Warm 350/4-Speed: 1974 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

This 1974 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 is more than just a pretty face. It is rock-solid, while its paint shade gives it a striking sense of presence. However, the warmed V8 under the hood should deliver the performance buyers expected during the badge’s glory days. It has no apparent needs and is a turnkey proposition, ready to head to a new home. The seller has listed the Camaro here on eBay in Cincinnati, Ohio. Bidding sits below the reserve at $8,200, but you can bypass the auction process by selecting the BIN option at $16,000.

Chevrolet performed a significant facelift to the Second Generation Camaro for the 1974 model year, introducing larger bumpers that complied with safety regulations and a sloping grille that improved aerodynamics. It increased the car’s overall length by approximately seven inches without detracting from its sleek styling. This Z28 left the line that year, finished in striking Midnight Blue with Black and White graphics. I find these cars more attractive than the Z28 that emerged later in the decade, because the stripes were more subtle. The paint retains a healthy shine and, with no visible cosmetic imperfections, makes a positive first impression. Rust can be an issue with these classics, but the seller’s image gallery supports their claim that this car is rust-free. They recently fitted new bumper fillers, and the trim and chrome are in good order.

The interior images suggest that the first owner focused on performance when ordering this Camaro. They didn’t tick the boxes beside air conditioning, power windows, power locks, or cruise control, but did opt for a console. The photos confirm that this interior is a driver-grade proposition, with no visible issues in its Black vinyl upholstery. The carpet is extremely clean, as are the dash and pad. The console has a couple of discolored spots, and the installation of the aftermarket radio/cassette is pretty ordinary. However, a bit of tweaking should fix the stereo, while plastic dye might address the console issue if nothing else works.

The Z28 Camaro was still a reasonable weapon in 1974, with Chevrolet quoting power and torque figures of 245hp and 280 ft/lbs for its 350ci V8. However, this car may deliver more, with the seller describing the small-block as “warmed over.” They don’t elaborate on any internal changes, but the motor wears an upgraded carburetor, aftermarket headers, and a new dual exhaust. They recently rebuilt the four-speed manual transmission and fitted a new fuel tank. The seller describes the engine as healthy and says they would drive this classic anywhere. With summer fast approaching, it promises years of motoring pleasure for its new owner.

A close inspection will undoubtedly reveal minor flaws, but it would be fair to classify this 1974 Camaro Z28 as an exceptionally tidy driver-grade vehicle with no significant needs. It has already attracted eighteen bids, and with an extremely healthy Watch List tally, I suspect that the action is far from over. The seller’s BIN figure looks very competitive, and although values have dropped during the past year, the situation appears to have stabilized. That may be the first sign of a rebound, meaning that buying now could be a wise investment strategy. Would you hit the button to guarantee taking this Camaro home, or would you take your chances in the auction?