General Motors introduced the second-generation Chevy Camaro for the 1970 model year, with production lasting until 1981. In addition to being lower, longer, and wider than the preceding first-generation model, the second-gen Camaro offered a more refined approach to both comfort and performance, and was considered more of a driver’s car overall. Now, we’re getting a walkaround of one of the later second-gen Camaros with this 1979 Z28 model.
Following its discontinuation in 1975 in the face of tightening emissions regulations, the Chevy Camaro Z28 returned in 1977, with Chevy offering the option in response to increasing sales for the Pontiac Trans Am. Under the hood was a 350 cubic-inch (5.7L) V8 engine topped by a four-barrel carburetor, with output measured at 185 horsepower (or, for California residents, 175 horsepower).
The following 1978 model year introduced a new body-colored urethane front and rear bumper, with Chevy Camaro Z28 models featuring a non-functioning hood scoop. The hood scoop was underlined with a set of decals emphasizing its pointed, narrow shape.
This particular example is covered in yellow paint, and features a set of Z28 decals spread across the body. There’s also yellow and orange striping along the lower front air dam, along the lower profile, and along the rear trunk lid, adding even more of a visual punch to the aesthetic.
We also see a set of fender vents and matching yellow wheels. Amber turn signals can be found in the taillamps.
Inside, this 1979 Chevy Camaro Z28 gets a beige and brown interior treatment, with a Z28 logo located inside the steering wheel.
If you’re a diehard Chevy Camaro fan, then this video is definitely worth a watch. Clocking in at just one minute, 11 seconds, it’s quick, but does highlight some of the 1979 Chevy Camaro’s various exterior highlights.
This video is part of Chevy’s week-long virtual car show, with previous installments including a look at the 1914 Chevrolet Series H, a brief synopsis of Chevy’s truck heritage, and a look at the Bow Tie brand’s performance history.
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Comments
looks awesome fell in love with this car as a kid
Love the 2nd generation, had a 74, 79 and 80, Still have my 02. love my Z28’s
Had a1978 Z-28 white with light blue trim package wishing I still had. Nice year.
👍👍👍👍👍👍❤❤❤❤👍👍👍👍👍👍
The Trans Am far exceeded the Z in handling and power. In the right hands the T/A could outperform the vette and it is problematic suspension.
I bought1979 Z-28 new in 1979 and has never been driven in winter or any bad weather or conditions today I still have it 41 yrs. later and has only 8,800 miles on the clock, still has original plugs, brakes ,hoses and ect.,tires have been changed for safety and car’s protection but still have original Goodyear polysteel radials. Dark Blue Met. paint looks as in 79. How time goes by fast
Bought a new 1978 Z28 Blue/ Blue in high school. Those were the days.
When I got married in1981 I had a 1976 Camaro sport coupe and my wife had 1977 LT she ordered from Factory with a 305 and 3-speed manual. We later bought a used 1979 sport coupe. Wish we still had her ’77 cause was unique combo. The aluminum bumpers were odd but never really liked urethane fascia.
Was the shifter on the column ? A “three on the tree”.
Three on the floor. Salesman said it would be in the tree. Burnt Orange metallic with tan cloth interior.
you must have been delivering a lot of newspapers or was it daddy money
Not daddy money. Work my ass off on the farm money.
I bought a ’77 Z/28 new in the summer of ’77. I ordered it with 4 speed, 3.73 posi traction, custom interior with no console….Silver on Black. Within weeks I removed the Catalytic converter and had true twin exhaust. I tuned the stock carb and distributor to provide the maximum power. I was showing almost 200 HP at the wheels…no great by today’s …but strong for the late 70’s standards..My neighbor had a ’76 Trans Am…455 4 speed that he could not get to hook up. After I waxed him on the Drag Strip 4 times in a row…he traded for a ’78 Z/28 equipped like my ’77. I could eat an L82 4 speed ’78 Corvette up. I had that car 9 years…one of the best running and driving cars I ever owned.
I’m pretty sure it’s a 771/2 Z 28, but who’s counting
My 1979 Z28: Base price $6327.33, $1736.00 in options, T-Roof was $655.00. How about this price, Destination charge $169.00. Total cost $8232.35. (I still have the window sticker) Ordered in late summer 1978, picked up in early fall, drove it for 2 months then stored for winter. She was black with the orange decals. At the time I was a setup man in Rochester, NY on the inlines that manufactured the Airhorn, Bowl and Throttle Bodies for the quadrajet. Drove the Z until I needed a house, and sold it to a friend. To this day it still has not seen a winter and looks just like new, except it has a massive blower and NOS, yep, it is only run on the 1/4 mile track these days.
I ordered a bright blue metallic ‘79 Z with every option available, ( aluminum wheels, automatic, t-tops, custom blue Vinyl interior), except only ordered AM radio to get wiring and front and dual rear speakers. Went to a sound shop in Memphis and got a Craig AM/FM 8 track installed of course. Still have the sticker and it listed for a little over $9K. Had to sell it for more room and a “family car” when my daughter was born. That family car was a loaded dark blue Monte Carlo SS! See a lot of boomers posting. Chevy sold over 56K ‘Z’s that year and over 250K Camaros total. Those were the days.
0-60 in 8.7s with the 175 hp 5.7L V8 with the 4 speed, 9.1 with the 3 speed auto. Competitive back in the day…but how times have changed, for the better performance wise.
70 1/2 to 73 rest of them turn them into strip cars
1979 what a year! Great camaro! Sports – Pirates and Steelers win championships, at the movies- The Warriors, Apocalypse Now, On TV – Bj and the Bear, Rockford Files, Happy days, the Dukes of Hazard, Buck Rogers, etc…
1979 was and is the record model year for the highest number of Camaro’s sold !
1970 what a year 300 to 400 hp and no hunk of plastic nose
Sure miss my 1978 Z28 bought it right after high school white with red trim red interior 15 in slotted cragars on low profile competition Ta’s I still could hear that positraction chirping SFV CLASS of 1984.
you must have been washing a lot of dishes or was it daddy money
Have a 75 LT, great looking car. People comment me all the time. Miss the car shows this year. Hope there back next year.
Steal have my 79 Z28 and drive it every where we go every day original transmission and engine air conditioner doesn’t work but we just love it. It’s blue on blue, blue wheels, super good car.