Low Mileage 5-Speed: 1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

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This 1984 Chevrolet Camaro is a nicely preserved survivor that has recently emerged from long-term storage. Mileage is just under 80,000 and it is the preferred and somewhat hard-to-find 5-speed manual example. Paint looks pretty tidy, and there’s no evidence of significant aftermarket modifications. The seller notes it runs and drives and most all features work as they should, including the A/C, but that the radio is inop and the tires should be replaced due to dry rot. Find it here on eBay where bidding is over $7K with no reserve.

The body looks good front and rear, with no tell-tale signs of a respray. Panel fit is pretty good, and all glass appears to be sound. The original Z28 graphics are still hanging on, and the rear hatch glass is crystal clear. The seller notes this Camaro has had one female owner since new, and she was apparently somewhat fanatical about keeping this emerging classic in showroom-grade condition. I like the subdued paint colors and no tacky racing stripes down the center of the car.

The interior is in great shape as well, and frankly better than I was expecting for the mileage, which isn’t exactly time capsule-low. The upholstery pattern on the seats and door panels is quite sharp, and not one that I recall seeing with any great frequency in Camaros of this generation. Carpets and console show no issues as well, and it’s a pleasure to see the manual gearbox in this one. Most of these cars were seemingly optioned with an automatic transmission, making this one a standout.

The 305 V8 is nicely detailed, and looks to remain in bone-stock condition. Generally speaking, it doesn’t look neglected under-hood, so hopefully some maintenance records or other documents will come with the sale to verify that the longtime owner kept this Camaro regularly serviced. The seller says “…this Camaro is not perfect by any means,” but the pictures would seem to indicate he’s underselling it a bit, as it looks super nice from where I’m sitting. Regardless, a 5-speed Camaro of this generation that hasn’t been modified is worth a closer look in almost any condition.

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Comments

  1. Arthell64

    I remember one night in 1984 a guy brings out a brand new L69 5 speed camaro. We weren’t too impressed with the car until it ran dead even with a w72 1979 TA. Seems like these came with 373 gears.

    Like 5
    • Poppapork

      The extra gears make a big difference.

      Nowadays minivans have 300hp crisp 6 speed auto and do a quarter mile in low 15 with garbage minivan econo tires (honda odysey 15.2 quarter mile)

      Like 2
      • Skorzeny

        It’s not always about the speed Poppapork. I think this one would be a great driver, and you could certainly add some easy hp to this one… Cam, head work, exhaust, etc.

        Like 3
      • Superdessucke

        I think 0 to 60 on these came in about 7 seconds and the quarter mile in about 15 seconds.

        You are correct. The Odyssey Minivan and many other plebeian 2020 cars would beat that today. But back then, that was pretty fast. I think they were a little bit quicker than the Mustang GT of this year.

        That was huge considering how underpowered the 1982 and 1983 versions were. And this was probably the quickest American car since the 1979 W72 Trans Am certainly, and maybe even since the early 1970s.

        Like 1
  2. poseurMember

    love it!
    dad brought home an 84 Z28 in this same color for a week-long trip to Michigan.
    he let me drive quite a bit and the L69 was a revelation….an appetite for revs i’d never experienced as a 17 year old.
    we’d had two ’84 Vettes by then but torquey as they were, they just didn’t want to pull past about 5k.
    but the 5.0 H.O. would storm to 5500 and was happy as heck to do it again.
    not sure why as they had the same camshaft.
    anyway, memory is factpry rated 190hp was with regular fuel and with 93 octane the hp was up to 200.
    i’ve always suspected they were under-rated to keep the 350TBI as top dog.
    regardless, they were a bit quicker than the 84 Vettes and way more fun to drive.
    i’d love to drive one again but recent experience with my ’93 Typhoon suggests it would be disappointing, sad to say

    Like 5
    • Hound59

      Correct me if I’m wrong, but the 350 TPI came out in 1987. I had an 83 Z that was pretty weak. Had I known it was rated at 150hp I’da thrown up. Then bought an 85 Z with the TPI which I believe was rated at 215hp. What a difference! Night and day….. Next was a 1987 IROC with the 5.7 TPI. Rated at 225hp. Beautiful car. Pretty damn quick.

      Like 3
      • poseurMember

        you are right on, the 350TPI was in 85 Vette at 230hp and Z’s at 215hp and Firebirds at 205hp iirc.
        the 350TBI (Crossfire) was rated at 205hp in 84 Vette, carried over from ’82 C3.
        86 F-body 305TPI’s were down to 195hp i think due to cam/head changes for that year only, then up to 225hp for 87.
        the 85 Camaros with 350 TPI were damn fast for the day once rolling but could get left by a well-driven L69 5-speed off the line due to gearing.
        ask me how i know…..:)

        Like 1
  3. JCAMember

    Not really a fan of these but this is definitely a great find for an enthusiast or collector. I love a car that is specially ordered for speed and sleeper value like this with the HO motor, 3.73’s and a 5spd. This car was half the price of a Corvette in 84. With several hundred bucks in additional mods you can give a Vette owner some buyers remorse. I like the clean no nonsense body style and great colors. Just can’t deal with the dashboard and the build quality of these years…

    Like 0
  4. Coupester

    I had an 82 Z28 with a 4speed stick and a 2.73 rear it was a total dog! Couldnt get of it’s own way. Just hope that fiberglass hood doesnt crack at the hinges as most did (mine) only 3yrs they made those and its impossible to find a replacement. Personally, I think Ford had them beat in these years with the fox body.

    Like 0
  5. PRA4SNW

    SOLD for $7,225.

    Which, ironically, is a number I’ll never forget. It is the exact amount that I paid for my first brand new car – a 1981 Camaro.

    Like 0

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