The Clean Air Act may have passed in 1970, but many updates were made as technology progressed. That may have been a good thing for the air, but it was bad news for guys who liked to go fast. In ’81 another blow was dealt when oxygen sensors and computers found their way into most new cars. The Camaro was one so affected and that meant that the most powerful engine option only came with an automatic. Unless, of course, you lived in Canada. Up north you could still get a computerless 350 V8 with a good ol’ 4-speed! This is one of those cars and it’s in impressive condition. It’s located in Campobello, South Carolina and is listed here on eBay where bidding ends tomorrow!
The seller of this Z28 believes that the 39,500 miles showing on the odometer is correct. They also believe that nothing has been changed under the hood since new. That’s not necessarily a good thing if you plan on driving this car any distance. The hoses and belts look okay in the photos, but they could be about ready to go. Still, that’s an easy fix and it’s nice to know that your vehicle has not been messed with by someone who may not have known what they were doing.
The interior sure looks good and makes the mileage claim seem reasonable. You can see the 4-speed shifter poking up out of the console! The reason you couldn’t get a manual in your computerized V8 was because the system needed to control the shifts in order to improve efficiency. The steering column has some damage, but the seller is including a replacement and some paint to make it all right. This thing is almost too nice to drive. You know you’d have to put a few miles on it though just to see how she goes!
Isn’t it ironic that this Camaro was put together in California, but then shipped to Canada? We couldn’t even get the best of what Chevrolet was building right here at home. Luckily, the manual transmission returned the following year in the next generation Camaro, but the 350 wasn’t an option until 1987. Some believe that the muscle car died sometime in the mid-seventies, but it would seem that it suffered continuous setbacks until just recently when manufacturers finally caught up with all the rules. The new Camaro is an impressive machine that would shut down just about anything from the golden age, but that doesn’t make me want this impressive survivor any less. How about you?
…correct me if I’m wrong, but if it’s a Canadian car, wouldn’t the speedo/odometer be in kilometers?
Good question. Hmmm…
It is. I had to double check it but yes it is in km/h
This car needs a few mod’s. Factory Corvette L82 camshaft,rejetted carb,advanced curve kit for distributor,long tube header’s,turbo flow dual mufflers and a Hurst Competition Plus shifter. I believe that any spirited driver will be more than pleased with these offerings.
I mostly agree but give it a little more cam in the form of an L/79-327/350 horse unit and hydraulic lifters for a nice muscular exhaust note. these mods would really wake that motor up!
Speedometer is in kilometers according to pictures. FYI. Goes to 140.
Just went back and looked. 69,000 kilometers
Does that calculate out to 39,500 miles?
Didn’t realize that Canadian market received federalized speedometers? What a stupid joke that was….
This Camaro with the Canadian origin is “the” most desirable ’81 to get with the 350/4-speed combo.
I noticed that it still has the front parking/turn signal light “bullets” on each lens. The bullets usually fell in the road after a few years due to a defective adhesive applied at the factory. Most ’80-’81s don’t have them and many owners don’t know what you’re talking about if you mention them.
I’ll expose my own ignorance and admit that I don’t know what you’re talking about. Pictures aren’t clear enough for me to tell and the Internet is no help. Can you post a pic of these “bullets?”
I got a lift as a hitchhiker in a new Canadian 4 speed Z-28 between Sudbury and Elliot Lake. The owner drove the car very fast. I think this is about the only American car I covet from 1978-81. Great highway car.
And now proudly featured on BaT
Wow, great colors on this one.
I had the twin to this car not too long ago. Burgundy exterior with tan cloth interior really sets these cars off. No t-tops is the way to go also. 3.73 rear gears came standard on our “Canadian” Zed 28’s. Most people call the bars on the parking lamps “cat eyes” and yes, mine were missing too!
Grant, here are the parking lamps.
http://www.camarocentral.com/1978_1981_Park_Light_Lamp_Lens_Assembly_w_Bar_p/lig-16b.htm
Oh, ok. Those! Thank you.
My pal here in Canada had a light blue one with the hurst shifter, duals, headers, t-roof, etc….burn outs a plenty. This guy was forever throwin’ ya’ Back into the seat at launches! Especially when we went through the drive through, food and drinks flyin’ everywhere! The back seat was way to small and cramped, very claustrophobic. Too we all knew Government Motors built these cars not to last, with water and salt sitting in the indents in the cowl and trunk…They all rusted away within 7 years. Anyway, I digress… What good times we all had in a go fast car!
Anyone else notice the incorrect wheels? It’s wearing a set of wheels from earlier in this generation. Shouldn’t it be wearing body-colored sport aluminum wheels? (See my attached photo)
Your picture is of the optional wheels. The car has the correct standard wheels.
Thanks for the info, A.J.!! I always assumed that the sport aluminum wheels were standard-issue. It’s interesting to note that the sport aluminum wheels were standard equipment for the 1986 to 1988 Monte Carlo SS (but finished in silver).
What would explain the steering column damage? http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg33/crazy4camaro/1981%20z28%20350%204%20speed/DSCN2281_zpsxuueasjt.jpg
….maybe an attempted theft??????
My ’79 60k all original Z-28…….
I worked at a Chevrolet dealership in the early ’80’s.
A man traded in a ’79 Z with a 4 speed. It had 24k miles, 3:73 gear. I paid 4k for it. It had the orginal factory black wheels. I seen another car on the lot for sale that had the American Butterfly wheels. I purchased those for $300. I worked in the detail dept and washed and waxed this black Z many times.
It had a very cold ac. Of course the hood scoop didn’t work and the following year they had the air induction. Oh well, it still was a nice car. The good ol days, when you could buy a Z at a reasonable price.
Well $15,099 wouldn’t buy it so it has been relisted. Very Nice Car though, if your Dad was a TV repair man and you had access to an excellent set of tools.
Nice reference!
nice Cudaman nice where is your Cuda?
You asked…..and here’s a picture of me picking it up several years ago. Bought from the original owner, 41k 383cid 4-speed and bone stock.
Now would that be a camel tan interior or light saddle? my interior is the same and I was looking at re-dying it soon
Not sure if it matters now, I was the owner of the 81 z28 listed above. In a nut she’ll the car drove like a new car. I listed ir three times wit no luck on ebay. I sold it to a friend who listed it with my pictures, sold it in 1 hour for $3000 more than I wanted. Dangit. I have a rust free 80 z28 with ac now 350 350 car.