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1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Survivor

Update 9/28/20 – After meeting reserve and getting relisted a few times, this Z28 has popped back up here on eBay. Either the high bidders backed out or the seller is just fishing for a high price.

From 8/29/20 – The second generation of the Chevy Camaro debuted in 1970 and by the time the last one left the factory in 1981, they had sold nearly two million cars. And more than one quarter million of them would be the highly-potent Z28 model. In 1970, the Z’s 350 V-8 was rated at more than one horsepower per cubic inch. This car, which has been off the road for more than 25 years, was acquired by the seller/dealer from the estate of the original owner. While the license plate says Pennsylvania, the car is located in Hilton, New York. It has been offered here on eBay with a no reserve auction that is currently sitting at $17,600.

The successor to the first gen of the Camaro (1967-69) ran into production delays that prevented the 1970 redesign from arriving at showrooms until the half-way point in the production year. Many have referred to these as 1970 ½ models, but they’re not. The new car was longer, lower, and wider than those that came before it. One casualty with the new design was that the convertible body style was no longer available.

The Z28 was at the top of the Camaro performance hierarchy. It simply was the three-digit, alphanumeric sales code that GM used to signify the “Special Performance Package” that was the Z. The Camaro competed in the SCCA Trans Am Series and rule changes for 1970 meant that the Z28 was no longer limited to the 302 V-8 it used in 1969. It was replaced by a 350 that was capable of 360 hp @ 5600 rpm with torque of 370 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm. Creature comforts were not the nature of the Z28; for example, factory air conditioning was not available because of the solid lifters and high revving camshaft.

At close to 70,000 miles, this Z28 looks to be about as original as they come. It was likely well-cared for by the first owner before going into storage late in the 20th Century. Today, it looks pretty good at 20 feet, but up close you’ll see the rust and imperfections in the Citrus Green paint that have accrued over the years. We’re told the floors, undercarriage and frame are good, but the sheet metal has corrosion in the usual places, like the front fenders, wheel wells and rear quarter panels.

The interior looks remarkably good, with the only noticeable defect being a worn area on the driver’s seat back. While it’s not unusual for a Z28 to have an automatic transmission, the fact that it’s column-mounted is a bit off the path. All the gauges are in working order and both the steering and brakes are power-assisted. The seller went on a search for the build sheet and believe it to be inaccessible on top of the gas tank; however, they do have the Protecto-Plate.

While a restoration is recommended, we’re told the car is in running condition and drivable. Up on the hoist, it was cool to see a set of glass-packs instead of mufflers, so I’ll bet the car sounds pretty badass. Because of the abbreviated sales year for 1970, Chevy built about 125,000 Camaros then. Of that number, less than 9,000 were Z28’s like the seller’s car. A sharp Z28 can easily bring mid five-figures, so if the bidding on this car doesn’t get crazy, you could fix it up and still have some equity on the balance sheet. (Source: NookAndTranny)

Comments

  1. Avatar Tim V

    Was the column shift available on a Z28?

    Like 10
    • Avatar Mark

      I agree, I don’t believe the column shifter was available in the Z-28, makes me suspect that maybe this wasn’t a Z-28 when it left the factory.

      Like 12
      • Avatar Steve R

        The trim tag says it is a Z28.

        Steve R

        Like 5
      • Avatar Mark Hagene

        I did see a 1973 with a column shift, bucket seats of course and no console. I had to look at the vin tag to be sure it was a Z28. Nobody thought it was a Z28.

        Like 1
    • Avatar JoeNYWF64

      Same on the T/A! It was actually STD on either f-body if you wanted automatic because the console was NOT std.
      I imagine a lot of these oddball automatics were converted to simpler atermarket floor shift automatics or even manuals or were just used up/rotted away.
      Chevy(& pontiac) should have kept that lower door panel for the entire run of these! Easier to shut the door!
      The trunk is level on the right because ’70 thru ’73 tank was only 18 gal(watch the gas gage drop faster lol) – later the 21 gal trunk forced a hump in the trunk on the right, making it even smaller.
      Thumbs up on the WIX oil filter.
      Would look even better with smaller front turn signals or certainly the ones from the RS.

      Like 6
    • Avatar al8apex

      yes, it was

      column shift if you chose the autotragic transmission and did not order a console

      Like 5
  2. Avatar Troy s

    I just assumed all these Z/28’s had a either a 4 speed or a floor shifted automatic when it became available. The column shifter is out of character for a true performance car like this.
    Are those glass packs even the same size? One looks smaller than the other, not that it matters.
    Great looking set of wheels, color is okay, black interior is right at home minus the column shift, and yes,, many of us refer to these as ’70 1/2 whether technically correct or not. Been called that for years and years.

    Like 10
    • Avatar al8apex

      been called “70 1/2” by those unfamiliar with the car … or by those that are under 40

      Like 6
    • Avatar Jeff Striepling

      Today the bucket seat, console is the preferred equipment in a vintage muscle car. That wasn’t necessarily the case back in the day. The muscle car was just part of the cool factor. The other necessary component required for true coolness was your left elbow out the open window and your right arm around your girl who was leaning up against you. Ultimate coolness was driving your bench seat 4 speed with your arm around your girl while she shifted gears for you. My girl could time shifting with me at the clutch/ gas so well I didn’t even have to remove my arm for a drag race. Many guys removed factory consoles for that very reason. The Camaro/ Firebird seats were even with the hump so all you needed was a small pillow for your girl to sit on for her comfort. Your cruising would only last as long as her butt could endure the ride. Living with these cars back in the 60’s and 70’s was a lot different than collecting them in 2020. Kinda explains all the damaged and missing consoles in early muscle cars. The older and married’er we got, the more consoles became popular.

      Like 1
  3. Avatar Kuzspike

    A column shift automatic in a 70’s pony car is an odd-ball. The hood stripes aren’t factory, they should be the same distance apart front to back. The black on the roll pans and sides also isn’t factory, probably covering up a bad rust patch job at some point. ebay pictures seem to confirm this to have rust, not unusual for that part of Pennsylvania.

    Like 8
    • Avatar Lynn Member

      I looked at the eBay pics. Those stripes on the hood look turrible. I’m live in PA. More salt on the roads than macadam in winter.

      Like 5
    • Avatar ERIC MARCHAND

      I’ve had my eye on this 70Z for a month or so. Looking for a pro to answer a few questions and you seem to know your stuff. What is your guess with the paint and stripes? Looks like original paint. Didn’t all 70z’s come with the hood and trunk stripes? What happened to the originals and where did those incorrect stripes come from? Are you 100% sure those are incorrect stripes? Could it possibly be a re-paint and they screwed up putting the new stripes on? I did notice the bondo on the sides. They must have just painted the black over the original green after the bodywork. With all of its red flags and issues, I still think if you could get it for 15 or 16k, it’s worth a shot. Like another person commented on, after bodywork and paint, it could catch 50 or 60k even though it’s not the four speed. Thanks.

      Like 0
    • Avatar joespiral21

      Hello Kuzspike:

      What is your guess on the incorrect hood stripes? Owner says original paint, but they must have been incorrectly put on after a re-paint? Body filler showing through green paint on lower quarter. How can that be if original paint?

      Like 0
  4. Avatar 1-MAC

    Column shift because no console.

    Like 5
  5. Avatar Bmac777

    What is that box mounted under the dash?

    Like 3
    • Avatar stillrunners

      8 Track ?

      Like 3
  6. Avatar Jay

    Cool car

    Not a “time capsule”

    Like 6
  7. Avatar jokacz

    Could you get an automatic Z28? You couldn’t get an automatic LT-1 in a Vette, and it’s the same engine.

    Like 2
    • Avatar jokacz

      I guess you could, but why? smh

      Like 4
    • Avatar Steve R

      An automatic became available in 1970 when the Z28 increased its engine size from a 302 to a 350.

      Steve R

      Like 8
    • Avatar ACZ

      Yes you could in the Z28. It was a TH400 with a special valve body, governor and a 2400 rpm stall converter. The LT1 Vette had no such option.

      Like 1
  8. Avatar Classic Steel

    I was researching the 70 z28


    All automatic tranny cars without center console had column shifter. I can’t find the numbers of center consoles made in 1970, but consoles weren’t really popular back then. I don’t think column shift would be that rare.

    Edit: I found the numbers. Approximately 84,000 ’70 Camaros had the console. There were approximately 125,000 cars built. So, if we assume that the same proportion of manual tranny and automatic trannys got the console, then about 1/3 of the auto cars should have the column shift”

    It okay but not a four speed

    Like 4
  9. Avatar Ike Onick

    These guys sell some pretty high-end cars.

    Like 2
    • Avatar al8apex

      this sure isn’t one …

      Like 1
  10. Avatar Charles williamson

    I think it has the wrong rear spoiler. .that’s a rs spoiler. No rs split bumper on front

    Like 0
    • Avatar Lynn Member

      The Camaro never had a RS specific rear spoiler. The RS package for the 67-69 had some different parts but the spoiler was always the same for the model yr. Not sure when the taller 3 pc spoiler came on board. I think 71.

      Like 1
      • Avatar pe

        The 3 piece was available under a COPO number

        Like 2
  11. Avatar Barzini

    Love the factory wheels (best design ever) and great color.

    Like 5
  12. Avatar luckylugnut

    Oh man, just look at the close ups of the fender wells..lots of Bondo work pushing through the paint. I’m seeing other spots that look eaten away as well.
    Don’t have to be a psychic to see a lot of body repair in the new owner’s future.

    Like 7
  13. Avatar Duffy

    After reading all the comments I went back to Ebay and really looked at the pictures. This little guy is really rusty. There is not one piece of sheet metal on the vehicle that either has to be replaced or repaired. It is really a rust bucket. Take a look at the pictures on Ebay. After buying it for 20 thousand and doing the repairs, is this really a worthily project? What is this vehicle worth after putting another 15 thousand into it? Any body know? I was talking to a body shop owner and he says it’s $6000 to paint the vehicle after the body work has been completed. Are we looking at another $10,000 to do the repairs. Looks like a losing project to me, I might be wrong.

    Like 6
    • Avatar Frank Sumatra

      The description in the BF write-up acknowledges the rust/repair issues.

      Like 1
  14. Avatar Rj

    In excellent correct condition this would be a $50K plus car. So if you want those Slotted Aluminum, or Crager SS wheel with big rubber be sure you have the factory 5 spokes with fresh rubber to get that $50K or more.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Rj

    In excellent correct condition this would be a $50K plus car. So if you want those Slotted Aluminum, or Crager SS wheels with big rubber be sure you have the factory 5 spokes with fresh rubber to get that $50K plus.

    Like 0
  16. Avatar martinsane

    im no expert in theae but in recalling the 70 rally sport i owned there seems to be elements drastically different within this car.

    Those front buckets appear newer as do the doors, door cards, side mirrors, mirror controls as i never saw “remote” mirrors in these 70 to 73 cars.

    As mentioned the stripes are all wrong and that black band around the bottom is weird.

    The little box to the left of the steering wheel under the dash appears to be an aftermarket trailer brake, but i dont see a hitch or ball any longer.

    I am sure of you veiw this car in person the rust and bondo are the least of your worries, especially if originality is important.

    Looks like a lot of water in the trunk as well.

    At 18k now seems a misplaced 0, but as a wise man once said there is a sucker, buyer for anything.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Lynn Member

      Like I commented before. PT Barnum was right

      Like 1
    • Avatar al8apex

      the black band was an effort to mask the atrocious bondo work this rust heap had

      old timey trick, grey, silver, charcoal, cover that mud up

      btw, the seller states “original paint”, I really think they meant to say sorta original color

      Like 1
  17. Avatar Rj

    The front bucket seats are correct to the 1970 Camaro. The manual remote D35 Sport mirrors are correct to 1970 Camaro. The door cards ie interior door panel are also correct for a 1970 Camaro

    Like 4
  18. Avatar Rj

    “There’s a sucker born every minute.”
    ― P.T. Barnum

    Like 1
  19. Avatar Rj

    The low spoiler is correct.

    Like 2
  20. Avatar Tracy Burkey

    I had a 68 Camaro SS with a big block 396 and a 2spd power glide on the colom . I think this was my neighbors car from the Shoemakersville Pa. area

    Like 1
  21. Avatar pe

    This is the cheapest option Z28 I have ever seen! Makes me think the original owner planned on making it a track car. The column shift reminds me of some of the ZL1’s, way too cool

    Like 0
  22. Avatar Guardstang

    Is the trunk full of water?

    Like 0
    • Avatar Lynn Member

      I had a 70 impala that used to get water in the trunk. Could be filled a 5 gal bucket

      Like 0
  23. Avatar Geoff

    A real odd ball between the column shift and the full bumper front clip. Thanks to its rust belt heritage, as noted its hiding (barely) a lot of body rust. Fortunately replacement body panels are available if you have the metal skills. I’d have to pass but for the right buyer it could be interesting and compared to some other things popping up here this week the price so far is not out of reach.

    Like 1
    • Avatar al8apex

      not so odd to have the standard front end

      not so odd to have a column shift autotragic

      lots of street racers didn’t care to $pend the extra $$ for the console

      certainly wasn’t a canyon carver with the slush box, but probably a decent stoplight warrior for the short bursts

      Like 3
    • Avatar joespiral21

      Geoff:

      What’s the scoop with the hood stripes? They are incorrect, but how? What happened to the originals? Owner says original paint, but could there have been a re-paint and the new ones were put on incorrectly? Also, body filler showing through paint on lower quarter. How can that be possible with original paint?

      Like 0
  24. Avatar Rj

    The split bumper comes as part of the RS/Rally Sport appearance package. It is not part of the SS, or Z/28 performance package. Many more SS and Z/28 Camaro’s were sold without the RS package leaving them with the one piece bumper so why anyone finds it odd I don’t know. Everything on this car looks correct and original except the stripes.

    Like 3
  25. Avatar luckylugnut

    I checked the completed sales for this car.
    First time it “sold” for $20,091.00
    Second time it “sold” for $18,100.00
    If the seller is fishing for prices, they’re headed in the wrong direction.
    There were two different high bidders with different feedback numbers, so maybe they reneged on paying.
    No way to know for sure without asking..but it seems strange the seller has yet to mention that it’s relisted due to non-paying bidders; which most sellers who got screwed seem to do.

    Like 2
    • Avatar mike

      Shrill bidding by fakenaccounts, or friends to artificially inflate price. Happens all the time.
      Cool car tho

      Like 0
  26. Avatar Nick

    They made more than a few E and B body MOPAR muscle cars (some HEMI powered) with column shift autos for the same reason, someone ordered the car with an auto and didn’t spring for a console. Some were also made with bench or split bench front seats because that’s how someone wanted their car.

    It was easy to know what you were getting, or not getting, during that time because many more people ordered, and waited for, their cars rather than buying off the lot.

    Pontiac made a total of 2 1969 Firebird Pontiac Trans Am’s with the optional Ram Air IV engine and column-shifted automatic.

    Like 1
    • Avatar JoeNYWF64

      Pontiac kept good records. Not so much when it comes to Chevy.
      I wana know how many ’69 camaro RS’s were made with the 230 or 250 straight 6, regardless of column or floor shift, etc. No such Chevy RS motor records exist.
      & oddly i NEVER ever seen 1 described above either, tho it was ez to order such a combo back then.

      Like 1
  27. Avatar joespiral21

    Didn’t all 70z’s come with the hood and trunk stripes? Where did these incorrect ones come from? Were they put on incorrectly after a re-paint? Says it’s original paint. The back ones look right. Is it the front ones that are not spaced correctly? This stripe thing is driving me nuts. In the Ebay pics, are there enough photos showing that in fact these are the incorrect stripes? I can’t tell. Is everyone 100% sure these are incorrect? Some issues with this car, but still rare, original project car if you can get it around 15 or 16k. I disagree with the people saying this is a “suckers” car. If I don’t have the 60 or 70k for a restored 70z and don’t want the one in a hundred pieces for 7 or 8k that requires 50k of work, woundn’t this be a perfect alternative at 15-18k? How often is an original 70z under 20k like this one going to come around?

    Like 0
  28. Avatar ACZ

    Let’s keep in mind something else. Dealers have been known to screw up orders (ala the family truckster). This could have been a mistake and an assumption made if you order an automatic, the console would be standard. I’ve seen that mistake made. But as well, maybe this was done on purpose. Not all cars were ordered to a buyer’s spec. Plenty were ordered for dealer stock. In that case, an effort may have been made to keep the sticker price below a certain point.

    Like 1
  29. Avatar tom

    What year of camaro had the small removable flash lite in the top concel??.

    Like 0

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