Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is a body-off-restored 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 backed by a four-speed manual transmission. Other features include power steering, power four-wheel disc brakes, functional aftermarket cowl induction hood, low-profile rear spoiler, tilt column, upgraded stereo and more. Finished in black stripes over Mulsanne Blue, with a black and white cloth and vinyl interior, this 1970 Camaro Z28 comes from the selling dealer with receipts for the engine and a clear title.
From 1967-69, the Chevrolet Camaro was a hot seller despite being playing second fiddle to the Ford Mustang. The Camaro came from a different direction from the Mustang’s, eschewing the fastback style that was popular at the time. And then there was the one-year-only facelift for 1969 that seems to have been quite popular then and today. Camaro fans even were able to enjoy an extended model year as the 1970 redesign was delayed due to production problems.
So, when the 1970 Camaro finally hit the streets in February 1970, an anxious press and public responded with oohs and aahs. Hi-Performance Cars gushed about the “exotic lines of what is probably the grooviest … ponycar ever built,” with the “showroom product [being] pretty neat with its European GT styling.” The object of desire for many enthusiasts was the Camaro Z28, which had changed direction somewhat from the 302-based homologation special from 1967-69.
Powering the Z28 was a new 350 small-block shared with the Corvette with the option code “LT1.” In most respects, it was like a grown 302, with the extra cubes making the Z more streetable, though it was still somewhat peaky. An automatic transmission was available for the first time, increasing its appeal, though it seems 20,000 folks didn’t have an issue with the mandatory four-speed manual with the previous generation. Horsepower was 360 (with the Corvette’s rated at 370 thanks to better exhaust manifolds and other marginal features), likely an honest rating in an environment where there was a lot of dishonesty. This particular Z goes further with aluminum heads, intake manifold and valve covers, cowl induction air cleaner plenum, ceramic-coated headers, electric vacuum pump, aluminum radiator and dual electric fans.
There were two rear spoilers produced for the 1970 Camaro Z28. The initial production spoiler was a one-piece low-profile unit, but an April 26, 1970 announcement introduced a tall, three-piece design known as the “COPO 9796” spoiler. This design was carried over into 1971 and beyond.
Nineteen seventy Camaro Z28s received new, beefy 15-inch five-spoke mags with the redesign, as seen on our auction car. They are wrapped in new 235/60/15 Goodyear Eagle ST tires.
Available for the 1970 Camaro was the Z87 Custom interior, which includes the Z23 Interior Accent Group (woodgrain accents and additional lighting), which this Z28 has. The Custom interior featured fancier seats (in this case, “salt and pepper” cloth inserts) and door panels, luggage mat and extra insulation.
The new instrument panel gently curved around the driver. Like most cars from the muscle car era — even those with manual transmissions — a tachometer was optional. In the case of this Z, the driver is kept in the loop with a set of Dakota Digital gauges, which include a 140-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tachometer and gauges for the fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure and voltage.
Underneath, this Camaro has received some tweaks via set of Heidts tubular front control arms, a Moser rear differential cover, an updated rear carrier, and updated axles have been installed. Braking is provided by power four-wheel discs, something that wasn’t available on the production cars (though a rarely-ordered option in 1969).
What we are left with is a lovingly modified 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 that looks fantastic performing better than the original, both on the straight-aways and on the curves. Your chance to bid on its ends on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT)
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery
Sad that this zee was butchered.