1974 Camaro Z28
Discussion
Having sold my RX7 over a year ago, I've been hankering for a new toy. I've always had fast(ish) Japanese cars but after one weekend in Wales spotting average cameras on almost every bit of road, I decided to go for something completely different. I've never scratched the V8 or the classic itch, so when I spotted this Camaro come up for sale I figured it was worth a go.
As per the title, its a 1974 Z28. It's a numbers-matching car running an SBC 350 with a Manual 4psd, so probably fairly rare. It's seen some paint in its life but the chassis is solid. Unfortunately it means its missing the iconic Z28 ducktail spoiler and the mirrors at the moment, along with an annoying panel gap where the bonnet meets the bumper. The interior is also in various stages of being put back together.
Following one wet and windy test drive, I paid the deposit and headed back up North. The chap very kindly offered to deliver the car for me, so a week later on my way home I happened to spot it on the A1.
Home in the Sunshine.
Didn't even have chance to wash it before its first run out to the American car meet in Leeds a couple of days later. The shifter is taking some getting used to and I ended up needing a push as it just didnt want reverse at all! Typically as they were pushing it went in, and then wouldn't come out so I thanked the guys and then set off backwards several times in a row.
Had my first couple of hours with the car last night so gave it a good wash and a polish. It scrubs up alright!
Made a start on the interior but there's still lots to go back in.
Then I need to make a start on cleaning the engine bay.
First real job though is to get these mounted!
All in all, absolutely loving the car so far
As per the title, its a 1974 Z28. It's a numbers-matching car running an SBC 350 with a Manual 4psd, so probably fairly rare. It's seen some paint in its life but the chassis is solid. Unfortunately it means its missing the iconic Z28 ducktail spoiler and the mirrors at the moment, along with an annoying panel gap where the bonnet meets the bumper. The interior is also in various stages of being put back together.
Following one wet and windy test drive, I paid the deposit and headed back up North. The chap very kindly offered to deliver the car for me, so a week later on my way home I happened to spot it on the A1.
Home in the Sunshine.
Didn't even have chance to wash it before its first run out to the American car meet in Leeds a couple of days later. The shifter is taking some getting used to and I ended up needing a push as it just didnt want reverse at all! Typically as they were pushing it went in, and then wouldn't come out so I thanked the guys and then set off backwards several times in a row.
Had my first couple of hours with the car last night so gave it a good wash and a polish. It scrubs up alright!
Made a start on the interior but there's still lots to go back in.
Then I need to make a start on cleaning the engine bay.
First real job though is to get these mounted!
All in all, absolutely loving the car so far
Edited by Rogue86 on Thursday 18th April 12:27
Thanks guys - Here's a quick sound test. Barely ticking over even when revving. It sounds quite savage at full throttle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wy8eveo80k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wy8eveo80k
Congratulations - it must have seemed a bit surreal seeing it being towed knowing you'd just bought it. How are you getting on with LHD...? Thinking of getting a '60s / early '70s Mustang or something of the same size myself (a lot of the American stuff I like is too large for my garage).
Cheers folks 
I'll get some proper photos of it on IG when I get near it with the DSLR.
LHD is proving fine so far, there's plenty of visibility in the car. It's a very tight squeeze in a single garage, mainly through the door. Once the mirrors are on I'm worried it'll be stuck in there!
I'll get some proper photos of it on IG when I get near it with the DSLR.
LHD is proving fine so far, there's plenty of visibility in the car. It's a very tight squeeze in a single garage, mainly through the door. Once the mirrors are on I'm worried it'll be stuck in there!
If I'm honest I quite like the Mad Max-style rake it has going on at the moment, but I have a pair of Koni classics in the box of spares waiting to go on.
It was the Malton Big Breakfast meet this weekend, so I wanted to make the annual pilgrimage up as I normally meet my old man and my brother there. However I needed to sort a few things on the car in order to take it (legally) so I got some of the spare mirrors out of the box to find which one would go on easiest. Unfortunately the most suitable was also the one with paint all over the glass...
With a bit of headlight-restoration polish and some paint thinners it came up fine. The mounting was tricky using what I had so I just kept my fingers crossed that they would hold up at motorway speeds!
Next up was the lights. Most didn't work and the chap I bought the car from simply left me with "the wiring will need going through". I thought I'd try the simple option first and checked the bulbs. Result! They all work and I was lazy enough to keep some old bulbs from my MK1 MR2 (probably about 10yrs ago!) in my toolbox that went straight in.
There are some bigger issues - mainly the ignition timing and the gauge cluster not working but I didn't have time to fix them before the meet. So I touched wood it wouldnt break, cleaned the engine bay and filled her up.
Well I say filled, the pump didn't cut off even after £70 so I figured that should get me there and back.
Since being imported in 2016, the furthest the car has driven in the UK is 20miles. Malton is a roughly 80 mile round trip so should show up any real issues. The main one I guessed would be the running hot, so I kept an eye on the aftermarket gauge and hoped for the best. Made it without any issues!
Despite annoying the neighbours at 0700hrs I still wasnt early enough and ended up in the field as I have for the last few years.
Some images taken by other photographers on proper cameras:
My brothers Monaro
Leaving for home (favourite pic from the day)
All in all the car did me proud. Some nervous moments watching the temperature gauge rise in traffic on the way home but the car ran faultlessly!
It was the Malton Big Breakfast meet this weekend, so I wanted to make the annual pilgrimage up as I normally meet my old man and my brother there. However I needed to sort a few things on the car in order to take it (legally) so I got some of the spare mirrors out of the box to find which one would go on easiest. Unfortunately the most suitable was also the one with paint all over the glass...
With a bit of headlight-restoration polish and some paint thinners it came up fine. The mounting was tricky using what I had so I just kept my fingers crossed that they would hold up at motorway speeds!
Next up was the lights. Most didn't work and the chap I bought the car from simply left me with "the wiring will need going through". I thought I'd try the simple option first and checked the bulbs. Result! They all work and I was lazy enough to keep some old bulbs from my MK1 MR2 (probably about 10yrs ago!) in my toolbox that went straight in.
There are some bigger issues - mainly the ignition timing and the gauge cluster not working but I didn't have time to fix them before the meet. So I touched wood it wouldnt break, cleaned the engine bay and filled her up.
Well I say filled, the pump didn't cut off even after £70 so I figured that should get me there and back.
Since being imported in 2016, the furthest the car has driven in the UK is 20miles. Malton is a roughly 80 mile round trip so should show up any real issues. The main one I guessed would be the running hot, so I kept an eye on the aftermarket gauge and hoped for the best. Made it without any issues!
Despite annoying the neighbours at 0700hrs I still wasnt early enough and ended up in the field as I have for the last few years.
Some images taken by other photographers on proper cameras:
My brothers Monaro
Leaving for home (favourite pic from the day)
All in all the car did me proud. Some nervous moments watching the temperature gauge rise in traffic on the way home but the car ran faultlessly!
That red car looks lovely, I'm wanting to go with the bumpers being body-coloured too.
marksx said:
Lovely car. I'm only in Wakefield so might have to come to a Leeds meet one day for a nosey. I have a real hankering for something like this.
Well worth the journey there, some really nice motors turn up!Had the weekend to tidy/fit some bits and de-chrome some others.
The chrome light trim surrounds had come off, leaving the lights looking a bit gammy.
The headlight buckets:
Along with the grill which had started to flake.
Rear light trims back on:
Got the hammerite out and tidied up some of the exposed metalwork, starting behind the front bumper:
Underneath the rear:
Lots of engine bay metal:
Front end back together:
Back end with the new metal plates on:
Unfortunately in getting the headlights working I came across the next project - the wiring...
The chrome light trim surrounds had come off, leaving the lights looking a bit gammy.
The headlight buckets:
Along with the grill which had started to flake.
Rear light trims back on:
Got the hammerite out and tidied up some of the exposed metalwork, starting behind the front bumper:
Underneath the rear:
Lots of engine bay metal:
Front end back together:
Back end with the new metal plates on:
Unfortunately in getting the headlights working I came across the next project - the wiring...
Edited by Rogue86 on Tuesday 7th May 14:48
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