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Parked Since ’93: 1986 Chevy Camaro

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So often these third-generation Camaros are saddled with an automatic inside a nicely preserved body. That’s why this 1986 example here on eBay seems like an ideal combination of survivor-grade condition with desirable manual transmission. The garage around it looks like it’s about to collapse, so get yourself to New Bedford, Massachusetts to save this dusty Z28. 

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Based on the four flat tires, it seems like this Camaro was rolled into the garage in the early 90s and left for dead. There are some good signs that it hasn’t been messed with, from the original mudflaps still attached to the uncracked rear hatch glass and T-Tops. And from where I’m sitting, the paint appears to have worn fairly evenly. Ditto for the coating of dust, which indicates to me there’s not been much human activity in this garage.

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The interior looks surprisingly good for the mileage, which clocks in just above 80,000 miles. The seats and carpeting look clean and untorn and the original head unit is still with the Camaro. It’s great to see the classic cue ball shift knob in place of the horrid automatic, and the Z28-specific trim on the dash remains intact. You’ll have to like the color red to appreciate this interior, since it covers everything from the seatbelts to the door panels.

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I suppose this Z28 could have been repainted at one point in time, since the luster of the finish in this photo seems newer than the weathered tail lights would indicate. But at least it’s the same color as found in the door jambs and under the hood, and if it was repainted, the bodyshop took care not to paint over the pinstripe and Z28 graphics. Overall, this presents nicely as a stock Z28 with its 305 V8 free from cheesy modifications and ready for some basic R&R to return to driver status.

Comments

  1. Avatar Rock On Member

    Too bad about the engine bay photos.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Stephen

    The five-speed is a T5 with very little reserve capacity, so you’re stuck with a stock 305. Unless you’re willing to do some fairly serious cutting to fit a T56, you’d be better off running a 350 stroked out to 383 with the “horrid” automatic (actually a very good automatic, as automatics go).

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    • Avatar Kevin

      700r4 was a pretty good automatic

      Like 1
      • Avatar Stephen

        Yes it was, and easily built for more torque capacity as well.

        Like 0
  3. Avatar Busyditch

    Here is the infamous 85 Z car with 9 miles on it. I was one of the first to find it in South Plainfield, NJ back in 03. I tried to coerce the original owner, Steve L, to sell, to no avail. He had several nice cars in storage with the Z- 1971 Roadrunner, 64 Fairlane, and an Isetta He finally sold the Z28 to the landlords who owned the trailer it was sitting in. The rest is Youtube and TV history. I caught up with Steve recently and all of the cars were sold.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Busyditch

    Interior

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  5. Avatar Busyditch

    Window sticker

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  6. Avatar Busyditch

    Window sticker
    If you missed the Youtube video here you go
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCK7N2SgJjE

    Like 0
    • Avatar grant

      Cool story bro…

      Like 0
  7. Avatar AMCSTEVE

    The only cure for that 305 is a stick of dynamite

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Alan (Michigan)

    My favorite GM wheels. Love to have those….

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  9. Avatar JWH

    Wow – window cranks.

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    • Avatar djkenny

      That is actually a good thing. No power window motors or switching failing. Wish we still could buy sporty cars today without power windows.

      Like 0
  10. Avatar Prowler

    What’s holding the horn cap on….bazooka bubble gum

    Like 0
  11. Avatar stillrunners

    Like the car….looks like a nice one….early tires fer sure….have run a 305 in a 1985 pick up and yes out of the hole it does cry a little but I have had trailer loads of stuff/cars – tractors etc… on that bumper and it still a puller with about 125,000 on the speedo….yes wish I had a 350…..

    Like 0
  12. Avatar todd

    I have an ’88 IROC-Z with the 305- 5 speed tranny, I replaced the heads, intake and exhaust manifolds, giving it better breathing capability. I now get accused of running a bigger motor when I’m blowing their doors off with my little 305, oh and it’s still using the tuned port injection setup, only it has been ported and polished.

    Like 0

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