The 2002 model year marked the end of the fourth-generation Chevrolet Camaro (and the demise of the Pontiac Firebird). But for our Pick of the Day, a 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28, 2002 was the year it was reborn. You can find it on ClassicCars.com listed by a dealer in Saugatuck, Michigan.
Fortunately, none of the original documentation was lost during the transformation. According to the selling dealer, this F-body comes with “its original build sheet, window sticker, framed sales brochure, complete restoration documentation, and receipts” for its $10,000-plus engine build (more on that below). The Monroney shows this Camaro was originally delivered to Davy Chevrolet in Danvers, Massachusetts. As a Z28, it came standard with a front air dam, faux hood scoop, front wheel arch flares, simulated louvers on the front fenders, sport mirrors, 15 x 7-inch body-color wheels, power front disc brakes, and rear spoiler. Performance hardware included a four-barrel 350ci V8 paired with a Muncie M21 close-ratio four-speed manual gearbox. The original buyer added the optional tinted glass, roof drip moldings, Positraction, and AM/FM stereo, taking the total price up to $7,173.35.
By 2002, this Z28 was nearly a quarter century old, which is plenty of time for the elements, driver mistakes, and road debris to do damage. The Camaro received a full restoration which, fortunately, stayed true to the original colors of White with the Blue (Dark Blue and Medium Blue ) stripe package (RPO code 25A).
The Blue vinyl interior was also redone, although it was updated with an AutoMeter tachometer (the factory unit in the dash is nonfunctional), Panasonic head unit, and aftermarket water temperature, voltage, and oil pressure gauges.
One major departure from stock during the restoration process was replacing the factory 5.7-liter V8 with a custom-built, blueprinted and balanced 350. Add-ons include Edelbrock Performer aluminum heads and intake, forged connecting rods, 750cfm four-barrel carburetor, MSD ignition, Hedman ceramic-coated headers, March Performance billet pulley system, and a Be Cool aluminum radiator with electric fan. Making that swap boosted output from 175 horsepower and 270 lb-ft to 432 and 429, respectively. In other words, this nearly 50-year-old Camaro has the power of a C6 Corvette with the LS3.
More than 20 years ago, a cosmetic and mechanical overhaul gave this 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 a new life. You can give it a new home for $34,500.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com