Finding an affordable project car that can be driven and enjoyed immediately can be a battle. However, there’s a lot to be said for these cars because they offer their owners the opportunity to enjoy the classic motoring experience and perform any required work as time and circumstances allow. That is what is on offer with the 1980 Camaro Z28. This solid survivor has a few minor cosmetic issues, but the right owner could tackle them in their home workshop at their leisure. It also features the most desirable drivetrain combination on offer in 1980, making it bit more tempting. If this Chevy is starting to tick the right boxes, you will find it located in Miami, Florida, and listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set the BIN at $20,000, but there is the option to make an offer.

The Camaro is finished in its original shade of Black, and overall, it looks pretty presentable. Most of the paint holds a good shine, with only a few minor chips and flaws across the car. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for painted plastic components like the bumpers. These are showing significant deterioration, and they will require a repaint if the Z28 is to present at its best once again. Chevrolet produced this car in an era when manufacturers were still getting their heads around painted plastic, and finding these sorts of problems is common. I would be tempted to strip and refinish these components and probably attend to the few chips and flaws evident around the vehicle. I would also replace the stripes and graphics because they are beginning to exhibit signs of UV deterioration. The panels appear to be impressively straight, and there’s no evidence of rust in this classic. The glass T-Top is in good order, while the rear window louver adds a great period touch to the vehicle. The tinted glass is in good order, and there are no apparent issues with the original alloy wheels.

The 1980 Z28 was no longer the firebreathing monster that it had been a decade earlier, but that didn’t stop it from selling in respectable numbers. This one features the desirable 350ci V8 engine and the 4-speed manual transmission. Power steering and power front disc brakes take the hard work out of driving duties. That V8 was capable of pumping out 190hp, which was enough to allow it to cover the ¼ mile in 16.1 seconds. Okay, that’s no fast, but when you look at the era, it stacked up relatively well against the competition. To provide some perspective, it is worth noting that the best that a Mustang buyer could hope for in 1980 was 120hp and a ¼-mile ET of 17.1 seconds. The news with this Z28 remains very positive. It is in sound mechanical health, and the owner says that it runs and drives exceptionally well. That will leave the buyer with the option of enjoying the car through the upcoming warmer months and then tackling the cosmetic work when the weather makes outdoor activities look pretty unattractive.

Examining the interior photos that the owner supplies provide more positive news. There aren’t many flaws to consider, but the dash pad is cracked. I believe that this is beyond repair, but it wouldn’t hurt to give it the old college try. However, I’ve had no problems finding replacements for under $270, so that would probably be the best option. The rest of the upholstered surfaces present well, with no signs of wear or other issues. The plastic components have stood the test of time remarkably well, while the carpet also looks nice. The original radio has made way for a radio/cassette player and that staple of the 1980s, the graphic equalizer. I can’t spot any other aftermarket additions, which is good news for potential buyers seeking a factory-fresh appearance. The biggest surprise for me is that the original owner didn’t order the Camaro with air conditioning. This is a Black car situated in a sunny area, which makes this omission quite curious. Otherwise, the vehicle is equipped with the regular Z28 gauge cluster, power windows, and a tilt wheel.

By 1980, the 2nd Generation Chevrolet Camaro was reaching the end of its lifecycle. However, that didn’t stop 45,137 buyers from choosing to slap down their cash for a Z28 version. These later 2nd Gen cars languished in the territory of the forgotten for years, but they are beginning to experience a resurgence. They remain within the realms of the affordable classics, but values are climbing steadily. This one would seem to represent a reasonably straightforward project, and at the BIN price, it has to be a tempting proposition. Its needs are relatively minor, and thanks to its drivetrain combination and the T-Top option, there is no reason it couldn’t command a value of over $30,000 when the work is completed. With values increasing, now might be a good time to give this Z28 a closer look.