Possible Z/28? 1970 Chevrolet Camaro RS
1970 was the year of the first redesign of the successful Chevy Camaro. It was launched in 1967 as a counter-measure against the wildly popular Ford Mustang. It was sleeker than before and sold so well that the second generation would last 12 model years before it was redone again. This 1970 Camaro, with the Rally Sport option (and a hint of a Z/28), looks to have been languishing outdoors for quite some time – and no longer has an engine or transmission. It can be found in Ft. Pierce, Florida and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $6,500 or best offer.
Due to some production delays, the 1970 Camaro (and Pontiac’s Firebird) debuted in the middle of the 1970 model year. To fill the gap, the 1969 production run was extended. While some folks think the ’69 was also called a ’70 or the new cars were a ’70 ½, that’s not so. The model years ran in normal sequence. This delay caused the 1970 model year output to be slightly below its predecessor, but Chevy still sold a respectable 121,353 units. Of those, 37,773 had the Rally Sport (RS) option and 8,733 were equipped as Z/28’s. Because the SS and Z/28 were also options, some of these packages could have been combined and the number of those pairings is unknown. It’s possible that the seller’s car is also a Z/28, but the only indication of that is an emblem on the driver’s front fender (but not on the other side). The RS was easily identifiable because of its split-grille with Endura snout. Drivin It Home helped here with the production numbers.
The seller’s car looks rather sad posing on a trailer. We’re told it was found under a giant pepper tree, but the seller didn’t snap a pic of that stage in the car’s banishment. The Camaro has no motor or transmission and there is no reference as to what those were from the factory. Since it’s not likely an SS, it could easily have been a 307 or 350 with a Powerglide or Turbo Hydramatic. If perchance this is a Z/28, the motor would have been the new high-performance LT-1 from the Corvette, capable of a little more than one horsepower per cubic inch (350 V-8). None of the four wheels on the car match, no doubt they borrowed wheels to get it loaded onto the trailer.
I can’t quite make out the year on the registration sticker on the license plate, but it could be either ‘90 or ‘00. That would indicate the car has been off the road for at least 20 years. The front half of the car looks better than the rear, but the back glass area, trunk and rear quarters are pretty much shot. Rust is likely in the doors and the RS grill is missing. Whoever buys this car is going to spend a fortune on body and sheet metal work. We’re not afforded any interior photos, so all we know is that it’s black. If the body is this bad, the interior can’t be much better.
If this were a top-flight RS-Z/28, start at $30,000 and go up. Even in fair condition, it could probably fetch half that. A full restoration is going to require the resources of a rich uncle with a Swiss bank account. And, based on what we can see, the ability for this car to even be a donor for another project is suspect, especially at the asking price. Unless you like a challenge, a survivor in better condition would make more financial sense.
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Comments
License tags would be from 2000 as Florida cars need to be at least 30 years old to be eligible for collectible plates. Can’t see even $1k for this POS.
It’s a sickness man,known as Barrett Jacksonitis
Holy Mother of Mary! This is arguably the most far gone second gen F-body I’ve ever done seen!
I think they meant to say $65.00 .
“$6495 for the collectible license plate, but you have to take the attached car for another $5.”
To say that the elements in FL haven’t been kind to this car is an understatement…
Would be interesting to do an experiment with 2 same model cars in the same condition and put them up on e-bay at no reserve. One car would be just like this one with junk all over it and parts hanging off plopped on a trailer. The second one would be off the trailer, loose parts arranged in neat rows, have an auto detailer do a super basic clean-up and then take really good quality photographs. I wonder what the $$ difference would be?
If this car could be stripped down to the bare metal, and the right body parts could be obtained and installed, this would probably make a good pro-touring project, especially if said project was done by a professional shop.
Nobody is going to build this into a Pro Touring car. Those guys start with the cleanest body they can find since they replace or upgrade the entire drivetrain and suspension. This is a $500 to $1,000 parts car depending on the condition of the RS components and how many 1970 specific interior parts are left.
Steve R
Well, I admit there was something I neglected to mention. When I first commented on this, I was thinking in terms of a car being media blasted to get rid of rust before the work could begin.
I remember that Classic Recreations in Oklahoma often did this when they had the license to build the Eleanor Mustangs from the remake of Gone In 60 Seconds.
That situation has probably changed since new Mustang bodies are being manufactured by Dynacorn these days.
There is still no reason to start with an early-70’s Camaro that’s this rusty. Chevrolet produced well over 400,000 70-73 Camaro, which outwardly differ from each other with a few bolt on trim parts. Straight, rust free body’s aren’t particularly hard to find. When someone sat down and started planning their build they would quickly realize which path would be cheaper and easier.
Steve R
At what $50,000 for a car worth 30k tops, no way. Someone is brainwashed.
I’d pass this like a car driving too slow in the right-hand lane on the highway
Stick a fork in it its done.
The 70 1/2 RS had a short rear spoiler and shorter bucket seats with headrests so this could be a Z/28.
Hope the flipper didn’t pay too much for this pile ; I think he may be stuck with this one !
I absolutely LOVE 2nd generation Camaros and, call me crazy but, the 1974 models are my favorite. There’s just something about that 1 year only, big bumper/small rear window that does it for me.
In my opinion, even if this one was once a real 1970 RS/Z28 it’s not now and never will be again. I’m sorry but this one just isn’t worth fixing. As a parts car, it’s not worth anything close to the price either.
thats not a short rear spoiler hahaha