Vehicle Description
1997 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Convertible
The Camaro was first created as a direct competitor for the
Mustang. Chevy wanted to make a muscle car that could blow Ford's
entry right off the map. They certainly did, but the beast they
designed almost had a completely different name. The Camaro was
originally code-named the Panther, and Chevy went so far as to
prepare badging with that title on it. However, the name was
altered at the last minute. It's not surprising that it was changed
to a title beginning with "C". So many Chevy favorites from the
past carried monikers that started with the same letter, including
the Corvair, Chevelle, and Corvette. When asked about the meaning
of the Camaro's name, Chevy representatives defined it for the
press as "a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs". On a more
literal note, many sources suggest that the name, Camaro, was
actually found by Chevy designers in a French/English Dictionary.
In French, Camaro translates to "friend".
For consignment, a drop top bird in the form of 1997 Z28 in Bright
Red, a powerful V8, a 4-speed automatic, a crisp black top that
goes down, and with a veritable ton of maintenance thisCamaro is
ready torock androll! Appearing on the repair list are new head
gaskets, a new AC compressor a full on tune up, new alternator, new
barkes, window switches, OEM top cylinders and motor and a new
Optispark unit and water pump along with its long list of sporty
attributes, good looks and great performance...Hey!! It's a
Camaro!
Exterior
The body uses a combination of a steel unibody with light,
rust-free, and dent-resistant composite body panels. The rear
fenders are structural steel, and the doors and front fenders are
plastic as well as the scooped hood. Bathed in a slightly aged
coating of Bright Red this example presents with some scuffs, touch
ups, clear coat spotting and a notable dent on the driver's rear
quarter panel for the exterior fit and finish. A rear spoiler is
atop the composite deck and an almost radical for the auto industry
in its day 68 degree swept back windshield leads to the top.
Speaking of the top, it goes up and down with the press of a switch
thanks to new OEM top cylinders and a top motor, and presents with
some light color loss and soiling. A glass rear window with a
factory defogger is sewn into this top. 16-inch saw 5 spoke chrome
finished aluminum alloy wheels bedecked in newer 245/50R16 rubber
from the 47th week of 2021 are on all 4 corners.
Interior
Opening the doors to reveal the interior, we are met with black
door panels holding the switches for the power windows, power locks
and a toggle for the driver's mirror. As we slip inside to the
curvaceous Charcoal Black leather seats, we notice wear off marks
on the driver's upper bolster along with seam separation on both
front buckets as well as some tearing to the perforated and
stitched inserts. A similar motif is in back with the 2+2 rear
seats being divided by the hump and a bench style upper cushion. A
very clean dash houses various analog gauges and an analog
odometer. Neatly clustered into the center of the dash are climate
controls, and an AM/FM/CD stereo and a storage cubby. Slipping
between the seats is a Charcoal Black plastic console complete with
cup holders, and armrest/storage bin and the automatic shifter.
Lightly faded and soiled Charcoal Black carpet is flooding the
floors and the trunk is looking good with its felted liner and deep
storage compartment.
Drivetrain
Flipping the lightweight hood, sandwiched into the rearward portion
of the engine bay, (for weight distribution), is a 350ci LT-1 V8,
complete with electronic fuel injection, and a recently serviced
4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission. This combination pushes power
rearward to a 10-bolt 3.23 geared rear. The mill has been treated
to new head gaskets, a recent tune up, oil change, water pump,
thermostat, Optispark distributor, rebuilt throttle body and a slew
of other maintenance including a new belt, tensioner and
alternator. This engine bay presents as nearly new with only minor
patina on a few of the rubber components.
Undercarriage
As expected for higher mileage car, some surface rust is making an
appearance on the untreated components, but we note strong steel
for the unibody and a fairly solid floor pan. There is some
invasive rust in the passengers rear pan that will need remedied in
the near future. Independent coil spring front suspension and a
torque arm and coil spring rear suspension along with power disc
brakes with new cross drilled and slotted rotors and new pads on
all corners is also seen. The stock style dual to single to dual
exhaust with a muffler delete is in place and looks great.
Drive-Ability
This car fired right up and on the test track performed as
expected, with all functions working. Having driven many a Camaro
here at Classic Auto Mall, I'd have to say I did notice more power
than usual coming from this one, but that most likely has a lot to
do with all the recent maintenance. An A-Ticket ride for this
higher mileagedrop top skate.
Tons of maintenance, classic Camaro looks and a top that
effortlessly goes up and down. Quite the way to continue on with
the Z28 heritage, it's yours for the plucking right out of Classic
Auto Mall's Hallowed Halls.
2G1FP32P1V2144298
2-Canada
G-General Motors
1-Chevrolet
FP-Camaro
3-Convertible
2-Manual Belts, Front Airbags
P-5.7L LT1 V8 285HP
3-Check Digit
1-1997
2-St Therese, Ont CA Assy Plant
144298-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
