With around 282,000 produced, the 1979 Chevrolet Camaro saw the highest number of units roll off the assembly line during the entire second generation, which was a long run, lasting all the way from the 1970 model until 1981. Although nice examples were once plentiful, many of these eventually experienced neglect or abuse, and some were customized or turned into Restomods. As time goes on, what seems to be getting harder to find is a well-kept, all-original car that hasn’t been tampered with. However, this 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 here on eBay seems to be a bona fide survivor. This beautiful Z is in Mundelein, Illinois, and comes with a buy-it-now price of $36,900. That’s not necessarily firm, as the seller also mentions or best offer, and the button to submit an amount more to your liking is also included.
There are so many good points here that it’s hard to know where to begin, but the outside appearance seems like a good starting point. While the paint isn’t quite perfect, it looks top-notch to be more than 45 years old, thanks to a high level of care and the car only having been driven 25,000 miles. A couple of clues that this Z28 still has its original finish can be spotted around the rear bumper, as the dealer tag and unleaded fuel only sticker are present, both items that likely wouldn’t have been replaced if this one had gotten a respray. If you look closely, there is a trio of small dents on the driver’s door, but the exterior looks amazing overall for the age.
The standard engine and transmission for the Z28 in 1979 was a 350 V8 paired to a 4-speed manual, and that’s what can be found here. According to the seller, this one’s only had two owners, and both drove the car sparingly since so few miles have been accumulated. Everything in the bay appears to be in good order, with all oil changes and service records documented. It’s also mentioned that this car has never been operated in rain or snow, and that it still drives as it did in 1979.
All of the interior components are stated to be original, with the overall condition inside a great testament to the level of care this one’s received since new. For some reason, the rear side panel has some fading and light damage, but that shouldn’t be too difficult to repair or replace. The only obvious modifications are an aftermarket Stereo and speakers, so don’t forget to pull out your box of old cassettes. With the low mileage, excellent condition, and survivor-status here, I’m guessing somebody’s going to snag this one up fairly quickly. What are your thoughts on this 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28?
Wow nice presentation. These were everywhere back in the day, rare did you ever see one this nice. 3.73 gear, 4sp, 350 they felt quicker than they where. Buddy had a black 4sp just like this, I really enjoyed driving it. His was t-roof, but i prefer this clean hardtop. BF resident Greg knows a thing or two about this vintage of Chevy Z cars. Thanks Stephens 🤝 👍
I’m going to go out on a limb here and use the word Stunning. IF this is the original paint, its in amazing condition. I had a ’77 Olds 88 in this color and can say from personal experience that it fades quickly. And many unfortunately peeled too. This is just impressive. The interior overall looks great, the rear panel I’m sure can be taken care of. Those are the original GM floor mats too. Its a lot of money, but like Mike very correctly stated, theres not many left in original condition. If I was looking for one, I’d be looking very long and hard at this one. This is actually one of my favorite years, loved the front ends on these since I was a kid. Great write up and find Mike. I enjoyed it a lot.
Just to clarify, I was not suggesting the paint is not original, I highly believe it is.
Had a ’78 Impala in the shade. It looked like light blue chalk by the late 1980s when I got it so you are absolutely correct. It was a very popular color. You saw a lot of regular Camaros and Berlinettas especially in it, but for some reason not a lot of Z28s. Most ’79 Zs that were blue were dark blue. I had one of those too.
This car is 46 years old, not 35.
Thanks Pat!
Looks like the one from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, which could help attract potential buyers. Regardless of which drivetrain was used for the car in the movie, a 4spd in a car like this helps drive desirability and price higher.
Steve R
4sp was pretty rare in those days. I remember seeing one in Thunder Bay Ontario, first one I had seen in a showroom, I wondered if they were only available in Canada.
Chevrolet built 84,877 Z28’s in 1979, 18,987 were 4spd, none of which were sold new in California.
Steve R
You won’t be winning many stoplight drags but the 4 speed will help with the fun factor. I really like the color combination. Sharp looking car.
These are slow by today’s standards. 8.0-8.5 seconds to 60 and 16.0-16.5 in the quarter. But that’s because of all the smog equipment and a very mild camshaft. The LM1 350 Chevy installed in these was shared across the Chevrolet line, from Impala/Caprice, to the regular Camaro, to pickup trucks. It wasn’t a performance motor. I never understood why they didn’t install the L82, but they didn’t.
However, it is an SBC. So with a upgraded camshaft, 1 5/8″ headers, and true dual exhaust system, you can knock a couple seconds off the quarter mile time and have a low 14 second car. I know. I had a ’79 automatic and that’s basically all I did to it (along with a higher stall speed torque converter) and it turned constant 14.2-14.4s at 98-100 MPH. This is helped out a lot by the gearing (3.42 on automatic cars and 3.73 on 4-speeds).
That’d be a harder sell with a low mileage cream puff like this. You’d almost want to leave it alone. Personally, I’d probably do the cam, headers and exhaust and save the original parts. It really wakes up once you do that.
Futuristic design for 1979, still looks bad to the bone in 2025! I remember riding in one with a four speed back around 1980/1981, such a tight and smooth car.
I’m surprised in ’78 that Chevy didnt switch to rectangular headlights.
I wonder if the rectang headlite Camaro in the upper left still exists! —>
https://www.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/21/2015/08/1973-corvette-4-rotor-aerovette-prototype-front-side-view1.jpg
I’ve never seen a picture of that Camaro prototype before. The headlight design looks familiar, so it must have ended up on some production cars.
Not GM, but very similar to the headlights that are on the Omni 024 and Horizon TC3.
what a beautiful slow car! Of course, I say that as someone who owned one, loved it, and made it fast. I would love to repeat it with this one.
Really nice looking Camaro and love the color too. Growing up as a teen in the late 70’s early 80’s I can remember these well and most were rode hard and put away wet. This has survived in amazing condition.
The cars with A/C had 3.42 rear gears and the non-A/C cars had 3.73 gears.