The 1979 model year was a banner one for the Chevrolet Camaro. Not only did the badge set a new sales record, but the total of 282,571 cars has never been surpassed. The company was marking time with updates as it had an all-new model waiting in the wings. The pick of the bunch in 1979 was undoubtedly the Z28 and our feature car is a rock-solid survivor. It requires a cosmetic refresh, but with a healthy 350/4-speed drivetrain combination, the new owner can perform that task as time and circumstances allow. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting this solid project candidate.
Potential buyers can consider this 1979 Camaro as a survivor in overall terms. There are a few changes that we will address shortly, but these are reversible if the new owner elects to perform a faithful restoration. The seller claims that the Carmine Red paint that it wears is original, with no evidence of repairs or restoration. It has accumulated plenty of small chips and imperfections but retains a healthy shine if the buyer decides to pursue the preservation path. The panels also have a few repairable minor bumps, although what impresses me most is the car’s total lack of rust. The exterior is clean, and the underside shots support the seller’s claim that this beauty is rock-solid. The glass is crystal clear, and the color-matched factory wheels won’t require attention if the new owner decides this Camaro is a perfect restoration candidate.
“Mixed bag” seems the most appropriate term to describe this Camaro’s interior. The Red seatcovers are in excellent condition, with no significant wear. The dash looks nice, and the console has avoided the typical warped lid problems. However, some plastic pieces exhibit deterioration and damage, the door trims were cut to accommodate speakers, and there is a hole in the dash where the original radio/cassette player used to live. Addressing the shortcomings is possible without spending a fortune, and most buyers would do so without a second thought. The compressor for the factory air conditioning is missing, although the rest of the system is intact. There are no power windows, but the driver will undoubtedly welcome the tilt wheel.
Every Z28 produced in 1979 featured the 350ci V8, but this car’s original owner teamed it with the desirable four-speed manual transmission. The power and torque figures of 175hp and 270 ft/lbs appear anemic by modern standards, but it is worth remembering that this classic emerged during The Malaise Era when high performance simply wasn’t an option. This car features aftermarket headers and I think there may also be an upgraded carburetor. Therefore, it might be able to improve on the factory-claimed ¼-mile ET of 16.7 seconds. The seller recently replaced the brakes, and the only identified mechanical malady is a small exhaust leak. Otherwise, it runs and drives extremely well, and comes with the original Build Sheet.
Classics from the 1970s have developed a stronger following in the market than they enjoyed a few years ago as a new generation of enthusiasts view them as an affordable entry point into the ownership experience. The seller listed this 1979 Camaro Z28 here on Craigslist in Farmingdale, New York, with an asking price of $12,500. It isn’t perfect, but its needs are minor enough for it to represent an excellent first restoration project. I was going to say that it may never be a mega-bucks classic, but with the badge now seemingly consigned to the history books as of December 2023, all bets are off. Do you think values will climb, or will the situation remain stable?
I’m just shocked that a V8 could be only putting out 175 horses! I know that was right in the middle of the “”stay alive drive 55” era, where for any younger folks all freeways in the country had a max speed limit of 55 mph. Promoting Sammy Hagar, who kept getting tickets in the pre Van Halen days, to write “I can’t drive 55!” When right before they passed that highways in the middle of Denver had 75 mph limit. I don’t know what was going on in the rest of the country, as I was still too young to even think about driving when 55 passed, but I caught the tail end of it. But I digress, how did they choke off a V8? I just figured they stopped selling cars with V8’s in them at the time.
That very restrictive pellet cat conveter used by GM back then robs 25-30 hp.
Honestly, I am getting tired of the constant needing to qualify why people might want to buy a late ‘70s classic. I can assure you that for many of us, it has nothing to do with an “affordable entry point”. Many of us actually appreciate the cars of the era and the talk of “malaise” is way overblown. There were very few cars with 300+ HP before the late 1990s. The late ‘70s cars looked good, handled a LOT better than the so-called muscle car era cars, rode better than those cars, and are much more modifiable than anything computer controlled from 1981-up. Sign me up for these cars any day…
Great looking Camaro. This red paint and upholstery still looks good all these years later. Seems that a net 175 HP engine would have been more like 250 gross hp. I sure liked the dash from a year earlier.
Trying to “like” your comment Nelson, but that function doesn’t always work. You are spot on.
I wish this one was closer! High school fantasy car for me. Wish this was a lot closer. Drop in a stroker 383 and double the hp. Don’t get too crazy on the build and make sure the brakes work good. Gonna grow my mullet back out if I buy it.
Says not a repaint but sure apprars so. Where’s the missing firewall plastics that makes the area look uncleaned after a paint & wetsand? AC hose/comp missing. Needs more attn than meets the eye IMO.
350/4 speed Z28 for $12K….why is anyone bashing this car? Constantly seeing alot less here for alot more! Needs a couple plastic parts…a hose…a compressor…really?
Love these cars Cooter. 4spd makes it. 🙌
I would worry more about the drivers door bottom doesn’t close all the way .And passenger door not lining up with the front fender. The little things are a easy fix.
Had an 80 and loved it. Great looking car in and out. Have to disagree on dash, as to me, the 79-81 is by far better looking than the earlier “cockpit” style. Still, Pontiac destroyed both in design. The firebird had a way better dash. Oh, and stock, it was an absolute pig though. Can’t agree with the guys praising malaise era performance. It’s bad getting smoked by little 289’s while your 305 is limping one legged off and over the line. Plus, that boat didn’t handle well at all. I’m not sure what they’ve driven, but anyone trying twisties in this car while stock knows that. Fixed that though with a Dart headed 383, TCI TH350, 2500 Stall torque converter and a set of 3.73’s and better shocks/springs/sway bars. Man that car hummed through those Hooker headers and Flowmaster exhaust after the build. Miss it so.
And it’s got a 3.73 Posi!