Huge Parts Haul: 1977 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Project

Some projects represent a major labor of love and aren’t for the faint-hearted. Such is the case with this 1977 Chevrolet Camaro Z28. The amount of rust afflicting this classic is mind-blowing, which might be sufficient justification for many enthusiasts to give the car a wide berth. However, the sale includes enough new steel to address most of the problems, and the seller’s BIN figure is less than those parts would have cost them. Add a new interior trim kit to the equation, and this Z28 suddenly looks more tempting. The seller has listed the Camaro here on eBay in Jamaica, New York. They have received no bids on an auction that opened at $1,000, but they provide a BIN option of $1,500 for those who find this rusty Chevy irresistible.

There’s a lot to unpack with this Camaro, with its problems far deeper than the obviously tired Bright Orange paint. Rust has sunk its teeth into the steel, and almost no area of the body has escaped its ravages. The floors are toast, as are the rear quarter panels, one rear rail, and the doors. That sounds quite discouraging, and I suspect that some readers will immediately consider the Z28 beyond salvation. However, all is not lost, as the deal includes a large selection of replacement steel, which will go a long way toward eliminating this car’s problems. The buyer receives quarter panels, doors, floors, and other parts that would have cost the seller a pretty penny. It is worth scrolling through the listing’s image gallery, because the collection is quite staggering. The build will undoubtedly require further investment, but the buyer receives a running start to this Camaro’s restoration.

Ordering a 1977 Camaro Z28 brought buyers a 350ci V8, with this car also sporting a three-speed Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. The small-block suffered the typical Malaise Era power drop, producing a factory-quoted 170hp and 270 ft/lbs of torque when this car left the line. However, that was par for the course at the time, and performance enthusiasts had no choice but to grin and bear it. The seller states that this car’s V8 doesn’t run, although it has coughed to life with fuel poured down the carburetor. The build will include a new tank and lines, but it is almost guaranteed that the brakes and perishable components will require restoration or replacement.

Originally trimmed in Saddle vinyl, the seller splashed cash on an interior trim kit. They have bravely chosen White vinyl, but if the buyer decides to refinish the exterior in the original paint shade, the contrast will be striking. The buyer doesn’t merely receive seatcovers, because I spotted new door trims and other items in the listing gallery. With kits typically costing over $2,000, the Camaro is beginning to make greater economic sense.

I acknowledge that some Barn Finds readers will look at this 1977 Camaro Z28 and deem it beyond salvation. It requires a mountain of work, including hundreds of hours of cutting and welding to eliminate its enormous amounts of rust. However, with so many parts included, the seller offers potential buyers an excellent starting point. They shouldn’t need to source much additional steel to restore the car to a structurally sound state, and I believe the parts selection is worth more than the asking price. Are those thoughts enough to tempt you, or would you consign the Camaro to the “too-hard” basket?