Such a beautiful car. My dad had a red 1981 Z28 when I was a kid and he loved to point out the air induction system and the growl of the engine when he'd "floor it". Hard to believe the muscle cars of my childhood were that slow. My 2018 Toyota Sienna minivan with a V6 is over two seconds faster 0-60.
I have one like that too but I modified it quite a bit and it now has a fiberglass cowl induction hood to fit what's under the hood but man I miss that air induction scoop with the flaps that open up when you hammer down on it that was just cool.
The people who focus solely on just how fast a car is 0-60 are missing the point, unless they grew up with these cars they'll probably never get it. I remember if someone had one back then, you'd be envious of them because they were such good looking cars. The other thing is when these cars were new there wasn't a whole lot to choose from like there is today, nowadays you've got 4-door cars that are sporty, fast and look good. Back then, not so much...
@@americandreamgarage3054 yes, I totally agree. And believe me if it was something I liked back then say like just about any muscle car, I could tell you what year it was before I even had a license. I started driving in the 80s, at that time as a young car enthusiast there weren't too many choices for me. I used to say "I will never drive a 4 door car", considering what was available back then, stuff like used 6cyl rusty Novas and 4cyl Chevettes, things like good gas mileage or practically never entered the mind of the 18 year old version of myself. However, stuff like Z28s and 15 year old muscle cars sure did. Since then, I've actually owned and even liked plenty of 4 door stuff. Taurus SHO, Pontiac Grand Prix GTP to name a few. It seems like I'll always have at least one Camaro no matter what. By the way your cars are outstanding, I'd be happy with any of them, doesn't matter to me what year.
That's a gorgeous car and it's obviously in terrific condition. Love that body style..it runs as it should for the year model. A friend of mine had a brown 81 with the 305 and 4 speed trans and it ran strong..and much like yours rode very well..thank you for sharing you wonderful ride with us. It takes me back in time to some great memories..God bless
My first car was a 81 Z28. The stock 350 still had a good amount of torque so it felt plenty powerful, especially for a young driver. My friends and I thought the air induction hood was just the coolest thing ever.
The Gen 2 Camaro was the car that I first fell in love with the looks of. My friend here in Ontario, Canada has a grey 1981 Z28 with the factory 350 and 4 speed which was only available in Canada. He bought it brand new and has owned it and driven it since then. It is still such a beautiful car to see and hear. I have owned a 2002 Z28 convertible which I just sold and still have my 2016 2SS Convertible which I love, but the 81 Z28 still has my heart.
Those final year 2nd Gen cars look cool, especially with the day-glo 80s decal packages , it would be cool to do a turbo version, but with modern day tech
Nice. I had a 1981 Berlinetta in baby blue, I loved it until it reached about 108,000 miles, then it literally started to fall apart, so I sold it. Good memories though.
Nice looking & sounding car. I have a 1980 in decent shape, T-Top car, been restoring it for past few months. Air induction wasn’t there anymore..putting a crate motor in and I found the complete flapper assembly online because I can’t live without that😊 Hope to do a vid on mine in January
I had one just like it. Mine was black with silver stripes and had t-tops. There is a little leaver under the dash in line with the steering column that will open the flaps manually if you want to. I thought is was a race car when I was 16, now my wife's Lexus would run off and leave it.
I have a 1981 z28 350 4 spd with t tops, black on black vinyl interior with charcoal stripes its a Canadian version up here in Alberta my 350 is factory rated at 190hp and doesn't have the ccc. From what ive heard only around 3000 were made with the factory 350 4spd combo. I am the 2nd owner first owner was my Dad
My first car was an 81 Z. Black with red stripes and black wheels just like those. I sold it in 93 but I'm still watching videos about them. I like the blue too though. Great car!
I almost bought one of these brand new the exact same color in 1981. The low hp and speedo turned me off and I didn't want to have to drive it in the winter, as I could only afford one car at the time. Beautiful car in the blue.
Beautiful man & sounds great! I had one in high school 1984 when I was 17 from a bank repo for $2000 {all that was owed on it}! Mine was gold with camel interior & of course the Ttops, had that car until 1992 & regret selling it to this day ✌💖☮
My first new car was a base 1981 Camaro. 305 v8 4spd. Burgundy with matching rally wheels. Ugly tan tweed cloth interior. Seat covers helped. Worked on assembly line at GM for two years. Bought it in august 1981 with GM employee discount. 8600 out the door tax included. Kept it until fall 1987. Memories. Sold it for 6500 with 67k to a co worker.
Mis information on the hp of a stock 81 Camaro Z28, its not 170hp, its 190 hp. 77 Z28-175hp 78 Z28-185hp 79 Z28 -175hp 80-Z28 -190 hp. Four speeds were funner to drive, because if you to see those flappers open/ close, at least four times, if u mashed the pedal, while shifting thru the gears. I had a 79 Trans Am with the Olds 403 back in 1981. A friend of mine had the 80 Z28 with the manuel. He would always walk me at a light, from 0-60, but a 70-100mph, I would walk him😅
Dam that car is sharp ! I was that guy in the late 70s who was 18 and loved that car but had no $ . Now im 61 and still love the car but can't afford 2 vehicle's ! ( id park that one ! ). Oh well so nice to see an old favorite here.. keep it good 👍🏻
Other than one 1982 Z / 28 in Punxsutawney Pa that was special ordered with a 350 four BBL carburetor engine, 81 was the last year for the LT 1 350 4 bolt mains engine in the Camaro until the second generation 350 engine in 86, piece of crap. The engine blocks were mostly all .030 tin content blocks. So although the factory stock engine was a turd, new pistons, cam, heads, intake and exhaust was all it took to make it run. Ditch the 2:73 gears for 3:42 or 3:73 and you had a car no one else could touch. Koni shocks, Addco sway bars, Eibach springs, American Racing mags and TA radial tires and you were ready to take on most anyone stop light to light. Shift kit in the tranny and some better brake pads and you could take it to Mid Ohio and keep up with the people with actual race cars.. This was the formula Bob Bondurant used for his driving school.
