Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases.

Carefully Stored: 1977 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of classic cars that have been driven into sheds or barns, parked, and left to fend for themselves. That makes this 1977 Camaro Z28 a breath of fresh air. When the owner drove it into its shed, he undertook some sensible preparatory work that should make reviving it a straightforward process. It is a numbers-matching Z28 that appears to be a straightforward restoration prospect, and it could be perfect for someone seeking a project build to tackle in their home workshop. If you find this tempting, you will find the Z28 located in Chicago, Illinois, and listed for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. You could take this classic home by handing the owner $7,700.

One of the great attractions of this Z28 is that it appears to be original and unmolested. We often see examples that owners have fitted with bigger wheels and other aftermarket additions, but that hasn’t been the fate of this Silver classic. It appears that the paint might be original, and while it would benefit from a cosmetic refresh, it has survived the past fifteen years in storage fairly well. The panels have a few dings and marks, but it appears that all of these should be easy to repair. The trim and spoilers are in good condition, as are the wheels. That brings us to the question of rust, and there’s no denying that this Camaro has some. However, it is not as bad as you might think. It appears that any problems that this car has are external. It has impacted the lower body extremities like the rockers, lower fenders, and rear quarter panels. I think that the next owner could address it without resorting to the wholesale replacement of panels, and any enthusiast who is handy with a grinder and welder could potentially achieve some stunning results for very little money. When we delve below the surface, we discover that the floors and trunk are structurally sound. Therefore, as a restoration project, whipping this car’s panels and paint into shape could be an easy and affordable proposition.

For me, this Camaro’s interior is the surprise packet. It is upholstered in Black vinyl, and while there is some wear and splitting on the driver’s seat, that appears to be one of the few flaws worth mentioning. The remaining soft trim is in excellent order, as are the dash, pad, and console. What this interior needs more than anything is a new owner who is prepared to put in a few hours of work with some high-quality cleaning products. I suspect that this would produce some satisfying results and reveal that apart from the seatcover, this interior would need very little. If the buyer wanted to stick to a strict budget, they could perform the cleaning work, install some nice slipcovers, and the interior presentation would be very acceptable.

While the owner doesn’t supply any engine photos, he supplies plenty of details about the drivetrain and the preparation that the original owner undertook before the car was placed into storage. The first thing to note is that this is a numbers-matching classic. It features the venerable 350ci small-block V8 and a 4-speed manual transmission. I believe that by 1977, power steering and power front disc brakes were standard equipment on the Z28. In its prime, that little V8 would have been punching out 170hp, which was enough to send the car through the ¼ mile in 16.7 seconds. The vehicle doesn’t run or drive at present, but coaxing it back to life might not be difficult due to the owner’s attention to detail when he drove it into the shed fifteen years ago. He placed the car on stands to take the weight off the suspension components. He then pulled the plugs and filled the cylinders with oil to keep them protected. That should mean that the motor turns freely and that the piston rings won’t be stuck. I wouldn’t be surprised if the buyer flushed the fuel system, changed the fluids, hit the key, and this classic roared back into life. The owner includes some GM dealer parts that were purchased thirty years ago, along with the original Owner’s Manual, GM Repair Manual, and the key code punchouts.

For potential buyers, this 1977 Camaro Z28 has a lot of positive attributes. It is an original and unmolested classic that is numbers-matching. Its drivetrain combination is the most desirable that Chevrolet offered in that model year. It has been in hibernation for more than a decade, but the preparatory work that it received means that reviving it should not be difficult. The final piece of this puzzle is that its rust issues would seem relatively minor, so the buyer will be commencing the restoration work from a structurally sound base. Combine all of those factors, and this is a classic car that deserves a closer look.

Comments

  1. Avatar jerry z

    Always been a big fan of the ’77 1/2 Z28. Other than the missing hood decal, it looks complete on the outside. As mentioned in the story, the rust issue can be a drawback unless of course you’re a good bodyman. It does seem to be an ulmolested car though.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Denny Tuttle

      That is not a 77 and a half Z28 ,its a 77 plane jane

      Like 3
  2. Avatar RandyS

    The writeup focuses on the body rust. I would be far more concerned about the chassis rust; rear subframe rails and leafspring attachments/brackets.

    Like 6
  3. Avatar Comet

    I’m pretty handy with a grinder and welder, but I guess your and my opinion of what’s considered “relatively minor rust issues” differ.

    Like 2
  4. Avatar Denny Tuttle

    Not a Z28,no hood scope bumpers not molded in, no side lovers on front fenders .Best you could get in 77 is a RS ,Until they came out with the 77 and a half Z28 Have one in my garage two silver RS black int. 350 4 speed posi. Ordered Sept. 76 and came in Dec. 6th.As of this date it has 39671 miles on it tried to order a Z was not available yet..Only thing I see about this Camaro somebody put a Z horn button it and trying to pass it off as a Z 28. Not even close.

    Like 1
    • Avatar RL

      Sorry but if you say that’s not a 77 Z28 you might want to do a little research.

      Like 3
    • Avatar Scott McCulloch

      And as I recall the 4 speed Z28 had 3.73 gears. Also the dual exhaust pipes and resonators were unique on the Z.

      Like 1
  5. Avatar Ray Cucancic

    Denny I owned a 77.5 Z28 and also a 78 Z28. Bought both brand new. The 77 did not have side lovers in the front fenders nor did it have a scoop on the hood. Looking this over I would say he has the real deal.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Purple sky

      I worked new car prep back in 1976-1979 Chevy dealer. This sure looks like a Z28. Brought them back in spring of 1977, not big power but for the day a very good come back compared to other new cars at the time. First year ANY Camaro had rubber bumper covers(facias) was 1978. Love 78’s aoo!

      Like 1
  6. Avatar RL

    Sorry but if you say that’s not a 77 Z28 you might want to do a little research.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar GIRTH

    No hood stripes. Cool that it’s a stick car.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Steven Brown

    I give 2250 for it

    Like 2
  9. Avatar Denny Tuttle

    They did not make a 77 Z 28 only 77 and a half Z 28 with plastic bumpers .I ordered my new .And still have it.

    Like 0
    • Avatar jerry z

      1978 Z28 had the rubber nose and rear bumper, 1977 1/2 had metal color coded bumpers.

      Like 4
  10. Avatar RL

    There is no 1977.5 Camaro Z28 the title will say 1977
    There is no 1964.5 Mustang the title will say 1965
    There is no 1970.5 Camaro the title will say 1970 see where I’m going with this. And Denny you will never post a pic of a rubber nosed 1977 Camaro Z28 there is no such car. What you have is a 78 built between August 77 and Dec. 77

    Like 0

Leave a Reply to Denny Tuttle Cancel reply

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.