After years of playing second fiddle to the Ford Mustang, the Chevy Camaro came out on top in the sales game in 1978. Chevrolet sold more than 68,000 more Camaros than Ford did the Mustang II, in its final outing that year. The Z/28 was especially popular, accounting for about one out of every five Camaros to leave the assembly line. This sharp-looking ’78 Z was dormant from 1992 until recently and has been brought back to life. It could use some TLC but should be an attention-getter just as it sits. Located in Amarillo, Texas, this Chevy is available here on craigslist for $19,900. Pat L. has done it again in the tips department!
The Camaro got a major restyle in 1978, with body-colored fascia front and rear hiding the extended bumpers of previous years (to meet federal safety edicts). Though the design was now eight years old, buyers were still flocking to showrooms to get a Camaro, which offered the Type LT, Rally Sport, and Z/28 as choices for a desiring public. The Z/28 was still the hot one, but a 350 cubic inch V8 that produced 170 hp SAE net wasn’t quite the head-jerker of a few years earlier. But times were different after the OPEC oil embargo of 1973. Nearly 54,000 Z/28 sport coupes were built in 1978.
We’re told this Camaro was bought new in the same town where it resides now and was a “barn find” after being off the road since 1992. At just 65,000 miles, it seems no worse for the wear as some work was needed to get it going again. That included removing and cleaning the gas tank, replacing fuel lines, and giving the Chevy a tune-up. On the remaining to-do list are giving it new fluids, replacing the thermostat, doing a bit of brake work, and rebuilding the carburetor. Also, the tires are more than 30 years old, so they’ll need to go, too.
This is said to be a one-owner car and comes with a box of paperwork, including the build sheet, window sticker, original sales contract, and a bunch more. The original paint is not perfect but has been ceramic coated to preserve its patina look. And the front seats could stand to be recovered. All-in-all, this looks like a sold car, especially if you’re into second-generation Camaros.
This one is fairly nice, love the unmolested engine bay, all the emissions system are there so easy to certify. Recovering the seats is affordable and anyone willing to invest some elbow grease can wind up with a nice week ender
1978 to 81 Z28s are among my favorites in the styling dept. Especially the front and hood. I know they dont have the snot under the hood of the early 70s 350s but for their time they did ok. This really looks like it has good bones and wont take much to take it up a notch. This doesn’t look like your typical barn find, it looks like it may ave been stored with some TLC.
Another favorite of mine are the factory turbine wheels too. They always looked nice on these.
As long as the mice didn’t find their way into this car on its long storage event.
That’s the big worry. Where was it stored?
Too much $$ for a dog 78.
Needs paint, decals, dash pad, seat covers . Headliner probably stapled into place. Tires , brake work,
Dude couldn’t even change the 30 year old fluids ? But cleaned the fuel tank.?
I love these years as I have a equally doggy 80z 350/ 4 spd car in black / Charcoal stripes with 41,000 mikes on it. I bought it in 1987.
I had 14 78/81’s over the years. Ls swaps, big block swaps , you name it. Few T/A’s too. I can’t believe the $ even parts cars bring these days. Sad .
Looking at the documents posted in the pictures of the original craiglist ad. Sales receipt shows an APR of 13.61% !!!
We may revisit that again soon sadly
Appears no one noticed the crease on top of the Left fender. I had a 78 LT. A friend of mine helped me put a different intake on it, re-jet the carb & put true dual exhaust on it. I smoked those Z28’s & the Trans AM’s. Sweet ride.