The 1978 model year was a sales bonanza for Chevrolet and its Camaro range, with 272,631 buyers parking one in their driveway. Of those, 54,907 elected to step up to the plate by ordering a Z28. You may have been too young in 1978 to buy a Z28, or maybe your budget didn’t stretch to the expense. Our feature Camaro could right that wrong because, with a genuine 9,369 miles showing on its odometer, it is probably as close as you’ll come to owning a brand new car that is actually forty-four years old. It is listed here on eBay in Boise, Idaho. The seller set a BIN of $47,900 but may consider offers.
By 1978, Chevrolet was marking time with the Second Generation Camaro. It had a new model under development and felt that any changes to the existing cars should be evolutionary updates that cost the company little. The most notable was the introduction of urethane bumpers and minor changes to the taillights. Otherwise, it was business as usual for the classic pony car that had served admirably for eight years. Our feature Z28 rolled out of the plant in Van Nuys, California, resplendent in Code 77 Carmine. It retains its original paint, which shines beautifully following a recent ceramic treatment. It isn’t perfect, with the seller noting a few small chips and marks in this YouTube video. They also note some deterioration of the bumper fillers, although they haven’t crumbled to dust. The panels show no evidence of damage or other problems, while the underside shots confirm this classic is rust-free. The distinctive stripes and decals are crisp, with no lifting or checking. The color-matched wheels are free from stains, and the tinted glass is flawless.
The original owner was determined to make their mark with this Camaro, loading its interior with some of the most desirable options available in 1978. They selected Carmine Red Deluxe cloth trim, adding ice-cold air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a rear defogger, a tilt wheel, deluxe seatbelts, pulse wipers, floor mats, and an AM/FM radio/8-track player with optional rear speakers. Most of these features are intact, although it appears someone has substituted aftermarket rear speakers in place of the factory units. The presentation is all you might expect from a classic of this caliber, with no wear or other issues. The seller recently refurbished the A/C system, and like the other features, this works as it should.
If one aspect of the Camaro leaves me disappointed, it’s the presentation of the engine bay. I acknowledge this classic is forty-four years old, so signs of aging are almost inevitable. However, areas like the radiator support and shroud show more corrosion and deterioration than I expected. The engine bay houses the legendary 350ci V8, and considering the era in which this car emerged, its power output of 185hp is unsurprising. The power feeds to the 3.73 Posi rear end via a four-speed M21 manual transmission. The glory days of the Z28 being a fire-breathing beast were a distant memory, with this car taking 16.3 seconds to cover the ¼-mile. The seller claims this Camaro has a genuine 9,369 miles on the clock, although they don’t mention verifying evidence. They recently replaced the factory tires and exhaust but have retained the original components if the buyer wishes to take them home. The seller examined the car carefully, locating three copies of the Build Sheet for the new owner’s personal records. This Z28 is fully serviced, and they say it drives extremely well. That makes it a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
This 1978 Camaro Z28 is a stunning vehicle, and its originality is admirable in an era when cars of this type that survived into the 1980s often received aftermarket wheels and other additions. It has no apparent needs, but there’s no denying the BIN is well above the market average. While NADA quotes a “High Retail” figure of $24,600, Hagerty chimes in with a #2 value of $39,500. It is possible to buy some extremely nice Z28s for under $25,000, but that begs the question of whether the price for this one is justified. The included documentation helps its cause, but much rides on that odometer reading. If a potential buyer can verify it, that could make this car one of the lowest-mileage examples in existence. That could tip the scales and motivate one of the forty people watching the listing to hit the button.
These cars were as gorgeous and coveted as a new car could get in 1978 and this one has luckily been kept safely out of Spicoli’s hands. I can almost see the seller coming close to their ask on this beauty.
“I can almost see the seller coming close to their ask on this beauty.”
I don’t know what time zone you are in, but I think you have had enough for one day,
I live in California where we are confronted with the daily reality of great wealth in the hands of the few pricing the many out of the game.
Somebody who wants to relive their youth in a nearly new ’78 Z28 will step up. These aren’t exactly falling out of trees, man and restoring one could easily spiral beyond the ask on this car. Try finding another survivor like this, then tell me how you’re gonna score it for $10K or whatever you and the typical Barn Finds price-slasher dreamer thinks it’s worth. Priced a new 2022 “vehicle” lately perchance? Maybe it’s you who could use to sober up.
47k seems a little steep but if I had a dollar every time I’ve said that in the last year, I would not be sitting here posting on this blog that’s for sure!
Idiot Boy is talking about the financial alpha. They certainly exist but I’m not sure this car checks the boxes for that kind of buyer. They usually go for the special rare cars like the Integra Type R, Mark IV Supra Turbo, Porsche 930, and so on.
As nice as this is, they made a lot of them, and a lot of them are still on the road. So you won’t stand out when driving it. The real appeal is the mileage. I don’t think that’s enough to get near this kind of ask but who knows?
Step away from the pipe Ike. Greg knows these cars inside and out. My Camaro is valued at $16,500 by Hagerty. It’s nowhere near as nice as this.
Spicoli’s dad did have an awesome set of tools, looks like Jefferson’s been taking good care of it.
Hey I like the 1978 Z28 Camaro a lot. But they are not rare, certainly not that fast but they look good. This car appears to be a nice example. Going to need to see a lot of proof that it only has 9 thousand miles or so!! E en so, someone is dreaming on the price. I see real nice ones in the 15-20 thousand dollar range around. This price is way off course. I guess a vehicle is worth as much as you can get for it so if there is someone out there to buy it, more power to them. I just can’t see it and I doubt anyone that knows a lot about cars would see it either! It is nice though just not that kind of money nice!!!
Even the miles. Good, but not crazy low. If it had 936.9 miles, yeah, the argument for nearly 50k for a malaise era Camaro is stronger. But as it sits? I just don’t think it’s special enough for the financial alphas who could and would cough up this kind of cash.
Really appreciate the write up on my car. I am also a member here and had another one of my cars, a 1978 Pinto, get a write up this year.
I have owned many second gen Camaros over the years and this is as close to new as you would find. I am hopeful that the right collector will appreciate it for the price that I am asking, or something agreeable.
Hi Greg, it says it is a automatic in the ad, but it looks like a 4 speed manual to me.
Good catch and fixed the add, thanks!
Greg, I didn’t know that this was one of your cars, but I first thought that this one would make a great addition to your collection.
Thinning out the herd a bit?
Got you eye on something else?
A little bit of both. I have a cherry El Camino coming soon, and also a AMC Eagle Limited Wagon on its way. Just not enough room. I have this amazing ’78 Camaro Z/28 up for sale, and will be listing my 1980 MG MGB Limited Edition that I got from the 2nd owner with just 43,000 miles. It has the overdrive feature and some updated Miyata seats. I may place it up for sale on BaT, or try something different on eBay where I do a package deal for them both together.
15k-20k second gens are out there but find one with original paint, original deluxe interior, 4 speed, A/C, PW, PDL, etc., as original for that then buy it. Especially if miles are below 10,000. One would have to actually see the car to just know. It may not get my asking price but it may and if not it should sell in the 40’s to the right buyer.
Sweet Camaro. 4sp and 350 can’t go wrong. I think It’ll be well bought by someone at $40k. All the best Greg 👍
Appreciate it.
I agree, Greg. Great list of options, great color, and low miles should command a premium. I hope you find the right buyer.
Greg I bought a new 77.5 and a new 78 Z28, loved them both. I was young and dumb during that time and ended up totaling both of them with not many miles on either. Good luck to you, it’s a beautiful car for sure.
Original Interior Video YouTube link below
https://youtu.be/fR1SM7y7r-Y
Are you sure that’s a Muncie transmission? I had a ‘77,78 and a 79,they all had the Borg-Warner super T-10
VERY NICE Z28 and very well optioned. I started in 1980 with a 77 TA/6.6 Trans AM. My buddy had a 79 Z28 with these exact colors. It was a T-top car but no power windows and an automatic tranny. The thing couldn’t get outta it’s own way! He broke with his girlfriend and she keyed it all around, dashed paint remover all over it and broke every window and dented every door and panel on the car. I don’t know what happened to that car after he settled with ins. company.
Can you imagine what he must have felt when he saw that?
My second car I had in the very early 80’s was a 1980 Camaro Z/28 and after getting into a fight with my girlfriend she laid on the hood when I was leaving. I went around the block with her on it, slowly of course 😂
If I had the money and just wanted to stand out a little bit at a cars and coffee or whatever, that color combo will get attention. Some of us have bad backs and can’t climb down into the newer performance cars. Simple as it gets and there is someone everywhere who can work on it without big shop prices, especially when you have to store it for half the year? I think this could be as good as gets for someone. I hope they find it.
Uff- Da. That’s a lot of money. But I’ve never been a Camaro lover except 1st Gen.
My dear friend had a 78, same colors, automatic however, bought it in 79, wound up only accumulating 39,000 miles, when he passed away in 1999, another friend bought it, stored it improperly, killed the paint, wound up selling it for 10,000 in 2014, I was gonna buy it, but it would have haunted me
Beautiful car! It’s a shame these motors were terrible on horsepower. I’d be all over this if it had a decent powerplant. Nice ls swap would be perfect, but would ruin it’s originality.
The right price for a survivor like this all stock including paint with less than 50k miles is between $35k and $45k.