Buyers had to wait until February of 1970 for an all-new, second-generation Chevy Camaro. The pony car was improved in many ways and about 125,000 of them were sold in the abbreviated model year (1970, not 1970 ½ as some have postulated). The seller’s really, really rough project would normally be sold off for parts (which is why the buyer might want it anyway). It’s one of only 8,773 Z28s produced in 1970 – and the number that also added the Rally Sport package would reduce the original population even further.
About the only thing the 2nd gen Camaro had in common with the 1st gen was the wheelbase (108 inches). The rest of the dimensions were longer, wider, lower, and fit the “pony car” profile better than the 1971 Ford Mustang (IMO). Chevrolet would get a lot of mileage out of the “new” car, using the platform through 1981 without another redesign. The Z28 got a boost in engines in 1970 to 350 cubic inches due to changes in SCCA regulations over the 302 limit that had been used in the 1969 Z28.
The seller hopes to find a buyer who will take this rough car and a bunch of loose parts and rebuild an honest 1970 RS/Z28. It’s going to be an uphill climb as we’re told this Chevy sat out in the woods for 35 years. As a result, rust is rampant and there are probably lots of missing parts, too. The engine and transmission are long gone, but the original and rough 12-bolt rear end with posi-traction is still in place. The body tag, which is separated from the rest of the car, does identify it as a Z28.
At one time, this Camaro was blue in color with a black interior. It covered some 82,000 miles before becoming an outcast. The Chevy is still in a field and that plot of dirt is in Grovertown, Indiana where the car is offered here on eBay. The current bid is $1,225 and there is an unmet reserve which the seller says equates to the value of the usable parts.
What a mess. He’s right, most if the hard to find parts unique to a 1970 Z28 are there, but how usable are they? The rear end housing, sway bars, grill surround, urethane nose, gauge faces, anything with metal are so pitted they probably aren’t worth using. By the time you sink a fortune into it restoring the body and refurbishing whatever original parts are still with the car you’ll still gave a NOM Z28. Someone would be better off starting with something better if they want to restore a 1970 Z28. I think it will be parted out, there is probably $3,000-$3,500 in usable parts, at most, if his reserve is in that neighborhood it will likely sell. Unfortunately there is also the possibility somebody with a decent 70 Camaro body might buy it for the trim tag and VIN.
Steve R
Only reason I can see anybody buying this rusted POS, is by someone who wants to say they own a Z28, but this is all they can afford.
If it had the original motor, that’d be different.
I remember driving around in the far western suburbs of Minneapolis (Minnetonka maybe) some summer day in the early 90’s. There on the side of the road was a green 1970 Z/28, with rotted out rear fenders and a bit of rust otherwise. I knew even back then it was one of 8733, as I really liked these. I had just started a family, house payment, stay at home wife, so there was no way… I think they wanted 12,500, think it was an RS as well. I’ll never forget that Z/28, I wanted it really bad!!!
POS is accurate description.
What Aussie Dave said. Times have changed for sure. My best college friend bought a complete but already rotted 70 Z28 RS for $1,800 in April 1979 from original owner. Back then no repo sheet metal was available however, he went to local Chevy dealer, Stocker Chevrolet, still in business and ordered GM quarter panels and inner wheelhouse for both sides. New fenders. He kept it until 2007 and sold it for $35,000. Original engine. We drove itvto first Super Chevy Sundsy at Maple Grove in 1983. Memories.
Ah! He “knows what he’s got!”
Definite long term project, for most novice muscle car fans! However, it really reflects what side of the coin you land on. For many owning this camaro is a dream come true reflecting the rarity and of course the minimum dollar amount for purchase, with putting the car back together in the long term as monies are available. Others, will complete initial work on the car, make a few dollars and move the car forward, due to rarity, into the money hands of people who will complete the project and hold the car for future equity, or make deals for other sought after cars, with this one included. People in the market place are not always running restored cars through the sales arenas you see on tv, but making deals outside those venues, nationally and internationally. As many who have noted above, they want that ONE car that had elluded them throughout life, to mark off their bucket list, this very well could be that car!
All 1970 Z/28’s were 4 speed cars. This car is an automatic. Automatics were not an option until 1973.
I stand corrected. They did make an automatic Z/28 in 1970. Learn something new everyday.