Vehicle Description
1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
Familiar to viewers was Jim Rockford's gold Pontiac Firebird Esprit
car. One oft-recurring element of the show was the famous "Jim
Rockford turn-around" (also known as a J-turn or a "moonshiner's
turn" - commonly employed as an evasive driving technique taught to
Secret Service). Garner explained the move in his 2011
autobiography The Garner Files: "When you are going straight in
reverse about 35 miles an hour, you come off the gas pedal, go hard
left, and pull on the emergency brake. That locks the wheels and
throws the front end around. Then you release everything, hit the
gas, and off you go in the opposite direction." James Garner stated
in a Season One DVD interview that he performed this stunt for the
duration of the series.
For consignment, a 1979 version of the Camaro Z28. This car has
undergone a rotisserie restoration and presents in excellent
rust-free condition. Along the way the engine, and remainder of the
drivetrain have been rebuilt to stock specifications. It's all in
the fully documented pictures of this process, so essentially you
will have a new 1979 Z-28 Camaro with a mere 6,000 miles since the
restoration.
Exterior
With its 3 piece front spoiler wrapping around the front of this
car, and some snappy graphics added, body matching crash bumper
with integrated single round headlights and outward V grille shape,
rear facing scooped hood, the Camaro had come into its own with
styling for 1979. This car bathed in Carmine (burgundy) has
beautiful graphics undulating throughout the exterior in a trim
tone yellow to brown highlighting. This highlighting carries
through the hood, along the doors just above the rockers, and just
below the rear spoiler. Chrome trimmings have been kept to a
minimum with only the side windows trimmed in chrome, the remaining
are blackened. Exterior panels are straight, rust free, and have
very nicely painted surfaces all around. Z28 badging is all around,
and gaps are noted as well minded. Turbine style wheels are slapped
on all 4 corners, and this beauty has the "look" for 1979.
Interior
Nicely stitched paneled doors are inside and showing off in black.
Keeping in theme the front buckets are black but have a crushed
velour for inserts. The bolsters and high backs with integrated
headrests are all smooth black vinyl. A 2 plus 2 rear seat in the
same pattern is looking mostly unused and excellent condition. The
square and rectangle design genre is abundant utilizing some
brushed aluminum-like material for the cluster with dual round
gauges in the center and surrounding smaller rounds at the corners.
A/C is noted in this car along with an aftermarket AM/FM/CD player
and 2 more essential gauges added to the radio's left. The original
steering wheel badged in Z28 with its 4 splines wrapped in cording
as well as the exterior wheel look like new. A vinyl textured
center console providing storage and a place for the shifter, is
racing between the buckets and towards the 2 plus 2's in the back.
Black carpet floods the floors and a tight black felt headliner
totally seamless is floating above.
Drivetrain
Prior to flipping the hood, I could feel the Heartbeat of America,
and opening up the hood witnessed it in all its red block glory and
polished parts. A 350ci V8 all polished and nice sports headers and
a chromed air cleaner cover. On back is a TH350 transmission both
engine and transmission consigner states are numbers matching. Just
a beauty to look at...Lub dub, lub, dub...
Undercarriage
Never fear kids, rotisserie restoration means the underside gets
attention too, and this undercarriage does not starve from lack of
attention. All shiny black rust-free surfaces, structurally sound
rear drums, and front discs and not even any road dirt on these
undercarriage suspension and other mechanical parts.
Drive-Ability
She fired right up, and all was good on the warmup to the test
track. Here it handled well and had smooth acceleration, and
straight bias free panic stopping. Steering was tight, and the
overall ride was comfortable, even at cruising speed. I did not
attempt the "moonshiner's" turn but wanted to just in deference to
Jim Rockford!
If you are looking for a Z28 in classic late 70's style, stop here,
as this is it. All rust free, all totally restored and rebuilt, all
running just perfectly. Great graphics and a fine runner, just
showroom condition here in 2020, right out of 1979.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.