the
ultimate “DRIVER’S” Z-28
In the world of the collectable Z-28’s …(‘67
to ‘73)… the 1973 Z-28 is, in the opinion of many people, truly the ultimate “driver’s” Z-28.
Simply put,
the ’73 is the pinnacle of 7 years of development and refinement on the Z28. Along with this 7 years of refinement,
it is the ONLY year that you can get Air Conditioning and the ONLY year you can get the luxurious “LT” package.
And this particular
‘73, is the “ultimate ‘73” ….. it wins the “triple crown” for having ALL
three option packages …. First and foremost, it is a Z28, that is also a Rally Sport, and is topped off with
the luxurious “LT” package.
The DNA of this fantastic rare car is found in the vin #.
vin #
1S87T3N167795
2nd digit “S” = a true factory
“LT”
5th digit “T” = a true factory
“Z-28”
This is a “Norwood” car …… with full disclosure on the trim tag and vin number.
There is no guesswork on this ‘73 Z28.
Driveline / Originality
The driveline
in this car appears to be correct from the carb to the rear end. The block is the correct CLJ 4-bolt main block with correct
date code and casting. The vin# is too light to read, so I am unable to call it a vin match. The carb, heads and intake also
appear to be the original components. The vin# matching 4-speed tranny comes with the car but has been replaced by a Tremec
5-speed.
Options, Options & more Options
Options have
a significant impact to value in the collector car world and this car is one of the best equipped Z-28s ever built:
Rally
Sport
* special front end with blacked out grill wrapped in chrome trim
* split bumpers and round running lights
…… my favorite look !
LT luxury package
1973 was the first year for the luxurious
“LT” package. The LT package included a long exhaustive list of extras, only “highlights” listed below:
* deluxe seats
with extra padding, comfort weave material & trim
* deluxe interior door finish including wood grain accents
* full instrument TACH & gauge
cluster including wood grain accents
* extra stainless trim on outer body
* extra sound deadening insulation throughout
* special LT
emblems on exterior of car
* special 4-spoke steering wheel with “LT” badge
Z28 “performance
package”
* special 350/245hp V-8 shared only with the L82 Corvette
* sport handling package, special suspension
* Positive
traction rear end
* power –Disc brakes
* engine dress up package
* increased cooling capacity
* heavy duty starter
* heavy duty clutch
* dual exhaust
* front and rear Spoilers
* 15x7 spoke
wheels
MORE factory Options & “upgrades”:
Beyond the option “packages”
listed above, this car also has the following options;
- air conditioning (added upgrade using a MODERN efficient
system …… the air blows COLD !!)
- 4-speed upgraded to TREMEC 5-speed (#’s matching 4-spd comes with the car)
Mega dollar build ($$$$$)
Simply
stunning with the WOW factor !
This was a full-blown frame off restoration. Restorations at this level cost
a small fortune in cold hard cash, time and talent.
This car was built with a healthy budget and the results are truly
impressive. It appears that every component on this car has been replaced, restored, or otherwise improved to a show quality
level.
I am told this has been driven less than 2,000 miles since its completion. There is no evidence of use
in terms of dings, scratches, paint chips or wear anywhere on the car including the interior. It is like going to your Chevrolet
dealer and buying new off the show room floor. The odometer shows 38k but because that exact mileage since restoration is
known to be less than 2000, I have listed it on eBay as having 2,000 miles. Like all vehicles this age, it will be sold as
mileage exempt.
Mechanical / Performance
In one word, excellent! Everything
mechanical on this car is new or refurbished to new and kept “substantially correct”. The TWO best upgrades available
in terms of “real world” driving were added to the car: a Tremec 5-speed and modern Air Conditioning. The
original vin matching 4-speed comes with the car should the buyer want it.
Please take time to watch the “test drive”
VIDEO … this car will GET IT !! I have never seen a second Gen. Z that I would consider as an equal to this one
in terms of the wow factor and the all important “experience behind the wheel”.
The motor is not overbuilt
(NO shaking from an oversized cam, NO running hot, NO bad habits of any kind). It is actually mild mannered and very nice
to simply cruise in. It has serious “on demand” power, steers with the palm of one hand and stops with absolute
confidence.
The ’73 Z-28 350 motor was shared with the L82 Corvette and had the proven “race ready construction”
with 4-bolt main block, 2.02 heads, guide plates, pink rods, forged pistons and a steel crank.
Paint
& Body / STUNNING !!
Treated to a brilliant “high dollar paint job” in the factory original
color code 26 Dark Metallic Blue. This car will STAND OUT any where you take it. It is stunning.
This car was disassembled and painted
in pieces. The body was blocked to perfection and is laser straight with excellent fit and finish. The paint has that DEEP wet “highly reflective look” that only comes with the best of paint jobs.
To complement the paint, all the bright work
(chrome & stainless) was replaced with new and/or restored.
Original
sheet metal car
This is a Texas car sold new at GUNN Chevrolet in San Antonio, Texas. It is rust FREE. All
the sheet metal on this car appears to be original including the quarter panels, floors and trunk pan. It is virtually impossible
to find a 38 year old Camaro with an original body this nice. No patch panels or Chinese reproduction junk. This alone separates
this car from the vast majority.
Rare
This car as
built (with the above options) was rare when NEW in 1973 and almost impossible to find today. Unfortunately, there are no
records that tell us the number that may have been built “exactly” like this car, but my guess is that you could count them on one hand.
Value / Price
A Camaro Z28 / RS / LT in this
condition with these options finished in this color combination to my knowledge
has never come up for sale.
Everyone knows it costs serious money to bring a car to this level. If you are quality oriented
like me, you will see the value.
“Quality” always costs more for a reason (usually many reasons) and “seasoned car folks” know that there is a BIG difference between quality and the
vast majority of what you see for sale.
