Since my dad got done restoring a true '72 Chevelle SS, him and I are looking for a true '78-'81 z28 and we need to learn a lot about them before we start. I've already looked through a thread a guy posted that had a lot of information about the different features each car had, but I need something simpler than that, so...

If we're looking to buy a '78-'81 Z28, what are the key things to look at to make sure it's a Z28 and not a clone?

 

They sway bars are a dead give away. Honestly our cars can be z28 c;ones and it doesn't affect value like it would older cars. Nasty Z28 has a good trim tag decoder.

 

There are alot of things that people can and will do to clone a z,but there is also some things that most of those people overlook,like mentioned above the sway bars,there should be aluminum spacers on the bump stops over the control arms,and the cowl tag under the hood.If the car was built at the norwood plant,it will say Z28 right on the tag,if it was built at van nuys,i think it has an 8 but i am not positive as mine is a norwood car.Also unless it has an aftermarket steering wheel,the factory wheel for a Z28 is the rope style wheel,and the dash bezel should be a dark bronze/brown looking aluminum layed over the black plastic,at least on the 79-81 not sure on the 78.

 

Decoding the vin will help first.. decoding the body number plate will help more. If you want to know details on the codes just ask I have the book on the break down on both.

 

Is anyone really trying to go through the cost to fake a late 2nd gen Z28? I know the 1st gen Z28's get lots of fakes, but didn't know it had started with 2nd gens.

 

In this area they are known as Zebras. They up the resale value a thousand or better.

 

Just like with any popular car,there are alot of people who whether it be for higher resale,or just for the look,who will try and pass off a clone.The thing is alot of those people wont cover every detail,they will forget 1 thing or more.But yeah,there are definitely people doing it with the 2nd gen cars,and the older and more popular they become,you can bet the number of fakes will go way up.

 

Uping reale $1,000 wont even pay for the factory body kit and decals. Sounds like a losing proposition to me.

 

I just don't get it. My 80' will stop, go, and turn better than my 78 real deal Z28 ever would. It's getting 79 stickers and chin spoiler. I could swap my dash and cowl tag if I wanted to lie and say it was a "real" Z. I even did a four speed swap.

Technically I could have pulled off a complete clone. I had a running driving parts car. I still have the sway bars, steering wheel, steering box and 78's didn't come with a chin spoiler. The brakes are the same no matter if it was a 6 banger or top of the line Z. My 78 even had a peg leg rear end.

In the end I would much rather have my look a like Z than my real Z.

 

I will find a nice LT and pile on the parts I want with like a RS paint job or SS stripes then go out and stomp on ppl and giggle!!!!!!