1981 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Coupe
"Z28. It's tempting. To the one who wants performance. To the one who wants affordability. Or both. Together they represent one impressive combination. Performance that's affordable. At no sacrifice to the Camaro legend. Z28 sizzles with the excitement that lies beneath and beyond the grip of its sport steering wheel, the design of its tasteful graphics, and the feeling you get when you team up the standard 4-speed manual transmission with the 5.0 liter and put it through its paces." From the 1981 Camaro brochure.
For consignment, a 1981 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 coupe showing 64,477 kilometers, but the true miles are unknown. Not only was this car featured in a magazine that will accompany car, but is an MCACN. (Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, Illinois). Gold Award Winner, scoring 958 points out of 1,000. Only 6.6% of all Camaros in 1981 were Maroon and this one has a numbers matching drivetrain.
Exterior
Bold body stripes highlight this F-body with three colored stripes that not only run the lower panel and end with a giant Z28 on the door, but flow on the front wheels flares and along the front spoiler. The three shades of brown appear on a smaller scale framing the hood scoop on this Maroon car, and the colors flow through the words AIR INDUCTION on that same scoop. The stripes cross the rear spoiler just over the tail light panel that gives way to a hidden gas filler door. Wheel flares also dress the rear opening and a heat extraction scoop lives on each front fender. Color matched 15-inch Chevrolet Sport wheels benefit from a polished rim which creates definition before the 225/70R15's begin. Overall, the paint and decals are nice with imperfections noted that include scuffs and chips on the front spoiler and surrounding flares, chips on one side scoop, cracking paint on a trim piece, and a touched up chip.
Interior
Starting with the clean Camel door panels, it is easy to see how this car scored high in competition as they are practically flawless. With only some compression, the front buckets also present cleanly with tweed cloth on the sitting surface surrounded by Camel vinyl sides. So 1981! The rear 2+2 seats look factory fresh amongst the tan carpet that covers the hump that separates the seats and the plastic formed walls in back are spotless. Chevrolet's rope wrapped steering wheel with 4 spokes invites the driver to take hold, while a brushed nickel plate surrounds the gauges including a tachometer and clock and gauges. The vent control panel is to the left and the center area is reserved for big vents and the AM/FM/Cassette radio, while the rest of the brown dashboard is unmarred. The center console, also brown, holds the tall shifter and provides an armrest over a storage bin, all mounted over plush tan carpet here protected by simple rubber mats. The perforated vinyl headliner is sagging a bit and the trunk is clean and topped with a carpet mat.
Drivetrain
A clean and numbers matching 350ci LM1 V8 resides under the hood pumping out 175 horsepower and fueled by a 4-barrel carburetor. It's mated to a numbers matching Borg Warner T10 4-speed manual transmission sending power to the 10 bolt rear axle with 3.08 gears. The familiar gold GM brake booster means power brakes are onboard with discs in front and drums in back.
Undercarriage
Driver quality underneath where satin black paint has weathered over the years, now appearing flat but still relatively uniform and clean. There's some surface rust about, but not much and just hints of residual oil on the pan. The single exhaust splits after the cat and the two pipes reach original equipment mufflers, one suffering from a rust hole, on their way to exit discreetly under the car. Suspension is standard coil springs in front and leaf springs in back.
Drive-Ability
We take our place in this clean F-body and bring the 350 to life, shift into gear, and roll this dark red Camaro onto the test loop where it brings back some high school memories while providing straight tracking, very good handling, and adequate acceleration in this manual rendition. Though never the fastest cars on the road, it's hard to argue with charisma, and this car has miles of it! We note the clock is not working nor the wipers, but all other functions operate as they should. 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.
This era F-bodies are some of the hottest cars in the market. If you grew up in the 70's and 80's you may have had one. Or the cool kids had one and you were envious when cars helped shape your personality, and your circle of friends and companions. Well, envy no more because now that car can be yours in nearly as clean a condition as you would have found back in 1981. Right before someone added air shocks, Cragars, and traction bars. This one is true to the original.
1G1AP87L5BL126122
1-USA
G-General Motors
1-Chevrolet
A-Manual Belts
P-Camaro
87-Sport Coupe
L-350ci LM1 4bbl 175hp V8
5-Check Digit
B-1981
L-Van Nuys, CA Assy Plant
126122-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
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