Drive and Restore: 1978 Chevrolet Camaro RS

If you’re like me, you will tackle rust repairs, but you’d prefer not to. If that is the case, this 1978 Chevrolet Camaro Rally Sport deserves a close look. It is a little baked and crusty, but the only apparent rust is in a replaceable panel if you don’t feel comfortable with welding. It runs and drives, and although it has sat for a few years, returning it to a roadworthy state may not be difficult. The seller has listed this promising project here on eBay in Vallejo, California. Handing the seller $8,999 would secure this classic, though they may consider offers.

Chevrolet kept cosmetic updates to a minimum when introducing the 1978 Camaro. The most notable were the new color-matched urethane bumpers, which looked more integrated than the previous chrome components. This ’78 is a Rally Sport, with the first owner ticking the box beside the optional factory rear spoiler for a more aggressive appearance. The car’s original Bright Blue Metallic paint is very tired and has checked in a few spots. The new owner would need to strip the exterior to bare metal to achieve an acceptable restoration result. Still, with no major bumps or bruises and no appreciable rust, that process won’t cost a fortune if they take the DIY approach. The seller is candid, stating that while the exterior and floors are rock-solid, there is developing rust on the inside of the trunk lid. It could be patchable, but the buyer may choose to throw caution to the wind by spending around $180 on a replacement lid to eliminate the problem permanently. Some body seal and trim pieces look beyond salvation, although the glass is clear, and the Camaro rolls on its correct, color-matched wheels.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Camaro’s interior, which looks far better than you would typically expect after years of exposure to the Californian sun. It won’t win any show trophies, and the seller doesn’t mention what might hide beneath the front seat slipcovers. However, the back seat looks okay, the dash and pad are respectable, and the remaining upholstered surfaces may present acceptably following a deep clean. Some plastic pieces are marked, and if the new owner is on a strict budget, vinyl dye might hide the problem without costing a fortune. Unsurprisingly for a car in this location, the Camaro does feature air conditioning. There is also a remote driver’s mirror and an aftermarket radio/cassette player with rear-mounted speakers.

This Camaro reveals just how miserable life was during the Malaise Era. The first owner ordered the Rally Sport with a 305ci V8, but since they lived in California, it was the least potent V8 available for that model year. It sent 135hp and 240 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a three-speed Hydramatic transmission. Californian buyers were unable to order this engine with a manual transmission, leaving them stuck with the self-shifter and the resulting performance loss. The seller states that this Camaro has sat for years, but it does run and drive, as demonstrated in this YouTube video. It isn’t roadworthy, although there are additional parts in the trunk to help the buyer achieve that goal.

If you long to practice your panel prep and painting skills but don’t want to spend a fortune on a project candidate requiring extensive rust repairs, this 1978 Camaro Rally Sport could be a potential project candidate. If the buyer is hands-on in their approach, the investment to whip the exterior into shape will involve more time than money. The interior may require a capital injection to improve its appearance. However, many of the plastic pieces might be candidates for one of the excellent penetrating vinyl dyes currently available to restore them to a factory-fresh state. If you are on a budget, could this Camaro be a strong contender for your workshop?