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
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