The muscle car scene changed a lot in the 1970s, but the Chevy Camaro Z28 soldiered on. It would still be a powerful car, but its L82 350 cubic inch V8 engine had been detuned a bit as a sign of the times. This ’73 Z28 is said to be a one-owner car with just 17,000 on the clock, left in a barn for an undetermined period but now revived and ready to roll. From Golden, Colorado, it’s available here on eBay for $68,000 (Buy It Now) or you can submit an offer.
Though an improvement to many in the styling department, early sales of the second-gen Camaro were not what Chevy hoped for. Nearly 97,000 of them were built in 1973, an upward tick from the prior year, but way off the 200,000+ annual turnout of the 1967-69 models. By ’73, the Super Sport was gone but the Z28 was not, accounting for 11,574 units of which 6,107 had a 4-speed manual transmission, like the seller’s car. The Z28 could be had with factory air conditioning for the first time because it had non-mechanical lifters in the engine
Now we come to the seller’s car. You must wonder how a car like this was driven only 17,000 miles before being put away in a barn with stuff piled around it and years later it looks like it has hardly a scratch. That seems to be the case with this previously single-owner, previously forgotten Chevy Z28. Other than a wash and wax, new front shocks and a new exhaust system have been added and the rest of the machine is said to be original except for the aftermarket wheels.
While most of the photos provided aren’t very good, the seller takes quite a few of the numbers on the engine and other mechanical parts, building a case for numbers-matching. If that’s so, the motor would be special to the Z28, a 350 cubic inch, 245 hp V8 with torque production at 280. All of this was accomplished with four-bolt main bearing caps, forged steel crank, “big valve” cylinder heads, cast aluminum rocker covers with internal galleries, and hydraulic lifters replacing solid ones.
This Camaro wears paint code 74, Dark Red, which we assume is original along with the black vinyl interior. Both present very well for a car that was laid up for ages. Does all of this add up to a $68,000 automobile? NADA says $45,000 is a more likely number, but how many 17,000-mile examples of these are left running around?
Maybe the odometer only works when the gas pedal is floored. That would make more sense to me.
more like 117,000-mile
I know a lot of people, right away say no way. Well, I know these vehicles exist, because I have one. The owners were neighbors, and they worked, shopped, and lived in the community of Powell TN. The car never left the community, until I bought it. 1970 Olds Cutlass, 2 door hardtop,completely original except tires and battery. 4278 actual miles. I find alot of disbelief by those who are not avid car owners. Keep looking, you get lucky too.
Wow, pics look great and only 17k on a 5 digit odometer! Whats even more amazing is the condition of the interior especially after sitting in a barn for at least 40 plus years. My fathers RV and vehicles that lay dormant in his Barn in Florence Co for less than 15 years had everything in them shredded by rodents, this guy must have had excellent pest control.
Would need to see more photos or actually examine in person to verify miles. But so funny seeing all the key board wizards here evaluating and doubting a cars mileage based on a few pictures. Geez people
Seller highlighting the rarity of an original with this low of mileage based off a suspect odometer reading, vague description with no history and a premium asking price might have a little to do with it.
Not trying to bash the car I really like it, Round tail light Camaros were always my favorite, One thing I would do to it though is swap out the Cragar’s for Ralley’s.
@ 1959 Buick Man, Seems like in our hobby more car bashing goes on the car appreciation. Probably by people that got no better than a 1986 Yugo in their garage.
Poorly written ads don’t mean the miles are false. See it all the time as an estate appraiser. Again with the lack of photos, a determination is impossible unless there are very glaring obvious signs in the few photos.
Remember 25-30 years ago when people started doing real nut and bolt restorations on musclecars, and how it was frequent practice to replace the speedo or reset the odo to 0 in the process? I bet some folks still do that.
I did a frame off restoration on a customer’s ’61 red Corvette convertible
Including the gage cluster. So I reset the mileage to 0
ACC gives a median auction sale of $37K. If the low mileage can be proven and the original body panels are good, along with original running gear…..May come close to getting that? Lot of ifs? But I love the car!
Overspray on the Door latch and screws tells the real story. …
Exactly what I noticed!!
Hood spring also.
Sure was easy to disconnect the speedo cable back then. Just sayin’ ….
I did it all the time on my 83 Shelby charger. It was junk anyway
Pictures pulled from screenshots, and some looking like they were taken with a potato (that engine, please!) give me considerable cause for pause.
About 30k too much.
Unless maybe it was a high compression 1970 1/2 model.
My 66 Shelby shows 14k miles. I guess that is what it is? Gee lacking that extra digit really enables the low mileage stories. Which no actual proof that is just a claim and nothing more. What would be proof? Paperwork showing mileage history. (Period)!
I don’t really follow Camaro’s much so when I ask this don’t go crazy on me. Is this thing worth 68K? 38K seems like it would be to much.
With this crazy pricing,I am thinking of putting my 1967 SS/RS Camaro up for sale 396/325 turbo 400 trans and original drive line, Texas car with no rust ever original panels , Bolero red with black vinyl roof and red interior
Recently a completely restored numbers matching 73 went through Barrett Jackson. Sold for 60k. Was white with black. Need I say more. !!
If it is drivable why not drive it out for some decent photos?
The car will be long gone before all the Deaks admit how smart they are about nothing.
Well then you should buy it. I wish there was a way we could bet on your comment. Man, think of all the Super Bee’s, Road Runner’s Cuda’s Chevelle’s 442’s GTO’s etc…A person can buy for less than 68K. I think it’s a $19,000 car.
Dude, what is a deak, or what are deaks? Are you trying to be funny? Are you trying to be smart by switching some letters to call someone a nasty word?
With a low mileage engine of this era, would a compression test give a good indication of claimed mileage as opposed to 117,000 miles?
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…I will NEVER NEVER EVER understand why cars like this sit. After the clean up though it looks awesome! 98% do not after sitting that long. Like @Rltrahan said, interiors are shredded to pieces after just sitting not even half the time this one did but thankfully it’s still in what looks to be great shape!
I don’t know why so many worry about the 5 digit plus 10ths odometer being rolled over once. Those odometers are so easy to physically change to whatever you want. Any car has so many other clues as to approximate (at least as over 100k or well under) mileage.
I think if the miles are true, 50,000 is not an unfair price for this car, if the miles are real, if not, it’s a 35,000 car
Most of you Deaks don’t have a line of credit let alone the cash to buy this car. I don’t understand why Deaks that can’t afford to buy the good toilet are on here acting like they can afford a toy.
You got a smart mouth! Buy it and prove something for once in your life!
A line of credit at ACE can’t be to difficult for most Deaks.
Wow Shuttle Guy, rj is very smart…I think I figured out that deaks is another word for him being Tom, and Harry…you know the middle word.
Deaks are people that never have anything good to say. It’s almost like they can’t help themselves.
Ditch those “damn ugly” yellow plug wires!