Even if you adopt an optimistic outlook, it is fair to say that Chevrolet’s 1983 Camaro Z28 was not a potent classic. The company continued to grapple with strategies to extract performance from V8 motors hampered by tight emission regulations, and power outputs remained modest. However, the seller has taken matters into their own hands with our featured car by bolting a 383ci Stroker under the hood. Whether it recaptures the badge’s glory days is unclear, but you can be sure that it will be faster than it was when it was shiny and new. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Barney for spotting the Camaro listed here on Craigslist in Monroe, Wisconsin. The seller set their price for this classic at $12,000 OBO.
Launched in December 1981, Chevrolet’s Third Generation Camaro was like nothing that came before it. It featured no styling cues from its predecessors, with its aerodynamic body and hatchback giving the badge a sleek look. Our featured Camaro is a Z28 that rolled off the line in 1983. Ordered by its first owner in subtle Code 11 White, it looks quite presentable as an unmolested survivor. However, close inspection reveals a few chips and scratches, which might motivate the buyer to perform a cosmetic refresh. The process should be quite straightforward, because there are no dings or dents, and no major rust requiring attention. The trim is in good condition, and the glass is clear.
Lifting the hood reveals what makes this Camaro special. It is unclear which version of the 305ci V8 it originally featured, but the seller has rendered that fact irrelevant. The engine bay now houses a 383ci Stroker featuring a Performer intake, a Summit carburetor, and headers as obvious enhancements. The motor’s specifications are unclear, but it is safe to say that it produced more power and torque than the 190hp and 240 ft/lbs generated by the range-topping L69 version of the 305. A five-speed T-5 manual transmission handles shifting duties, feeding power to a 3.42 Posi rear end from a Fourth Generation Camaro, which is equipped with disc brakes. The seller installed an adjustable Panhard rod to accommodate the wider rear end, and fitted lower Eibach springs on all corners. The motor has clocked 14,000 miles since being rebuilt, but the car has a few shortcomings requiring attention. These include a leaking rear main seal, a stiff clutch, a noisy rear pinion bearing, and transmission noise in four of its five ratios. However, with those issues addressed, this Z28 would be a potent package.
Trimmed in Tan cloth and vinyl, the seller’s limited interior images paint a generally positive picture. There are no signs of holes or other issues, and the dash and pad are in good condition. The seller installed an aftermarket CD stereo, but indicates that the air conditioning leaks. There is also oil occasionally splashing behind the dash from the speedometer cable, which is a fault that should be addressed fairly quickly. The seller removed the cruise control during the engine upgrade, and the stereo sometimes stops producing sound. Otherwise, the seller mentions no other functional faults.
I suspect that this 1983 Camaro Z28 will divide reader opinions. If it were an unmolested survivor, its cosmetic imperfections and other shortcomings make the seller’s price appear optimistic. However, the mechanical upgrades are game-changers, meaning that it is effectively worth what someone is willing to pay. The list of issues is quite long, but there are no major problems. Therefore, a competent person could tackle most in a home workshop, including performing a cosmetic refresh to improve the presentation. It has only been on the market for a short time, but how quickly do you think this Camaro will find a new home?
Well, the price isn’t outrageous but it screams of abuse from driving it too hard. There’s probably a good bit of issues requiring a decent amount of cash to overcome.
I’m naturally a wary soul. Some might use the word “suspicious”. But looking at the totality of this, it sounds to me like the seller is tired of chasing problems and trying to cut bait. But that’s just me.
Rode hard and put away wet. Anything over $3k is WAY too much. And even at 3k you’re going to be dumping TONS of money into this pit.
From the general discription this thing is beat junk. Not even close to worth 3,000
I had a 1984 with t-tops and the 305. That car with its limited HP was always kicking out the rear end. This thing with a 383 striker is dangerously overpowered.
Gotta upgrade the rubber…Even then it will kick at the limits. I had BF goodrich comp T/As on mine and I took a decreasing radius turn onto northern state parkway which had a speed limit of 15…I was doing 60. Came out of it and heard the tires howl as I was sliding across the lanes. Let off the gas, it hooked up and I was on my way. Stock tires I would have been out of it before getting on the parkway.
Ok, so rebuild engine, rebuild or new trans, new air-conditioning, speedo leaking at the inside firewall. Jeez, need i go on and you say,,,oh wait, paints not perfect so atleast 6 grand paint job. And you say, after the few things are taken care of, nice car!
Come on. $1,500 to $2,000 at MOST. your getting a car that literally needs touched everywhere. Sorry seller
“Made potentially awesome changes but they’re all screwed up”. Should be added to the listing. I’m scratching my head on the speedo cable leaks oil issue…all the other items point to a botched modification scheme.
So for 12k you’re getting a nice body. That needs the entire driveline gone through because someone spent the summer beating the crap out of this car and threw a new set of tires on it and now it could be your’s
It’s sounds like the poor car was beat to dedth
I think if he had just kept the car stock he would have been way better off then trying to hot rod it. A pile of issues I wouldn’t want to tackle, and who knows when you get into it even deeper.
So, with an HEI distributor you can install plug wires backwards. Hmm…never really thought about that before.
Wow, you guys are brutal. 3k? 12 might be optimistic, but I’d think a decent body and interior would be worth twice that as a roller. IMO
The T-5 from the 305 won’t live a long time with that engine. I had the same year Berlinetta. Found it in front of someone’s house. V6 was shot. Put a 400 SBC in it with a TH350 and the Z-28 suspension pieces with urethane bushings. Kind of an unforgiving car. Ate fox body mustangs all the time.
These year car bodies alone are getting hard to find in decent shape. So 3000 dollars like the other comments said is outrageously low balling. An upgrade from the factory motor was good idea, but a stroker motor wasnt best choice
. Imo. Actually is a nice car. 12k – needs lowered but still nice car.
Those 4th gen rearends were cheesy from the factory, and most LS1 versions had to be pulled and rebuilt at as little as 30K miles if you gave them any abuse as I did mine.