Dusty Driver? 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

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We’ve seen a few classics over the years at Barn Finds where an owner has an unusual approach, but I quite like the one taken by the seller with this 1979 Camaro Z28. They state that the Z28 is a numbers-matching car that runs and drives well. However, it appears that they use the car in its current form as a dusty survivor. Of course, the first shower of rain will change the vehicle profoundly, unless the winning bidder treats it to a wash and polish that would help recapture its former good looks. Located in Moscow, Pennsylvania, you will find the Z28 listed here on eBay. Bidding has soared past the reserve to reach $15,400.

Some readers may consider this Camaro as a rose within a bed of thorns, surrounded on all sides by Edsels in various forms. If nothing else, it demonstrates that the seller is a passionate classic car enthusiast. This Z28’s history is unclear beyond the fact that the seller appears to utilize the car as a dusty driver that would undoubtedly command attention. Hiding below that layer is Code 19 Black which appears to be in quite good condition. Making a definitive call is impossible, but the signs and the information supplied by the seller are promising. The panels are straight, and there is said to be no rust that would ruin the ownership experience. The decals look surprisingly crisp, and the glass looks good. The original wheels are wrapped in new Mastercraft Avenger G/T tires.

The car’s survivor status is cemented by its interior, which shows wear and aging. The dashpad has cracked badly, and there is deterioration on the console and cover. However, the seats look pretty good, and there are no glaring issues with the carpet. The modern CD player is the only aftermarket addition, and the only option selected by the first owner was air conditioning that is intact.

The seller confirms that this Camaro is a numbers-matching survivor. The first owner teamed Chevrolet’s venerable 350ci V8 with the desirable four-speed manual transmission. The Z28 was unquestionably a shadow of its former self by 1979, with the small-block’s 175hp and 270 ft/lbs of torque propelling the car through the ¼-mile in 16.7 seconds. Rewind the clock to 1970 and those figures would have been 360hp, 380 ft/lbs, and 13.9 seconds. The seller states that this classic has a genuine 63,000 miles showing on its odometer, without mentioning verifying evidence. It runs and drives perfectly, ready to provide the winning bidder with immediate motoring satisfaction.

The fact that this 1979 Camaro Z28 has attracted twenty-nine bids demonstrates that people like what they see, but that raises the question of what the buyer will do once it is safely tucked away in their garage. Will they continue to enjoy this classic in its current form, or will the lure of a wash and polish prove irresistible? There are no right or wrong answers, only personal preference. Have you ever owned a Z28 of this vintage? If so, did you enjoy it enough to consider a repeat performance?

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Comments

  1. Stan StanMember

    Nice. 350, 4sp w 3.73 gear ⚙️ standard. I’ve driven one just like this they move about nicely. Wonder 🤔 what Greg thinks.

    Like 8
  2. Big_FunMember

    Isn’t this wearing 1978 Z28 Graphics on the sides? The hood graphic is the same both years, and the rear spoiler looks like the ’79 version, plus it is pealing, so they could be original. The sides are not.

    Like 7
    • 2001LexusRX300

      ’78 graphics, ’79 dash, ’79 front air dam, and ’77 air cleaner. It’s a Frankenmaro!

      Like 4
    • Paul Hall

      I had a 79-Z28, and Big Fun comment is exactly right. It has the wrong decals on the side and the breather does not have a Z 28 decal on it.

      Like 0
  3. "Edsel" Al leonard

    Forget the Camaro….I want the Edsel’s…atleast the ragtop!!!

    Like 7
  4. Jim Randall

    What about the ’54 Chevy pickup ?

    Like 3
  5. Gasser300

    Looks like a 78

    Like 1
    • Steve R

      The dash is for the 79 and newer, the trim rag says 79 also.

      Steve R

      Like 4
      • Gasser300

        I should’ve noticed the dash. Ashamed of myself

        Like 2
  6. ccrvtt

    One doesn’t leave a car that drives perfectly covered in dust and jacked up on garage rollers. The BS meter is pegging the needle.

    Like 14
  7. Curt

    I wonder if the original radio is available? A cheap after market CD player looks so wrong in an old car. If nothing else, buy a new Bluetooth model in plain black that is not so glaring. No one listens to CDs in a car anymore, why do we need to be subjected to so many of them? A cheap new radio that is modern and not so glaring is like a hundred bucks. Better yet, get an original AM/FM factory rig, then use a Bluetooth FM adapter, the best of all worlds.

    Like 9
    • Mark

      I agree with Curt. These radios look so cheap looking in any older car!!

      Like 0
    • JoeNYWF64

      I don’t even listen to FM(let alone AM) anymore, considering all the talk radio& non english on there now & no more oldies, metal, 80s new wave, 90s freestyle, or even – gasp- disco music – in my area.
      You can find a good sounding high power fm/usb car stereo for < $20! on ebay – i use its usb port to play my tunes from mini flash drives – wish i had that in the '70s & '80s when i cruised the strip! – instead of fumbling with cassettes in low power stereos that all jammed & wore out/broke much sooner than i expected.

      Like 2
  8. Curt

    Also, the 1979 to 1970 HP comparison is not fair. The 1970 is gross HP while the 1979 is not, totally different. At least adjust those numbers for a fair reading. Of course 1979 engines were less in power, but not less then half. The differences were more of drivability, they sometimes stalled, etc. Of course, there were obvious positives that the 1970s couldn’t come close to, like making the smog go away from our major cities. If you were a country bumpkin you could care less, I lived in a major metro area and one of our kids had bad asthma that got worse when the air quality got bad, which happened more then it did not. We would leave the city for a weekend and she (our little girl) smiled more, you could she that she felt better, but coming home, you could see the brown haze over the city from 20 miles away. If I could have supported my family outside the city, I would have, but it was not possible. My degree required a large city. I will never bad mouth the EPA, the short few years cars had trouble adjusting to the changes, were well worth it.

    Like 7
    • oldroddderMember

      Maybe you should consider moving to somewhere more livable like the rest of us “country bumkins”. (Hell, mine even has indoor plumbing.) Living in a major metro area where you choke on the air, fight with the traffic, have to have full time security monitoring, and can’t leave your house at night quite simply isn’t my idea of an ideal place to raise a family, (or to live at all)

      Like 3
  9. Rogi

    I always thought that these “Disco” era cars were actually sharp,but sadly they were basically a graphics package but they actually handled well ,The weak part of these Zs equipped with the four speed was that junk shifter 😂,we had one at the shop I worked in and I had to chase parts with it ,well being 17 I ,ah ..well hammered on it and while grabbing 3rd gear the shifter became kinda,sorta undone,,I limped it back to shop and was worried that my boss would be a “Little” excited as I came back to his office with shifter in my hand…..Randy just smiled and said he had the same thing happen to him the night before 😂😂,Cool dude Randy Everett, I hope you’re doing well 👍👍

    Like 3
  10. Nelson C

    Edsel fetish. Camaro is cool but a bit needy.

    Like 0
  11. "Edsel" Al leonard

    I can think of lots of fetish’s worse than an Edsel fetish that won’t get you into trouble!!!!

    Like 3
  12. John

    I bought a new 1976 Camaro LT (z28 wasn’t available at least in Canada) with a four speed and 350. It was an excellent car. Never had a better or nicer car to drive. All the power I wanted.
    John

    Like 1
    • Jack M.

      The Z28 was not available in any country in 1975, 1976 and the first half of 1977.

      Like 0
  13. George Mattar

    1977 air cleaner lid. I know this for a fact because I worked on these cars news when GM brought back the Z in mid-1977. Incorrect graphics and I live near this car. They already salted the roads up here in NE PA. We had 18 inches of snow Friday. Why these boat anchor engine cars sell for more than comparable Corvettes is something I cannot wrap my head around. They were built like crap new. The floors and quarters on these cars rot.

    Like 0
  14. JoeNYWF64

    What’s with the wire by the interior passenger door window crank?
    With this redesigned dash, does this steering wheel still block the gages? If so, would a Pontiac formula wheel or a std 1970 1/2 plain camaro wheel resolve this issue?
    I always wondered why Chevy didnt switch the ac compressor & alternator – for less underhood clutter.

    Like 0
    • Darryl T

      Looks like a zip tie to keep the window up.

      Like 0
  15. Steve R

    Sold on 11/29/2024 for a high bid of $15,500.

    Steve R

    Like 0

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