There are times in life when compromise becomes essential. Failing to do so can have dire consequences, and such was the case with the 1979 Camaro Z/28. Descended from a hard-edged performance model developed for racing, Chevrolet faced the decision of compromising on the Z/28’s performance credentials to meet tighter safety and emission regulations or axing the model entirely. They chose to compromise, and while the Z/28 became a shadow of its former self, it remained a sales powerhouse. Our feature Z/28 is a two-owner survivor that presents well for its age. It has no immediate needs beyond a new home. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, you will find the Camaro listed for sale here on eBay. Spirited bidding has pushed the price to $11,000, although this figure is short of the reserve.

The first impression made by this Camaro is positive, and the deeper we delve, the better things seem to get. It wears Code 11 White paint, although it isn’t clear whether it has received any form of touch-up work. It shines nicely, with no significant issues with the panels or paint. The decals look crisp and clean, but the best news hides below the surface. The car has spent its life in Nevada, and that state’s climate is ideal for preserving classic steel. The panels are clean, and the underside shots reveal nothing beyond some spots of the usual dry surface corrosion common with vehicles from this location. The original owner was 1-of-33,584 Camaro buyers in 1979 who elected to spend $655 on a glass T-Top, which appears in good condition. The exterior plastic looks excellent, the factory wheels are free from stains and physical damage, and the glass seems flawless. I believe that the new owner won’t need to spend a dime on this Z/28’s panels or paint.

The good news continues when we examine this Camaro’s interior. Upholstered in Black vinyl, it presents well for its age. The owner identifies some cracks around the power window switches on the console, but the remaining plastic looks pretty good. There are no cracks on the dash or pad and no evidence of crumbling trim. The vinyl is free from wear, and the gauge lenses are crystal clear. The factory radio has made way for a CD player with speakers in the rear parcel tray. Otherwise, there are no aftermarket additions. The seller admits that the air conditioning doesn’t blow cold but doesn’t identify the cause. The system may only require recharge, although there could be deeper issues for the buyer to tackle. In addition to A/C, the interior features power windows, power locks, and a tilt wheel.

We receive no engine photos in the listing but know that the Z/28 features a 350ci V8 bolted to a three-speed automatic transmission. With 175hp at the driver’s disposal, the 3,582lb Camaro should cover the ¼ mile in 17 seconds before winding its way to 103mph. Chevrolet developed the original Z/28 as a thinly-disguised race car to compete in the popular Trans-Am series. It is fascinating to consider the changes during the 1970s that brought us to our feature car. A 1969 Z/28 tipped the scales at 3,250lbs, and its driver had an “official” 290hp under their right foot. It could storm the ¼ mile in 15.6 seconds before running out of breath at 131mph. During the 1970s, safety requirements added weight to the Camaro, and tightening emission regulations sapped engine power. The figures above indicate the profound impact of these changes and explain why Chevrolet compromised to add luxury touches to the Z/28 rather than dumping the badge entirely. This Z/28 runs and drives well, with no vices or issues. The seller says the engine feels strong, and the transmission shifts smoothly. They encourage in-person inspections, suggesting they have nothing to hide with this classic.

In 1979 there were 84,877 buyers prepared to spend $6,115 on a new Camaro Z/28. That made the car a sales success and justified its ongoing production. Many have lived a hard life, and it is common to see original examples today looking pretty tired and worn. That fate hasn’t befallen our feature car and helps explain why it has already attracted thirty-one bids. I expect the bidding to exceed $15,000 before the hammer falls, although the final result could be higher. If you have been searching for a Z/28 from this era, the vehicle’s condition and the seller’s honesty make this one worth a closer look.