From your feedback, I know many Barn Finds readers rank long-term ownership history high on their list of desirable attributes when seeking a classic to park in their garage. This 1980 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 ticks that box: it is a one-owner, low-mileage survivor. The odometer shows 54,000 miles, and it would be interesting to know whether the seller has documentation to verify it. It isn’t perfect, but the buyer could preserve it as a survivor, knowing that it would gain respect in its current form. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting the Camaro here on Craigslist around Yuma, Arizona, for $18,000. The seller indicates that figure is negotiable, which is great news for potential buyers.
Chevrolet adopted a “softly, softly” approach to upgrades to the Second Generation Camaro in 1980. The Z28 received many of the upgrades, including a hood scoop with a solenoid-operated flap, letting the V8 inhale plenty of cooler air when the pedal is to the metal. The company revised the side scoops and refreshed some of the graphics. Some readers won’t find this Camaro’s Dark Brown Metallic paint attractive, but it is a shade very much of its time. Dark Brown was popular at the start of the 1980s, as were colors like Dark Green Metallic. I would describe this Z28’s appearance as honest. The seller provides several close-up shots of its paint imperfections, including scratches and areas baked by the Arizona sun. Addressing those shortcomings with spot repairs or a full cosmetic restoration would be easy. Still, since there are no urgent issues like invasive rust, the buyer has plenty of time to decide whether restoration or preservation is the best option. Otherwise, the trim is in good condition, and the tinted glass is clear.
If you consider it purely as a survivor-grade classic, this Camaro’s interior is comfortably acceptable as-is. It hasn’t suffered unduly from UV exposure, with no evidence of sun rot on the back seat top. The dash and pad appear okay, but there isn’t a close-up shot of the speaker grille area, which can deteriorate. The cloth and vinyl Saddle upholstery is pretty tidy, with no wear, holes, or signs of abuse. I believe this Z28 probably featured air conditioning, but the engine bay components are missing. The seller bypassed the heater core, meaning that the buyer would need to source and install a replacement. It isn’t heavily optioned, but the interior features power windows, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player.
Lifting this Camaro’s hood reveals a 350ci V8, which was only available to Z28 buyers in 1980. The owner teamed the 350 with a three-speed Hydramatic transmission, while power steering and power front disc brakes were standard equipment. The 350 had definitely lost its performance edge as the 1970s evolved, with Chevrolet quoting power and torque figures of 190hp and 280 ft/lbs. The seller doesn’t mention evidence supporting their mileage claim, but the car’s history suggests there may be Service Records or other documentation that could remove lingering doubts. The only identified issue is the brake booster, which the seller suggests replacing. Otherwise, this Camaro is ready for action once the buyer hands over their cash.
Typically, at this point, I would talk about this 1980 Camaro Z28 and how wonderful it would look if returned to its former glory. I would also discuss the price and the investment potential, but I’ve decided not to. I know every reader can picture how nice this car could look, and I understand if many of you would choose the restoration path as the new owner. Me? I think that it carries itself with dignity as is, presenting as a proud survivor. As long as there are no unexpected hidden surprises, I wouldn’t spend a dime on this Z28 beyond the purchase price, because not every classic needs to look like it just came out of the showroom. This Camaro has been driven and enjoyed, but it hasn’t been abused. It doesn’t need to be a trailer queen, just a classic where the buyer can slip behind the wheel, turn the key, and point it towards the horizon. I wouldn’t change a thing, but do you agree?
Are those original wheels?👍
They should be original. I know Z28’s back then came with matching body colored rims.
I know they offered the aluminum ‘turbine’ wheels but yes the steels were there until ’81.
AC missing in Arizona? I’m already suspicious outta the gate.
The removing the a/c in an Arizona car is something unusual for a 1 owner car. If a car changes hands a few times it can and does happen. I’ve lived in Arizona most of my life. Once but only once was I dumb enough to remove the factory a/c. Once. It was 1976 and my car then was a 1967 2dr Impale sports roof. Bear in mind I was 16 and too cool and tough to need a/c. Young and dumb would be far more accurate 🤣
😂 SD I dare say we were all too cool & tough but dumb at 16. I had a # of cars w/o ac but I grew up in Northern Michigan. 1st one with was 75 new Camaro at 20 at Ft. Hood. My 89 y.o. mom, only sister & baby brother all live out there in Mesa.
I lived in Phoenix for 12 years. Yes indeed it gets hot 🔥 I’ve spent the majority of my life in Prescott, no where near as hot but definitely a/c in the summer for me. I grew up more or less, a story behind that, in Northern Wisconsin. A little town called Crandon. At that point in time hardly anyone had or used a/c in their car. About 7 years ago I went to see my sister and her family in Lyons Wisconsin. Kinda close to Milwaukee. I was so damn grateful my Suburban had working a/c!!! After being away from high humidity for sooo many years, that humidity was killing me. Even sitting on her front porch not in the sun I’d be sweating. Once you’re away from high humidity for some years you then finally realize how truly awful it is. Now a/c is mandatory for me in Michigan or Minnesota or Wisconsin. I’d rather drive in Prescott in the middle of summer with no a/c than any of the states I mentioned. Miami Florida in summer is even worse than where you are and where I lived in Wisconsin. One night on a short vacation there I had a rental car. Drove to a Walmart for snacks one night. A/C on of course. First time ever in my life did the a/c cause the windshield and front windows to fog up….on the outside!!!! That was definitely a high WOW factor for me!
Decent Camaro here but for 18K the A/C parts should be there working or not.
Okay so it’s somewhat sentimental for me. Especially looking at the interior. Almost identical to the 76 I had. So I’m biased. But I’m not dumb either. If I were interested in this, it has to have working ac and the other repairs like the heater core and a new fully refreshed at least paint job.
All that being said, it’s just a 1980. Nothing terribly special to warrant much more than maybe 12-12,750.00 given the work that needs done after that, it could right up around the 25k mark in value.
The dash is different than ’76, they changed it in ’79. Also the lame 85mph speedometer started in ’80 instead of the old 130mph one. Agreed too much for this car for what it is and needs to be done to it.
For me it’s the color. Granted there’s differences, but really brings back memories.
TRUTH I bought a brand new 75 Type LT Copper over Saddle inside. I was in the Army in 75. Loved that car!
Nice. Mine was used. But yeah same general color and boy did I love that car.
$4300 pretty much loaded. A down payment now. And there was a strike at GM. Mgmt was building em!
Not worth 18k unrestored. IMO ’80 was the best year to have of these cars. First year of the functional hood scoop, last year of pre-computer carb which started in ’81. Also the highest HP year of the late ’70s era, at 190 when other years are less. Those dual exhaust tips I believe from a Trans Am don’t look right on this car.
These Camaros are appreciating as us boomers fade into the sunset. The Generation X & some Millennials car buffs are increasing demand, esp Z’s! I think it’s fairly priced, maybe a little wiggle room!
One owner means absolutely nothing. And the next buyer now owns a two owner vehicle, so if they paid a premium for one owner status, it’s gone at the title transfer.
I’m not saying that any of this applies to this car, but ANY owner can ignore maintenance, park it in the sun or under a carport, or in a garage and neglect it. Let it dry up and get nasty with bug nests, mouse and critter damage, and more.
ANY owner can wreck any car and get it fixed back to “new”.
A car has to be evaluated on it’s own merit as it sits there.
test drove 1 of these brand new. man, what a rush and the sound that car made when i smashed the gas and that cold air flap opened up. for a low mile 1 owner car it’s a bit hacked up under the hood. the missing a/c would be a deal breaker for me and the under hood appearance especially for 18k.
For the price of a nice C4 Corvette, I want the heater core replaced and ac parts put back on and filled with R12. Too much money and boring TH350.