Gorgeous Survivor: 1986 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

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Third-generation Camaros are one of those models that were seemingly always in strong supply – and then one day, you realized that there were seemingly no nice ones left. Modified or simply used up and abused when they became throwaway vehicles because they got so cheap to buy, even nice ones weren’t necessarily appreciated 10 years ago. This 1986 model looks quite nice, owing to a repaint and having just 65,000 original miles. The black-on-gold color scheme is sharp, and the Camaro is equipped with T-tops. The seller says it’s the first time it’s been offered for sale, which I would assume means they are the original owners. Find it here on eBay with bidding at $13,100 and no reserve.

“Offered for the first time on eBay” isn’t the easiest phrase to decipher in terms of its meaning. It’s either just saying that the Camaro has been previously sold exclusively through local classifieds pages and has never left a certain zip code, or they are indeed the first-time owners. Regardless, there’s no doubt the current caretakers have done a bang-up job of looking after it. Lighter colored cloth interiors are not easy to keep clean, and this Camaro looks downright mint inside. The dash doesn’t appear to have a single crack, and while the automatic isn’t the enthusiast’s choice, it likely played a role in this example never being hot-rodded.

The 5.0L V8 has a mere 65,000 miles on it, and the engine bay has clearly been detailed leading up to the sale. The seller doesn’t specify any recent maintenance that’s been performed, but I suspect with a seller like this, the Camaro has been looked after. While it’s always tempting to install headers and exhaust on a car like this, it’s refreshing to see a seller that has restrained from such upgrades. The seller claims it’s never been raced or otherwise driven in anger, and while there’s no mention of fluid changes or fresh ignition components, the listing does mention it comes with new tires.

The Camaro looks as good from the rear as it does from the front. The dual exhausts remain stock and the respray took into account the need to get the details right, as the intact gold striping and decals suggest. While 65,000 isn’t crazy low mileage, it’s pretty darn low and the taillights that still show deep colors and no major fading are good proof points for buyers wondering if this Camaro has been used and stored carefully. The current bid price seems fair for this clean Camaro, but there’s definitely room to go further on an example this nice. What would you be willing to pay for a minty third-generation model?

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Comments

  1. flmikey

    The ad states owners have had it for 2 years, so I assume they are not the original owners…kudos to the seller for the great pictures…IMHO, this could be a good deal if it sells for around the current bid…great find!

    Like 8
  2. jwzg

    The ’86 model was a turd in the performance department. GM used the LG4 cam that year, and with an automatic…ugghh

    Like 8
    • JCAMember

      LG4 is the option package, not the cam. The LG4’s had carburetors so this is not an LG4. It looks to me like a TPI engine so that would be the LB9. I have a Z28 with this engine. I think its around 190 HP and 285 TQ, respectible for the time.

      Like 12
      • jwzg

        The LG4 was the lopo version of the 305 (165 hp) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_small-block_engine#:~:text=6.1.2,LG4. The 1985 version of the LB9 (rated at 215 hp) used the carbureted L69’s cam, which was more aggressive. For some reason in 1986, (emissions, fuel economy, or warranty claims) GM decided to use the peanut cam from the LG4 which detuned the engine 25 hp. For 1987, GM moved to the roller cam which raised power levels back to the 1985 level.

        Sidenote: It’s ironic that Ford also detuned the 1986 5.0 that same year from 215 hp with a carb in 1985 to 200 hp. The screamers came in 1987 with 225 hp and speed density metering.

        Yeah, my mind is a bank of useless information.

        Like 8
      • JCAMember

        Maybe in ’85 but this an ’86. The ’86 LB9 is TPI and was in the Z28 and IROC. The peanut cam detuned engines were put in the Berlinetta, etc for marketing purposes I would guess. As for the Mustang, I have an ’86 GT too and they only have a few less HP due to a different head design that wasn’t optimal. I don’t believe they detuned it on purpose for marketing reasons like the Camaros.

        Like 1
      • Melton Mooney

        My original 1989 LB9 auto was equipped with the peanut cam.

        Like 1
      • Bick Banter

        All 1986 LB9 cars had the Peanut Cam, and all were automatics. 1987-92 LB9 automatics had the Peanut Cam. 1985 (all automatics) and 1987-92 LB9 5-speeds had the L69 cam, or the roller version of it. No Berlinetta ever had the LB9.

        Like 1
      • JCAMember

        Wow…everyone is getting peanut cam crazy…the point is that this car isn’t the lesser LG4 as someone stated, which is you would find in the Berlinetta. This car has TPI so it’s an LB9 which is what they put in Z28’s in ’86. LG4 is the RPO code for the package, not the cam. Yes, LB9’s were all automatics. They had mild cams to meet whatever level of performance they were marketing for. The TPI engines were the best 305’s in the lineup though even a little better than the L69HO that ran the 4bbl. That’s what I recall. So the TPI was an interesting advancement to me and they do have a great sound to them. The rest of the car is mediocre at best. I prefer driving my 5spd ’86 GT

        Like 2
      • Melton Mooney

        Not all LB9s were auto, but only the auto got the tiny cam; like .350/.385 lift. Just awful

        Like 0
  3. George Mattar

    In 1986, all cars were turds in the performance segment, but good looking. This Camaro is 10,000 times better looking than that POS ugly thing GM sells today. I remember these all over the place in the 80s and early 90s. They were throw away cars. Kids beat the crap out of them, smoked in them and in general were just idiots. Nice find. My mechanic at the time bought a new 90 IROC. Last year for it I believe. He kept it perfect.

    Like 10
    • JCAMember

      I think you are confusing the 70s with the 80s. The mid to late 80s was a time of performance rebirth not seen since the late 60’s. Mustang GTs, IROCs, Buick GN, GNX, Corvette ZR1, we saw sub 5 second 0-60s times…that’s just the American cars. ’86 was a pivotal year

      Like 3
  4. RKS

    If I change the strings on my 59 Les Paul is it still considered a survivor? Yes, because they are a consumable just like if you change a cars tires or brakes. Now, if I have the top refinished is it a survivor? No, it is not, and neither is this car for having a repaint. Does this make sense Barnfinds? I like your site but not every car can be considered a survivor. To be a survivor the item in question has to have been cared for enough that it actually survives the years. Luckily for me the guy who bought my guitar originally was such a person and I will be that person until I die. I hope this makes sense.

    Like 9
    • Ike Onick

      If your 59 Les Paul plays the intro to “Stairway To Heaven” and there is no one there to hear it, is it still a crappy song? Yes.

      Like 1
      • RKS

        Feel free to write one better.

        Like 0
    • djjerme

      There’s certain authors on this site that default to using ‘Survivor’ on every other post. I thought we’d gotten past it’s over use..

      Like 0
      • Ike Onick

        Some have switched to “Blank Canvas”.

        Like 0
  5. Bick Banter

    Curious what it will go for. Back in ’12, sold a ’91 Z28 with 5-speed, LB9, and G92. She had 66,000 miles on her and was in great shape. Took quite a while to sell. Was at the point where if one more person said “well, that’s a lot of miles for one of these you know…” I was gonna grab their neck and strangle ’em like a Thanksgiving turkey. Eventually, the glaciers moved and I got 8K for it, big money loser given the parts that I put into it. Now, a Peanut Cam automatic car with the same miles is over 13k with time to go. The car market has really changed! Can’t help but wonder whether this is a temporary fad that’s going to correct.

    Like 2
  6. ERIK

    When these were new we called them “Gold chains on wheels” as every guy that wore a gold chain (often with an Italian horn pendant) drove one.

    Like 2
  7. Jim Smith

    I am soooooooooooooooooo tired of repainted cars being called “Survivors” They are not.
    I very much respect those that write here, but get it right..Please!

    Like 3
  8. Reid Hall

    Hmmmm, not a bad car,but 10-20k,no way someone got ripped off, my best guess is at some of the cars live, the l speedometer, was unpluged,for awhile, which would explain, a repaint, and or new,tires, so l hope they realized, that they bought 2-4,owner car,for 1 owner 😉, price, remember after about 90-up,if you, unplugged speedometer, most,cars would not run, or least that’s 😉, how l remember seeing that.

    Like 0

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