The 1970-1973 split bumper Camaro is a beautiful design. This 1973 Camaro Z28 is located in San Ramon, California and is said to be all numbers matching and only have 22k miles. I wonder if the dent in the front fender can be popped out. Many thanks to Tony Primo for finding this beauty for us. The car is said to have its original paint and interior and be a true survivor. It is listed for sale here on Craigslist for $50,000. The car has got to be special with it being optioned with the RS, LT and Z28 package. It is being sold by the second owner who acquired it in 2021.
The Z/28 option was created in 1967 to make the Camaro more competitive in SCCA’s Trans-Am series. Initially available with a 302-cu.in. V-8 from 1967-1969, the second-generation Camaro was built with a larger 350-cu.in. V-8. In 1970, the Z28 had 360 hp with its LT-1 engine, but by 1973, the LT-1 was gone and replaced with a milder 350 cubic inch V8. It produced 245 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. The hydraulic-lifter camshaft replaced the solid-lifter, and a Quadrajet carburetor replaced the Holley four-barrel atop a cast-iron manifold. It still performed well. Other changes for 1973 included a larger cooling system (17-quart), standard Positraction differential, and optional air conditioning for the first time. To attract buyers, the cost of the Z28 option decreased from $769 to $598.
The interior looks very nice and original. The star of the show of course is the 4 speed shifter sticking out of the console. The in-dash stereo appears to be aftermarket. I am not sure about the panels under the steering wheel. They do not look stock. The seller states that he bought the Camaro in 2021 from the original owner’s family, who had stored it in their garage since 1980. The owner had removed the engine but died before finishing the project. The seller semi restored the Camaro, preserving its originality and adding a new intake and headers. The original intake manifold and exhaust manifolds are included with the car. The paint is entirely factory original, except for the rear spoiler, which was repainted to match the original color. The rest of the body maintains its authentic finish.
The Camaro Z28 cost $4,066 in 1973 equipped with power steering, the RS package, Z28 package, instrument package, custom interior, and a 4-speed transmission. A total of 96,751 Camaros were built in 1973. The Chevrolet Camaro LT model replaced the Super Sport in 1973 and could be combined with Rally Sport and Z/28 packages. A total of 32,327 units were sold. Chevrolet changed the Z/28 badging to Z28 in 1972.
Stunner BJ. Believe these had the Muncie 4sp spinning a lively 3.73 rearend. 🏁
You always create the perfect nicknames Stanley!
When I was a kid I used to try to draw cats. I was never very good at it. This is one I always used to try to draw. I love that split bumper look. I know they’re prone to damage, but boy do they look nice. Especially with the round signal lights mounted by the headlights. If its really all original, I’d leave any minor bumps and bruises alone. And just drive it and enjoy it.
I can draw cats…
Oh brother….. I just read that. Cars, not cats. Fat thumbs on my phone.
The chrome braces underhood i guess must be aftermarket. To enhance ?? the rigidity of the front end. I’m curious of the plaque and why the holes on the underdash. Now is it just me, i’d go back to a ball on the top of the shifter instead of the T handle.
The longer bars are correct for the 73RS, less the chrome. Missing the correct hood latch. If it had air, the rear end would be a 3.42
Nice Camaro. Very cool to see the old school personalized blue plate, If truly mostly original, I’d eye returning it to how it left Norwood and ditch some of the chrome and aftermarket pieces they added to the engine compartment. I like these kinda cars though. Dings, dents, scratches and all. They have a personality. And the best part, you’re not overly worried about driving them. Although if this Z28 truly has confirmed and documented low mileage, yeah, maybe I would not go cross country in it, but I would not hesitate to drive the heck out of it.
Always liked the ‘73 Z-28 but it was just out of my reach back then. With that said, even with the low mileage this isn’t a $50K car. Too many aftermarket bits, dents and dings for that kind of money.
Why no Z emblems?
Has the rear emblem, just missing the grille Z28. Looks correct for a 73 RS LT Z28
What about the front fenders, shouldn’t the Z28 emblems supersede the Camaro 350 emblems? Even the Rally Sport emblems superseded the Camaro emblems on 70-73’s. It’s also missing the rear “bumperettes” that were standard on 70-73 Z28’s.
There’s no doubt it’s real, but might not be as much as a “survivor” as claimed in the ad.
Steve R
From NastyZ28.com-
If the Z22 option was ordered on a Z28, Super Sport or Type LT (1973), the “Rally Sport” emblems were not placed on the car anywhere (except on the steering wheel if the car is a Z28). Nowhere in or on the car will it say “RS”. The RS option is not coded into the vin, nor is it on the trim tag.
1973 Type LT emblems are unique.
They are located on the right side of the front valence, rear sail panel and rear light panel. If the Type LT was combined with the Z28 option, the Type LT emblems trumped or replaced any external Z28 identification.
Here’s two examples.
https://www.streetsideclassics.com/vehicles/8857-cha/1973-chevrolet-camaro-z-28-rs-type-lt
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/1973-chevrolet-camaro-z28-survived-kansas-winters-rats-and-mice-amazing-barn-find-178508.html#agal_3
I’m thinkin a lot of people wanted the extra Z28 badging added on. GM was downplaying the racing heritage of the earlier Z’s and going with the softer LT (luxury touring).
Personally don’t like the rear spoiler, but otherwise presentable. Bonus points for including the original manifolds; Those exhaust pieces are getting hard to find. Lose some of the underhood chrome, clean and detail, and drive to every cars and coffee all season.
Friend had one. Rubber in all four gears.
He ran the piss out of it. Then totaled into a pole on passenger side. Insurance paid him 4,400 . Speedo was un hooked so actual mileage was unknown. But was white and great looking Z. Had full front bumper though. Those were the days.
My father noticed a ’73 sitting on a turn table in the airport coming home from a business trip and immediately bought it. It wasn’t a Z or anything special but it was fully loaded and had the 350 in it. He said he loved the looks but the car wasn’t fast enough for him. He asked for suggestions and I gave him a list of 15 things he could do for more power. Called me a month later and thanked me for the list. He took the car to the local speed shop and had EVERYTHING on the list done. They added 80 more horsepower and that car really moved.
Should be able to get an additional 80 horsepower on a smog era 350 with 3 changes.
1. Camshaft
2. Headers
3. Aluminum Intake
If you require more, swap out the large chamber smog heads.
Only thing they didn’t change was the heads. I didn’t have them on the list. Did leave the hydraulic lifters but they put in a great street cam.
I bought a new LT Z28 in 1973. LT emblems replaced the Z28 emblems when ordered. I bought a 1970 low spoiler and had it put on. The LT. option was a nicer interior with the wood grain dash and nicer seats. I liked the 73 Z best. It was a better street engine. No solid lifters to mess with or crappy Holley carb. The L82 engine was basically the old L46 with a 9.0 compression. Still had plenty of go, came with 3:73 posi. They would outrun their sister 455 Trans Am’s in 73. In 73 mine cost $4100.00 out the door.
Every 73 Type LT I’ve seen had the emblem on the C-pillar just like this one. Was your different?
Steve R
They didn’t put z28 on the car if ordered as an LT. Not all Z28’s in 73 were LT’s, and not all LT’s were Z28’s.
You are right, I figured they used the same emblem package as the 70-72’s. My mistake.
Steve R
Because the standard 455 motor in almost all ’73 T/As was a “station wagon” motor with only 8 to 1 compression, cast rods, & probably with a 3:08 rear(less likely a 3:42) in back.
You obviously tho did NOT encounter a ’73 bird with 1 of only 252! made with u-know-what-455 motor.
Hearing what you paid for your Z, i guess it had a manual trans & no a/c.
Even more of an advantage, if the T/As u raced had automatic & heavy(back then) a/c – more likely than not.
Not a True Z28. This is an LT car portraying to be a Z28 !!
No Z 28 insignias anywhere !!
Yes it is.
Look at the picture of the trim tag, it clearly shows Z28, which all early-70’s Norwood built Z28’s would show. Then look up the engine designation on the VIN, starting in 1972 all GM cars incorporated the specific engine into the VIN, that engine was only available on Z28’s and no other Camaro. That’s easily verifiable with a quick Google search.
Steve R
Seems like it may be an RS/Type LT (had one in the 90s), but not a Z28.
Nice car
really nice camaro
What I want to know is how the heck GM got away without putting ugly 5mph-bumpers on these Camaros?
1974 is when the Camaros got the NHTSA mandated bumpers. 1973 was the last year for the narrow ones and this nose option. My father got a silver Camaro as a loaner from the dealer when his base model Camaro was in the shop for extensive warranty work. Loved the look of his loaner–Silver w/RS front, houndstooth interior, rally wheels. I never wanted to see his dark green poverty edition return to our driveway!
The initial “Bumper Law” regulation absolutely took effect in ’73.
As I recall, in its first year it applied ONLY to Front bumpers…and req’d that they withstand just a 2-1/2 mph impact.
The ‘full-strength’ 5-mph standard took effect in ’74; and it applied to front AND rear bumpers.
As an example, compare bumpers on ’73 vs. ’74 Ford products like the Torino, Pinto, Mustang and Maverick. All had noticeably more substantial front bumpers for 1973;
the behemoth bumpers didn’t debut until the ’74 model year.
Chrysler did the best job of minimizing the impact to their designs, Ford the worst (by FAR!). Every GM model it seems began to adopt the ‘slope-fascia’ design as disguise.
What an exercise in futility though.
Sure, the new/complex ‘flexing’ bumpers offered some resilience to very low-speed parking-lot incidents. But the cost to repair them if damaged in a crash of more than 5-mph went higher, so it was probably all just a wash.
I remain puzzled by Chevrolet’s apparent ‘Exemption’ with these ’73 Camaros. Firebirds similarly didn’t adopt their “Sloping-Fascia” design and bigger bumpers ’til 1974.
I read that Dodge & Plymouth & AMC paid fines in ’73 & ’74 to avoid developing TRUE 5 mph bumpers for their Challenger, [Barra]cuda, & Javelin because they were all being
discontinued in 1975.
I theorize that Chevy paid fines too for their ’73 camaro because the ’74 front bumper & or new front & rear body changes were not available yet for ’73.. As far as the firebird was concerned the very very heavy ’73 endura bumper was strenghtened for ’73 & it did indeed meet ’73 standards – & even the ’70 endura bird bumper was very heavy, unlike the ’70-73 camaro front bumpers.
The wheels are not the correct original color. There’s something “off” about this car; certainly not worth 50K.