Don’t you love it when people are so honest as to say, “I bought this car yesterday and now I’m selling it today?” That’s what we’re working with in the case of this 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, which the seller claims belonged to the proverbial little old lady before he scooped it up and put it up for sale. It looks like a nicely optioned car, with T-tops, 4-speed manual, and a new set of body graphics still sitting in the original dealer box. Find it here on craigslist for $5,900.
Those new graphics will be nice to have, and would seemingly speak to an owner who was passionate about their project car. The paint looks pretty faded and the original graphics the same, but given this is a classic car with Oregon plates, it’s likely that it hails from the region that seemingly never kills old cars but lets them remain road-worthy enough to be used as daily drivers. I’ll never forget how many classic cars and trucks I saw on the Olympic Peninsula still doing daily duties.
The body is tired but not rusty; turbine wheels look great here and are my preferred choice in rolling stock for a Camaro of this vintage. The factory aero bits are also still in place, and the seller notes it ran when parked 20 years ago. Although it’s not running now, the seller says it hasn’t accumulated must rust while it’s been stationary, but you’ll still want to see if the floors are soft as Oregon does still get rainy seasons.
I wish the seller had at least done enough prep work to see if the motor still spun. While it’s great that it was formerly a runner and certainly looks like a car that was loved, over $5K for a Camaro with no attempt made to start it is disappointing. These are not overly difficult vehicles to trouble shoot, so some attempt should be made to at least see if the engine is free. Would you turn around and sell a car like this or hold onto a for a spell?
Lots of reasons other then being a flipper……which isn’t the end of the world.
Maybe the guy is honest and he has buyers remorse. Maybe his wife stated she was leaving him if he brought the “big brown turd home” I buy lots of stuff without my wife making the decisions and NOT had a problem. Same wife after 25 years. Most guys do not have that luxury and I see and hear about it quite often.
Simply he done the math AFTER purchasing. I have done that a few times myself when I bought a car at night or while raining. It either needs more work then you estimate or that you could get a nice Gen II for a little more money and have it now. A nice sorted driver outweighs the cost of paint/mechanical restoration time and money needed here and blow more then a few summers in the process. Some just do not have the time in more ways. Life can throw you a curve at any time that can change or end your life sooner then expected.
Maybe after all he IS flipping it. That is great. If it wasn’t for flippers many would never get the opportunity to have it. Worst case is someone who buys with the intent of restoring and lets it rust down never to sell. Then too far gone after the owner passes. How many times have we seen that?
I hope it gets saved just because it’s a 4 speed. And thank God it is, most of these were automatics…
Well I can see as much as I enjoy following and sharing Barn Finds vehicles it won’t be much longer until I quit following.
All the pop ups and pressuring tactics hav all but driven me away. Especially the latest one of blocking I’ve half the viewing screen. Good luck.
That has stopped for me thank goodness. Bizarre thing to do.
Re flipping, I’ve sold quite a few vehicles over the years and always did my best to make sure it left my ownership in much better condition that it entered. One because it makes sense to add value, and secondly because for me anyway, troubleshooting, fixing, and detailing cars and motorcycles is a heck of a lot of fun and light-years away from my “day job”. If I could do it full time, I would.
I had this car in 78. Same color 4sp. T-Tops turbine wheels in gold tone. Black interior. Just not a “Z” loved that car. Ran like he’ll. To worried about getting tickets to keep her back then. Bought it new at 19.
I passed on this exact car except with Cragars and a running motor 20 years ago for $900…hindsight being 20/20 and all that..
Could be he got it in a package deal with some farm equipment,he is looking to trade for some, and has no use for it. May pick it up for less than 5G. Would be a nice cheap project IMO.
Still miss my white 79 from time to time
The rear leaf springs crack. That’s why you see them and hanging
These had horrible wheel hop when launched hard . Mine was black on black non-t top , 4 speed , with A/C , another I let get away from me .