Rebuilt 350ci V8/TH350 Automatic/Rally Wheels/Recent PA Inspection

1981 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe

It's the end of the road boys. After a 12-year run, the Second Generation Camaro was heading for automotive history. A lot has been written over the years faulting the impracticality of the car in general; the poor headlights, lack of controls on the steering column, poor seats, poor fuel economy, poor trunk space.... it was time. While the exterior of the 1981 Camaro was a carryover from the previous year, there were some significant changes under the hood. Most notably the CCC (Computer Command Control) emission system. This meant the 1981 Camaro was the only 2nd gen to have a "computer", which controlled the carburetor mixture, along with a "check engine" light and ALDL connector. The transmission now had a lock up torque converter, also controlled by the CCC. Alas, many people took a "wait & see" attitude and held out for the all-new 1982 Camaro. Those who didn't got (or didn't get, in the case of the Rally Sport).

For consignment, a 1981 version of the Camaro dressed as a Z28. This car has undergone a color change on both the interior and exterior during the restoration and presents in excellent rust-free condition. Along the way the engine, and remainder of the drivetrain have been rebuilt to stock specifications. Also added during the redux were a mix of different year Z28 accoutrements that all work together nicely on this last year 2nd generation body.

Exterior
With its 3-piece front spoiler wrapping around the front of this car, along with the body matching crash bumper with integrated single round headlights and outward V billet style grille shape, rear facing scooped hood, the Camaro had come into its own with styling for 1981. This car bathed in a color change of maroon and has beautiful graphics more associated with a 1976 Z28 dressing up the vented fenders in brown tan and black. This highlighting carries through the hood and black spats have been added to the front of the rear wheel wells. Chrome trimmings have been kept to a minimum with only the Tee roof, windshield and black glass trimmed in chrome, the remaining are blackened. Exterior panels are straight, rust free, and have very nicely painted surfaces all around. Z28 badging is on the tail panel, and gaps are noted as well minded. Deep dish rally wheels are slapped on all 4 corners, and this beauty has the “look” that every Camaro owner desires.

Interior
Nicely stitched paneled doors are inside and showing off in black and are highlighted with chrome bezels for the power locks, door releases and mirror joystick. Keeping in theme the front buckets are black and have deep tuck and roll stitching for inserts. The bolsters and high backs with integrated headrests are all smooth black vinyl. A 2 plus 2 rear seat in the same pattern is looking mostly unused and in excellent condition. The square and rectangle design genre is abundant utilizing some machine turned aluminum-like material for the cluster with dual round gauges in the center and surrounding smaller rounds at the corners. A/C is noted on the heater control slides of this car but has since been removed under the hood, along with an aftermarket AM/FM/CD player and 3 more essential gauges added just below. The original steering wheel badged in Z28 with its 4 splines appears with minor wear off of the rim. A vinyl textured center console providing storage and a place for the B&M shifter, is racing between the buckets and towards the 2 plus 2's in the back. Black carpet floods the floors and a tight black felt headliner totally seamless is floating above and framing the smoked glass removable roof panels.

Drivetrain
Prior to flipping the hood, I could feel the Heartbeat of America, and opening up the hood witnessed it in all its red/orange block glory and polished parts. A rebuilt 350ci V8, all polished and nice, sports headers, ribbed Edelbrock valve covers and a polished and ribbed air cleaner cover. On back is a TH350 transmission 3-speed automatic transmission with a B&M shift kit which sends power rearward to a 3.08 geared 10-bolt axle. Just a beauty to look at…Lub dub, lub, dub…

Undercarriage
Black paint, factory undercoating, and some surface rust provide the backdrop for this undercarriage. Strong steel for the flooring and unibody give solid attachment points for the independent coil spring front suspension and leaf spring rear suspension all with new Lakewood shock absorbers. Power disc brakes are on the front and power drums, with new wheel cylinders, are on the rear. Header's snake their way down from the clean orange engine and feed into Turbo style mufflers before ending in black tips just under the rear bumper.

Drive-Ability
She fired right up, and all was good on the warmup to the test track. Here it handled well and had smooth acceleration, and straight bias free panic stopping. Steering was tight, and the overall ride was comfortable, even at cruising speed. I did not attempt the “moonshiner's” turn but wanted to just in deference to Jim Rockford!

If you are looking for a Camaro in classic early 80's style, stop here, as this is it. All rust free, all totally restored and rebuilt, all running just perfectly. Great graphics and a fine runner, just showroom condition here in 2022, right out of 1981.

VIN DECODE
1G1AP87L3BL160558
1-USA
G-General Motors
1-Chevrolet
A-Manual Belts
P-Camaro
87-2 Door Coupe
L-5.7 Liter V8 4bbl
3-Check Digit
B-1981
L-Van Nuys, CA Assy Plant
160588-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
05D-4th Week May Build
ST 81 1FP87-1981 Camaro Sport Coupe
BDY L160558-Van Nuys Body #
TR 64R-Standard Camel Vinyl
PNT 67L 67U-Dark Brown
A51-Bucket Seat
CC1-T Tops