By 1981, the curtain was set to drop on Second Generation Chevrolet Camaro production. Tightening emission regulations meant that the Z28 version was no longer the fire-breathing monster that had it had been a mere decade earlier. That didn’t make it a bad car, but it meant that the more sedate performance saw secondhand examples rapidly fall out of favor with buyers. As a result, many were heavily modified or driven into the ground by uncaring owners. Finding a nice, original example today can be challenging. However, for those that have been looking, your search may have ended. This 1981 Camaro Z28 presents beautifully and has a genuine 29,000 miles on the clock. It features a V8/four-speed drivetrain and is guaranteed to turn heads wherever it goes. Located in Vero Beach, Florida, you will find the Camaro listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $35,900 but leaves the way clear for interested parties to make an offer.
From a purely visual perspective, there is a lot to like about this Camaro. The original owner ordered it finished in Maroon Metallic, with the contrasting Z28 decals and stripes. The paint is in excellent condition, with a beautiful depth of color and shine. There are no visible flaws or issues and no signs of fading. The decals are crisp and clean, with none of the problems that can plague cars from this era. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and not only is there no visible evidence of rust, but the seller mentions no problems in his listing. The original owner ordered the Z28 with a T-Top, and it, along with its original storage pouches, is in excellent condition. The plastic exterior trim and spoilers have avoided any physical damage, while the factory alloy wheels are free from curb strike and staining. Taken purely at face value, this Z28 makes a positive first impression.
Potential buyers in 1981 were faced with two choices when it came to the question of what sort of engine and transmission they should slot under their new Z28. They could choose the 305ci V8, but it came with a four-speed manual transmission as mandatory. Selecting the 350ci powerplant brought a three-speed automatic, with no manual option. The original owner of this Camaro chose the 305/4-speed combination, which should be producing 165hp. To gauge the impact that tightening emission regulations were having on American performance cars, you only need to compare the figures for this Z28 versus one produced a decade earlier. Even the slowest four-speed equipped 1971 Z28 could cover the ¼ mile in 14.6 seconds. Wind the clock forward to 1981, and our feature car should cover the distance in 16.7 seconds. Ouch! The seller indicates that this classic has 29,000 genuine miles on the clock, but not whether he holds verifying evidence. He does have the original Window Sticker and Owner’s Manual, so I wouldn’t rule evidence out of the equation. He has recently fitted new tires and says that the vehicle runs and drives extremely well. Summer sun and the open road are beckoning this Camaro’s next owner.
The owner doesn’t supply an interior shot of this Camaro that provides an overview. However, when you piece together the photos that he does supply, things look pretty rosy. It is upholstered in tan cloth, and there’s no evidence of wear, physical damage, or stains. The carpet is a light tan, which is a wonderful recipe for glaring problems. This carpet is free of those, and when combined with plastic that shows no evidence of UV deterioration, it makes a positive impression. The factory radio has made way from a more modern stereo, but the original is included. The dash and pad are in good order, as is the console. If I’m surprised by anything, it is that the original owner did not order this Camaro with air conditioning. Otherwise, the buyer will receive power windows, the aftermarket stereo, and a tilt wheel.
By 1981, it wasn’t merely the performance credentials of the Camaro Z28 that were in freefall. Sales had followed suit, and only 43,272 buyers slapped down their cash for a Z28. This number marked an 8% drop from the previous year and a massive 50% fall from 1979. Many potential buyers knew that there was a Third Generation Camaro waiting in the wings, and some chose to hold onto their money so that they could lay their hands on the latest and greatest that Chevrolet had to offer. As previously mentioned, many of the cars that made it off the showroom floor became heavily modified or were abused and driven into the ground. This one has avoided that fate and presents superbly. Values have risen sharply in the last eighteen months, but the market seems to favor the 350/automatic version over the 305/four-speed model. The owner may struggle to achieve his BIN, but I wouldn’t rule it out. However, he may have a bit of a wait in front of him unless you’re willing to make a move. Are you tempted?
1) Buy via low ball (also realistic) offer
2) Jettison the 305 and put it on Craigslist
3) Insert HP appropriate motor
4) enjoy
Over Weight, Under Power. The only thing about this is it’s a 4 speed.
I had the Canadian version of this car minus the t-tops. We could still get the 350 4-speed without the computer controlled carburetor.
Canadian version, your welcome
I’ll never understand pricing. If you use the guides available as reference to get you into the ball park range you should be able to go from there. Hemmings, Hagerty etc rate a #1 “concours” at around 15k. Add for 10% T-tops 4speed and you see where price should basically fall based on trends and prior sales of a similar car. Guess I’ll never get a 70-74 Camaro or one like this. Maybe my 2012 Sierra RCSB 4×4 is 30k. 🤦🏻♂️ Dare to dream.
It’s a beauty, but the 305 and the T-tops would turn me off. Unfortunately, the 350 automatic is the only way to go with the 1981. In 1980 you could get the 350 with the 4 speed, though the rear gears dropped from 3.73 to 3.23 to improve gas mileage.
Sales dropped so significantly because of the new 1982 model that was coming out, yes. But also, the economy was in the bleeper because of high inflation, gas prices, interest rates, and bad economy. 1979 was the peak for both the 2nd Gen Z28 and Trans Am. If the all time best selling Z28 was the 1984 model with over 100,000 sold. The economy really turned around in 3 years, and gas prices dropped substantially.
Bick, I would say the 80 Z28 4-speed with air induction tops the 79. I was a passenger in both models back in the day. Can’t remember a time that anyone outran the guy with the ‘80.
The 1979 had 175 horsepower. The 1980 at 190. But the ’79 had 3.42 (auto) or 3.73 (manual) gears. ’80s had 3.08s for both (I misspoke above).
So it’d be a close one. I mean they’re both slow by modern standards, but for time, 15 hp meant something.
Reading the comments-pull the slouchy 305 and nestle a nice 350, and 3.55 gears.
Way over priced because a dealer has it. Love the car. So nice to see a car with no AC. Up here in northeast PA, we don’t need it. I just take out the t tops on our 73 Corvette. Saves so much weight and converting to R134 does not work been there . Done that. A friend bought a new loaded dark blue Z28 in 1979. That was a 350, I think like 170 hp. He ordered every option. It wasn’t fast, but what a cruiser and the small GM mufflers made it sound pretty good. Having said that, this 81 is far better looking than that ugly pile of junk GM calls a Camaro today.
I like everything about it except the lack of A/C, but I live in the deep South. With T-tops and no AC, you become a greenhouse in the summer. I had 3 different T-top cars back in my younger days – all had AC – even then they could barely keep up. Rolling the windows down is no help, still hot AF. Taking the T-tops out just increases the sunburn on the top of the old head, arms, etc. Great car for Nawtherners in the summer, store it in the winter.
I was going to buy one just like this new hall of 82, exact color, engine and transmission, but got the jitters on cleaning out 12G from my bank account for a car that would rust away in 5 years here in Mn.
Does anyone know how many four speeds there were?
Very nice car. Looks like you’ll need to order a heater core if you buy this one. Can’t tell what else it might need. I like that it has 3 pedals though.
Those are a bear to change. You have to pull the lower dash to get too it, no easy task. And the lower nut for the heater box is directly behind the exhaust manifold, a wobble socket & about 2 foot extension to the front of the engine to get to it.
What if it had no factory a/c – easier to change heater core?
& the 2nd gen firebird has a one piece dash – still easier yet to change the core?
My 2nd gen ’74 bird has 225k miles & original heater core – could be world’s record.
This is more like it. Way more desirable to me (and most likely, most people) than the low mileage ’82 Z/28 that is currently being featured.
It’s certainly not 35K nice, maybe half that.
Not factory Fisher Body t-tops, aftermarket versions lower the price and originality and desirability. No a/c is a HUGE drawback if you live anywhere of the east coast or whatever the humidity is over 20%. Aftermarket radio is a big minus. I don’t care if the original radio is included. You don’t know what kind of butchery has been done to the wiring harness to install aftermarket stereo. Overpriced by about $20K
Douglas, I respectfully disagree about the wiring harness. Worst case scenario, you are looking at a few simple splices. These were simply never that complicated, back then.
The wiring is a piece of cake, but the lower dash has been cut for a DIN style head unit. Replacing the lower dash is a pain in the you know what, been there, done that, because some one broke mine stealing the nice stereo in it.
This car tugs at my heartstrings, as an ’81 Z28 was my high school ride. I never drove mine with the 305, it went straight in the garage for a real engine. I understand some people value orginality, but paying $35k for something that my shop truck will blow the doors off of, yeah, not so much.
I don’t live that far from (Orlando) this car and I love the looks and car. Had a 1970 z28 (ac not an option), a 1978 straight 6 deluxe interior with ac and a 1979 Berlinetta with 350ci and ac. Brought back memories of days past but no ac in FL is a deal killer especially in my late 50’s. This is a beautiful car.
Pretty sure this is my old Camaro I sold a few years ago. I know it went to Michigan & then sold again to a Florida dealer. I was the original owner before it sold. All the miles are mine if it is.