From Boxes of Parts to a Show Car

            In 1998 Mark Schwarte of Villa Hills, KY bought a bunch of boxes of car parts that had been sitting around in a garage for 22 years. But Mark, who owns a Marathon Station in Ft. Thomas, knew exactly what he was getting. The boxes contained all of the original parts to a 1969 Chevrolet Camero Z 28.

            The race inspired Z 28 was the product of Chevy’s desire to compete in the Sports Car Club of America’s Trans Am racing class. They developed a special 302 cubic inch V 8 engine by matching the short stroke crank of a 283 with the big bore block of a 327. The outcome was 290 horsepower that wanted to run.

            Mark, who spent three years putting this car together, can verify this car’s need for speed. “I’ve had it a little over 100,” he said, adding that he was topping out at an impressive 8000 rpm.

            With about 59,000 original miles on the engine, Mark mostly just drives it to and from car shows. “This is my favorite car of the 10 I have,” he said. “Five of those are show cars.”

            If you’re on your way to a car show, don’t blink because you may miss Mark driving past in his ’69 Z 28.