The idea of the Chevrolet Lumina Z34 as a high-performance machine is one that didn’t exactly take hold when the car was introduced in the early 90s. While it was intended to be seen a top-of-the-line model with some actual chassis and engine improvements, it required the rarely-chosen 5-speed manual to make its performance credentials more apparent. Despite the fact that the Getrag 5-speed was standard equipment, most Luminas were equipped with the optional automatic transmission – making this Z34 Lumina listed here on craigslist a rare find indeed. Thanks to Barn Finds reader TCOPPS for the find.
A unique body kit with a front fascia and rear spoiler, pronounced dual muffler outlets, special badges and striping, alloy wheels, and a FE3 sport suspension rounded out some of the various improvements the Z34 enjoyed. The front grill also incorporated air slats and the rockers were enhanced with side skirts. The seller of this Lumina has performed some cosmetic tweaking which includes a red-painted spoiler, side-view mirrors, and front grill. This is the sort of meddling that I’ll never understand, as this Lumina would look so much better with an all-black exterior and the original factory-painted silver alloy wheels.
I will admit, I’ve never been one for black-painted wheels, so that’s a subjective opinion. What’s truly impressive is how clean this interior remains. No matter if the Z34 was the top-of-the-line model, the quality of the interior materials and plastics was still quite cheap in the early 90s. It didn’t matter how much you spent on your Lumina at the Chevy dealer – you were going home with a rental car-grade interior. So, seeing bucket seats in mint condition, clean carpets, uncracked dash plastics, and other signs of long-term preservation inside, are a clear indication this Z34 has been looked after.
The red-painted details continue to the engine compartment, and returning these components back to the factory finishes would be my first order of business. The LQ1 3.4L V6 produced a respectable 210 horsepower and 215 lb.-ft. of torque, which represented a slight boost over cars in non-Z34 trim. The seller has performed a boat-load of recent maintenance, including (but not limited t0) new injectors, spark plugs, in-tank fuel pump and filter, belt and tensioner, and more. The listing also notes that the paint has been redone and the tires and brakes are new as well. $10,000 or best offer is a lot for a Lumina, but how many of these can be left?
Not many stick shifts left around Lavery guaranteed.
When I was in college, I worked for a dealership, and a member of the detail crew had one of these. This was in 2000-something. The car was undrivable, as a part in the 5 speed was damaged and no replacement parts available. I believe the 5 speed is a ZF. Even Germany didn’t have the part.
Today, with the advent of 3D printing and enterprising individuals, I think any problems in that realm can be solved – for a price. Just be aware of what could be.. Just like an early V-Series, XLR (top), G6 convertible (top) and a LT5 ZR1.
You’re right Jeff. How many of these are left? Especially with a 5 speed. The interior is in amazing condition for its age. And like Jeff brought out, I’d want to bring the appearance back to stock for sure. Great write up Jeff, I enjoyed it.
Agreed, the red just looks “wrong” the car can speak for itself without those mods!
I agree about the Black wheels.Reminds me of brake dust,
& I’m told that you pay extra for them on a new vehicle.
And WHY do seller put $10 on an ad when they’re asking
$10,000?
The thing about black wheels is, even when they’re done to high quality, it makes it look like a car that lost its hubcaps. And a lot of them aren’t done to high quality, they were done in the driveway with a can of Rust-Oleum.
These Luminas were complete trash. My parents had a ’92 when I was a kid and it was, and still is, the worst car my parents ever owned. Dad was always taking it back to Chevy for issues that needed addressing. Electrical, starter, fuel injection issues; it was a poster child for ’90s US made vehicles and the poor quality. Good luck to the next buyer.
Fugly when new and even fuglier now.
I’m with you, Jeff, all black cars with black wheels may be the latest “thing” but in my day that ment it was the lowest of the low cheap model. Ugly, ugly, ugly.
I could live with the black wheels. I could never stand that red trim, though. To me, that knocks 2K off of the price, because it would cost that much to fix it right.
My little brother had a very clean one just like this.First car after drug rehab brand new job. He was struck by an 18 wheeler on the way to work. He was paralyzed from the neck down. He lived another 10yrs . Died from opioid use for pain. Didn’t mean to bring anyone down with this. The car triggered memories. As a family member I’m Part of the Purdue pharma class action because his children were to trifling to file a claim. I miss him dearly.
I bought one of the early 1989 Luminas ( black of course) and wow what a pile. Interior was garbage, motor wasn’t much better. Always heard never buy a first year car. What’s the worst that could happen I thought. Well I found out. Spent as much time in the Stealership or behind a tow truck as it did my garage. Total junk pile topped off with terrible service work.
I agree with everyone else about the red. It looks like the original mirrors & grill were damaged and he went to a junk yard and purchased used replacements, but never bothered to paint them to match the rest of the car. Makes the car look “cheap.” $10,000 is a very optimistic asking price.
Thank you for featuring this Jeff and I’m equally as sorry Greg for triggering some undoubtably difficult memories. My first car was a 1995 Chevy Lumina in 2008 (the first car my parents bought new). The 95 Lumina’s 3.1L blew up at 76,000 miles (I may have run it through a deep puddle to impress the date I had that week–can’t imagine that caused it to blow the following day). After a used motor was sourced, I ran that car until my brother’s driving age 4 years later at which point the rust worm had taken it mostly over by the time 120,000 miles had been accumulated. By graduation, I had finished restoring my ’66 charger so that became my daily driver.
I remember these early 2 door luminas and would have loved to have had one. They used to be everywhere. I remember the Z34 of this generation being the top of the line, and although my 95 4 door was as basic as could be (but not the Lumina Van), I tried for a long time to find a LTZ trim in my later years of one but to no avail. Couldn’t have been many of those made.
https://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/new/reviews/1999/gap9910.html
Wonder how many will be around another 30 years from now.
I got a 91 right when they came out. Nothing but problems, big unbelievable problems.
These were of, ahem, “questionable” build quality. Trying to avoid scatological terminology. I worked for a company who had these in their fleet for the salesmen. One guy had the reverse in his automatic transmission go out at 1600 miles. Another reported that his door fell off and he narrowly avoided having his foot crushed. And of course there were issues with all of the plastic interior parts breaking.
I was cross shopping the Lumina Z34 and a Thunderbird Super Coupe on the used market. I found a Z34 5 speed that looked good from the outside. As it was a 5 speed and the only Super Coupe’s I could find were all automatics, I was initially attracted to the Z34, but the cheap rental grade interior really put me off. The T Bird SC had it all over this on the interior. I ended up acquiring neither, as all the dealers wanted way too much mullah for what they had, especially the Chevy.