1970 vs 1971 Z28 (apples to oranges?) - Page 2

**Dave Rifkin** · #11 11-23-2005, 06:34 AM

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Sounds like your trying to convince yourself one way or another which is fine. I've been looking to add a nice one for quite awhile. I think they're both good choices and investments. I think most see the 70 as the pinnacle of horsepower years and the 71 as the beginning of the end of the horsepower era. Besides that I see little to bicker about between the two. 71 could be touted as more practical as the higher octane gas is less of an issue. 70 will always be more popular I would guess. In my mind a higher end 70 vs. its equal model 71 both with docs and #'s represents approx. 30-40% difference in price.

How did the inspection of the 70 in Michigan go? Showdown car by any chance?

Good luck in the hunt.

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Not really trying to convince myself either way I was just curious to see if others agreed that the '70 was head and shoulders above the '71 in terms of desirability.

As for the '70 in Michigan: no it was not a Showdown car, it was being sold by a private party. Jack Seymour took a ride to check the car out for me and although the driveline was 90% complete and original to the car, Jack noted enough little things that were missing or in need of correction that I decided to pass.
Besides, the seller decided to keep the car and enjoy it after he re-assembled it for the sale.

So my search continues; I am in no big hurry as my wife and I really aren't ready to buy the car just yet. We are looking at making the purchase in the Spring / Summer unless the right opportunity presents itself. I thought the car in Michigan might have been that opportunity but, thanks to Jack and his knowledge of these cars I was able to keep myself from jumping at the first car that came along.

CamarosRus · #12 11-23-2005, 09:11 AM

**markjohnson** · #13 11-23-2005, 09:24 AM

Another factor to deal with is that here in St. Louis, cars 1971 and newer need to be smog tested. '70 and earlier are exempt. This has influenced my buying decisions on several cars. I don't want the hassle of historic plates with a mileage log book and can't handle the sight of an 18 year old stranger driving my car into the bay at one of our local smog inspection stations. Dodged that bullet for a long time with my 540 CID '79 Malibu until I decided to stick with cars '70 and older as long as I'm living in St. Louis.

396L35 · #14 11-23-2005, 05:18 PM

Mark they upped the date on the smog exempt to 1980 and older as long as you put the historic plates on the car... No more inspections as well....

Mark

**TimG** · #15 11-23-2005, 05:29 PM

Very, very nice 22,000 Z28. I'd like to see more of that car.

47Hammer · #16 11-23-2005, 05:32 PM

Wow! great looking car.

70-SS/RS-L78 · #17 11-24-2005, 01:50 AM

The price difference between the 70-71 Z cars is real close. If you took two IDENTICAL colored and
Optioned Z cars you are only looking at a few thousand dollars difference. I have owned many of both
and I personally like the 71 as it is a much more comfortable car to drive and the 70 has a slight
performance advantage.

**Dave Rifkin** · #18 11-24-2005, 02:41 AM

[ QUOTE ]
The price difference between the 70-71 Z cars is real close. If you took two IDENTICAL colored and
Optioned Z cars you are only looking at a few thousand dollars difference. I have owned many of both
and I personally like the 71 as it is a much more comfortable car to drive and the 70 has a slight
performance advantage.

[/ QUOTE ]

Would you mind explaining the comfort difference? I would think they would be identical in that respect; what is so different to make one more comfortable to drive? Is it the taller seats?

**Late BrakeU2** · #19 11-24-2005, 03:39 AM

[ QUOTE ]
The price difference between the 70-71 Z cars is real close. If you took two IDENTICAL colored and
Optioned Z cars you are only looking at a few thousand dollars difference. I have owned many of both
and I personally like the 71 as it is a much more comfortable car to drive and the 70 has a slight
performance advantage.

[/ QUOTE ]

With all due a few thousand dollars? more like 20K in my experience.The woods are full of very nice documented 71Z'S for 30k,whereas a like 70 would bring 50k but you rarely see correct one's availible.I think Stefano's hugger car is gorgeous,and it would be in a new home by now(probably mine)if it had paper-which is not meant to impune the car but collectors want it all these days,and aren't afraid to pony up for the right package,which is pushing these up so rapidly.Make mine an Granny Smith M22 RS COPO please!

**Stefano** · #20 11-24-2005, 04:21 AM

The seats are much more comfortable on the later cars not just due to the shape and padding but more so the incline of the seats. You sit very upright in the '70 seats. I do favor the look of the one year only seats.

I had a '72 RS Driver Z28 Look Camaro 307 TH350 and A/C which I put about 10,000 miles on in two summers. Very comfortable car.

Here are a few familiar looking cars including a real RS/SS L78 http://greene-shipman.org/ChevyCamaro.html The copper one is the '72 I referenced .Tt sold for upper teens three/ 4 years ago. The silver RS sold at auction 4 or 5 years ago for mid teens. The L78 RS/SS sold a couple of years ago to a very wise individual, price?

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