1997 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Convertible

The Camaro was first created as a direct competitor for the Mustang.  Chevy wanted to make a muscle car that could blow Ford's entry right off the map.  They certainly did, but the beast they designed almost had a completely different name.  The Camaro was originally code-named the Panther, and Chevy went so far as to prepare badging with that title on it.  However, the name was altered at the last minute.  It's not surprising that it was changed to a title beginning with “C”.  So many Chevy favorites from the past carried monikers that started with the same letter, including the Corvair, Chevelle, and Corvette.  When asked about the meaning of the Camaro's name, Chevy representatives defined it for the press as “a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs".  On a more literal note, many sources suggest that the name, Camaro, was actually found by Chevy designers in a French/English Dictionary.  In French, Camaro translates to “friend”.

For consignment, a drop top bird in the form of 1997 Z28 in Bright Red, a powerful V8, a 4-speed automatic, a crisp black top that goes down, and with a veritable ton of maintenance this Camaro is ready to rock and roll!  Appearing on the repair list are new head gaskets, a new AC compressor a full on tune up, new alternator, new barkes, window switches, OEM top cylinders and motor and a new Optispark unit and water pump along with its long list of sporty attributes, good looks and great performance…Hey!! It's a Camaro!

Exterior
The body uses a combination of a steel unibody with light, rust-free, and dent-resistant composite body panels. The rear fenders are structural steel, and the doors and front fenders are plastic as well as the scooped hood.  Bathed in a slightly aged coating of Bright Red this example presents with some scuffs, touch ups, clear coat spotting and a notable dent on the driver's rear quarter panel for the exterior fit and finish.  A rear spoiler is atop the composite deck and an almost radical for the auto industry in its day 68 degree swept back windshield leads to the top.  Speaking of the top, it goes up and down with the press of a switch thanks to new OEM top cylinders and a top motor, and presents with some light color loss and soiling.  A glass rear window with a factory defogger is sewn into this top.  16-inch saw 5 spoke chrome finished aluminum alloy wheels bedecked in newer 245/50R16 rubber from the 47th week of 2021 are on all 4 corners.  

Interior
Opening the doors to reveal the interior, we are met with black door panels holding the switches for the power windows, power locks and a toggle for the driver's mirror.  As we slip inside to the curvaceous Charcoal Black leather seats, we notice wear off marks on the driver's upper bolster along with seam separation on both front buckets as well as some tearing to the perforated and stitched inserts.  A similar motif is in back with the 2+2 rear seats being divided by the hump and a bench style upper cushion.  A very clean dash houses various analog gauges and an analog odometer.  Neatly clustered into the center of the dash are climate controls, and an AM/FM/CD stereo and a storage cubby.  Slipping between the seats is a Charcoal Black plastic console complete with cup holders, and armrest/storage bin and the automatic shifter.  Lightly faded and soiled Charcoal Black carpet is flooding the floors and the trunk is looking good with its felted liner and deep storage compartment.

Drivetrain
Flipping the lightweight hood, sandwiched into the rearward portion of the engine bay, (for weight distribution), is a 350ci LT-1 V8, complete with electronic fuel injection, and a recently serviced 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission.  This combination pushes power rearward to a 10-bolt 3.23 geared rear.  The mill has been treated to new head gaskets, a recent tune up, oil change, water pump, thermostat, Optispark distributor, rebuilt throttle body and a slew of other maintenance including a new belt, tensioner and alternator.  This engine bay presents as nearly new with only minor patina on a few of the rubber components.

Undercarriage
As expected for higher mileage car, some surface rust is making an appearance on the untreated components, but we note strong steel for the unibody and a fairly solid floor pan.  There is some invasive rust in the passengers rear pan that will need remedied in the near future.   Independent coil spring front suspension and a torque arm and coil spring rear suspension along with power disc brakes with new cross drilled and slotted rotors and new pads on all corners is also seen.  The stock style dual to single to dual exhaust with a muffler delete is in place and looks great.

Drive-Ability
This car fired right up and on the test track performed as expected, with all functions working.  Having driven many a Camaro here at Classic Auto Mall, I'd have to say I did notice more power than usual coming from this one, but that most likely has a lot to do with all the recent maintenance.  An A-Ticket ride for this higher mileage drop top skate.

Tons of maintenance, classic Camaro looks and a top that effortlessly goes up and down.  Quite the way to continue on with the Z28 heritage, it's yours for the plucking right out of Classic Auto Mall's Hallowed Halls.

2G1FP32P1V2144298

2-Canada
G-General Motors
1-Chevrolet
FP-Camaro
3-Convertible
2-Manual Belts, Front Airbags
P-5.7L LT1 V8 285HP
3-Check Digit
1-1997
2-St Therese, Ont CA Assy Plant
144298-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.