49K Mile: 1981 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
Listed two days ago, this 1981 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 is located in Conroe, Texas just north of Houston. The seller states that the car has been driven just 49,000 miles since new. It is listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $18,500. The Z28 is blue with a blue interior. Chevrolet offered three different hues of blue in 1981 including Code 20 bright blue, Code 21 Light Blue and Code 29 Dark Blue. The dark blue was also offered on the Pontiac Trans Am and referred to as Midnight or Nightwatch Blue. It looks stunning with the gold accents and stripes.
The matching blue interior is well kept and includes an aftermarket radio and digital clock. The seats are vinyl and cloth and appear new. The seller states that the car has not been registered since 1984 but does have a clear blue Texas title. The gauges and interior functions are said to be in working order, even the seat belt buzzer. The car is equipped with factory air conditioning but it is not blowing cold due to a freon leak. Everything else on the car looks factory. Chevrolet built 43,272 Camaro Z28’s in 1981. The 1980 and 1981 Camaro Z28’s were fitted with functional air induction hood scoops. The flapper on the rear side of the scoop opened under full throttle to let cool air into the air cleaner.
Under the hood is the original LM1 350 cubic inch V8 engine that sends power to the rear wheels via a 3 speed automatic transmission. This was the first year that GM equipped with Z28 with Computer Command Control (CCC) to monitor emissions and adjust the timing of the car automatically. The seller states that the Rochester Quadrajet has been rebuilt along with new brakes and a tune up. In stock form, the Z28 with the LM1 engine was rated at 175 horsepower and 275 lb ft of torque. This engine was only available in the US with an automatic transmission on the Z28. A buyer could opt for a 4 speed transmission but that was only available with a LG4 305 cubic inch 165 horsepower engine.
One of the interesting things about this car is that it is painted Code 29 dark blue but the data tag on the cowl shows that the factory color was Code 21 which would have been light blue. Do to the missing stickers and some of the rust issues, the color change to darker blue probably occurred when the car was repainted as stated by the seller. The Z28 rides on aftermarket wheels and tires which don’t look bad but I prefer the stock aluminum wheels that were an option in 1981. The seller states that the car also needs new shocks. This is not a bad price for a great looking car.
Auctions Ending Soon
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now2 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now2 days$4,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now2 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now4 days$10,500
1974 Datsun 260ZBid Now6 days$460
Comments
Nice car. Agree the wheels don’t fit the looks of the car. Aggressive look needs aggressive style wheels.
The wheels do fit the looks of the car, if we are still in the 1980’s!
I usually prefer stock myself but this car looks sharp with the gold BBS rims/gold stripes and dark blue paint. I’d leave the rims and maybe pair them with a lower profile, black wall tire.
I like it. Even the wheels.
I almost ordered this color on my ’81 Camaro, but the Sales Manager talked me out of it. He said that GM was having an issue with this metallic color failing early on and that they had been doing warranty repaints. So, I ordered black instead.
2 years later, my car was at the dealership for a catalytic converter problem and there was a person waiting to pick up their dark blue Camaro that was in for a warranty repaint.
Those wheels would look good on my white 1986 Ford Escort Hatchback, 4sp.
They’d be worth more than the car, Chuck.
the 85 mph Speedometer ruins everything