1973 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

Pony car powered by 1973 L82 350 V8.

Green Gold 1973 Camaro Z28, front three-quarter view

Engine L82 350, 245 net hp

Transmissions M20, M21, or TH400

Rear axle 3.73 manual or 3.42 automatic Positraction

Wheelbase 108 inches

Z28 production 11,574

Story

The 1973 Z28 remained a complete Chevrolet performance package even as emissions hardware and daily usability reshaped its small-block. Its L82 350 used hydraulic lifters, a cast-iron EGR intake, and a Rochester Quadrajet while retaining four-bolt mains, a forged crankshaft, large-valve heads, dual exhaust, and 245 net horsepower.

A close-ratio M21 four-speed was standard, with the wide-ratio M20 used when air conditioning was paired with a manual. The optional automatic was a special Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 with a high-stall converter. Positraction, transmission-specific 3.73 or 3.42 gearing, power front discs, package suspension, 15x7 wheels, and F60-15 tires made Z28 much more than an appearance option.

Buyers could combine Z28 with the new Type LT and Rally Sport packages. D88 stripes and D80 spoilers were optional, so neither is required proof. The strongest identity starts with the T engine code in the VIN and then reconciles the cowl tag, paperwork, drivetrain stamps, axle code, dates, paint, trim, and equipment on the individual car.

Light Yellow 1973 Camaro Z28, front-left profileSicnag via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Price history

Values

Nominal dollars from original price sheets, auction archives, and approved value references.

Original Price

Base MSRP $3,212

Type LT Coupe base MSRP (1973)

1973 Chevrolet Camaro Vehicle Information Kit 1973 Camaro model-year reference
Base MSRP $2,823

V8 Sport Coupe base MSRP (1973)

1973 Chevrolet Camaro Vehicle Information Kit 1973 Camaro model-year reference
Option price $397

C60 air conditioning (1973)

1973 Chevrolet Camaro Vehicle Information Kit 1973 Camaro model-year reference
Option price $77

D80 front and rear spoilers (1973)

1973 Chevrolet Camaro Vehicle Information Kit 1973 Camaro model-year reference
Option price $77

D88 sport stripes (1973)

1973 Chevrolet Camaro Vehicle Information Kit 1973 Camaro model-year reference
Option price $200

M20 wide-ratio four-speed (1973)

1973 Chevrolet Camaro Vehicle Information Kit 1973 Camaro model-year reference
Option price $200

M21 close-ratio four-speed (1973)

1973 Chevrolet Camaro Vehicle Information Kit 1973 Camaro model-year reference
Option price $210

M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic (1973)

1973 Chevrolet Camaro Vehicle Information Kit 1973 Camaro model-year reference
Option price $118

Z22 Rally Sport Package (1973)

1973 Chevrolet Camaro Vehicle Information Kit 1973 Camaro model-year reference
Option price $598

Z28 Special Performance Package (1973)

1973 Chevrolet Camaro Vehicle Information Kit 1973 Camaro model-year reference

Market Observations

Auction sale $38,750

Mar 2, 2026 · Bring a Trailer
Four-speed Z28 with modified induction, climate control, shifter, and brakes · modified · unknown Completed winning bid before buyer fees; modifications make it a separate market context from a stock car.
1973 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 4-Speed
Auction sale $45,000

Aug 21, 2024 · Bring a Trailer
Silver Z28 four-speed with L82, Positraction, and window-sticker evidence · restored · unknown Completed winning bid before buyer fees; restoration and component originality require the listing's vehicle-specific evidence.
1973 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 4-Speed
Auction sale $37,000

Aug 30, 2023 · Bring a Trailer
Midnight Blue Z28/RS with 350 and automatic transmission · restored · unknown Completed winning bid before buyer fees; restoration, equipment, and condition are vehicle-specific.
1973 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 RS
High bid $33,500

Nov 16, 2021 · Bring a Trailer
Refurbished 1973 Camaro Z28 · restored · unknown Reserve-not-met high bid, not a completed sale; represented configuration and refurbishment remain vehicle-specific.
1973 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
High bid $19,000

Nov 24, 2020 · Bring a Trailer
Repainted Z28 with replacement crate 350, M21, 17-inch wheels, and suspension changes · modified · unknown Reserve-not-met high bid, not a completed sale; extensive modifications and condition disclosures prevent direct comparison with a stock car.
350-Powered 1973 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 4-Speed

Values move with paperwork, originality, options, condition, venue, and body style. High bids and guide values are labeled separately from completed sales.

Reference records

Options, Colors & Components

Source-backed details for trim, chassis, production, and authenticity.

Engine Details

L82 / Z28 350 4.00 x 3.48 inches, 9.0:1 compression, 245 net hp and 280 lb-ft · included with the 1973 Z28 package · engine assembly / specification
Quadrajet 4MV 7043212 automatic or 7043213 four-speed · verify date and application on an individual car · carburetor / part number
1973 Z28 suffixes CLJ manual or CLK automatic; CLM/CLL California applications are also reported · verify suffix, partial VIN, date, and plant context · other / assembly code

Transmission

Factory transmission M20 wide-ratio four-speed
Factory transmission M21 close-ratio four-speed
Factory transmission special M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic 400

Options

L82 350 reference for the 1973 Chevrolet Camaro Z28Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

Z28 Special Performance Package factory · performance · L82 350, transmission choice, cooling, dual exhaust, power brakes, Positraction, package suspension, 15x7 wheels, F60-15 tires, and Z28 identification.
Z22 Rally Sport Package optional · appearance · Could be combined with Z28 and Type LT; RS appearance is not required for Z28 identity.
D88 Sport stripes optional · appearance · Hood and rear-deck graphics were optional and ordered on 6,177 Camaros according to the reviewed reference.
D80 Front and rear spoilers optional · appearance · Valid Z28s may have been built without spoilers.
C60 Four-season air conditioning optional · comfort · Available on Z28 for the first time; manual cars with C60 used the M20 wide-ratio four-speed.
U14 Special instrumentation optional · interior · Tachometer, gauges, and clock; no longer automatic Z28 evidence for 1973.
AN6 Adjustable driver seat back optional · interior · Factory extra-cost equipment adjusts the driver's seat back only.
T60 Heavy-duty battery optional · other · Included when C60 Four-Season air conditioning was ordered.
AK1 Custom deluxe seat and shoulder belts optional · safety · Replaced the standard belts with four custom deluxe seat belts and two shoulder belts.
ACC-Rear-Shoulder-Belts Rear shoulder belts dealer · safety · Two rear shoulder belts were listed as accessories for cars ordered with AK1 custom deluxe belts.
ZK1 Fleet body insulation package optional · comfort · Restricted to fleet use in the factory extra-cost equipment list.
D55 Floor console optional · interior · Required when A31 power windows were ordered.
A01 Soft-Ray tinted glass optional · comfort · Factory option tinted all windows.
ZJ9 Auxiliary lighting group optional · comfort · Included courtesy, glove-compartment, luggage-compartment, ash-tray, and underhood lights; the four named compartment lights were also listed as accessories.
B84 Body-side moldings optional · appearance
V01 Heavy-duty radiator optional · performance · Listed for V8 models and included with C60 Four-Season air conditioning.
U63 AM pushbutton radio optional · comfort · Included a concealed windshield antenna.
U69 AM/FM pushbutton radio optional · comfort · Included a concealed windshield antenna.
U80 Rear-seat speaker optional · comfort
U76 Windshield antenna without radio optional · comfort · Factory option applied when no radio was ordered.
C08 Vinyl roof cover optional · appearance · Included bright roof-drip moldings.
N33 Comfortilt steering wheel optional · interior · Available only with an automatic transmission.
N65 Space-saver spare tire optional · other
C24 Hide-away windshield wipers optional · appearance · Used 18-inch blades, an articulated left blade, and a black-chrome finish; equivalent concealed wiper equipment was included in Z22 Rally Sport.
A02 Fleet tinted windshield optional · comfort · Restricted to fleet use.
B93 Door-edge guards dealer · appearance
B37 Color-keyed floor mats dealer · interior · Factory list specifies two front and two rear mats.
C50 Forced-air rear-window defogger dealer · comfort
Z54 Interior Decor/Quiet Sound Group optional · interior · Available on the 1FQ87 Camaro and included in the 1FS87 Type LT; added cluster lighting, wood-grain instrument trim, hood insulation, a glove-compartment lamp, and additional body insulation.
Z21 Style Trim Option optional · appearance · Factory application covers both 1FQ87 Camaro and 1FS87 Type LT and adds exterior belt, lamp, hood/fender, roof-drip, lock-pillar, door-handle, and parking-lamp trim.
M20 Wide-ratio four-speed manual transmission optional · performance · Listed for optional V8 applications and required for a manual-transmission Z28 with C60 air conditioning.
M21 Close-ratio four-speed manual transmission optional · performance · Required Z28 equipment and used a 2.20:1 low gear.
M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission optional · performance · Factory Z28 automatic path.
N40 Variable-ratio power steering optional · chassis
A31 Power windows optional · comfort · Required the D55 floor console.

Paint

**Blue 1973 Camaro Z28 with D88 striping**Sicnag via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

11 Antique White factory · solid
24 Light Blue factory · metallic
26 Dark Blue factory · metallic
29 Midnight Blue factory · metallic
42 Dark Green factory · metallic
44 Light Green factory · metallic
46 Green-Gold factory · metallic
48 Midnight Green factory · metallic
51 Light Yellow factory · solid
56 Chamois factory · solid
60 Light Copper factory · metallic
64 Silver factory · metallic
68 Dark Brown factory · metallic
74 Dark Red factory · metallic
75 Medium Red factory · solid
97 Medium Orange factory · metallic

Appearance

**1973 Camaro Z28 rear view with optional D88 graphics and D80 spoiler**Katherine Tompkins via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Z28 fender and rear identification standard · badge
D88 hood and rear-deck graphics optional · decal
D80 front and rear spoilers optional · spoiler
15x7 AU-code steel wheels standard · wheel
Sport Coupe, Type LT, and Rally Sport combinations factory · other

Interior

A51 front bucket seats standard · seat
Sport Coupe vinyl and cloth/vinyl interiors factory · trim
Type LT interior decor factory · trim
D55 floor console optional · console
U14 special instrumentation optional · gauge

Chassis

Independent front suspension Suspension · standard
Leaf-spring rear suspension Suspension · standard
Z28 steering calibration Suspension · standard
Power front-disc and rear-drum brakes Brakes · standard
G80 Positraction with manual transmission Rear axle · 3.73:1 · limited-slip · standard
G80 Positraction with automatic transmission Rear axle · 3.42:1 · limited-slip · standard
Factory Z28 rear-axle engineering reference Rear axle · 3.73:1 manual; 3.42:1 Turbo Hydra-Matic · limited-slip · standard

Production

**Green Gold 1973 Camaro Z28 in an older show photograph**GPS 56 via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Three Transmission Paths reference for the 1973 Chevrolet Camaro Z28Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

1973 Camaro, all configurations total · 96,751 · reported
1973 Camaro Z28 by option · 11,574 · reported
1973 Camaro Z28 manual by transmission · 6,107 · reported
1973 Camaro Z28 automatic by transmission · 5,467 · reported

Authenticity

Positraction Rear Axle reference for the 1973 Chevrolet Camaro Z28Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

Package identity The fifth VIN character is T and paperwork, body-tag context, and equipment agree · VIN, cowl tag, window sticker, invoice, build sheet, Protect-O-Plate, and ownership records · fraud detection
Engine identity Correct suffix, partial VIN, castings, dates, Quadrajet application, and L82 hardware agree · Engine pad, block, heads, carburetor, intake, valve covers, air cleaner, and paperwork · numbers matching
Transmission and axle M20, M21, or special TH400 evidence agrees with 3.73 manual or 3.42 automatic Positraction context · Transmission stamp or tag, axle code, ratio, castings, dates, and paperwork · date correctness
Paint, trim, and appearance Cowl-tag paint and trim codes agree with hidden finishes, cabin, D88, D80, Z22, and Type LT evidence · Cowl tag, hidden paint, cabin, sheet metal, fasteners, invoice, and period photos · trim correctness
Canadian vehicle-specific production record For a Canadian-built or U.S.-built Camaro originally sold in Canada, a Vintage Vehicle Services Heritage Certificate can report available factory production data including dealer, dates, plant, colors, engine, transmission, and option codes · Submit the complete VIN to Vintage Vehicle Services, verify that the car falls within its Canadian production or sales scope, and compare the returned record with the VIN, cowl tag, paperwork, hidden finishes, and installed components · fraud detection

Still Researching

engine The model-year engine record is documented; an individual car still requires car-specific evidence before originality claims are made.
transmission The model-year transmission record is documented; an individual car still requires car-specific evidence before originality claims are made.
rear axle The model-year rear axle record is documented; an individual car still requires car-specific evidence before originality claims are made.
brakes Factory records document the Z28-included vacuum assist and principal rotor, drum, cylinder, hydraulic, and pedal specifications. Complete production part-number, casting, finish, supplier, component-date, and running-change matrices remain unresolved, and model-year specifications do not prove an individual car's originality.
suspension The model-year suspension record is documented; an individual car still requires car-specific evidence before originality claims are made.
option packages Factory engineering pages document the principal Z28-applicable extra-cost equipment and package contents, but they do not supply the complete dealer price, ordering, cancellation, regional, or dated revision matrix; an individual car still requires car-specific evidence before originality claims are made.
production The model-year production record is documented; an individual car still requires car-specific evidence before originality claims are made.
paint colors The model-year paint colors record is documented; an individual car still requires car-specific evidence before originality claims are made.
trim and appearance The model-year trim and appearance record is documented; an individual car still requires car-specific evidence before originality claims are made.
interior The model-year interior record is documented; an individual car still requires car-specific evidence before originality claims are made.
authenticity markers The model-year authenticity record and a vehicle-specific production-record path for Canadian-built or Canadian-sold cars are documented; a particular car still requires applicable records and physical evidence before originality claims are made.