Color matched wheels and contrasting stripes: two things I love about cars from the 1980s. Of course, if you’re checking out this 1980 Chevrolet Camaro Z28, you’ll also love the crazy low mileage and the Hurst dual-gate shifter. The Camaro remains in exceptional condition with the seller claiming no restoration or paint work has ever been performed. Find it here on craigslist with a $21,000 asking price. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Ikey H. for the find.
You always want to know more about cars like this: how did it survive this well? Did someone put it away as a future cash cow? Was the owner extremely cautious and scared to use it? Of course, none of this information makes its way into the listing. I’d say this car saw some regular use, as the driver’s bolster is slightly saggy, but that’s really the biggest flaw I can see in the cabin.
The engine bay arguably looks better than the interior, which is usually a good sign. The seller doesn’t detail any sort of maintenance history, but with such low mileage, one would hope all mechanical needs have been addressed. Still, hoses can get brittle and fluids should always be changed, so the question is worth asking. The Colorado climate is typically quite friendly to vehicles that don’t go outside in wintertime.
What I love about this photo is how the color pops – you can tell this Camaro’s exterior is as good as you’d hope it’d look for a low-mileage time capsule. The burnt orange / copper paint and matching wheels is a great look, and the crystal clear glass and preserved graphics are the little details that help push a car over the top. It’s not cheap, but the best of anything rarely is.
Stunning. My absolute favorite color on these generation of the Z/28. The matching factory wheels really make it pop!
If the original buyer was thinking of it as a future investment it would have a 4spd and more options. They also wouldn’t have modified it. It’s what was typically done in that day, stereo and shifter were common upgrades, the gauges seem a bit unusual.
As for their intentions, that information was probably lost when I changed hands. Though I wouldn’t be surprised if it was someone young that got sidetracked by job and family, who parked the car in a corner of their garage and let it sit. That’s pretty common.
Steve R
Beautiful car. Chrome valve covers not original. Chevy orange engine in 1980? Color of wheels different shade IMHO Hurst dual gate was sold aftermarket during period. Don’t recall being OEM love to have
It’s positively pocket change compared to that black ’78. But I don’t know if the market will support 21 grand for one of these. In this economy maybe. We’ll see I suppose!
This has always been the slow time of year for car related activities and sales. It’s summer, people are going on vacation, kids are going to expensive day camps, those that are into cars are busy going to shows and cruises. The buying of cars reaches its peak when people are getting their taxes back and early fall when they are looking for winter projects. I’ve been in automotive for 30+ years, it’s always been this way, it’s has very little to do with the state of the economy.
Steve R
Thanks for the info Steve. I will wait to sell my 69 G-code Coronet 440 until fall. :)
Gunner, there is a limited time in the fall to get a deal done. Once people get into Christmas mode, which seems to gets earlier every year, the market slows dramatically until some time in January. As always, a well thought out ad with good pictures and a realistic price will get a car sold. Good luck with your sale.
Steve R
Gunner – if I was selling an American muscle car I would do it as soon as possible. Market is scalding hot and it could really tank after the next election. All IMO. I don’t have a crystal ball but I’d get in while the getting is good for sellers.
Love the color, nice stance, air induction, and no T tops(ive never had luck with t tops. They leak, and seem to make the car turn into a wind-noisy rattle trap).If only it was a 4 speed…
Painted Orange Engine? Should be corp.Blue? If complete engine was painted Orange then it was pulled out of car. Just saying. All other mods can be changed back with ease. Not all Original to me?
I had to google images of 1980 Z28s to see if those weird little bumps in front of the rear wheels were available on Camaros and sure enough they were. I’m sure the snow plow spoiler was legitimately aerodynamic as well but for me it detracts from the outstanding overall shape of this car. Perhaps a more subdued color scheme would help.
There’s no denying that this generation of the General’s pony cars was a landmark design. The proportions and details are as good as anything from the Italians of the ’50’s &’60’s though the build quality may not be the same.
Whoever buys it won’t regret it.
Now where’s that spare 21K I had laying around? Think I’m gonna need it. Honeyyy…..
Looks like a solid car. Interesting that the engine is red, especially on such a low mile car. They came from the factory with blue engines that year.
Yep. Engine replaced
Great shape and a 4 speed car!! I hope the guy with the low miles 78 is looking at this car!! It’s so much better at less than half the asking price!! It still seems a little high priced thought!! But I think it might bring $18,000. I’m trying to be generous!!!
Beautiful car, but I don’t believe those stripes are original. The factory stripes were gradient gold… three shades of gold with only very minor fading. The aftermarket provider of all GM vinyl kits is called Phoenix Graphics. Their 80-81Z28 kit is exactly as pictured here. It’s very nice, but they didn’t get the colors right.
All the graphics and air dams in the world are not gonna make this cars performance even peppy, it’s a slug w nice paint and wheels, thinking back about your old one in high school? Bad news boys and girls, most of today’s mini vans will smoke this dud
No one wants to drive a mini van tho