a parent had to co-sign for an 18-year-old on car insurance, otherwise the insurance rates would have been higher than the car payment. My co-worker at Camaro Hi-Performance, Inc., and at Barrett-Jackson, Norman Meads, was also lucky in his senior year of high school: he bought a brand-new muscle car – an L78 Nova SS.

This 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 will be crossing the block at No Reserve at the 9th Annual Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction, October 13-15, 2016.

I had actually fallen in love with the 1968 Z/28 Camaro, but my dad would have no part of co-signing for me on what was basically an all-out factory-built race car. The big broad racing stripes were a dead giveaway to him.

My automotive know-how began through an apprenticeship program right out of high school. During that time, I began racing my 1969 Chevelle SS 396 in Maryland at Capitol Raceway and 75-80 Dragway, where Norm Meads honed his skills as well. If I was going to race, I could not afford to pay someone to work on my car, so the automotive education and love of these cars has taken me to where I am today. At 64 years old, I am still racing a national record-holding NHRA Stock Eliminator 1967 Z/28 in the D/Stock class. I love it just as much today as I did at 18 years old.

This pristine blue ’69 Z/28 (Lot #1020) sold for $110,000 at the 2013 Scottsdale Auction.

In my role as a member of the Barrett-Jackson team of automotive experts, I am asked to review certain rare Z/28, SS396 and COPO 427 Camaros – as well as LS6 Chevelles and L79 Nova SS Chevy IIs – at each auction that are represented, by the consignor, to have “matching numbers.” To do this, I not only draw from my years of experience, but also from a database I created about 25 years ago that now has over 30,000 original photos of trim tags, engine stamps, paperwork, build sheets, transmission stampings and more. I perform what is known as photo data analysis, checking the trim tag to make sure it is not a reproduction and also inspecting the engine numbers and stampings, the hidden VIN numbers, transmission and rear axle.

At the Inaugural Northeast Auction in June 2016, this Hugger Orange Z/28 (Lot #363) went to its new owner for $70,400.

LS6 Chevelles and black Z/28 Camaros have become a problem in the collector car hobby. In most cases, if you see a black Z/28 for sale, it probably has a new reproduction trim tag. Why? Because Chevrolet did not build many black Z/28s during the late 1960s. When a real black Z/28 does turn up, it’s a big deal and prices can reflect the rarity.

The same holds true for the LS6 Chevelle. Many LS6 Chevelles consigned to Barrett-Jackson are listed as having “matching numbers.” Any lifelong drag racer knows that many or most of these cars were driven hard on the street or racetrack – LS6 Chevelles were high-performance cars with solid lifters and were often pushed to their limits. When a consignor represents that their car is a matching-numbers LS6, our job is to help make sure the description is accurate.

We have also found several Chevelle Malibu conversions that were made into LS6s. A special data sheet I created four years ago has helped us find true originals. This helps the collector car hobby as a whole ‒ I want anyone who enters this hobby to have an enjoyable and pleasant experience.

As we wind down toward the end of another auction year and car show season, there is no question that interest in vintage high-performance cars has grown stronger than ever before. Watching the collector car hobby closely – especially Camaros – has shown me that the demand for these machines is still steady. Although my passion for these cars still runs strong 48 years later, I had no idea these old solid-lifter, factory-built race cars would appeal to so many enthusiasts all over the world. It’s a phenomenon that amazes me every day.

I’m often asked what makes one Z/28 Camaro more valuable than another, seemingly identical car. At the 2013 Scottsdale Auction, for example, a blue 1969 Z/28 (Lot #1020) sold for $110,000, while at the recent Northeast Auction, a ’69 Hugger Orange Z/28 (Lot #363) brought in $70,400. Both had been fully restored and both were great cars – but what did the blue car have that took it over the top? Authenticity. The blue Z/28 has its original engine, an upgraded Cross-Ram intake and carburetors, a factory Cross-Ram hood – and a full binder of photographs and documents that verify the car’s authenticity. A Cross-Ram intake setup can increase the value of a Z/28 if it’s real and not a reproduction – and that one was real. By contrast, the orange Z/28, while still an impressive car, had a replacement drivetrain, a color change and a reproduction trim tag.

Over the past four years, I have seen the 1967-1969 matching-numbers Z/28 Camaro market skyrocket. I attribute much of the success of these rare, original cars to customer confidence at Barrett-Jackson events and the on-site automotive specialist team.

For a preview of the cars on the 2016 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas docket, click HERE.