Plo_Junior

Dear Fellow 3rd-Genners,

I would firstly like to introduce myself. I am Udo, live in The Netherlands and am a huge fan of the 3rd gen Camaro Z28.
I have reached the point when I will finally get my first Camaro. It is a black Z28 5.7 ltr 1983 model. I have seen the car in person, but noticed a few things which seem odd. The most obvious, the 5.7 TBI engine, knowing they came only with the 5.0 v8. That's OK. Second I noticed the Berlinetta badges on both B-pillars. Thirdly, the sideskirts and frontbumper. These look different from the ones I have seen on 83 model Z-28's. These usually also have striping on them, but on this car they are solid black. They look like the skirts and bumpers that came with the later RS versions.

So what I would like to know : Is a Camaro with Berlinetta badges really a Z-28 ? Did all Z-28 of 1983 come with a T-top standard ? How can I find out what type the 5.7 engine is ( it is supposed to put out 400 HP after modificatiosndone to it) ?

Thank you in advance for your time and effort, and hope to come by here more often.

Kind regards,

Udo.

scottmoyer

No Z28s were also a Berlinetta. They were two different option packages. The appearance of this car is a mix of 91/92 Z28 (hood) and the 91/92 RS ground effects and front end. The rims are from an 85-87 IROC-Z. TTops were an option on all models, not standard on any. The Berlinetta badge is placed way too high on the b-pillar so it may not be original to the car. Look at the VIN and determine the year based on that. If the car is truly a 1983, it is a mix of parts from many years/models.

Also, if it is a Z28, it will say so on the trim tag attached to the radiator support.

Plo_Junior

Hello Scott,

Thank you for the clarification. I will ask the seller for the VIN and see what comes up. The car was imported here in 2011, and has had 3 owners so far. I like the IROC rims on the car, especially combined with the black exterior. I am really suprised to hear that there are so many mixed parts on the car !!

Take care,

Udo.

Van Nuys born

There must be others in the Netherlands that like 3rd gen Z28's / Iroc's..... I was just talking to a guy I met who's Iroc sold about 8 months ago and it was shipped to the Netherlands.... It was blue and the paint was faded but the car was otherwise in good condition.

Welcome to the board !

Plo_Junior

Thank you Van Nuys, yes indeed, there are people here who also like the 3rd gens, though not as much as in the States. The guy I am buying it of has 2 more, a 85 blue Z28 and a 89 red IROC convertible.
I have sent him an email with my findings, and we will talk tomorrow on the phone about these small 'issue's'. I still want the car, but if it is not a real Z28, that would be a shame. Gotta love that sound of V8 in the morning....

Take care,

Udo.