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Z28 Survivor: 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

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Often overlooked for earlier year models, this 1979 Z28 pops with color and shine, despite having a few areas that need some attention. Having only covered 114,000 miles, this Camaro is a real beauty. This T-top survivor is priced at a $6,999. Find it here on eBay out of Lombard, Illinois.

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Under the hood of this cream colored beauty is a 350 V8 with and automatic transmission. This is a factory air conditioned car, and it would appear the air conditioning system has been recently sorted as many of the air conditioning components look to be new. The 350 is listed as being in good health, and overall the engine bay looks good. The air conditioning pump, brake master, brake booster, and radiator support wear some rust, but the inner fenders and the rest of the components look nice.

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Peaking inside of this cream Camaro reveals a light tan color that looks to have discolored slightly with time, but is in good shape overall. The dash looks nice suffering only from one minor split in the pad area. Coloring of the dash looks good, and is a shade darker than that of the seats. There is no real damage to the interior other than the slight color fade. The driver seat looks very nice, and the carpet look good only suffering from a more blonde shade of tan. The door panels match the dash nicely, but are a little wavy. Despite the waves, the door panels are in good shape.

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The attention grabbing exterior is a real beauty, but there are some flaws that are “hidden” until you put this Camaro under the microscope. Rust is hidden in various places throughout this Camaro’s body. The first example of rust you will see in the front passenger fender, that has some bubbling near the headlight, and then again at the bottom area of the fender where there is a hole. Also the very cool Z28 stripe has started to peel slightly on the same fender. There is also bubbling in the rear quarters. The underside of the body has a few rust holes. Also the underside of the trunk lid is surprisingly rusty, but looks to be limited to the interior section of the trunk where it is not visible from the exterior. It is surprising how great this car looks, to have such hidden rust sprinkled throughout. We assume the T-tops may have something to do with this rust. Overall the rust is hidden, and this Camaro could be a great restoration candidate, with its unique coloring, and lower mileage. The paint has held on very well, only having gained a few scuffs since leaving the factory.

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Beautiful and shiny, this Camaro needs some love. It’s such a shame as from a quick glance the car looks like it should be preserved, but upon closer inspection, you can see that it needs to be restored to prevent the spread of rust. Would you save this ’79 Camaro?

Comments

  1. Avatar Rustytech Member

    I would definitely save this Z28. The values of these have been climbing rapidly, this is a unique color ( not your typical Red-Black-Blue) and I like it. Yea it needs some work, but seems to be a solid starting point, as long as it stays under $10k.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Greg

    Wow look closely at the pics this car has extreme rustout in many odd places 10 k would not be enough to restore this one. Looks like it had a dip in salt water at one time. The old saying is true on this one.. You can pollish a terd. Ha ha

    Like 0
    • Avatar Tom Member

      This car is in Chicago. If it was born and raised here like me, if is FULL of rust. Especially a Camaro…..rust was NOT their friend. More salt here in Chicago than you could ever imagine if you have not seen it. My family started Ziebart Rustproofing – Chicago in 1964, 52 years ago, and have been the longest standing rust protection family in Illinois. Buyer beware.

      This car actually looks great considering the environment and the mileage. I am sure it is a little rougher in person. the rust on the right front fenders is in the right spots for this region. honestly usually those parts are “gone”. remember, the rust you see is typically the “tip of the iceberg” …..much larger than the eye can see. For what I can see here the price is right. buy it and drive it! I have to believe, based upon what I know, that this car did not see much winter driving.

      Florescent lighting shows more flaws than daylight by the way. A professional back drop never hurts!

      Like 0
  3. Avatar Ck

    Why?Why does it have to be Beige?

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    • Avatar Jeffro

      Better than brown!

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      • Avatar Blackta1

        Booo! I love brown having had a 79 T/A in Heritage brown LOL.

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      • Avatar Ck

        Nope , The brown that they used on these has like a gold metal flake in it.Its pretty nice.Beige is the color you paint the walls in your bathroom not your Z28.

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  4. Avatar Ron E Bee

    all the money in the world for that car, keep looking

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  5. Avatar PaulG

    Funny how an indoor showroom w/ fluorescent lighting can make a car look…better. Interesting but not quite as nice as it appears…

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  6. Avatar Andre

    Eesh that’s significant “hidden” rust. I would guess that had a couple of winters under its belt before someone started to care for it.

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  7. Avatar Stephen

    From the height of the “Malaise Era,” so no thanks…

    Like 0
  8. Avatar kman

    I wouldn’t buy it just because it’s in Lombard.

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  9. Avatar Steve H

    As others have said, too much rust for my liking as well.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Matt Q

    I just bought this car. It’s not rotten like some have said at all. It’s very mechanically sound as well.

    Like 2

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