1978 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
Familiar to viewers was Jim Rockford's gold Pontiac Firebird Esprit car. One oft-recurring element of the show was the famous "Jim Rockford turn-around" (also known as a J-turn or a "moonshiner's turn" - commonly employed as an evasive driving technique taught to Secret Service). Garner explained the move in his 2011 autobiography The Garner Files: "When you are going straight in reverse at about 35 miles an hour, you come off the gas pedal, go hard left, and pull on the emergency brake. That locks the wheels and throws the front end around. Then you release everything, hit the gas, and off you go in the opposite direction". James Garner stated in a Season One DVD interview that he performed this stunt for the duration of the series.
For consignment, a 1978 version of the Camaro Z28. This car has undergone a cosmetic restoration and presents in excellent rust-free condition. Along the way the engine has been swapped out at 79,000 miles for a Blueprint crate engine, it has new seats and door panels, and has always been garage kept during our consignor's 5 years of ownership. Leaving nothing to the imagination on the performance side, it sounds and drives like it's on fire, and indeed could also get you to one very quickly.
Due to modifications of the emissions control devices installed by the manufacturer, please check your local, state, and federal laws to determine if this vehicle is applicable for use on public highways in your area.*
ExteriorThis generation of the Camaro has thrown out the conventional chrome bumper and now gone with the crash test neoprene V shaped front end, and it is neoprene even surrounding the round single headlights on either side. Turn signals are also inset and a black sloped forward grille in the center is looking great. The long undulating hood with its teardrop Z28 scoop and front quarters make their way back to the cabin and are bathed in lovely Medium Blue Metallic paint, just like the remainder of the car. Dressing the hood are twin white stripes that race back to the windshield, pause for the roof that is solid steel finished in matchy matchy blue sans T-tops and pick back up again on the short short trunk lid. Long doors allow for easy access, and the rear bench passengers are treated to plenty of light and scenery with the gently sloping rear glass which melts into the trunk deck that ends in a seamless spoiler and more neoprene for the rear bumper. Tail lights wrap around the rear quarters and we have a racy design fer sur! Putting 15-inch Z28 sport wheels on all 4 corners does not hurt either. A few faults are noted in the body, mostly down low we note some rust bubbling on the doors and inclusions in the paint at the base of the front and rear quarters along with some cracks in the hood scoop.
Interior
Nicely stitched paneled new doors are inside and showing off in black. Keeping in theme, the front buckets are black but have puffy tuck and roll inserts. The bolsters and high backs with integrated headrests are all smooth black vinyl. A 2 plus 2 rear seat in the same pattern is looking mostly unused and in excellent condition. The square and rectangle design genre is abundant utilizing some brushed aluminum-like material for the cluster with dual round gauges in the center and surrounding smaller rounds at the corners. The heater slides reside to the driver's lower left along with an aftermarket AM/FM/Cassette player to the driver's lower right and 2 more essential gauges added to the radio's left with an EQ residing at the front top of the console. The original steering wheel badged in Z28 with its 4 splines wrapped in cording showing a fair amount of paint loss. A vinyl textured center console provides storage and a place for the shifter, and is racing between the buckets and towards the 2 plus 2's in the back. Black carpet floods the floors and floats this calm black interior nicely.
Drivetrain
Prior to flipping the hood, I could feel the Heartbeat of America, and opening up the hood I witnessed it in all its black block and polished parts glory. A Blueprint Engines 350ci crate V8 all polished and nice sports headers and a chromed air cleaner cover. This potent bowtie mill makes a dyno proven 399.7hp all on premium pump gas. On the back is a TH350 transmission that sends power back to a 10 bolt rear axle. Just a beauty to look at...Lub dub, lub, dub...
Undercarriage
Up on the lift the undercarriage shows some surface rust, patina and road dirt covered steel and some dampness from the pumpkin. The unibody front and rear is showing in strong black painted steel. Power disc brakes are upfront, and power drums on back. Also, a Flowmaster exhaust sans catalytic converters is taking the spent gasses from the headers. Providing the sporty ride is an independent coil sprung front suspension and a leaf spring rear arrangement.
Drive-Ability
She fired right up, and all was good on the warmup to the test track. Here it handled well, had smooth acceleration, and straight bias free panic stopping. Steering was tight, and the overall ride was comfortable, even at cruising speed. A few frowns to note were the AC being removed, the tachometer not reading RPM, and the heater blower not working on the high position. I did not attempt the "moonshiner's" turn but wanted to just in deference to Jim Rockford!
If you are looking for a Z28 in classic late 70's style, stop here, as this is it. Overall rust free, with numerous performance upgrades and new interior parts, all running just perfectly. Great looks and a fine runner, just near showroom condition here in 2023, right out of 1978.
1Q87L8N583675
1-Chevrolet
Q-Camaro
87-Sport Coupe
L-350ci V8 185hp
8-1978
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
583675-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 78 1FQ87-1978 Camaro 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY N217449-Norwood Body #
TR 24B A51-Blue Cloth Buckets
PNT 24U 24L-Bright Blue
04A-1st Week April
Z28-Z28 Performance Package
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
