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No Reserve: Dusty 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28

Is this a parts car or can it be restored? Located in San Diego, California, this 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 was bought out of Ohio about five years ago as a barn find. The car is listed here on eBay and has met it’s reserve. There has not been a lot of interest in the car with only 3 bids and a current price of $1,525. The seller is moving to Tokyo and is selling it to the highest bidder. The auction ends on Sunday night.

The car is very dusty and that hides a lot of the damage, if that is possible. However, the interior looks much better than the rotted, dented and rusted exterior. The Z/28 is equipped with T-tops and the seller says they are in good shape. However, the car does not run or even roll. There is rust in the doors, floors, fenders, rocker panels and quarter panels. You can probably assume that the frame is bad too.

When the car was pulled out of the barn, the tow truck ripped off the back bumper. Hopefully, the owner got some kind of settlement but it trashed the rear end of the car. The bumper, or what is left of it, goes with the car. The Camaro Z/28 was last registered in 1994 but it has continued to rot while sitting off the road.

The owner states that he has never stated the car but the engine appears to be heavily modified. The 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 came with the LM1 designated 350 cubic inch V8 engine which was the same engine available in 1978. The 5.7 liter motor delivered a pitiful 185 horsepower and 280 lb ft of torque in stock condition. The top motor in the Pontiac Trans Am in 1979 produced 220 horsepower and 320 lb ft of torque.

The car is fitted with aftermarket wheels and either the car has been lowered or the suspension has cratered. The Z/28 is sitting in a heavy equipment dealer yard amidst numerous 18 wheelers and tractor trailers. The key to this car restoration is whether the frame is solid or not. The seller suggests coming to look at it which is not encouraging. This once proud beauty will probably be donating its parts to keep other Z/28s on the road.

Comments

  1. Avatar Angrymike

    You can expect rust in anything that has spent only one winter in Ohio, especially close to the lake. My Monte Carlo SS rotted out underneath after spending one winter out on the salt-brine roads. Cars sitting in garages tend to rot because of the humidity. It’s sad.

    Like 5
  2. Avatar ACZ

    What a torpedo. The carburetor is worth more than the whole car.

    Like 3
  3. Avatar John Oliveri

    The rear body is falling thru the frame rails, look in the trunk, drain the fluids and push it into the lake,so fish can have a place to sleep

    Like 2
  4. Avatar Stoney End

    Ugh…sorta sad…but maybe be ‘fixable’ if someone wants a REAL project.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Charles

    I see a 500 parts car that’s it

    Like 0

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