One of the keys for ongoing retained value with any classic car can be originality. Unmolested vehicles generally sell for a higher figure than a modified equivalent example, although it is worth noting this isn’t a hard and fast rule. That brings us neatly to this 1980 Chevrolet Camaro Z28. Its presentation isn’t perfect, but it is original and unmolested. The original owner’s decision to order it with the most desirable mechanical configuration Chevrolet offered that year adds to its appeal. It needs a new home, with the seller listing it here on Craigslist in Oceanside, New York. They set the price at $20,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B for spotting this slightly rough diamond.
One of the most profound changes the American car industry underwent from the post-war years until the late 1970s regarded model cycles. Manufacturers tended to introduce a new body style, if not an entirely new model, every three to five years. Annual updates helped keep things fresh for potential buyers seeking the latest and greatest offerings. The Second Generation Camaro demonstrated a move towards greater longevity, with this car rolling off the line during the eleventh production year. A newcomer was waiting in the wings, but that was a year away. This Z28 makes a positive first impression courtesy of the original owner’s decision to order it in Code 19 Black with contrasting two-tone Gold stripes and decals. The paint mostly holds a good shine, although there are matte and peeling spots in areas like the upper nose. The decals have deteriorated, and the front spoiler is cracked. Those flaws may prompt many to treat the car to a repaint, but others will see value in its preservation. It will be a matter of taste, but the car’s rust-free status may see some lean toward the second option. The panels are straight, and there are no glass or trim issues.
Lifting this Camaro’s hood reveals one of its strongest attributes that will maximize its future value. This classic’s engine bay houses a numbers-matching 350ci V8 that sends 190hp to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. The power figure was modest, and with the small-block tasked with shifting 3,516 lbs, the ¼-mile ET of 16.1 seconds was unsurprising. It was well short of the 13.9-second pass the 1970 version could achieve but was on a par with the 1980 Trans Am Turbo and showed Ford’s Mustang a clean set of heels. The seller states the car recently received a new carburetor, battery, and a tune-up. It runs and drives perfectly, allowing the new owner to fly in and drive it home.
The Camaro’s interior makes a positive impression due to its overall condition and lack of significant modifications. Someone mounted some aftermarket gauges under the dash, but I can’t spot any further additions beyond the flag decal on the dash. The upholstered surfaces show no signs of abuse or wear, with mats protecting the carpet. The pad is excellent, and there is no wheel wear. The factory air conditioning was recently converted to R134a and blows ice-cold. Other comfort and convenience features include power windows, power locks, and a factory AM/FM radio.
What would your plan be if you found this 1980 Camaro Z28 parked in your driveway? It is a prime candidate for a straightforward restoration, although preservation is a viable option, considering its rust-free status. The original owner’s decision to order it wearing Black paint and powered by the 350/4-speed combination makes it one of the most desirable Camaros from that year. That makes the price appear competitive, and considering it has been on the market for only a day, I doubt it will take long to find a new home.
Cool car. I like it.First thing I’d do if I bought it is to ditch the exhaust.Those tail pipes look terrible.
And add the proper Air Induction air cleaner setup
The tailpipes are certainly not stock, and it would not have had black carpeting originally. It would have been color keyed to the rest of the camel interior.
The D55 console was standard on all Camaros starting in 1980. This one’s is missing. I’m very curious where his power windows switches are! It has a red 1979 Z28 steering wheel hub emblem. It would have been dark gray originally this 1980.
It’s missing its grill emblem, though that’s easily sourced, And it looks like it has the obligatory Chinese replacement springs that have raised the back end up about an inch from stock.
Underhood, I see the obligatory Pep Boys open air cleaner and yellow spark plug wires. I also see an aftermarket aluminum intake. All of the above belies the “original and unmolested” claim.
Curious about the paint. I see some fading on the nose but GM black was notoriously bad in these years. I wonder if it’s original? That would have to be checked out
Beyond those nitpicks, looks good overall. I think 20k is steep in light of the fact that it needs some work to get it in true original shape.
As to the air cleaner, this car would have originally had air induction, which obviously is not functional here. The original air cleaner could be very hard and expensive to source, so hopefully the owner still has it l, along with all the other components to make that system work again.
Exactly. The air induction on this particular year/model is the most notable feature of the engine. It’s like a T/A with the shaker/scoop mounted to the hood. Blasphemy!
That’s right! That too!
This Z-28, doesnt seem as original as its said to be from the tailpipes to the induction system to the caepeting. For the asking price seems more of the particulars would be original.
Stocks pipes exited right behind the rear tires if i recall ? Like the Grand National. Love the 4spd w these, gives it the Nascar feel. Fun to drive. 🏁
No, they went straight out the back but they ended under the rear bumper. They didn’t stick way’ out the back like on this one. The pipes also were routed over the rear axle and were closer to the body and fuel tank. They didn’t just extend straight out from the muffler under the axle like these seem to. They also lacked the AutoZone chrome horns. This looks like a backyard DYI or the work of the muffler shop from hell!
I was thinking the same thing, the console is missing, and the carpet is the wrong color. I had a brand new black ’80 Camaro but with silver stripes, black steel wheels and gorgeous all matching light gray cloth interior, with T-tops, 4sp, 350. I never see one as pretty as the one I had. I’d have to question the paint, too. I installed black mud-flaps to protect the sides of the car. The dealer had to re-do my hood within a year and my car was garaged, covered and never out in bad weather and might have only had 3000 miles on it.
I think the window switches are in the center in front of the center console.
B.B., perhaps you know this, but I don’t recall Z/28s of this generation having roof drip moldings. My ’81 sport coupe had them – I ordered it that way – but every Z/28 I see does not have them, where this one does.
Wouldn’t do anything extravagant to the exterior, perhaps replace the front spoiler, and get the paint as best as possible.
190hp sounds not fun.
Stock, these ran low 16s. But you could get a lot more power very easily. I had a ’79 and I put a mild cam and 2,400 rpm stall torque converter on it, and true dual exhaust. With just that, it ran low 14s at 100 mph.
Now, the ’77 through ’79s had had 3.42 gears with automatic and 3.73 gears with 4 speed, which helped a lot. The ’80s had 3.08s. But still, you could easily get this to be very respectable.
In Canada we got the 3:42’s and 3:73’s right up until 1981. No 305 cubic inch Zeds for us either!
This Camaro has rot all along the inside of bottom of the doors when open and look at bottom
heater core is leaking inside on the floor. 4 bald tires a/c is not hooked up no belt. headliner starting to come down the carpet is cut in 2 over lapping where center consul would be no power window switch on passer side door master switch stuck to trim under steering column. Other than that I stopped looking. this is far from how its listed. runs good clutch is good 4 hours one way thinking this was the one. upsetting to say the least. rented a truck also to go get it I was going to buy it from reading the add sounds real nice pictures even look nice walk up on it another story. not sure what someone will pay for it. but just so you know. Always a story..
I do have the original air cleaner and the front grill emblem. If the call is absolutely showroom it would be worth over $30,000 as far as eBay is concerned. Ty
Does the gas station that the car is sitting at come included in the sale Aswell?😉
These Cordovan(i believe) shop tires are at least 20 yrs old & IMO are the most durable tires ever made. & the lettering does not turn brown!
Also available back in the day with “Grand Prix – Radial GT” OWLs.
The ones in the ’70s & ’80s were wider & came with even bigger letters & 6 instead of 4 tread channels(in the same size!) – but were not as durable.
I would sooner trust the tires on this car than i would new Douglas tires made for Walmart by Goodyr – read the one star Douglas tire reviews on the walmart website for a whole evening of laughs.
Un it
Unmolested look at the air cleaner it is wrong because it has air induction it uses 134a instead of R12 and the yellow spark plug wires and chrome exhaust tips
you can only get R 134 now. switch wires to black big thing is air cleaner but I seen a few I mint buy thins car. running and driving great. 4 speed there going for 10 grand apart. so..all in all not bad
This Camaro z28 is far from what the add says. Rot on both doors along the inside bottoms Rot on bottom of both rear quarters.4 bald tires heater core is leaking on the floor of the car. carpet is cut in 2 over lapping in the center headliner is starting to come down. no window switch = on passer door master switch glued at bottom of steering colum someone took a jack put it under the front fender all pushed in. drivers door seem had rot. all that needs to be cut out. I rented a truck to go get it the add from what it says and even the pictures look good till you walk up on it. not sure what it will sell for but so its known and don’t want to get into that much 4 hours one way for me like 10 hours with traffic
Thanks for reporting that back to the community, Michael. Good to know that no one here will make the mistake of buying it.