Bidding is surprisingly strong for a sunburnt 1987 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 that needs an engine rebuild and the interior restored, but that’s exactly the case with this project grade example. The Camaro was left outside for many years in full view of the sun after the harmonic balancer failed and the previous owners decided to drive the car with the “…balancer rigged onto the crankshaft,” according to the seller. While at first it seemed like a very needy car to take on as a project, my guess is the seller scored it for very little money. Find the Camaro here on eBay where bidding is over $4,000 with the reserve unmet.
The Camaro is equipped with the 5.7L TPI V8 and automatic transmission. A lot deferred maintenance work has been tackled by the seller, but the engine is still in need of a rebuild. I can’t quite figure this project out, because if you weren’t inclined to rebuilding the drivetrain, it seems odd to do all the other work that usually goes into resuscitating any long-standing car. The listing details how the seller replaced the fuel tank, sending unit, fuel pump, and injectors, along with adding a new catalytic converter and Flowmaster exhaust. The list of upgrades and repairs is quite impressive, which makes it all the more strange that the engine remains unfinished.
The interior is also in need of restoration, which the seller notes was a casualty of the decade it was parked outside in the California sun. The seller notes the cabin needs restoration, and highlights the “….carpet, dash pad, seat upholstery, headliner and A-pillar trim” as areas that all need some level of replacement or refurbishment. The dash pad has been removed, along with the headliner, presumably for a repair job or visit to the upholstery shop that never happened. The Camaro comes with the optional T-top roof, so hopefully the seals didn’t dry up and perish for all the years it was sitting outside, thus inconspicuously letting water inside the cabin.
Some of the other repairs and/or upgrades made by the seller include: Moroso aluminum transmission pan; aluminum differential cover with bearing cap support; differential bearing cap studs; replacement power window motors; replacement hatch hinges with billet Hawks Motorsports hinges; Powerstop brake pads and braided brake hoses; and the whole mess of UMI Performance upgrades, including upgraded lower control arms, strut mounts, strut brace, adjustable torque arms, subframe connectors, and more. After all that, it still needs an engine rebuild – but at least the seller is throwing in a used camshaft. Would you pick up where the seller left off?
(IMO) the engine rebuild should have preceded all of the “dress up” parts, unless it was going to be flipped; still a LOT of pricey parts just for a flip. And having already replaced all of the listed items, a used camshaft would not be too desirable for me at this stage. The thinking behind this one is a mystery to me. GLWTA!! :-)
Crazy money for a project third-gen. I bought an ’88 IROC with a legit 90k miles for $4k about a year ago. Interior is perfect, everything works, and the straight body needing only paint.
This is a $1000 car as it sits, but what do I know? I guess I should hold onto mine a bit longer.
Look at that PATINA. Clear coat it, fix nothing and charge $10k for some person foolish enough to spend that much on a parts car.
Suffering from all the pluses and minuses of an Arizona car. No rust but sun damage to beat the band. This is probably the worst year for a Z28 performance and build quality wise but might make a nice platform for a restomod with an LS swap etc or there may be a guy or gal up in Ohio with one that’s rusted to the gunnels that would love to play mix and match to come up with one solid car. Either way 4K is all the money as it sits.
So now rust…er, I mean patina, is now being described as ‘sunburnt’?
Who rebuilds a small-block Chevy with a used camshaft?
The seller does not say used camshaft.
“Needs engine rebuilt and crankshaft replaced. A good used crankshaft is included.”
Everybody is amazed a the amount of damage that salt does to a car.
Well, being from the northeast, I am more amazed at what the sun can do to a car.
This is a joke right? $500 parts car, assuming you need T-top glass.
Interiors are easy, rust however is a MF.
Best thing in the ad is the photo of the old MasterCraft ski boat! They stopped the star graphics in 1986. Great old boats. Had a friend who painted his Suburban with matching graphics, awesome setup
Stupid!!!