By the close of the 1970s, the Camaro Z28 did not offer the sorts of performance that the badge had become famous for less than a decade earlier. That wasn’t to say that it was a bad car, but emission regulations really tended to have a negative impact upon this once potent classic. They were still a comfortable and relatively popular cruiser, and 84,877 buyers saw the Z28 as a good thing to own in 1979. The seller of this particular Camaro is only the car’s second owner, and it would appear as though the car has led a pretty pampered life. It is now searching for a new home, and with a genuine 66,000 miles on the clock, it is a classic that should have many years of life left in it still. It is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding on the Camaro has reached $9,600, and with the reserve now met, the vehicle is set to find its way to a new home.

The Bright Yellow paint that the Camaro wears is largely original, although the driver’s side rear quarter panel has received a repaint at some point in the past. There are a few minor rust issues with the Z28, but none of these appear to be severe. One common area that is prone is the area under the rear bumper, and this car is no exception. It is certainly repairable, and the next owner will be able to decide whether to patch this, or whether the panel will require replacement. There are also some small spots present in the driver’s side lower front fender. Otherwise, the rest of the car, including the floors, appears to be clean. The driver’s door has also started to sag a bit, but as the owner rightly points out, this is not an uncommon occurrence. Fixing this problem should not be a big job. The paint isn’t perfect, but it is presentable. The Camaro also sports a few minor dings and dents, but once again, these are not something that would require urgent attention, and all should be easy to address. The tinted glass all looks good, while the graphics and stripes appear to have avoided significant fading, shrinkage, or cracking. One very desirable option that has been fitted to the Camaro is the glass T-Top. A total of 33,584 buyers chose to tick this box on the order form, and while that means that it is not a particularly rare option, it does have a significant impact upon the potential value of the vehicle. When I say significant, what I mean is that cars fitted with the T-Top will generally command a premium valuation of 10% over and above that of a similar vehicle without this option.

Moving to the engine bay of the Camaro, we find the venerable 350ci V8, producing 175hp. This power finds its way through a 4-speed close-ratio manual transmission to a 3.73 Posi rear end. Power steering and power brakes are all part of the package. The owner states that the Z28 has a genuine 66,000 miles on the clock, but doesn’t mention whether he holds any documentation to confirm this. What he does say is that the Camaro had been parked by the previous owner for around 4-5 years and that he undertook the work required to return it to active duty. This included, amongst other things, the replacement of the fuel pump and the front brake calipers. He says that the car now runs and drives perfectly, with no smoke or odd noises.

If there is a single highlight with the Camaro, it is the condition of the interior. There are a couple of minor issues there, but overall, it is in impressive condition for its age. There are a set of aftermarket speakers fitted to the doors, and one of these appears to be missing its grille. There is also some noticeable wear on the armrest and door pull on the driver’s door. Beyond that, all of the vinyl trim, the plastic, and the carpet, present very nicely. The original owner didn’t go overboard on the options, but he did choose a couple of nice ones designed to make life that bit more comfortable once you hit the road. These include air conditioning, an AM/FM radio/cassette player, the previously mentioned tinted glass, and a clock. Not a lot, I know, but enough to make life pleasant for everyone inside the car.

As a classic that can be driven and enjoyed immediately, this 1979 Camaro Z28 would appear to be a pretty decent proposition. It isn’t perfect, but it would be possible for its issues to be addressed by a competent person in a home workshop. The owner rightly points out that values on these cars have begun to increase, but while the increase has been noticeable, it has been by no means dramatic. Given the work that is required, I would probably expect this car to sell for somewhere around $12,000, and even at that price, it would still potentially be a good buy. If someone can secure it for less than that, then they have probably earned the right to wear a smug look on their face.