1973 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Tribute

Second generation F-bodies almost met their demise in 1972.  The UAW strike disrupted production for 174 days and by the end of the strike the 1,100 unfinished Camaro had to be scrapped because they could not meet the new 1973 federal bumper safety standards.  In 1973, the split bumperette flanked a reinforced bumper behind a urethane grille surround.  

For consignment, a 1973 Chevrolet Camaro dressed up to pay tribute to the performance model, the Z28.  This garage kept beauty is very clean and sports a period correct 350ci engine, aftermarket wheels, and a gleaming red paint job with Z28 stripes.  When it pulls into the car show, you'll swear a Z28 just arrived! 

Exterior
Rally Red is the color of choice here and it's a good one.  It's no accident that fire engines are red.  They get your attention and so does this car!  The black stripes are painted, not decals, and run over the cowl induction hood, over the trunk lid, and around the rear spoiler.  Who doesn't love the face of the split bumper Camaros with their gaping center grille and marker lights that match the width of the bumpers.  A front air dam has been added here, another Z28 design feature.  15-inch polished American Racing Torque Thrust wheels glisten on the corners and pick up other metal features including the door handles, window trim, Z28 badges, and dual exhaust tips exiting straight from the back.  The stance is enhanced with a slightly raked attitude and the dual round tail lights are, at the risk of overusing a word, epic, and befitting a muscle car.  Overall, the paint is in good condition, and we note some imperfections including a strip of invasive rust and holes in the rocker panel, bubbling in spots, previous touch ups, visible rust under bubbles, cracking in previously applied Bondo, and chipped paint. 

Interior
Molded plastic and vinyl inserts make up the black door panels, in good shape with a few chips in the lower painted portion.  The black vinyl buckets seats present well and have a nice sheen.  The rear seats mirror the condition and the plastic panels in back are in great condition.  The vintage Chevy steering wheel leads to brushed aluminum aftermarket dash panel housing modern AutoMeter white faced gauges with red needles.  The panel has some slight fitment issues but does give the interior a modern spin and provides vital information through the gauges.   An AM/FM/CD radio is also a modern addition located in the center of the dashboard.   The floor mounted Hurst shifter is housed in a deep cove and accordion boot and topped with the classic white ball knob.  In typical F-body fashion, the center armrest doubles as the lid for a storage compartment.  Loop style black carpet covers the floor along with Z28 branded rubber mats.  That, and the stitched black headliner look great.  The truck is lined in a black mat that shows some usage. 

Drivetrain
A period correct 350ci V8 engine is perched under the cowl hood and has a 4-barrel Holley carburetor on top of an Edelbrock Performer intake manifold.  A Saginaw 4-speed manual is underfoot and sends power to the rear 10-bolt and 3.08 gears.  Power disc brakes grab the front rotors while power drums back them up in the rear.  Visually, the engine bay is clean and contains many polished parts along with coated headers that send the exhaust downward. 

Undercarriage
Relatively clean underneath.  Typical surface rust on some parts and some fluid on the belly of the transmission are noted.  Also, some more heavier surface rust and light invasive rust on a frame rail shows some flaking and deep pitting.  The dual exhaust comes from the headers and meets a pair of Flowmaster mufflers and then heads rearward.  Independent suspension with coil springs is up front and leaf springs in the back, where we note dry bushings, an easy fix. 

Drive-Ability
The open air element and cowl hood allow the engine to breathe as we prime the carb and turn the key and venture back to 1973.  This may lack some of the mechanical features of a Z28, but it has all the presence and the 350 runs well, provides good acceleration, and handling with the slightly staggered tires is good.  The brakes, internal electronics, and other functions work as they should.  We note the reverse lights are not illuminating.  

The Z28 was the king of the road, and like the King of Rock and Roll, it will forever have its tributes.  The Z28 combined racy looks with the performance to back it up and this car is a great opening act if you can't get into the main show.  Reserve your front row seat by calling the mall today or stop in for a backstage pass. 

1Q87F3N123921

1-Chevrolet
Q-Camaro
87-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
F-307ci 2bbl 115hp V8
3-1973
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
123921-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

ST 73 1FQ87-1973 Camaro 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY N035604-Norwood Body #
TR 779 A51-Neutral Vinyl Buckets
PNT 74 74-Dark Red
01A-1st Week January

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