Here’s something that used to be a lot more common: a rough builder of a second-generation Camaro that was approachable, just about drivable, and up for sale for a reasonable enough amount. Remember those days? I do…back when I was a teenager with a dead-empty bank account, you could swipe a 1970s Camaro for a few grand and have a decent running rig on your hands. Nowadays…not so much. Go look on eBay and check out the Buy-It-Now prices for some of these cars. Yikes. But the deals are still out there…you just have to search a little harder if you want something that isn’t a full-on basket case.
Everything about this 1980 Camaro Z28 is spot-on: rough look, complete overall, stock appearing down to the N90 wheels, T-tops, and a For Sale sign in the window. This would’ve qualified as a score…the perfect build start. Ok, you may be asking, “Fine and good, but what’s wrong with it?” Easy: third gear slips in the automatic. Anybody here concerned about fixing that? Really? The more concerning item to deal with…besides the missing interior items that are included with the deal…is to do something with the lump of a 350 that is underneath that hood. What to do with it? That’s your call, but a 383 stroker and a six-speed would make for a fun combination, don’t you think?
Craigslist Link: 1980 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
At risk of offense, no thanks. Underpowered, weak-framed, plastic clad crap… sorry. Crush it and make a Kia.
The Disco era f-bodies get a lot of undeserved crap. The supposedly (1967 thru 1973 give or take) “desirable” years of these cars are, of course, completely out of the price range of the average car guy like me & hundreds of others. Shop for one you’ll see this to be true. Don’t kid yourself about this I don’t know too many car guys who can pick up the tab for a five to six figure “desirable years” f-body build. That leaves the Disco era. The parts out there available for these cars is epic. anything and everything. pro touring, resto, daily driver, drag car, they easily can easily fit the bill. Car guys being the creatures they are would also never admit secretly digging these cars & nostalgically reminisce cruising with their buddies with KISS destroyer 8-track tape stuck in the Kraco unit blasting away.
It’s only $3900! Of course it’s a decent deal. It’s 36 years old, you think the price isn’t going to go up?? 15 years ago, I sold my 100% original ’68 RS. I got a good price for it, but nothing compared to what it would garnish today.
Even anemic ’80’s V8 are like beach front property.
Agreed, sounds like a reasonable deal for a Camaro that’s all there, looks like the body just needs a good cleaning, and runs and drives (even if it could use some minor transmission work… I’m thinking that transmission work should be a 4L60E swap). I’d probably either throw some bolt ons at the 350, or go for an LS swap.