New on the Chevy Camaro for 1978 was body-colored urethane front and rear fascia where extruded aluminum bumpers had been before. They were able to effectively hide the impact-absorbing crash structure designed to withstand hits of at least five mph. Annual sales were up, even exceeding those of the 1967-69 first-generation Camaro. This beautiful example is the more luxurious LT model that has only been driven 31,000 miles since it was new. With a small-block V8, this survivor is available in Phoenix, Arizona, and here on craigslist for $19,500 (although close reasonable offers aren’t out of the question). Thanks for the pony car tip, Craiger!

The Camaro was flourishing in 1978, with Chevrolet selling 272,000 copies versus the paltry 68,000 in 1972 when GM considered pulling the plug (the division was snakebit that year for a variety of reasons). The car would outsell the once-leader in the market, Ford’s Mustang, which had become a glorified Pinto at that point. Camaro’s would receive several upgrades in 1978, such as non-corroding nylon brake pressure switches, lower control arm bracing to improve chassis stiffness, redesigned rear spring shackles to improve stability, and a few other things that weren’t necessarily visible to the naked eye. More than 65,000 LTs were delivered in 1978, including the seller’s sweetheart.

It’s always good when a vintage car comes with a story, which this one does. It was built in September 1977 at Chevy’s Van Nuys, California plant rather than the previously labor-troubled Norwood, Ohio facility. It was first purchased from a dealer in Washington State and found itself in long-term storage before the previous owner bought it out of an estate sale in 2019 with a mere 29,000 miles on the odometer. It was stock until that buyer took it home and made a few changes, such as adding some bling to the engine compartment and Z28 stoked wheels, although the original Rally wheels were retained. Until it was acquired by the seller (a dealer, perhaps), only 2,000 more miles were added to the clock.

The car’s 350 cubic-inch V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor runs smoothly and the automatic transmission does its job properly. The Carmine Metallic Red paint presents quite well, though the seller says it’s not pristine due to a few little chips and the discoloration that sometimes comes with age. The white half vinyl top looks great as does the red and white matching/contrasting interior that looks ready for a road trip. This is a well-equipped automobile that may only lack factory air conditioning to wrap things up. We’re told this is a turn-key Camaro and it’s one of the nicest I’ve seen in a long time.