By 1980, Chevrolet knew that the writing was on the wall for the 2nd Generation Camaro and that a new model was waiting in the wings for the 1982 model year. That didn’t stop potential buyers from walking into their local dealership to drive away in a 1980 Camaro Z28. Chevrolet managed to sell an impressive 59,016 cars in that model year. Many of these cars are now a distant memory, but this 1980 Z28 is an original survivor. It features the venerable 350ci V8 under the hood and has covered a mere 33,600 miles during its lifetime. It has recently come onto the market and has been listed for sale here on eBay. The Z28 is located in Summerland Key, Florida, and while spirited bidding has pushed the price along to $18,400, the reserve hasn’t been met.

The owner says that “some” of the Camaro wears its original Silver paint, which suggests that it may have had at least a partial cosmetic refresh at some point. The panels are all genuine and have the correct GM stamps on them. That also suggests that the Z28 has not had any rust problems or significant accident damage. The paint shines well, with none of the patchiness or matte areas to which this color can be prone. The panels are straight, the gaps are consistent, and all of the exterior plastic is in excellent condition. The original gray 5-spoke wheels are in excellent condition, with no evidence of tarnishing or physical damage. The stickers and graphics on any Z28 from this era can be prone to checking, fading, and general deterioration. The ones on this car are clean and crisp, with no problems to report. The tinted glass is in excellent order, while the rear window louvers are a great period feature that adds a special touch to this car.

I’ve always said that it is a brave person who orders a new car with White vinyl interior trim. I admit that it is no more prone to marking and stains than many cloth options, but it can be prone to developing a yellow appearance over time due to the effects of UV exposure. The White trim in this Camaro is now 41-years-old, and it has avoided that fate. The general lack of wear and significant marks suggest that it has been treated with respect throughout its life. Adding to the positive vibes are a dash and pad that are in excellent condition. This Camaro has also managed to avoid the common issue of a sagging headliner. The carpet looks like it might be developing a patchy appearance, but it is also possible that this is a trick of the light. The next owner could spend $210 on a high-quality replacement carpet set if it is starting to deteriorate. Beyond that, this interior needs nothing. Adding to occupant comfort, the Camaro comes equipped with air conditioning, a radio/cassette player, and a tilt wheel.

While the 1970s hadn’t been kind to the American V8 engine, the 1980 model year brought a sliver of good news for the Camaro Z28. The original owner ordered this Z28 with the mighty 350ci V8 and an automatic transmission. The sliver of good news was that the 350 received a modest power boost for the new year and was now pumping out 190hp. That meant that the ¼-mile ET dropped from 17 seconds in 1979 to 16.5 seconds in 1980. Okay, it wasn’t the sort of improvement that was going to generate headlines in motoring publications, but anything was better than nothing at that point in time. The owner says that this Z28 is a numbers-matching car and that it has a genuine 33,600 miles on the clock. He doesn’t mention evidence to confirm this, but given the collection of documentation that comes with the Camaro, it is possible that he does hold some. He has the original Dealer Invoice, along with the original Bill of Sale, the Temporary Tag Certificate, and all of the documentation that would have been in the glovebox when the Chevy was new. One piece of information that he doesn’t supply is how well the Camaro runs and drives. However, he seems approachable, so potential buyers could contact the owner to ask all of the relevant questions.

Less than two years after this 1980 Camaro Z28 rolled off the production line, a new generation hit the floors of Chevrolet showrooms across the country. Those cars represented a significant change in design and engineering philosophy from the company. They began to claw back some of the performance ground lost during the early days of The Malaise Era. One side-effect of this new philosophy was that it instantly made the previous generation look old and dated, and values took a massive hit. Cars like this began to change hands for peanuts, and many owners weren’t concerned about protecting or preserving a vehicle that was worth so little. However, times have changed, and values on cars like this Z28 have begun to rise. These increases have been modest, but they have also been consistent. That makes them worth serious consideration for any buyer looking for a classic as a long-term investment. This is especially true when they are a well-preserved, low-mileage example like this one.