This must have been one heck of a car at one point. Unfortunately, that was a while ago, and rust has certainly set in. This 1971 Chevrolet Camaro is being sold here on eBay with an opening bid of $3,900 and no reserve. It’s located in Akron, Ohio.
Let’s deal with the elephant in the room first. Yup, it’s rusty. Really rusty. And based on where the seams are rusting, it looks like it’s already had the rear quarters replaced. We’re not told much else about the car other than–surprise–it runs! Note, I did not say it drives. More about that later.
Am I right in thinking this quarter may have been replaced before due to where the rust is breaking out? It sure looks like there is some body filler where it would have been used to cover a seam. The car does come with a new pair of quarter panel skins, so perhaps the repairs could be redone?
The interior is pretty rough, with the exception of the dash and door panels. Here’s where things get interesting. The seller tells us that this was originally a four speed car, but that someone has converted it to an automatic. Huh? Perhaps this was done for drag racing purposes? Who knows. Regardless, the transmission isn’t currently functional, or as the seller tells us, “I don’t think that worked out too well for them” (speaking of whomever did the conversion). Thankfully, the original four speed is included in the trunk so that you can put it back into it’s proper place.
However, as previously stated the engine does run, and all the body parts are available if you really want to restore this car. That’s a 350 V8 under the hood with what looks like a healthy-sized Edelbrock carburetor, so you have something performance oriented to start with. I’d be more inclined to at least look for another body shell, but maybe I’m wrong. Would you start with this one? And what would you do with the car?
This really was a cool ride once, even with the automatic. Love the RS front end, and (gasp) its not covered with fake SS or Z/28 badges!
Too far gone with rust though, a shame.
Why say no reserve when you have a starting bid. That is the reserve.
Ur right sir a 100%
I will never understand how someone can let a car go like this. I guess I worked too hard for the things I have to ever let this happen. If you don’t want the car, then sell it.
And this was a $3500 car when new. How about the chap with the one-of-a-kind Ferrari stored uncovered for 40 years?
The 2nd Gen Camaro has huge support from the aftermarket and only a reputable body that’s properly equipped and staffed with trained and experienced people can take on the job of restoring this Bow Tie back to it’s former glory. The work isn’t for the faint of heart and it won’t be cheap either.
Agreed. I had a friend who spent $10k only to find out it was an $8k car. Never restore with profit in mind.
“Shop”
Agreed this would have to e a labor of love
It’s like this if your heart ain’t in it nothing else will fall into place!! But all it takes is a little TLC and Faith and she would be Awesome,as well as a 373 rear end and a 454 big Block, And Mickey Thompson’s A few twerks!! But I she would be back in prime!!
David, it doesn’t have the fake badges. But what about the fake stripes that you can see from a mile away?
Trans am seats?
They look to me like mid 80s mustang seats
Bought one new in 71, was junk then, don’t imagine they have improved with age
Everything improves with age, including all of Us. When you stop improving, you are then buried for eternity.
I believe in reality this is a 1970 and a half and not a 71 the first generation or 69 model year sold so well that They carried it into the the middle of 1970 then they came out with the second generation body style. I owned a 1970 and a half RS SS Z28 and to this day that car rest in my soul. If I could I would buy that car and restore a completely probably give it in a Z28 tag and though it wouldn’t be stock, and I wouldn’t have my old LT1 350 back in it I would probably go with an LS4 and give it some serious steroids, This all comes from a Camaro Aficionado enthusiastio
According to the trim tag, this car was built the first week of May, 1971, so definitely a 71 model. Also according to the tag, it was originally Nevada silver with a black vinyl top & had a standard blue interior.
If you had an RS SS Z28, you had the only one ever built. Should have kept it,
I had a green with black striped 1970 z28. 350 , 365 hp. Full bumper in front. When and whoever changed style to a split front bumper did a real injustice to a good lookin car.
Mike Campisano comment ..thank you…Z28 yes. RS Z28 yes. RS SS Z28 pretty sure NO. Z28 and SS were both motor / suspension packages = could not have both in one car.
All Z28’s were 302’s….that was the whole idea. RS was a trim/styling package. SS was more about the larger engines.
They don’t call it the rust belt for nothin’! Sad condition this is in. I love the 2nd gen
body lines, but IMO, need an L88 hood scoop to break up that long hood.
By no means am I a Bowtie fan but…even with the obvious cancer, it might…..might, be worth the effort. I personally never cared for laying down behind the wheel of any vehicle but there are many who enjoy the “Wanna Be Corvette” experience.
I prefer to sit upright and command the vehicle.
I agree with Jamie, those quarter panels have been replaced before. It was a terrible job though. I’m not sure what was used to attach them, they certainly don’t look like they were welded in. The body filler looks to be 1/4″ thick too. In my opinion the only value here is in the engine and the 4speed transmission ( if it’s the rock cruiser ). $750 tops.
1971 chevy 350, automatic, not worth much.
My grandpa has one of those in his backyard it’s hell of a lot more rusty
I’ve owned about 20 first gen Camaros, half a dozen 2nd gen & two 4th gen cars. My favorite are the 2nd gen, they were just such a better car than their predecessors. The 70-73 are the best performing, & with the flat back window, round tail lights & small bumpers, are the best looking imho. I have always wished GM had continued with convertibles, they would have been gorgeous in this style.
As rusty as this car is, I’m not sure its cost effective to try to restore at this point unless you have deep pockets or can do the work yourself. If you have to pay to have it done, you will be upside down long before it’s finished. But these early 2nd gen cars are on the rise, so it will probably be saved.
This must have been a nice street machine at one time, lots of fun. But if I had taken the picture of the engine I would have at least pulled off that awful looking air cleaner. Engine is not that bad looking except for the rusty air cleaner! The seats, are those from a newer camaro? They seem out of place.
Unless this is a cobbled-together frankenstein version (which is entirely possible), this is not a 71–it’s a 73. The trunk lid and 4-spoke steering wheel both say “LT” which was first available in 1973. The 71 automatics had the horseshoe shifter which this does not and the doors have pockets which my 71s did not have. It’s also very strange that the vehicle tag would indicate that it was made in 71. There’s a lot of strange stuff going on with this car and not in a good way.
In Ohio, these cars rot liketheres no tomorrow, check it quite with a fine tooth comb.
The way these cars develop rust is like a comb with 3 teeth = not good!!
I had one of these in 1983 and the rust was really bad then!!!!!
I learned a long time ago that it is far better to restore a solid car. I am not saying crush this but maybe park it (somewhere where it won’t continue to rust) so that one day when there are literally NO more of these to buy….it MIGHT be worth considering a restoration.
1 bid at the minimum — oh, BTW, it’s from a bidder with zero feedback and the only bid placed by this person in the last 30 days is on this car. Seller also has no feedback as seller in at least 12 months. Hmmmm. Beware ebayers.
I believe they are t/a also. Actually I’m sure of it