1973 Z28. 42,700 original miles. Mint original condition. This car was advertised as a low mileage all original car for sale. That was always stored inside a climate controlled facility. With the following options. Soft ray tinted glass, color keyed floor mats, door edge guards, vinyl roof cover/black, rear window defogger, front and rear spoiler, turbo hydramatic trans, power steering, special instrumentation, AM push button radio, special performance package, black vinyl int, dark blue metallic paint.
I brought the car home and proceeded to go through the car and check everything. What I found was an exceptionally clean almost all original car.
The paint, interior, and most mechanical parts were original. It was truly amazing that this car survived in this condition.
The paint and body are outstanding. The paint is completely original everywhere on the car and is deep dark blue. The clear coat is outstanding. The black stripes are ever so slightly starting to show those tiny cracks that original paint gets. The trim pieces and bumpers are bright and shiny and clean with almost no scratches or marks. Original vinyl top it dark black. Stitching is tight and uniform. It fits nice and tight and straight. The chrome trim around it is straight and shiny. The original door edge guards still look perfect in chrome. The rims are excellent with absolutely no curb rash or wear to them, or the trim rings. All the glass is original and in excellent condition. The chrome has that old school look. Anyone who has restored chrome knows there is a different “color” to restored chrome versus original. This definitely has that original chrome look. Needless to say this car has absolutely no rust anywhere. There are a couple tiny door dings that could be taken out with paint-less dent, but other than that I would say the body is a 9.8 out of 10.
If the body is 9.8, then the interior is a 10 our of 10. It is unbelievable how nice it has been kept all these years. The carpet is clean and tight. No marks or wear at all. The pile is uniform and no snags or pulls. The seats are soft and supple without any wear or marks. The stitching is all tight. The dash and center console are smooth and crack free. The floor mats are original and in mint condition. The pedals have no wear on them(worn pedals are a dead giveaway that the car is abused or higher mileage than is indicated). Everything inside works. Center console storage closes and latches. All switches and gauges work as they should. Even the fan for rear defogger works. Lights inside the glove box, under the dash and dome work. Cigarette lighter works. Seats slide nice and smoothly. The only thing not original is the radio. But the good news is, nothing was changed except the radio. No cutting or changing the dash. No changing the speakers. And they made that radio for about every Chevrolet model for years. It’s an easy thing to replace with an original one.
Trunk is completely original and in excellent, dry, rust free condition. Original spackle paint. Original trunk liner in excellent condition with no rips or significant marks. Original jack and all the parts, except the plastic cover. Original spare rim and tie down. The back of lights are clean and the wiring is tight and clean.
Now for the good stuff. When I brought it home I wanted to go through everything to make certain is was 100% ready to drive. What I found was that mechanically the car is almost completely original. It will be easier to list what is NOT original, than it would be to list what is. The cap, rotor, distributor were changed before I bought it, but fortunately they kept the original parts, which I have. New battery(not original looking). I found the fuel pump was not working, so I put in a new one(not NOS). The carb and choke was working properly and is original. Fuel tank was leaking at the seams. So I found a reproduction that looks just like the original, but is not NOS. Replaced upper fuel tank friction pads. And a few small sections of hose. Checked all brakes and are in excellent original condition except wear parts like pads. Brake master cylinder was leaking, replaced with a new one that looks similar to original but is not NOS. Found the front end was worn, replaced the left and right, outer and inner tie rod sleeves. Replaced drag/center link assembly. Replaced idler arm assembly. Not NOS parts, but look like the original. Set tire pressure. Set alignment with camber and caster shims. Removed differential cover, replaced gasket, reassembled with original parts. Rebuilt original alternator. That’s it. Everything is is original, matching numbers and in excellent condition.
The engine bay is clean and dry with no leaks or dirt or grime. The original factory markings are on the firewall. All the lights and turn signals are original and work great. I believe the glass headlights are even still original, or at least replaced by a Chevrolet dealer with original replacements. Overall what I have is a 95 percent original car. In excellent condition. If you are looking for a car that could easily be completely 100 percent original, then the few things I mention could easily be returned to original. This car drives and performs like it did back in 1973. It is like going back to 1973 and buying a slightly use Z28. It is hard to find such an original one that has not been modified or messed with. I even have the original sales brochures and original tag for the radio telling you to use high octane gas. I have the original owners manual. It has everything to be a survivor class show car. I have been happy to take care of this car, but it’s time for it to move on to a new caretaker. If you are like me and appreciate the originality of cars, then this is the one for you.
Connecticut does not issue title for cars over twenty five years old. This car is sold on an official connecticut bill of sale, which is an official document that allows you to register this car in any state. And a copy of the registration. With these two documents you can register the car anywhere without any problems. Check with your state, they will confirm this.