One of my favorite listing types is for the vehicle that has been hidden away via some sort of unusual storage arrangement. That’s certainly the case with this desirable 1989 Chevrolet Camaro convertible that is equipped with the rarely-seen manual transmission. The seller is adamant that this car has never seen a Michigan winter, and based on the photos and what we see here that shows the Camaro hidden away in an upstairs loft, we have little reason to doubt him. Find the Camaro here on craigslist for $8,500.
And when you see it in the daylight with those seemingly rust-free rockers and fenders, it becomes even more apparent that he’s not pulling our leg. The convertible top even appears to be in decent shape, and would also indicate the low mileage of just over 56,000 is accurate. The third-generation convertible is not an easy car to find, and for someone looking for one with three pedals, the search gets even more challenging. The only thing that seems off to me is the lack of decals: I believe there should be an “IROC-Z” logo on the doors.
There are some other rough edges as well, like the beltline trim peeling off the driver’s door. The aftermarket exhaust is a take-it-or-leave-it affair for me; I’m sure the car sounds good and even better with the 5-speed, but given this is a collector car, it strikes me as an unnecessary detraction. The top looks good from this direction as well, but there are still some concerns about the rear window as I can’t tell from here if it’s cloudy. However, those are all easy cosmetic fixes, and if there’s no rust underneath, you can sort most of this out over the course of a weekend.
The interior photos aren’t great but all I care about is that beautiful shifter – I can’t remember the last time I saw a third-generation Camaro convertible with the manual gearbox. I would love to know what the actual production numbers are as it can’t be high. The steering wheel is a cheap aftermarket job but it actually looks better than the design GM was using at the time. Overall, this is a diamond in the rough and the Camaro would present infinitely better with a proper detailing; but given how much work is involved in getting it into its winter hiding spot, I’d move quickly if you want a shot at this one.
I never would have slept a wink thinking about the weight of that car being supported by that wooden structure. Looks to me like the wood was bowing directly under the weight of the motor location. There must be more to the story as this desirable Z/28 has been for sale for 28 days. Is that an aftermarket top conversion something just looks a little non-factory to me. I owned a ’91 Z/28 with a 5-speed manual and I don’t remember the manual cars having a shift knob like this one. Mine was just a solid black shiny ball and I have seen others that were a black leather stitched ball.
I have a mezzanine structure like this in my shop. Currently have 2 67 mustang’s and 2 78 king cobra up there. If you calculate the weight and have it properly engineered wood structures work just fine. Take the deck on a home. People put 20 friends on their wood residential decks and think nothing of it. Money has 14 inch engineered joists, 12 inch on.center. solid as can be. My office is below it and worries me not at all
From the lead photo, I thought there would be a reference to the rare Box Springs Roof option.
Based on our experience the mattress thing seems to be quite common. If that steering wheel is what I think it is it’s is no cheap wheel. Is that side trim factory or aftermarket add on? Nice car if all the checks add up.
Sorry fellas. No IROC. No Z28. She’s just a nice RS drop top. Someone has graced her with an upgrade to nicer spec wheel, an aftermarket steering wheel and shifter knob. Hopefully that is a simple TBI 5.0 liter V8 under the chrome air cleaner. Otherwise there could be some “splainin” to do. Nice car at good money if the motor is correct AFAIAC.
Hahahaha !!! I spit my coffee out when I read, and saw the
first picture. Thank you …. I needed a good laugh. 😂😂
Suppressed the phone number in the add, but forgot to in the pictures; that’s kind of funny.
Looks pretty rough under the hood for a vehicle that didn’t see MI winters, but maybe it saw other winters.
Some might call this a collector car, I sure don’t. Weak, fuzzy pictures, parked as it was – meh.
Wonder if the wrench comes with the purchase, or a battery?
Lotsa gravel & dirt roads in this area is
likely why the under-hood grime exists.
Its a plastic fantastic Camaro.
Albeit a 5 speed and convertible which actually makes an argument for owning it. Sort of. Never like the period rabbit fur interior.
Seems to have been put up used and dirty. Want to sell a car? Clean it! I want to see the padded forks of the fork lift that put it up in the loft. Never underestimate American ingenuity!
And they never say what size the mattress is.
What?? Stored On a wooden shelf? What are people thinking?
It’s still for sale because it’s horrible.
As far as the shelf goes seen many a train bridge made from that wood stuff you all talking about.
I had a 92 rd convertible, gm had American sunroof company convert them. Hay a 305 with no balls replaced it with a 350 made a huge difference but then promptly went through 3 rear ends. The car was fun I liked the top as it stowed like a corvette top , they have an inherent vibration at high speeds I hated. Had my fun and sold after a few years.
Was it driven up on that shelf or put up there with a forklift? What’s smashed underneath from the forks?
My bet was a forklift. The ramp would pretty steep or pretty long to get up there. Was the mattress placed on top to buffer the convertible top from hitting the ceiling?
My bad Trestle not bridge.
The mattress was to entice the mice and keep them from going into the car.
Ad expired on CL… for starters, its an RS, not a Z, and just guessing, but these cars came standard with a V-6, not a V-8 and it could be had with a 5-speed. Regardless, doesn’t seem it impressed anyone after being listed 45 days.
I agree, did the RS even come with a V8 option? I don’t recall that.
Since the ad is expired, I can’t see the engine photo.
Yes, it had one V8 option, the 305 with 170hp. Not sure if it came with a manual though. Need the cars VIN to be sure.