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44k Original Miles: 1978 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

This 1978 Camaro Z28 ticks many of the right boxes for any person seeking a classic pony car. It is an original survivor that is rust-free. It is loaded with optional extras, and it has a genuine 44,000 miles showing on its odometer. It is also a car that is now looking for a new home, which is why it has been listed for sale here on eBay. The Camaro is located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and while the bidding has reached $10,800, the reserve isn’t met. For those who want to avoid the hassles of an auction, a BIN of $14,500 is also available.

The Camaro is finished in Code 24 Bright Blue, and the paint is said to be all original. If this is true, then its condition does seem to be pretty impressive. It does hold a nice shine, with no apparent defects. The photos aren’t the clearest, but I get the impression that some of the stripes might be showing some deterioration. With this in mind, the owner has sourced a replacement stripe kit, which is included in the sale. Rust does not seem to be an issue with the car because the panels appear to be particularly clean. The floors and frame wear the occasional sprinkling of surface corrosion, but it all looks structurally sound. The original owner ticked the box beside tinted glass on the Order Form, which appears to be in good condition. The same seems true of the original alloy wheels, with no signs of staining or physical damage.

Powering the Z28 is a 350ci V8, which should be producing 185hp. This is backed by a 3-speed automatic transmission, while the vehicle also comes equipped with power steering and power brakes. This was the height of the Malaise Era, so the Camaro had lost a lot of performance compared to the heady days of a decade earlier. The ¼ mile journey now took 16.8 seconds, which was not exceptionally fast. The owner claims that the Camaro has a genuine 44,000 miles showing on its odometer, but he makes no mention of any supporting evidence. He does say that it is fitted with new tires and that it drives well. There is a good collection of documentation included in the sale. This consists of the Owner’s Manual, Warranty Card, and the original Build Sheet.

If the exterior presentation of the Camaro is good, then it steps up a notch when the doors are opened, and we take a peek inside this classic. The seats are upholstered in Blue cloth and appear to be faultless. The trim is all said to be original, right down to the floor mats. It is hard to find anything to be critical of, with the remaining upholstery, the trim, and the plastic, all looking flawless. It doesn’t just look good because the interior features plenty of creature comforts designed to make life on the road a pleasant experience. This includes ice-cold air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise, an AM/FM radio/cassette player, and a tilt wheel.

For those of us who lived through the era, it was becoming evident that by 1978, the 2nd Generation Camaro was reaching the end of its life-cycle. It managed to soldier on until it was replaced in 1982. They quickly fell out of favor with enthusiasts but have recently experienced a resurgence in both popularity and value. This one appears to be an excellent example, and if the owner does hold evidence to back his mileage claim, that makes it an interesting proposition. If recent sales for similar examples are used as a guide, then the BIN price looks very competitive. That might make it a classic that is well worth considering.

Comments

  1. Avatar Ike Onick

    BIN of $14,500 for a 185 HP, automatic? You would be better off buying a 2015 Toyota Camry.

    Like 2
    • Avatar BV

      None of these cars of this era are performance buys. These cars are about style and nostalgia. Even if it had the biggest available engine, my CR-V would outrun it. This car looks like a great example and realistically priced.

      Like 5
    • Avatar PRA4SNW

      Of course that’s true, but how many times do we have to be reminded of that fact on a car enthusiast site.

      Bring it to the Camry / Accord / CRV sites for crying out loud!!!!!

      Like 4
  2. Avatar ed garver

    you lost me at 3 speed automatic.

    Like 7
    • Avatar PRA4SNW

      That’s what we had back in the day, and was by far the most popular choice.
      Blame the buyers, I guess?
      Geesh!

      Like 2
  3. Avatar Jcs

    Great color. Low miles. Lots of eyeball. Equipped well. Nicely cared for example of a good looking car that was very popular in its era.

    I see an opportunity for someone to own a highly enjoyable car that they can proudly participate with in the local shows at a very reasonable price.

    Like 15
    • Avatar PRA4SNW

      Agree 100%!

      Like 1
  4. Avatar Arthell64

    NIce car for the money.

    Like 8
  5. Avatar mrshred

    Last year for that curved instrument panel. The stamping dies were worn out after 8+ years of production so GM beam counters were forced to pony up money for a new design.

    Like 1
    • Avatar PRA4SNW

      I was wondering about that. My ’81 had the straight dash and I never thought it was as attractive.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Jack M.

    People comparing this to a Honda or Toyota are definitely on the wrong website. This car is just an engine swap away from greatness.

    Like 18
    • Avatar Chuck

      Yes…GM crate engine or LS swap would make a big difference in performance.

      Like 2
    • Avatar PRA4SNW

      Amen!!!!!

      Like 1
  7. Avatar 1-MAC

    350 Chevy easy to modify if it is not fast enough. Dump all smog junk including catalytic converter. Real dual exhaust and a few mods will make a huge difference.

    Like 11
  8. Avatar Rustytech Member

    That is a s/b Chevy, there are hundreds of go fast accessories available and cheap to boost the 185 hp. to whatever you want. It’s clean, it’s not rusty, and it’s reasonably priced. What more could you ask for?

    Like 7
    • Avatar Steve R

      For it to be free and the old owner pay for the engine upgrades of your choice. Even then, someone would complain about something.

      Steve R

      Like 13
  9. Avatar Rich

    That’s a nice car and the price is right. I had a 1978 RS and a 1979. They were not drag cars, but they sure cruised the highway well. They also handled well for the era.

    Like 0

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