1980 Camaro Z28 |
Another restoration on a budget. This restoration is currently in progress! |
My 1980 Z28 as it appeared a few years ago. LM1 350/TH350 loaded - just about everything but t-tops and a CB! |
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gmz28camaros |
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The first time around (1994), I just cleaned up the engine compartment and rebuilt the top end of the motor - replaced the heads, intake, carb, added headers and exhaust, a bunch of chromed goodies under the hood, and wheels and tires. The car needed paint pretty bad, but since I had just bought my 1971 RS and it was in need of a total restoration, the '80 basically just got a facelift! For the last few years, I've just been collecting parts for when I got ready to work on the Z. |
This page was last updated on: December 2, 2001
After several years of introducing more and more emissions controls, by 1980 the cars were a jumble under the hood. I have all of the accessories for the engine and most of the emissions stuff. Putting everything together is going to be quite a puzzle. The picture to the right is of the accessories, very little emissions (only the air pump). |
Installing the engine/transmission. It was much easier to install all the accessories while the engine was on a stand than to wait until it was in the car. It did make it heavier, though! Good thing for adjustable engine hoists! |
1980 Camaro Z28 Built 1st week of November 1979 at the Van Nuys (CA) assembly plant Exterior - Code 19 Black Interior - Code 62C - Camel Cloth Deluxe Engine vin code - L (350ci V8) Engine suffix code - CHA (350ci/190hp/at) RPO Codes: AK1 Deluxe Belts and Shoulder Harneses A01 All Tinted Glass A31 Power Windows A51 Bucket Seats BS1 Insulation Package B18 Custom Interior B37 Front & Rear Floor Mats B80 Rooftop Drip Molding B81 Belt Body Ornament (?) B85 Belt Molding B89 Black Reveal Molding B93 Door Edge Guards B94 Fuel Door Emblem B97 Front/Rear Wheel Spoilers C49 Electric Rear Defogger C60 Air Conditioning D35 Sport Mirror, Left/Right D80 Rear Spoiler D88 Sport Stripes D92 Tape Door/Handle F41 Special Performance Suspension GU6 342 Ratio Axle J50 Power Brakes K30 Cruise Control K77 55 Amp Generator LM1 V8 350 4BBL M38 Automatic Transmission NA5 Standard Emissions N33 Tilt Steering Wheel N65 Space Saver Tire N90 Cast Aluminum Wheel Gold QGR P225/70R15LTR TR9 Lamp Group T63 Headlamp Warning T93 Black Tail Lamps UA1 HD Battery UN9 Radio Suppres UP8 St Radio Prov (?) U14 Gauges Instrument U25 Luggage Compartment Lamp U26 Underhood Lamp U27 Glove Box Light U28 Ash Try Light U29 Courtesy Light U35 Electric Clock U58 AM/FM Stereo U76 Windshield Antenna U80 Dual Rear Speakers VK3 Front License Mounting V08 H/D Radiator YR1 Custom Front Seat ZK1 Hood Insulation Z21 Exterior Molding Z28 Special Performance Package Z54 Interior Decor 55A Gold Stripe 62I Camel Tan I didn't even realize myself how many RPO codes were on this car until I had to type them all out. 57 in all! A well optioned Camaro! The car originally was ordered with the optional N90 Aluminum Wheels, but they didn't come with the car when I bought it. I searched for 2 years to find a set in good condition. They are Silver, not the original Gold, but I have never run across a Gold set in any condition, so I guess I'll just have to live with that. |
The subframe is detailed and the front suspension is rebuilt. |
Click here to see a larger copy of the build sheet. |
The Custom Cloth interior was and still is in good shape. A few minor things had to be replaced - the console lid, the "buttons" in the door panels that replace the window cranks when you have power windows, the shifter trim plate. The lower piece of the dash, the glove compartment, and the radio surround were either missisng or broken. These were replaced, but will have to be repainted to the original Camel Tan. The carpet has also been replaced, but it will have to be done again. The carpet should be tan to match the rest of the interior. The original headliner was falling (like most Camaros from this era). I left the cardboard backing in place and removed the vinyl; with a tan interior, it's not very noticable unless you look up! Anyway, the headliner will be replaced. I am planning to re-skin the original cardboard with new material. About the only other things I plan for the interior are replacing the rear package tray and the inner rear side panels. |
