11,780 Original Miles: 1995 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
One of the unsung heroes of the 1990s enthusiast vehicle marketplace at the moment is the fourth-generation Chevrolet Camaro. Unlike the third-gen models that have become increasingly popular in recent years, the middle 90s version seems to languish a bit, unloved by the masses even as GenXers and old millennials continue to snatch up the cars of their youth. This low-mileage 1995 Z28 listed here on craigslist comes with the desirable (and hard to find) six-speed manual and appears to be in near time-warp condition. It’s located in Lexington, Michigan, and thanks to Barn Finds reader Rocco B. for sending it in.
The fourth-generation Camaro, in my opinion, is a smoking deal right now. It’s decidedly more modern than the third generation platform, meaning you can use it as a daily without too much sacrifice. It’s a fairly big car by two-door standards with an actual backseat, making it fairly useful as well. The parts aftermarket is vast and power upgrades are numerous, along with suspension tuning and wheel and tire swaps. You can repair them in your driveway and the looks have aged well. It remains a bit of a shock to me as to why this car hasn’t found more favor among enthusiasts.
Sure, the interiors were typical GMs 90s low-rent materials and fabric, and there’s no getting around that. But a set of Recaros would literally transform this cockpit while leaving everything else alone. I understand that nostalgia is driving the earlier models higher, so perhaps the fourth generation cars will have their time in the sun in a few years. The seller’s car looks every bit as cherry as you’d expect for having only 12,000 miles on the clock, and I’m guessing this is one of the lowest mileage cars in existence that isn’t a pace car or later SS. The no-cost option 6-speed makes this one even more desirable, and fairly rare to boot.
The 5.7 L LT1 engine made a respectable 275 b.h.p. and 325 lb-ft of torque, a number that will still let you keep up with traffic with ease. The other bonus about a car like this is that it will pretty much only need oil changes, spark plugs, and the occasional belt to keep it running well enough to drive at a moment’s notice, and the seller has already replaced the battery and tires. The price is certainly top of the market for one of these, but considering you’re effectively getting a brand-new Camaro for under $25,000, I don’t see much to complain about. Do you think the fourth generation Camaros deserve more respect in the collector car marketplace?
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Comments
These were/are a nice respectable package with an enduring, if quirky, design. I rue parting with my low-mileage ’97 Z28 12 years ago. You’d want to learn a little about the Optispark ignition system were you to get this car. I had one of those quit on me in a car wash on a ’94 Z28. That era’s low mileage Z28s were a dime-a-dozen 15 years ago but I’d say there’s some love building out there for these.
It was cold too, that evening when the ’94 Z28 conked out on me in the car wash. I don’t remember my complete panic when this happened but we (the Z28 and me) were racing time in that moment. There was a good bit of residual heat built-up under the hood. The Optispark was drying out even as I was figuring out what I was going to do next. The Z28 rolled to a stop just outside the car wash in the cold. It was nighttime and no other vehicles were behind me; for the time being that is. Miracle of miracles, unbeknownst to me right then, the Optispark dried out enough so that when I went to fire it up ten minutes or so later, the LT1 roared to life.
I put in an order at the GMSPO (parts warehouse) where I worked that Monday when got back to work. The Optispark, plugs and wires. All Delco OEM items. After these parts had all been installed the following weekend I had no further problems with that vehicle’s ignition; even in car washes. I traded the Z28 on a 2000 Z28 Camaro with the ground effects package and unique spoilers, front and rear. Beautiful pewter color which would change, add character, as the angle of the sun’s rays
struck it. It was a real beauty of a vehicle.
Nostromo, your 2000 Z28 reminds me on my ’99. I bought it as a leftover in 2000 off the showroom floor – a 6-speed loaded with everything, including the ground effects package (rear spoiler on top of the stock rear spoiler), white seats, and chrome wheels.
I still miss that one and thinking of picking up a 4th gen SS convertible someday.
That’s a strong ask for a LT1 car. Case in point: here’s a 15k mile LS, 2002 SS SLP that went for $17,750 on the often over-priced BaT:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2002-chevrolet-camaro-ss-45/
The LS cars are better in every way. I know what I would spend my money on.
Ive always liked and wanted one of these,and still do.Checks all of the boxes:Black,6 speed,low mileage.Like my current ride,a ’95 Mustang GT,this body style hasn’t come into its own yet,and weren’t popular when introduced,having tuff acts to follow with (Mustang)Fox bodies and the 3rd Gen IROC-Zs.But they’ll have their day soon
Good eye Rocco. Find another car in this era with this kind of bang for the buck performance. Black, 6sp, like Jeremy said seals the deal.
Bang for the buck is definitely here. The 6 speed is a huge plus. The ask is tall thou for a mid 90’s, non SS, Camaro with beauty in the eye of the beholder. I am trying to be respectful to its quirky design…
Do Sparkplugs go bad with age? I think they were supposed to be “Lifetime” but I had mine changed at 100K and 200K, and the difference was noticeable, I think the mechanic’s still cursing. My 94 was identical to this, except mine didn’t have the power windows/locks or leather wrapped shifter (put a Hurst in it anyway) made the armrest much cleaner without the controls for the windows/locks, did get the power seat. Sucks that they didn’t get true dual exhaust until a few years later, that elevation in the passenger floor is the Cat.
Frank