Any classic car that has accumulated forty-two years under its belt and retains its original paint is worth a closer look. This is especially true if the vehicle in question is also rust-free. That is the story behind this 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28. It isn’t perfect, but it would make a straightforward and satisfying restoration project. Alternatively, its new owner could drive it as an unmolested survivor. If you find yourself tempted, you will find the Camaro located in Granada Hills, California, and listed the sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set the sale price for this Z28 at $12,000. I have to say a huge thank you to Barn Finder Pat L for spotting this classic for us.

This Camaro rolled off the production line wearing Bright Yellow paint. It has never received any restoration work, and for potential buyers, the most positive news here is that the vehicle remains rust-free. That is a testament to a life spent in the drier climes of California. The paint still holds a respectable shine, but there’s no doubt that the vehicle would benefit from a repaint. The panels are generally straight, but there is damage on the passenger side that you can see in this photo. The stripes and decals show the signs of UV impact, and the buyer will probably choose to replace these. Beyond that, this car is solid, features spotless tinted glass, and its exterior plastic remains in good condition. It is a car that could be driven and enjoyed immediately, with the buyer performing any restoration work as time and circumstances allow.

Usually, classic interiors of this era can show significant deterioration due to the impact of UV rays. That hasn’t been the case with this Camaro because its interior presents well as a survivor. The owner has recently replaced the front seat covers and headliner, but the remaining trim is original. There is a slight mismatch between the front covers and the one on the rear, and the buyer may choose to replace the rear cover to gain consistency. The dash and pad are in excellent condition, with no evidence of cracks or problems. The plastic trim is equally impressive, and while there is some slight wrinkling on the door trims, I believe these could be stretched back into shape. There is a hole in the dash where the factory radio was located, so the buyer will need to choose what to slot into this space. Comfort and convenience features include air conditioning, power windows, and a tilt wheel.

Powering his Camaro is the venerable and numbers-matching 350ci small-block V8 that produces 175hp. Bolted to this is a three-speed Hydramatic transmission, while the Z28 also features power steering and power disc brakes. The reduction in overall engine power due to tightening emission regulations means that this Camaro should cover the ¼ mile in 17.2 seconds. That may sound slow by today’s standards, but it was about as good as you could expect to find in a vehicle that rolled off the production line during The Malaise Era. For potential buyers, the news with this Camaro is highly positive. The owner says that this classic runs and drives well, making it a turnkey classic. That means that potential buyers could enjoy the car immediately and perform any restoration work as time and circumstances allow.

By 1979, the Camaro Z28 was no longer the fire-breathing monster that it had been a mere decade earlier. However, the ’79 Camaro has grown new legs within the current classic market. With spotless examples capable of topping $25,000, that leaves a fair amount of room for restoration on this car at its sale price before its financial viability comes into question. That has to make it worthy of a closer look.