Any Ideas on what model this is? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

wildeone · 06-25-2013, 05:09 PM

A longtime trusted coworker of mine in another state has had this Camaro for the past 10 years. He sent me a photo as I expressed some interest in it several years ago when he mentioned having it in passing and he is now ready to part with it. He is going to send me the VIN info sometime this week but I cannot tell from the photo what model Camaro it is as I am not very experienced with classic cars.

I am told it has a 305 in it and it is a 1979. He said it was a Berlinetta, but it does not look like the photos pf the Berlinettas I have seen. the front end looks like a Z28, but the hood is not the same as most. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

louf · 06-25-2013, 05:23 PM

looks like some z28 parts were put on,plus a aftermarket t-top and wheels,on a z28 all the chrome and grill were black

Learjetguru · 06-25-2013, 06:45 PM

Wrong wheels for a Z\28. Also the hood is stock camaro. Someone is being truthful, It's closer to a Berlinetta than a Z\28

WiSSDiver · 06-25-2013, 06:46 PM

79 or 80, but the grill is wrong for a Z28. Side ports are right and wheel flares but the grill looks like a Berlinetta. Agree with Louf, T-tops are suspect.

WiSSDiver · 06-25-2013, 06:47 PM

Duh, totally missed the hood. I think it's a Berlinetta with some Z accents.

wildeone · 06-25-2013, 07:42 PM

So it is obviously not as "all original" as he thought. I don't blame him, he, like me, is not a big classic car guy. I was just suspect based on the photos and my spider senses were correct!

I told him to photo the trim tag for me to look at.

wildeone · 06-27-2013, 07:33 PM

So based on the trim tags and VIN it is a Berlinetta. The VIN indicates a 350. Where is the typical location of a stamp on the engine? Will that confirm it is a 350?

wildeone · 06-27-2013, 08:27 PM

For what it is worth, here is a photo of the motor.

itsadryheat79 · 06-28-2013, 04:18 AM

I have two 79 Z28s - my personal favorite year!

In 79 they dropped the LT model and replaced it with the Berlinetta.
The 79 model year produced the most Camaro's - that's why we still see so many today.
The Z28 was not a model it was an option but easily decoded using the VIN and Trim Tag
The 2nd digit in the vin would be S for Berlineta
The 5th digit would be a L for 350
The 6th digit would be 9 for 1979
http://www.nastyz28.com/camaro/camaro79.php
http://www.chevy-camaro.com/chevy-ca...second-gen.asp

350 LM1 - On the top rear of the block behind the distributor and behind the driver side valve cover is the block number. It will be hard to see while the motor is in the car.
Check the pad on the block behind the alternator to see if you can see the partial vin stamped there.

Here are some pics of a 1979 LM1 350

Close-up
The gray tape is covering where the distributor shaft goes in the engine.

Close-up
Behind the drivers side valve cover.
1977 - 1981 Z28 Engine (350) - LM1, 170 - 190hp
Block 3970010 2 bolt main http://www.nastyz28.com/camaro/z28lm1.html

Close-up
Here is the partial vin engine Pad - Note that in this pic the Alternator on the right is painted blue.

wildeone · 06-28-2013, 08:50 AM

Thank you for all the great information, I really appreciate the response! I think I may be able to get the owner to find the numbers for me now. The VIN on this one starts with 1S87L9L so it looks like it came with a 350.

Now I just have to convince my wife I need it!

WiSSDiver · 06-28-2013, 10:43 AM

Do some homework on those T-Tops. I was looking at some old pic's of my 79 and the tops go all the way back, even with the vertical angle of the side windows.

Here's an old grainy pic of my Z so you know what I'm talking about.

Only reason I mention it is they leaked like a sieve and if the rubber is old, you'll have issues with it. If this will live in the garage and you'll only drive it on sunny days, you'll the T-tops.

itsadryheat79 · 06-28-2013, 10:44 AM

Your Welcome! Good luck with you project!

FINALLYSATISFIED · 06-28-2013, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildeone

Thank you for all the great information, I really appreciate the response! I think I may be able to get the owner to find the numbers for me now. The VIN on this one starts with 1S87L9L so it looks like it came with a 350.

Now I just have to convince my wife I want it!

Never tell your wife you "need" anything, lol. That's a bad way to start the conversation off.

Let us all know when you pull the trigger! Good luck!

wildeone · 06-29-2013, 07:32 PM

So it looks to me that the numbers on the engine match the numbers on the VIN so I assume that the engine is a 350 based on this. Now the million $$ question is what is the this car worth today and how does the Z28 adds effect the overall value? Is it rare to have a Berlinetta with a 350?

06-25-2013, 05:09 PM	#1
wildeone Drives: None Yet Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: United States Posts: 9	Any Ideas on what model this is? A longtime trusted coworker of mine in another state has had this Camaro for the past 10 years. He sent me a photo as I expressed some interest in it several years ago when he mentioned having it in passing and he is now ready to part with it. He is going to send me the VIN info sometime this week but I cannot tell from the photo what model Camaro it is as I am not very experienced with classic cars. I am told it has a 305 in it and it is a 1979. He said it was a Berlinetta, but it does not look like the photos pf the Berlinettas I have seen. the front end looks like a Z28, but the hood is not the same as most. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

06-25-2013, 06:45 PM	#3
Learjetguru Drives: 2011 2SS LS3 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Mississippi Posts: 180 View My Garage	Wrong wheels for a Z\28. Also the hood is stock camaro. Someone is being truthful, It's closer to a Berlinetta than a Z\28 __________________ 2011 Camaro 2SS 1969 Camaro BB 472 NOS 1997 Camaro Z28

06-25-2013, 06:46 PM	#4
WiSSDiver Drives: 1968 Coupe, 2010 2SS, 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: WIsconsin Posts: 1,252 View My Garage	79 or 80, but the grill is wrong for a Z28. Side ports are right and wheel flares but the grill looks like a Berlinetta. Agree with Louf, T-tops are suspect. __________________

06-25-2013, 06:47 PM	#5
WiSSDiver Drives: 1968 Coupe, 2010 2SS, 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: WIsconsin Posts: 1,252 View My Garage	Duh, totally missed the hood. I think it's a Berlinetta with some Z accents. __________________

06-28-2013, 04:18 AM	#9
itsadryheat79 Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE (2)79Z28 72RS 67SS 69Z Join Date: May 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 422 View My Garage	79z28 LM1 350 markings I have two 79 Z28s - my personal favorite year! In 79 they dropped the LT model and replaced it with the Berlinetta. The 79 model year produced the most Camaro's - that's why we still see so many today. The Z28 was not a model it was an option but easily decoded using the VIN and Trim Tag The 2nd digit in the vin would be S for Berlineta The 5th digit would be a L for 350 The 6th digit would be 9 for 1979 http://www.nastyz28.com/camaro/camaro79.php http://www.chevy-camaro.com/chevy-ca...second-gen.asp 350 LM1 - On the top rear of the block behind the distributor and behind the driver side valve cover is the block number. It will be hard to see while the motor is in the car. Check the pad on the block behind the alternator to see if you can see the partial vin stamped there. Here are some pics of a 1979 LM1 350 Close-up The gray tape is covering where the distributor shaft goes in the engine. Close-up Behind the drivers side valve cover. 1977 - 1981 Z28 Engine (350) - LM1, 170 - 190hp Block 3970010 2 bolt main http://www.nastyz28.com/camaro/z28lm1.html Close-up Here is the partial vin engine Pad - Note that in this pic the Alternator on the right is painted blue. __________________ - Buttons and Skulls - miss my annimated signature. Last edited by itsadryheat79; 06-28-2013 at 05:00 AM.

06-25-2013, 05:23 PM	#2
louf Drives: 07 sil 06 imp 04 cav 59 cad Join Date: May 2009 Location: pierrefonds quebec Posts: 31	looks like some z28 parts were put on,plus a aftermarket t-top and wheels,on a z28 all the chrome and grill were black

06-25-2013, 07:42 PM	#6
wildeone Drives: None Yet Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: United States Posts: 9	So it is obviously not as "all original" as he thought. I don't blame him, he, like me, is not a big classic car guy. I was just suspect based on the photos and my spider senses were correct! I told him to photo the trim tag for me to look at.

06-27-2013, 07:33 PM	#7
wildeone Drives: None Yet Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: United States Posts: 9	So based on the trim tags and VIN it is a Berlinetta. The VIN indicates a 350. Where is the typical location of a stamp on the engine? Will that confirm it is a 350?

06-27-2013, 08:27 PM	#8
wildeone Drives: None Yet Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: United States Posts: 9	For what it is worth, here is a photo of the motor.

06-28-2013, 08:50 AM	#10
wildeone Drives: None Yet Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: United States Posts: 9	Thank you for all the great information, I really appreciate the response! I think I may be able to get the owner to find the numbers for me now. The VIN on this one starts with 1S87L9L so it looks like it came with a 350. Now I just have to convince my wife I need it!

06-28-2013, 10:43 AM	#11
WiSSDiver Drives: 1968 Coupe, 2010 2SS, 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: WIsconsin Posts: 1,252 View My Garage	Do some homework on those T-Tops. I was looking at some old pic's of my 79 and the tops go all the way back, even with the vertical angle of the side windows. Here's an old grainy pic of my Z so you know what I'm talking about. Only reason I mention it is they leaked like a sieve and if the rubber is old, you'll have issues with it. If this will live in the garage and you'll only drive it on sunny days, you'll the T-tops. Attached Images __________________

06-28-2013, 10:44 AM	#12
itsadryheat79 Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE (2)79Z28 72RS 67SS 69Z Join Date: May 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 422 View My Garage	Your Welcome! Good luck with you project! __________________ - Buttons and Skulls - miss my annimated signature.

06-29-2013, 07:32 PM	#14
wildeone Drives: None Yet Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: United States Posts: 9	So it looks to me that the numbers on the engine match the numbers on the VIN so I assume that the engine is a 350 based on this. Now the million $$ question is what is the this car worth today and how does the Z28 adds effect the overall value? Is it rare to have a Berlinetta with a 350?