Rally Sport Option: 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
The Chevy Camaro was an all-new car in 1970, but it would take a few years for it to become as popular as the first-generation models (1967-69). The auto was little changed in 1971 except for the use of high-back bucket seats compared to buckets with headrests. This project is a Z/28 with the Rally Sport option, which might be a harder combination to find these days, regardless of condition. Located in Dumont, New Jersey, this vehicle runs but will need a lot of attention inside and out. It’s available here on eBay where the reserve is unmet at the current bid of $10,000.
Camaro production numbers were off in 1970 due to a slow start after some delays in getting the new bodywork ready for mass duplication. But that doesn’t explain a drop from 124,900 to 114,600 units in the second year of the new design. Some of it may have to do with the muscle car side of demand, which was tapering off after insurance rates began to penalize buyers of notably fast automobiles. In ’71, fewer than 4,900 buyers laid down $787 extra to get the Z/28 option and some of those came with the $179 Rally Sport trim, which changed the position of the turn signals (but not hidden headlights like those in the first generation).
Z/28s were no longer limited to 305 cubic inch engines (from their earlier SCCA days), so they came with a 350 V8 with a 4-speed manual as standard equipment. The seller’s car, said to be a real deal Z/28, has a period-correct motor installed by the dealer, probably due to a warranty issue early on. But we’re told the tranny and rear-end are what was in the Chevy when new. The Z will run around the yard under its own power, but that’s all we know about its mechanical health.
The Nevada Silver paint is rough, and the seller says the only major sheet metal issue involves the need to swap out the driver’s side front fender. The black interior may be okay, but it’s dirty from the Chevy sitting for some length of time (we’re not told how long). The seller adds that the lights and gauges all work properly and the indicated mileage is 52,500. If you’re looking for one of these machines to restore, this Camaro seems complete and worthy of attention if priced right.
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Comments
Is it an original M22 car?? If it is it’s 1 of 1290 Z/28’s for ‘71. Rare!!!!!
That is rare. I know the total for 1970 was 8733, but had no idea on 1971 numbers, of any kind. This would be a great one to restore…
4spd yes. That year engine was low compression lt1 9.5 545 casting cylinder head pink rod steel crank. Auto was th400 6bolt converter. Another option was a 12bolt diff. That car was good for 13sec quarter mile
Hey greenhorn, good job I read a lot of these comments and so many people have wrong information. I’m an original owner of a 70 1/2 Z/28 ,
I remembered getting out of the military and my dad took me down to Fletcher Jones Chevrolet in Encino, California, where we bought one of two color code 20 Z/28’s which is said Muslim blue with black stripes when the paperwork was done a quarter mile away was a freeway on ramp and I took my dad for a ride Soon as I turned onto the freeway, I just nailed it at the top of third at the top of the on ramp at about 90 miles an hour I hit fourth and looked at my dad and I saw he was gripping my lower seat interior so tight and pin back in the seat. He said to me if I knew this was this kind of car you would’ve never gotten it (ha ha) I’m still laughing about it to this day
I do have a Z28 now it’s not my original four-speed car, which was an M22(and the comment to the gentleman that mentioned about an optional 12bolt rear end If you got to Z28 package, it was mandatory to have a 12bolt Rear End) by the way, I still have my second Z28 turbo 400 car L88 converter with completely blueprint it counter exchange which they called a CE motor LT one true decked Pete Jackson gear Drive special machine, work to numerous to mention here, Norris, stainless steel, roller rockers, and a special crowler cam, I still have the original LT1 that came with the car last time I drove the car. It was a real attention getter when I pulled into Bob’s parking lot where Jay Leno sometimes hangs out and they were all talking and they’re all little groups. They all stop what they were doing and viewed my vehicle coming into the parking lot. All right enough of me tooting my own horn.
OK I’ve owned a new in 70 1/2 Z28 4 spd and now still own a 72 Z28 RS all original Z car with 23,000 Orig miles so I know a thing or 2 about the Z28 the 70 Z28 with 11:1 comp bone stock was running low 14 sec 1/4mile times I know I did it at N.E. Dragway several times in 71 comp lowered to 9:1 and the 12 bolt rear went away 10 bolt was the standard 1/4 Mike times went to mid 14’s still respectful the large spoiler was optional but the small was still standard I have the M21 in my 72 Z28 don’t be mis ked with the Net H.P. ratings in 72 the LT1 350 was basically identical to the 71 LT1 solid lifters 780 dual feet single pump holley carb same gross H.P. I’ve read numerous articles back in 71, 72 that stated the LT1 350 hasn’t changed 1 iota! 73 was the bigger downfall to the L82 350 hydraulic lifters low profile intake cast steel and Rochester Quadrajet carb but still a great car I had friends that had all years of course the 70 was the Most Stout!
NOM is no longer original
Not one engine bay pic(?) That’s just bizarre………
Jay Leno grew up in Andover Mass he hung around at the Macdonalds in Andover I live a couple towns north of there and I would drive my 701/2 Z28 over there and hang out!
That’s odd 305 didn’t come out until 1976.
I agree about the 305 comment. I often wonder about the qualifications of people that write some of these articles. I’m old enough that I bought a 69 Camaro in 69. I have since owned a 72, 77 Z28, 79 Z28, and now on a 89 iroc z. The author of the story should know that 67-68-69 z28s came with 302s. A much different engine than a 305.
My uncle had a 71 RS. 350 with an auto trans. Had 50’s on back, 60’s on front. Aluminum slotted wheels. I was only about 14 at the time. It was sitting in the front yard with starter issues and I told him if I fixed it I got to drive it and without hesitation he threw me the keys. All it needed was shimmed. Don’t know what was done to it but it would go sideways for a quarter mile without any problem. Damn it was fast!! One of the funnest cars I remember driving in my younger days. Hope this one gets the love it deserves.
Try finding a 14 year old today that could do that or even finding one willing to learn would be like finding a unicorn.
This also has the rare radio relocation option. But seriously, the rear spoiler seems to be from a 70 1/2 Z. It is definitely a worthy restoration candidate.
I’ve always wanted one of these, sadly out of my price range now. Much prefer the rs front over the standard. Body looks like it has normal F body rust, a good stripping would be the first thing to do before any rust repair.
What was included with the R/S option?
1971 Z22 Rally Sport – Includes special black painted grille with special rubber tipped vertical center bar and resilient body color grille frame; Independent LH and RH front bumpers replacing full width bumper; license plate bracket mounted below RH bumper; parking lights with bright accents mounted on grille panel; Hide-a-Way windshield wipers with black-chrome finished arms and articulated left hand blade; bright roof drip, window, and hood panel moldings; RS emblem on steering wheel; Rally Sport front fender nameplates; bright accented taillights and back-up lights. (RS emblems deleted with SS or Z28 option). Too much to list, copied and pasted.
Still has the original rims nice
Z/28’s went to a 10 bolt differential in 71. 12 bolt was not an option.
Orginal tires ? Best wheels GM ever out on a car back then……
A manual transmission Camaro is hard to find. Considering what people bought these cars for you would think that the manual transmission would be heavily favored like with the 1979-93 Mustang.
There is no such thing as a 70 1/2 Z28, They just did not come out till the middle of the year. So almost everybody called them 70 and a 1/2