Vehicle Description
1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
"Remember when surfer Spicoli, played by Sean Penn, wrecks the 1979
Camaro Z/28 owned by his high school's football star? It's one of
the classic scenes in the history of teen comedies. "Relax," he
tells his passenger. "My old man is a television repair man. He's
got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.". More Camaros were
built in 1979 than any other year, more than 282,500 in total.
However, only about 30,000 were silver like the Fast Times movie
car, which also had the optional T-tops. Since it was a Z/28, the
car would have been powered by a standard 350ci small block V8 with
a 4-barrel carburetor." Thx Hagerty.com
For consignment, a 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28, one of 15,593 of the
282,500 painted red. Like the one Spicoli totaled, it's a T-top
car.
Note: Due to modifications of the emissions control devices
installed by the manufacturer, please check your local, state, and
federal laws to determine if this vehicle is applicable for use on
public highways in your area
Note: This vehicle is sold with a reconstructed branding on the
Pennsylvania title
Exterior
The Red paint is augmented with Z28 stripes that start on the front
wheel flares and flow back along the rocker panel before exclaiming
Z28 in big characters. Graphic stickers were bold in this era and
the Z28 refused to be outdone by the TransAm and its bird. Z28 is
plastered on the rear wing and stripes surround the hood scoop with
Z28 called out, off center on the nose. Black provides more
contrast and is found in the egg crate grille, the inset area of
the hood scoop, the headlight bezels, and on this car, on the
fender vents. There's also side moldings, window trim, and deeply
smoked T-tops to provide contrast to the red. As such, you're not
overwhelmed with red, there's a lot of visual interest to keep your
eyes and brain busy. Meanwhile, gold colored turbine wheels with
Z28 center caps fit the car and wear rubber that is dated from mid
2022. Imperfections include some bubbling in the paint, touched up
scratches and chips, a crack in the front air dam, evidence of some
body work on the rocker and lower panels, and several dings.
Interior
This car has a black vinyl interior that starts with the simple
door panels, the driver's side showing a loose pull handle, and if
you've had this generation F-body, this is a very familiar problem.
Otherwise the panels are in good condition along with the bucket
seats, well padded and hinting of good bolstering that would come
some years later and much better than years past. The 2+2 in back
are also clean and intact with molded side walls that are smooth.
Faux rope wrap surrounds the 4 spoke steering wheel and another red
Z28 badge is dead center, and the column shows some wear. The no
nonsense gauge cluster has a flat housing that's super clean and
the center stack is a simple assembly of a lighter, a toggle that
is off kilter, vents, and an AM/FM radio. On the center console,
the shifter rides in the track of housing that has an indicator
window to the left and a pair of electric window switches behind
that. Low pile black carpet covers the floor in good condition
albeit loose in some spots. Up above, the T-tops provide an era
experience that we may have taken for granted back in the day. It's
pretty cool.
Drivetrain
Under the hood we find a clean and slightly dressed up 350ci V8
with an Edelbrock intake and a 4-barrel carburetor on top. Behind
it, a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission sending power to the 10
bolt axle out back. Power brakes are supplied in the typical disc
front, drum rear configuration.
Undercarriage
Relatively clean underneath with typical surface rust, some
residual fluid on the transmission pan, and a spot of more invasive
rust at the end of a frame rail. We note a tiger hair filler repair
on the floors as well. Dual exhaust runs into stock style mufflers
before exiting behind the wheels via bolted on chrome tips. There
is no catalytic converter present. Coil spring suspension is up
front and as typical with this era F-body, leaf springs out back
where we note some dry bushings.
Drive-Ability
I cut my teeth on a 1979 F-body so this is a familiar place to be
and always a pleasure to test. Off we go onto the test loop where
the 350 provides fine acceleration and per the strength of
F-bodies, great handling around turns and straight tracking.
Braking also gets good marks from us. For demerits, we note the A/C
is not working, the horn doesn't honk, and the heater blower at
high speed stops the fan. Other than that, all functions work as
intended. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions
were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee
these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
We can all take a lesson from Spicoli's chill attitude in the face
of disaster, and his creative way of fixing the situation. And
whether it's Fast Times at Ridgemont High, personal experience, or
just a desire to own one that has sparked your interest in this
car, we encourage you to take a closer look in person, or simply
call the mall to talk to a car specialist about putting this red
remnant of the 70's in your garage. It's time to look at this Z28
and say, "Hey bud, let's party!"
1Q87L9N625039
1-Chevrolet
Q-Camaro
87-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
L-350ci 4bbl LM1 V8 170hp
9-1979
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
625039-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
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