With the ClassicCars.com Future Collector Car Show right around the corner, here’s a 1980s Chevy Camaro that not only fits the bill as a future collector car but is also both affordable and fun to own.
The Pick of the Day is a 1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 described by the Shaker Heights, Ohio, seller as being in immaculate condition.
Model year 1982 was a big one for Chevrolet, with the launch of the third-generation Camaro, replacing a design that had an unbelievable production fun from 1970 to 1981.
By the end of that run, Camaro was getting decidedly long of tooth and the folks at GM needed something that spoke to current designs as well as getting back some of the performance that was lost in the previous five years due to increased emissions compliance and increased weight to comply with increased safety requirements.
An interesting historical tidbit is that the third-generation Camaro was almost ruined by GM as they came very close to making it a front-wheel-drive car. We owe a debt of gratitude to Camaro chief engineer Tom Zimmer who insisted that the new car focus on handling, which meant it should continue to have rear-wheel drive. The results of his efforts are a car that can deliver .83 on a skidpad, which was a serious number in 1982.
He also took the Camaro to a health spa and after he and his team were done, shaving almost 470 pounds compared with the previous model. This also helped improve performance. The car still was not a speed demon with 0-60 times in the 9-second range, but each year the car got better. It is also good to remember that the 1982 Ferrari 308 GTSi also took 9 second to cover 0-60, so the Z28 was in good company.
According to the dealer advertising the Camaro on ClassicCars.com, this Z28 is and has been owned by the same family for the past 15 years and remains in great shape. Finished in its original Maroon Metallic with Silver ground effects and Orange and Red racing stripes, it is a perfect 1980s period piece.
There is a great amount of detail in the listing. Of importance is that the seller says the car has received a 350cid V8 GM factory Goodwrench crate motor mated to its original, rebuilt automatic transmission. It is also noted that the car’s original 165-horsepower 305cid V8 is available with the car; as these cars increase in popularity, having the original engine grows in importance.
This Z28 is was loaded with options when it was ordered. These include power window, power door locks, power hatch release, 6-way power driver seat, electric twin remote sport mirrors, intermittent windshield-wiper system, electric rear window defogger, automatic speed control with resume, color-keyed floor mats, deluxe luggage compartment trim, limited slip differential, Comfortilt steering wheel, auxiliary lighting, halogen high-beam headlamps, dual horns, heavy-duty battery and heavy-duty cooling, all documented in the records that accompany the car.
The pictures with the ad show a car that looks to be in like-new condition. If I were to buy this Camaro, I would drive it cross country to a Radwood event and celebrate the era when the US started building performance cars again.
The best part about this car, aside from its inherent ‘80s awesomeness, is that with an asking price of only $9,900 or best offer, just about anyone could afford it. All you would need are a few Van Halen, Rush and Quiet Riot cassettes to complete the package.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Best deal I’ve seen here in a loooong time. I bet it doesn’t last long.
I want it! How much?
You should follow the links in the story so you can find the original ad. From that page, you will be able to reach out to the seller.
It’s almost sad to me that some people think this car is cool. After 1973, all the Camaros were junk and ugly as sin. This thing has Z28 on it and that should be a crime when compared to the earlier ones. There’s a reason you could buy this for less than $10,000 and it will never have a value like a 69 Z28 or of that era.
Obviously a Mustang owner!!
I too have been in the car business all my life and sold those cars back in the day. Great entry level car that will be a blast to play with. And it won’t break the bank. Nothing wrong with that purchase
Having spent my life in the car business, I know that the ’80’s were the absolute low point in GM quality.
No thank you !
I don’t want my mullet back. Heartbreakingly slow, stickers instead of performance, a slushy automatic- and build it, one discovers a rear axle apparently made of glass. Not to mention they just flooded the market with ’em; up this way, it’s one of the signature cars of meth heads, massive rust, leaky windows/t-tops, and single unmuffled exhaust included.
Hard pass, but thanks.
No Thanks, low point in quality control. If they do appreciate it will always be a under performing car. The interiors are worse. I am a Camaros guy not this area.