Off the Road for 38 Years: 1970 Chevy Camaro Z/28

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This 1970 Chevrolet Camaro is a compelling project, not only for its largely rust-free condition but also because the model year is one of the more desirable ones among Camaro enthusiasts. Performance suffered in later years, along with bumpers growing massively due to safety regulations. This Camaro is a genuine Z/28 that was originally painted Hugger Orange, and now needs total restoration. Find it here on craigslist for $7,500.

Thanks to Barn Finds reader Chuck F. for the find. The Camaro was stationary for close to three decades, and the seller found it parked on a dirt floor garage. He will not have the time to start the project and doesn’t want it sitting in his driveway. Although the original engine is gone and a the manual transmission has been converted to an automatic, a replacement 350 does reside in the engine bay. Fortunately, the three pedals are still present, hopefully making the conversion back to a manual easier.

The seller notes a few other details unique to a Z/28 of this vintage, including the original 4.11 12-bolt rear end (still with the car); power steering; 8,000 RPM tach and 150 m.p.h. speedometer; one-year-only bucket seats; an uncut dash (including the radio area); and the original steering wheel and 4-speed column. Mileage is listed as being 43,000 and the seller says that is confirmed as original. The floor pans and trunk pan are said to be mostly sound.

I would love to see this Camaro back in its original shade of Hugger Orange paint, but that’s a ways off from happening. There are other period details that suggest the Camaro spent some time as a drag car, as a set of Ansen “Ground Grabber” traction bars remain with the Chevy and the seller notes the original engine blew up. Whatever its past, this year of the Camaro is becoming increasingly valuable, from the more powerful engines to the slim chrome bumpers. Would you restore it?

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Comments

  1. NotSure

    NotSure about that mileage claim. Anything is possible and is more believable if the miles were accrued one-quarter at a time as suggested by the traction bars…

    Like 4
  2. Jay

    Washington state cars from 1970

    Most likely

    have rust – still like it though

    Like 1
  3. JoeNYWF64

    Odd the firebird(including t/a) ’70-72 did not get those or any fender/radiator support braces/connectors.
    Tho in ’73-76 firebird got gigantic ones that looked like mono leaf springs!
    & in ’78-81 firebird got much thinner lighter non tubular ones.

    Like 2
    • Little_Cars

      Were the 70-72 Firebirds lighter in the front due to the urethane nose? Different radiator core support than Chevrolet? Different slam panel?

      Like 1
      • JoeNYWF64

        The ’70-2 firebird endura(not urethane) covered STEEL “loop” bumper is very very heavy & the ’73 is even heavier. Much heavier than corresponding camaro bumpers.
        I know that when you take off the ’74-5 front bumper & brackets, the front end goes up 3 inches!! lol

        Like 4
    • JOHNMember

      The braces you are describing were installed as part of the federal 5 MPH bumper standards that went into effect in 1973. The Firebirds also had similar reinforcements.

      Like 2
  4. TimM

    I have a 70 Carmaro 396 with a 4 speed!! This car has the same potential to be a monster!!!

    Like 10
    • Lynn DockeyMember

      402 ci

      Like 0
  5. don

    So this car was only 11 years old when parked and only had 40k on it , but in that short period of time it was repainted blue ( judging from the tail panel ) , got wrecked and had a green Camaro hood and front clip installed , blew the motor and swapped or blew up the manual trans and made a general mess of the interior ?
    As for the traction bars , a lot of guys put them on their street cars back then , so I don’t think thats proof of this car ever being a drag racer.

    Like 20
    • Tim Murphy

      Don….my exact thoughts!!!

      Like 5
  6. OhU8one2

    Green paint in the front of car, blue paint on the rear. Originally Hugger Orange. I think we are close to seeing all the colors on the Color Wheel. Now were they replaced because of rust, or damage or parts stolen off the car? And with the low mileage, missing original motor and trans. I would really like to know the history of this car and the reasoning of the current condition. Or lets just call it a early Camaro Z/28 project car.

    Like 3
  7. Steve R

    A claim of low mileage is worthless unless it’s backed up with documentation. The condition of the car doesn’t back up the claim that it’s only traveled 43,000 miles, so why should anyone believe it. The story about CE engines and stock cars is a bunch of BS, if it were true, it doesn’t matter since that engine is no longer around either.

    There is no proof this is a factory Z28, only eveidence based on certain parts, most of which aren’t particularly hard to come by. I’d be hard pressed to pay $7,500 for this car.

    Steve R

    Like 6
    • Andrew

      When a car is close to fifty years old mileage is irrelevant. Mileage is a indicator of wear but fifty years of inactivity is worse….

      Like 2
  8. Troy s

    If true, them were 40 thousand plus very hard miles. LT1 is long gone, along with the 4 speed…the mechanics that really make the ‘701/2 Z-28 such a cool machine. Someone had lots of thrills with this moons ago but I’m guessing the only action this Z ever saw was on the street, not the strip. Drive em hard enough and parts will fail.

    Like 2
  9. George

    $,1500

    Like 0
  10. stillrunners

    Hard to find….compared to others….maybe a steal at that price if your looking….I r always…for 70 1/2 – 72…..

    Like 0
  11. George mattar

    One of my best college friends bought a 70 Z RS from the orig owner in 1979, for $1,800. I thought he was nuts due to the rust. The central PA winters rotted the inner and outer rear quarters and toe boards. He got new quarters from GM but repo floors were not available yet. We brazed in sheet metal on drivers side. The orig LT1 and 4 speed were there. Copper Classic Metallic with white stripes. What a car. He sold it a few years ago for $33,000.

    Like 1
  12. Arthell64

    Looks like a descent car to restore.

    Like 1
  13. PRA4SNW

    I would much rather pay the $7800 for this car than what that same money would buy in a first gen.

    I’ve always liked this body style best. I was going to wait until ’82 to buy my Camaro, but when I saw what they were going to look like, I bought an ’81.

    Like 0

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