I don’t think any Chevy Camaro iteration underwent as many styling changes as the second-generation model, in production from early 1970 up until 1981. Now that’s what we call longevity. Thankfully for GM, their designers knew how to keep updating its appearance to the point where it looked great even by early 1980s standards.
While we can all agree that the first-gen Camaro’s got nothing on the first-gen Mustang, the same can’t be said about the following two generations. I don’t care how big a Mustang fan you are, there’s no way you can argue in favor of the Ford over the Chevy if we’re strictly talking mid-70s up until the early 90s.
The second-gen Camaro came with a new body style, featuring a fastback roofline with no rear side quarter windows. It also had bigger doors for easier access to the rear seat, an aggressive-looking front fascia and a rather Corvette-like rear end.
Subsequent years brought on various changes, but none greater than what happened in 1974, when the Camaro grew by seven inches. It also adopted a new forward-sloping grille, while rectangular taillights replaced the old rounded ones.
At the end of its run (1981), the Camaro stood at the height of its power, and the Z28 variant was definitely the one to have. Of course, if performance is your number one concern, you’re better off with an earlier model, some of which still had Big Block V8 engines. Thankfully, that’s an easy fix for today’s restomodders, and this 509-powered 1981 Camaro Z28 we just found getting auctioned off is a perfect example.
Underneath its hood lies a 509 ci Merlin V8 unit that’s been fitted with an aluminum intake manifold, Holley Dominator carburetor, an Eagle forged steel crankshaft, forged pistons, rectangular-port cylinder heads, an aluminum radiator with dual electric fans, plus an aftermarket tank and electric pump for the fuel system.
However much horsepower this has, it all goes to the rear wheels via a three-speed TH400 automatic transmission with a 9” Moser rear end and an Eaton Detroit Locker differential. As for the dual exhaust system, it’s got full-length headers.
Visually, the car was refinished in black and now comes with a domed hood, black window moldings, and a set of polished 15” Weld wheels with 205/70 Mastercraft A/S IV tires at the front, plus 275/60 Nitto NT555R Extreme Drag radials at the rear.
Interior highlights include black cloth front bucket seats, a welded roll cage with RCI racing harnesses (rear seat delete), and a B&M Pro Ratchet shifter.
We wouldn’t go as far as to say that this Camaro is an amazing build or anything, but it definitely looks badass, and you can probably grab it for a reasonable amount of money.