Vehicle Description
This 1983 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Convertible is one of the coolest
and rarest classics you can get your hands on right now. The
factory never offered a drop-top this year, and instead, a few
select people paid a lot for a specially-bodied car like this. The
result is the best of both worlds. You get a beautifully presented
Z-car that's great for driving, and it's a professional coach-built
classic that will be a big attraction at some car shows.
The two-seat convertible configuration makes this a true
collector's item. This was the first couple of years of the 3rd gen
Camaro. Chevrolet was selling plenty of this new design, and so
there was no need yet for an official convertible. Of course,
bright red V8 all-American like this was just meant for drop-top
cruising. That's why a few people with deep pockets would get their
car custom converted by Auto Form. They are a specialty
professional builder, but construction could better be described as
by the handful rather than mass production. Because this was a
specialty product they took the time to give you some beautiful
details. The back seat was eliminated so that you could store the
roof without a trace, and the custom panel had head fairings to
make this Camaro look like a personal roadster. As cool as this
looks with the top down, the roof arrangement is also quite
sophisticated. The tan top looks nice, and it fits well. The
elimination of the back seat and design of the roof looks similar
to the contemporary Mercedes SL and will also draw comparisons to
the Mercury ASC McLaren - an American specialty rival that came the
next year. And because this is such a unique machine, and a
desirable Z/28, it has also seen quite good care. The bright red
paint remains vibrant that's to a later respray, and the body has
good lines when everything is buttoned-up. You have the best Z/28
pieces in place, like the hood scoop trim, blackout headlight
buckets, lower triple-stripe, and an upgraded set of later Z/28
alloys. The Auto Form conversion even made sure to keep the
three-piece rear spoiler. It's unknown if the odometer reflects the
full actual mileage, but with a solid investment in the paint,
wheels, and details, the overall presentation has the right look of
quality care.
The tan interior looks good against the red exterior. And because
the conversion was expensive, they also used a loaded Camaro. That
means power windows, power locks, a tilt steering column, cruise
control, and an upgraded AM/FM/cassette stereo. The convertible top
stores where the rear seats were, and that means you still have a
real trunk. This is still a driver's car, and so you can find some
areas to improve if you're looking for perfection. For example, the
air conditioning has been converted to R134a, but it will need
servicing and/or parts to blow cold again. The idea here is that
the value price on this specialty machine gives you some room for
personalization and/or upgrades. Most of that has to do with the
readily available 3rd gen factory components. Everything that makes
this one rare/special appears to be in place. And what we love
about a driver's car is that it has the same carefree attitude you
really want in a convertible. The upgrade bucket seats are finished
in a comfortable cloth (perfect for the days you're wearing
shorts.) So this just feels right for hopping in on a whim and
hitting the road.
These early third-gen Z/28s are often quite favorable. They have a
305 cubic-inch V8 with a four-barrel carburetor on top. That means
this highly stock setup gives you a torque-filled powerhouse from
day one, and it's always ready for affordable power upgrades if you
so desire. And this convertible is a true cruiser with power
steering, power brakes, front discs, modern sport tires, and a
four-speed automatic transmission with highway-friendly
overdrive.
This sharp-looking specialty build is a unique piece made
irresistible at an affordable price. Call now!
