Of all of the different variants of the Camaro produced in 1970, the rarest and most desirable has to be the Z28. With 8,733 examples rolling off the production line in that year, they are a car that has become coveted by enthusiasts, and good examples can achieve impressive values. This particular car is an extremely original and solid example, and it should represent a fairly straightforward restoration project for its next owner. With none of its needs being particularly pressing, it is also a car that could potentially be driven and enjoyed immediately. The Z28 is located in Chandler, Arizona, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. You could be the person who gets to tackle the restoration of this classic by handing the owner $27,000.
The Camaro wears Citrus Green paint, and after all of these years, it is starting to look quite tired. The vehicle would definitely benefit from a cosmetic refresh, but there are a few body issues that would need to be addressed first. It does wear a few dings and dents, the worst of these being in the driver’s door. As far as rust problems are concerned, they don’t appear to be too extreme. There are some spots appearing in both lower rear quarter panels, along with some small areas visible in the lower front fenders. It isn’t clear whether there is any present in the rockers, but the photos of the vehicle’s underside reveal floors that appear to be really solid and clean. The windshield looks like it might have accumulated the typical multi-decades collection of minor pits and swirls, but the rest of the glass looks okay. The wheels are original, and the exterior trim and chrome seem quite reasonable for a daily driver. Of course, if the next owner is looking to achieve a flawless presentation, then the bumpers will probably require a trip to the plater to return them to their best.
A numbers-matching Z28 is always going to score plenty of points with enthusiasts and collectors, and that is precisely what we get with this car. The original 350ci V8 pumps out 360hp, which finds its way to the 3.70 12-bolt rear end via a 4-speed M21 transmission. This combination produced a very potent pony car, with the Z28 capable of ripping through the ¼ mile in a blistering 13.9 seconds. When it comes to cars like these, I’m always fascinated by breaking down the production numbers to see just how each car stacks up. Chevrolet produced 8,733 examples of the Z28 in 1970 out of a total production run of 124,901 cars. This was the only year that the 12-bolt rear end was offered in a 2nd Generation Camaro, while out of that entire 124,000 vehicle production run, only 5,302 were fitted with the M21 transmission. That’s just a bit of trivia for you. While the owner doesn’t specifically say so, it appears that the Z28 might be in very sound mechanical health. The original carburetor has just received a rebuild, while the engine bay presents well for a vehicle of this age. The photos of the Camaro’s underside don’t indicate any signs of fluid leaks, while the tires look fairly new. The owner says that the odometer shows 45,000 miles, and while he says that he has no way to confirm it, he does believe that those miles could be genuine.
Generally speaking, the interior of the Camaro looks very tidy. The bucket seats are the correct low-back ones with the separate headrests, and the upholstery on both these and the rear seat appears to be free of any rips or problems. The dash and console have both been recently replaced, and look perfect. All of the correct gauges are present, while the original AM/FM radio is said to work perfectly. The carpet is showing its age a bit, but a new set would be a cheap investment that would have the interior presenting beautifully. The Camaro comes with a great collection of documentation. This includes the original Protect-O-Plate, along with the Owner’s Manual, Window Sticker, and the bank finance invoice.
It would seem that on the face of it, this 1970 Camaro Z28 represents a pretty easy restoration project. With no urgent needs, this is a car that could potentially be driven and enjoyed during the upcoming warmer months, while restoring it could be a task to undertake during winter. With good examples selling from $38,000 upwards, that would leave a fair amount of room at the current asking price to undertake the restoration of this car, whilst still ensuring that it remained financially viable. Of course, if you wanted to be meticulous about the details of the restoration, the potential is there for the finished product to command figures in excess of $60,000. Which way would you go?
1970 z28 is my favorite f-body. Rare to find one this original. This was the camaro to cruise in.
Why restore it? Make sure it’s mechanically sound and drive it.
Steve R
I think I would simply maintain and enjoy this one. the 70.5 model is under appreciated but in my humble opinion the best Z/28 of all 1st and 2nd generation models. the LT-1 is a screamer and built to take abuse and the one year only items like the short rear spoiler and low back seat (in green no less!) just do it for me. and while he’s is not giving it away the price seems reasonable. sweet ride!
Back in 1976 I worked at a local central California tire shop and had to drop a customer off at his work in order for us to do some work on his super clean , original Z/28 , same color as this one. Dropped the customer off at his work and received a speeding ticket 3 min later doing 60 in a 35 mph zone. Fast and fun, and I was stupid. I should have taken the on ramp to our hwy 101. A year later I noticed the car on a Volkswagen used car lot. It had gotten traded for a new VW. He was given $3500 on the trade – in the salesman informed me. This Z/28 seems like a really good deal.
I SERIOUSLY think I was the second owner of this car in the mid-80’s. If this car came out of Texas, I was the second owner.
I saw a 67 GTO go through Barnfinds that I’m pretty sure I owned in the mid seventies. Had a very unique shift nob and a couple other things. I was too busy with projects, but still kick myself for not following up! Give it some thought…
BTW, I sold the GTO for $500 1978. Doooohhhhh!
I brought a 1967 GTO 4 sp on Christmas day 1978 for $500. Drove it, raced it, loved it, sold it in 1980 for $700. I was so proud of myself for making a couple of hundred.
I sold my J code 4 sp Road Runner in 1989…..way to soon…still made money on it and the fun Beth and I had can’t be forgotten..
Never see it come up since…….would like to know where it is…
Nice Camero !
1971 Z28 and SS Big Blocks had 12 bolts rears as well
No, the 12 bolt was dropped after 1970.
The 8.5” 10 bolt used in the second generation F-bodies was significantly stronger than the 8.2” 10 boot used in 69 and earlier Camaro’s. With the drop in compression for 1971 and the elimination of the 375hp 396 there was no need for the 12 bolt any longer. I used to own an early production 1971 SS Camaro, built in September of 1970. It came with a 10 bolt rear end, when I started racing it I replaced it with a 12 bolt from a 1970 Formula I found at the local pick your part.
Steve R
I have a 71 Z28 that I’ve owned for 35 years. It has a 12 bolt with a date code that’s within a couple weeks of the car.
My 1971Camaro SS/RS 396 4 spd had a 10 bolt rr FYI
No. Not one has ever been documented. I run a registry for the 71-72 Big blocks. I have an early 71 with a 12 bolt. The 10 bolt 3:42 was blown up within 2 weeks and replaced with a 12 bolt from the Dealer under warranty (with paperwork). As close as one can get. But no car ever left the factory with a 12 bolt after 1970.
not worth that much….lol
Worth more money. Leave it alone . I have a 27000 mile 1972 SS 396 4 speed all original except one repaint in the 90s.
Contact me at: bikefixr@aol.com I document and preserve a registry of the 71-72 Big block cars. I’d like to add yours if it’s a real-deal. Are you on Nasty Z/28?
My sister had a similar car, same color, but I believe the interior was green. It sure could lay down some rubber.
What a nice find…During my military enlistment in San Diego many years ago, I owned a 1970 1/2 Z-28..350 LT-1, M-22 Rock Crusher, 3.73 posi. rear end. These are true production street/race cars…pure old school, adrenalin driving experience…
This appears to be a great deal on a nice survivor. My guess is it will go quick as it is getting many looks on several web sites and forums.
The LT-1 was a stellar engine. All the revving of the vaunted 302 of a year earlier, but the LT-1 had the torque the 302 could only dream about. Name another engine from the big 3 in 1970 (the pinnacle year of horsepower) that made more than the mythical 1HP per cubic inch? I bet you can’t. We can all argue all day long over “true horsepower” but GM thought enough of this one to say it as it is in spite of the insurance companies etc. More than the LS-6, W30, RAIV, W31. Even the Ford and Chrysler with the Boss 9’s, and Hemis didn’t get there.
Amazing and Refreshing that this beauty is so solid AND unhacked. I agree with Steve R- run it as is. Would turn the heads especially here in the rust belt. If you wanted to go after the rust I’m sure you would be in for at least 30 grand more. Good luck to the new owner, this one is a Gem!!
Stay safe and wash your hands
Cheers
GPC
I will go out in a limb here and say something that may see a hit man track me down. The 70 Z is so superior to the much lived 69 it isn’t a contest. Far superior engine for starters. The 70 LT1 is the best built 350 ever. All forged internals. In college at Penn State, one of my best friends paid $1,800 for a 70 Z RS with orig everything. It was rusty but never hit. A Penm State professor drove it every day for 9 years. Being it was 1979, he was able to get NOS quarters from our Chevy dealer. He and took the car apart. Floor reproduction panels were not yet available. He welded in tin where the toe boards rotted. These cars were beautiful buy typical lousy GM build quality, well. He had it until 2012. If I had not lost my job due to the Chinese, I would be on a plane to Arizona. Heck, even the smog pump is still there. What a find.
Sold to a member on Yenko.net
Secretary car compared to the 69s
Plenty strong on the street, maybe the best all around performance Camaro from back then. Keep it as is.
I got a 72 Z/28 w/ all maching #’s, 350ci look’s like my 69 DZ eng. forged crank,X rods,dome pistons,solid lifters,”O” rockers, M-21 muncie 4speed and was ordered w/ a 12 bolt rear from dealer. So still posible in 72 to get a 12 bolt. very fun car!
Love this car, this is my favorite color for this body. I’m an advocate for keep em original as long as you can like my car. However the condition of this paint is just not doing it for me. For how nice this color looks when good I couldn’t leave this one alone. Repaint and I’d add the cliche cowl hood because they look great on these cars. Other than that run it! And look, 3 pedals! As for which engine is better, they’re both respectable in their own right. I’m not partial to RS option or not, they look good either way.
I would think with the short stroke of the CHEVY 350 & either of the non overdrive transmissions & 3.73 rear, the ’70 z28 would rev way too high just trying to keep up with today’s crazy drivers on expressways with high speed limits.
I guess the z28 with 3.73 rear is more a stoplite/drag racer car?
I would THINK such a Z would be slower with its 360 GROSS hp original motor than a ’70 with the new 400 NET hp Year One crate 350 transplanted in.
Maybe, but there’s music in those solid lifters that a hydraulic roller cam motor just can’t match. Not a highway car for sure. It probably never was, even in 1970. I remember in 1979 driving up an on-ramp merging into heavy traffic looking over my left shoulder at the coming traffic I punched it to catch up and then next thing my buddy yelled to hit the brakes. The car accelerated so quick I almost rear-ended the cars going 70MPH ahead of me. At 55-60 its right in the sweet spot of the torque-horsepower curve.
I owned a 70 z/28 with auto trans and 3.73 gears. On the highway at 70mph it would turn over at 3500 rpm which was completely comfortable for that motor. From our modern perspective, that feels excessive, but it was built to run at high rpms. It was in it’s happy place near the peak of its torque curve and to pass another car, I never had to kick it down a gear. I simply pushed down on the accelerator and it accelerated smoothly by. Kicking it down would slam me back in the seat and was totally unnecessary. I took a number of long road trips in the car and it was completely comfortable traveling at highway speeds 50 to 70 mph. Gas mileage was around 17mpg imperial, so a bit lower US, maybe 14-15 mpg.
Also keep in mind, the LT1 was strong enough that Yenko put it in the ’70 Yenko Deuce Nova’s!
I had a 1970 z/28 in the early 80’s. It had the 3.73 rear end and was totally happy running along at 70 miles per hour at about 3500 rpm. I took it on a couple of longer highway trips and regular Sunday afternoon drives in the country side. The motor was right in its happy place there at 3.5 grand. I didn’t even have to down shift to pass, just stepped on the gas and it the torque would propel me by the slower car. Great car! I miss mine. I did reconnect with the current owner through a VIN search when I stumbled across the bill of sale a few years ago in my files. It has been totally frame off restored and is a show car now.
Brian,
Any advice on how to do a VIN search? I bought an ’81 Camaro new and was able to do a CarFax (first year of the VINs that allow you to use CarFax), but the trail dies in the early 90’s.
I would love to find out whatever happened to that car.
I used one of the many vin search services online. I don’t remember which now. It’s been a few years, but just google vin search and pick one. My search was made easier because the car was in a Camaro on line registry. I was able to contact the site moderator who put me in touch with the owner. I saw pictures of my car as a fully restored show car. Nice to know it was well taken care of.
Thanks Brian.
Mine was a “regular old” Camaro, so no chance that it’s in anybody’s registry.
I had a ’99 Z/28 that was unique because it was loaded with every single option, including what some people think were the gaudy side cladding and chrome wheels. It also had white seats, which wasn’t an option. A few years back, I Googled the VIN and it turned up in an archived For Sale ad, and that car had been hacked up. The wheels and cladding were gone, the white seats were now black, and worst of all, someone hacked up the dash and installed a PlayStation and screen into it. I was devastated.
Maybe it’s best that I don’t know what happened to the ’81.
contact “NastyZ28.com” the’ll set u up.
Does anyone have an original 70 Z28, Manual Trans, and the NB2 (CA smog) option?
Apparently there were 124,901 Camaros built in 70, 8,733 were Z28’s, How many Z28’s were sold into CA with the NB2 smog option? And how many of those 8733 were manual transmission?