Some enthusiasts find the prospect of a full-blown restoration daunting, but aren’t intimidated by a spot of home workshop tweaking. If you fit that mold, this 1981 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 may prove irresistible. It presents fairly well as a driver-grade classic, having undergone a color change and other upgrades. There is scope for further cosmetic work that would lift its appearance without costing a fortune. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder PRA4SNW for spotting the Camaro listed here at Hagerty in Kirkland, Washington. Bidding sits at $5,050 in what appears to be a No Reserve auction.
With the 1981 model year marking the end of the line for the Second Generation Camaro, Chevrolet didn’t spend a fortune on upgrades or changes to differentiate it from its predecessor. However, that didn’t prevent buyers from personalizing their ride to help it stand out in a crowd or to deliver improved performance. This Z28 demonstrates that graphically, with the previous owner covering the car’s original Code 29 Dark Blue with a dazzling layer of Code 77 Maroon. It is unclear why the change occurred, but personal preference would seem the obvious answer. The seller is candid about the car’s condition, admitting that close inspection will reveal minor chips and imperfections. The stripes are a recent addition, looking crisp and clean. Rust appears to be limited to a couple of small spots on the leading edge of the driver’s side rear wheel opening. Otherwise, the appearance is consistent with a driver-grade vehicle. One recent addition is the sparkling OEM alloy wheels, wrapped in Hankook tires.
By 1981, the Camaro Z28 was no longer the fire-breathing beast of days past. This car’s 350ci V8 would have delivered 175hp and 275 ft/lbs of torque, which fed to the road via the obligatory three-speed automatic transmission. The company only offered the four-speed manual to buyers who selected the 305ci powerplant, which many enthusiasts lamented. However, the story might be more positive, with the seller indicating that this small-block has received a few upgrades to improve its breathing. These include a new carburetor, intake, and a larger dual exhaust. They don’t mention items like camshafts or other internal components, but apart from needing a good clean and detail, it appears that this classic has no mechanical needs.
The list of changes made by this Camaro’s previous owner isn’t restricted to the paint shade. They ditched the Camel vinyl interior trim, replacing it with Black cloth and vinyl. It also received a new gauge cluster with White faces and an upgraded Bluetooth stereo. The photos confirm that the console’s front section is missing, exposing a rat’s nest of wires and cables. Otherwise, this interior presents nicely if potential buyers are focused on a tidy, driver-grade classic. Factory options selected by the first owner include air conditioning, power windows, cruise control, and a tilt wheel.
This 1981 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 won’t appeal to purists due to the changes made by its current and previous owners. However, as a tidy driver-grade classic, the winning bidder can enjoy immediate motoring pleasure while planning the car’s future. It has attracted ten bids, which is the tip of the iceberg. More impressively, the listing has garnered 8,274 views, suggesting that this Z28 has piqued interest among enthusiasts. Whether that produces a bidding frenzy is pure speculation, but if a Second Generation Camaro has been on your radar, monitoring this listing might be worthwhile.
Very nice Z28. If no one mentioned the color change I wouldn’t have guessed it. The interior is great too. I like the combo cloth and vinyl, probably a bit more comfy than the original Camel vinyl. Truth be told, I really like dark blue too, but I like this color just as well. As far as the looks dept. The late 70’s early 80’s are my favorite. I always liked the front air dam and wheel well arches and the stripes too, very 1970’s I remember looking at one with a 305 and a 4 speed back in the late 80’s. It was black with a camel vinyl interior. Anyways, huge shout out to PRA4SNW for finding this gem, and a big thank you to Adam for writing this one up. I like it a lot. Thank you!!!
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Driveinstile. I also like the look of this car, and that paint shade is undeniably classy. I hope that you continue enjoying our articles at Barn Finds, because it is always a pleasure to write about classics like this Camaro.
I always enjoy your articles Adam, and many others here as well. It helps to enjoy what you do, and I can tell, you enjoy what you do. It shows. Thank you again Adam.
-Dave
I’m digging the compliments all, much better than the nit picky comments from others. Driveinstile, SteveR, and HowardA always have fantastic comments. Well…sometimes Howard is cranky 😂, but makes me laugh at the same time.
BTW, I like the car, don’t care about the power. I have plenty of super fast cars, now that I’m in my 50s I’m really starting to drive much slower and loving the looks of my matchbox/hot wheels cars of my pre-teens.