79 Z28.. What to look for?

[camaroitalia]

Going tomorrow morning to check out a 1979 Camaro Z28. What are some things I should keep an eye out for or be sure to inspect? Any questions I should be sure to ask? It is going to be a project.

[bannonm]

Check out how much bondo is on it. I had a new 78 and it was nothing but a rust bucket.

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[camaroitalia]

Originally Posted by CC Performance

rear quarters behind the door, rear window , floor boards.... get vin make sure its a real z28 car

i did research on the vin and came up with the second digit should be Q to show sport coupe, rs, or Z28 and the fifth should be L to show a real 350.

How can I check to see how much bondo was used??

[CamaroKid]

Originally Posted by camaroitalia

i did research on the vin and came up with the second digit should be Q to show sport coupe, rs, or Z28 and the fifth should be L to show a real 350.

How can I check to see how much bondo was used??

The 5.7L 350ci V8 engine was available on all models during 1978, so the VIN will not tell you if it is a real Z28 or not.

When you're under the hood, check the trim tag on top of the firewall. If it is a Norwood car (VIN code N), it will list "Z28", if it is a Van Nuys car (VIN code L), it will list an "8" near the last set of numbers (example: 8665102)

[bannonm]

Originally Posted by camaroitalia

i did research on the vin and came up with the second digit should be Q to show sport coupe, rs, or Z28 and the fifth should be L to show a real 350.

How can I check to see how much bondo was used??

Bring a magnet and see how well it sticks to the panels

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[David79z28]

Here are the most common places they rust:

Passener floor pan
Lower front fenders (both sides)
Rear 1/4 panel
Tail panel
Corners of cowl by windshield

Door hinges sag eventually and are costly to fix.

Most parts are repopped now so you can fix most issues that you come across except for the toe boards which seam to rust easier on the passenger. I am forming metal to replace mine.

Look for signs that the car has been in an accident. Look at else electrical connections and the fuse box to make sure no one rigged anything.

Anything you come across can be fixed. Just depends on how much time and money you want to spend...

I also recommend that you join Nastyz28.com. It is a great resource for getting help and locating parts, etc.

Good luck, keep us updated..

[itsadryheat79]

I have two 79 Z28s so I have lots of experience with fixing them and knowing what to look for.

Rust -
I have seen rust in the places David79Z28 listed. Even in AZ you can get rust to accumulate near the bottom of the front and rear qtr panels next to the door if debris gets stuck in the weep holes over time. Look in the trunk header and under the hood cowl too.
The doors will sag. You can pick up on the door when it’s open from the handle and wiggle it. Look at the hinges and see if they have shims or look like the pins were replaced. Replacing pins and shims is relatively easy but broken hinges are no fun.
Look at the rear tail light plastic - finding a good set is getting hard to find. Last I looked OEM parts group has not re-poped this part yet but it is in the catalog at GroundUp.com so I hope to see them soon.

The forward facing non functional hood scoop for the 79 has just been re-poped so it's not as hard to get anymore. The wavy flexible Urethane rubber nose can be replaced @F-Body Warehouse and maybe others with a more solid Fiberglass or Felx-Glass for a more forgiving unit.

The Camaro had a 13digit VIN up until the 1981 model year it changed to a 17digit number. Using title or VIN search services to track down history will not work because these services use the 17digit # we call the standard today.

* The 79z28 VIN is one of the easiest to spot should have a vin like 1Q87L9Nxxxxxx or 1Q87L9Lxxxxxx.
Seventh Digit Production Plant: N=Norwood,Ohio, L=Van Nuys

Pay attention to the VIN and badging - 1979 was the biggest production year for the Camaro and there are still a lot of cars out there. If the motor is original you can find the vin stamped on it - look at the passenger side front of the engine block near the alternator.
http://www.chevy-camaro.com/chevy-ca...oding-help.asp
It's easy to try and clone a LT, RS or Berlinetta to a Z28 by putting a rear spoiler on the back and the front louvered quarter panels of a z28.
If the interior is original you may be able to find a copy of the original build sheet behind the rear seat. Be careful when removing it. No matter what you do to the car it’s neat to see what was on the car originally.
Join NastyZ28.com and Chevy-camaro.com – Really good info there!
For a VIN decoder go here:
http://www.chevy-camaro.com/chevy-ca...second-gen.asp
For Trim tag code decoder go here:
http://www.chevy-camaro.com/chevy-ca...ecode-1979.asp

* Vehicle Identification Number Example: 1Q87L2L100000
First Digit Division: 1=General Motors
Second Digit Series: Q=Camaro (1972-9), P=Camaro (1980), S=Type LT (73-78) or Berlinetta (79-80)
Third & Fourth Digits Body Style: 87=Sport Coupe/Camaro
Fifth Digit Engine: See Engine Codes Below
Sixth Digit Year: 3=73,4=74,5=75,6=76,7=77,8=78,9=79,A=80
Seventh Digit Production Plant: N=Norwood,Ohio, L=Van Nuys
Last Six Digits increase by one with each car built at each plant

[shank0668]

The complete bottom edge of every panel. Quarters especially. Trunk and floors. Also check the rear frame rails. They are known to rust out.

[camaroitalia]

wow thanks guys for the information! it helped a lot. Unfortunatley the car I looked at had to much rust on the floor for me, and the stories the guy was giving was not adding up. I am still in the hunt for one!!!
I have checked out nastyZ28.com but i cant seem to get around that forum as easy as i do on camaro5 lol

[itsadryheat79]

Keep your eye out for the rarest of the 79/80/81 late model Camaro Z28's

Hugger Camaros
http://www.motortopia.com/cars/1980-...t-camaro-16437

1979 Camaro Ultra Z
http://1979ultrazcamaro.blogspot.com...27934642802210

Yenko Turbo Z
http://www.yenko.net/dealers/yenko.htm#81Camaros
www.nastyz28.com/2gcog/stegmiller/81yenko.htm

The Second Gen convertible
http://www.performance-years.com/Pro...nvertible.aspx

MACHO Z and Z29
CHEVERA
The notable California Highway Patrol 1979 Z28s.
http://www.nastyz28.com/2gcog/stegmiller/special.htm

C-150 Camaro’s
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/645951...-camaro/page-3


Just for fun! (this is one of my 79s)
1979Z28 - Endless Dream - www.camaroshowcar.com

[David79z28]

Look at the rear tail light plastic - finding a good set is getting hard to find. Last I looked OEM parts group has not re-poped this part yet but it is in the catalog at GroundUp.com so I hope to see them soon.

FYI: Fbody Warehouse has a few in stock if you are looking for some.

http://www.fbodywarehouse.com/fbw/home.php?cat=33

$300, ouch!!!

[David79z28]

Originally Posted by CC Performance

I'm resto-modding one right now.. triple black car from the Van Nuys plant..

Wanna trade???

Sounds like an awesome build.. Do you has pictures anywhere on the web???

[Hotchkis]

Originally Posted by camaroitalia

Going tomorrow morning to check out a 1979 Camaro Z28. What are some things I should keep an eye out for or be sure to inspect? Any questions I should be sure to ask? It is going to be a project.

Camaroitalia – Are you looking for a car to build into a Pro-Touring car or rebuild stock? Good luck on your hunt! 2nd-gen Camaros are getting more popular by the minute.

[Cpanthers85]

Anyone able to find whole quarter panels? I think Yearone has the bottom half, but I am rusted out underneath the window, too...