The second generation of the Chevrolet Camaro went through some tough times in automotive history. Given its long-life span that went from 1970 through 1981, the second-gen was a popular muscle car in its early years, survived the oil embargo of the mid-seventies, and even though power was down it still looked great all the way through its run and if you checked the right boxes there was still some excitement to be had. The 1978 model featured new body-colored urethane front and rear bumpers, with larger taillights and a sleeker look than its predecessor. Located in Merrick, New York, the 1978 Chevrolet Camaro LT offered for sale here on Craigslist has the right stuff and seems to be reasonably priced at $18,000, so if you’ve been in the market for a late ’70s F-Body this one may be worth taking a close look at. Barn Finds would like to thank reader Pat L. for the great tip on this one!
This Camaro LT is equipped with the LM1 350 cubic inch V8, which only made about 170 horsepower in 1978. But the car also has the MM4 4-Speed manual transmission, the G80 positraction rear-end, and the F41 sport suspension, so for the time period it was a pretty decent performer. The car is said to have 84,000 miles, and judging from the way things look under the hood it seems like that may be correct. The seller says that everything on the car works and it is a solid daily driver.
Inside and out, things are looking good for a car that’s now over 40 years old, and while it is unknown how many owners this Camaro has had over the years it looks like it’s been well cared for, although the paint is said to be showing its age with some checking in the lacquer. The owner says that nothing has been modified, with the exception of the factory GM rally wheels, and the car even still has its factory AM/FM radio, paperwork, and window sticker. This is a well-optioned vehicle, with items such as air conditioning, power windows, rear defroster, intermittent wipers, and a tilt steering column. The car also has a heavy-duty radiator and power front disc brakes.
The seller describes his Camaro LT as every bit of a Z/28 without all the graphics and flashes, and the LT model really does have a more laid-back presentation. There are plenty of photos of the inside and outside of the car plus a couple of photos of inside the trunk with the mat lifted, and while things look great in the trunk there are no photos from underneath, and being from up North I’d probably at least inquire about any rust issues before making a commitment. I’m really liking this one and thinking $18k is not out of line for what it looks like you’re getting here. What are your thoughts on this 1978 Chevrolet Camaro LT?
Very cool car! I like the flash of the Z28, but I can also very much appreciate the subtle nature of this car too.
Even though I am not a fan of the color green, to me this is a great shade of green & I would drive this with pride!
Excellent find of what appears to be an original survivor.
I appreciate the ’78’s very much and own an original 9,300 (actual miles) Z/28 in Carmine Red that was special ordered. Mine also has a 4 speed, AC, PW, PDL, Tilt wheel, and so on with the build sheet.
I like this one and would also want more information on the possible rust issues seeing how it is in the New York area and was delivered to a dealer in New York. Best to verify. Asking price is not bad as well.
You should post a few photos for us to see Greg. There’s not many left with that kind of miles.
Yes Greg, we’d love to see it, if you have time to post a picture or two!
It’s not accepting my pics? Maybe I can text it to someone to post for me? 208-412-9744 is my cell
This one needs air (and fresh Freon)
It shows in the engine and dash pics that it has AC, and the seller claims everything works. Someone just needs to confirm that it blows ice cold. One thing to work, and another to blow ice cold.
Looks great and like the fact it is NOT a Z28 . had one of these back in the day ( automatic ) and never saw a 4 speed well optioned type Lt like this one . Glad to see the original owner had the sense of mind to keep window sticker and not give into the temptation to modify car at all . WHAT A GREAT FIND !
I have Canada wide calling and texting, but my carrier really dings me when I text the States. Perhaps Jesse or Josh could get in touch with Greg so we could see those Z28 photos.
I will see if these work from my PC
One of the interior
back seat
Gauges
I always thought the z28 350 was a special motor internally – avail only on the z28 in ’70-74. Apparently, the LM1 350 is nothing special in ’78 – available in a plain camaro & possibly impala too!
Oddly, pontiac had a more powerful 400 avail for the t/a & formula in ’78, but not for base or esprit birds.
Did Chevy run out of development money?
Original paint, numbers matching, low actual miles, and have the buildsheet.
Nice looking car Greg. Definitely a keeper.
Really Nice Greg. I had a 77.5 and a 78 Z28 both were black. Bought them new and wish I had held onto them.
Really cool looking ride man.
What color is that looks dark pink almost. Matching rims are sharp.
4sp and interior 👌
Back in the mid 80’s when Z28s were everywhere, I opened up the hood scoop on my ‘78. A little work with a dremel tool on the scoop and the hood provided functional fresh air for under the hood.
Thanks Ray and Pat. I have two (2) 1979’s that I bought from the original Owners. One is black that has a 4 speed, t tops, AC, PW, PDL, Tilt wheel, and has tan interior. All original and just 18,600 actual miles. The other ’79 is light blue and has no options and is an automatic with just 16,700 miles that I bought from the original owner as well. In this pic the other is a ’81 (dark blue) that I sold to the right of the light blue ’79.
Greg B, you have a great eye for these cars. Your pictures, and the featured car, make me miss my ’81 plain-jane, V6 auto Camaro that was my first brand new car. Ordered from the factory exactly the way I wanted. I tried tracking it via the CarFax type services and the road ends in the early 90s,
Wow! Love the stance on that LT. And the price is more than reasonable, assuming it is as sound as it looks. But Greg,Greg,Greg….What a nice, quiet collection you have. In 1978 I was in 10th grade in tiny Eatonton, Georgia. Other than football, the only thing that would turn my head was Z28s. I remember the1st time seeing that color red with it’s trim and matching wheels. I actually gasped while taking a step backwards. 44 years later, your Zcar did it again. I’ll admit I was sitting down, but it damn sure made me sit up straight. Well done looking after those cars & I hope your legacy will continue.
I grew up with these and my second car when I was 17 was a 1981 Camaro Z/28. Once you have owned one you always want one again.
The color for this ‘78 is called Carmine Red. It’s my wife’s favorite one of all that I have.
Greg those are all absolute beauties! Thanks for sharing all those pics with us and it’s great to see they’re in such good hands. Thanks for your commitment to the hobby and also for being a Barn Finds member!
Hi Mike,
It’s great being a member here and being around others in our hobby. I’ve been addicted to cars since I was a kid. It gets in your blood as many of us know 😁
Here is one of ‘my 79’s that I bought from the original owner. He had placed a lot of day 2 parts on it back in the day, but fortunately saved all of the original parts that I am putting back on the car. It has just 18,600 actual 1 owner miles on it. 4 speed, AC, PW, PDL, Tilt Steering Wheel, power rear window defogger, am/fm/8 track (still works), and N90 turbine wheels. They are mounted to the original tires that he also gave me!
I will upload a pic from my PC soon. It’s black on tan.
Black on tan, the same color combo I picked for my ’81, Can’t wait to see it!
Here is my ’81, pic taken when I stupidly sold it in ’85. I had bought a ’70 Corvette Convertible and thought I didn’t need 2 sporty cars. Should have kept it instead of going through a bunch of other cars after this one was gone.
That’s awesome! Here is my ’79
I am getting the exhaust parts put back on at the moment.
Good call on the removal of the side pipes and wheels. These look great in stock form.
Agree 💯
Here is the interior of the black ’79
I am restoring the wheels now and will mount them to some BFG Radial TA’s when completed for my normal driving. These original tires I will of course save.
One owner actual miles
Nice car (cars ) guys
Its nice to see the ones that are owned by our fellow readers
Grew up with these
Always loved the look but they never made them topless
I know that after market made some but they look like hack jobs …
And im a topless kinda guy !
For interested buyers
Look into canada , you can get a z for less than this car
The exchange rate is in your favor and importing back into us , should not be an issue as it is an american car
And for the uninitiated, we are not savages , lol
Prices are higher in vancouver and toronto , so stay clear of these cities
Good point Claudio. I recently added a ONE family owned ’81 Camaro Z/28 with a 4 speed, t tops, PW, PDL Tilt Wheel, Rear Defrost, AM/FM/Cassette, etc., that has just 36,000 actual miles, from Canada. Bought it from the son of the original owner that had ordered it new.
It was much less than the states, BUT shipping and having to use a broker to cross the boarder is more expensive as compared shipping from the states. The overall savings was still better IMO buying from Canada.
Myself being from the montreal region , i drove with pick up and trailer and took delivery myself of cars , virginia, carolinas, georgia , ohio, maine , detroit, i did not attempt any further because of time restraints
I did get 2 shipped
At the time the exchange rate was flat , wich made it good for canadians , that’s gone now !
My copilot is always up for a roadtrip !
By the way , i never used a broker
It would have been easier at first but once i got over the hurdles , it wasn’t an issue anymore
PRA4SNW and Greg,
Both are beautiful, and yeah, it is a bummer when you sell one and live to regret it. But when we were all younger, who would have thought these would disappear from the roads in what seemed like so quickly? I guess 40+ years isn’t exactly quickly, it just doesn’t seem like that long ago that I was at my local Chevrolet dealerships drooling over these when they were new.
This is the one that I regretted selling.
It was a 2 owner 1979 Camaro Z/28 that had all the options available and T tops. It had just 21,000 original miles. The original owner was an auto mechanic that bought it new at the dealership near him. It has black paint on the exterior and was the best driving ‘79 that I had owned.
Someone had to have it more than me and offered me 38k for it. I actually told him no and could not sleep thinking how I couldn’t sell it. The money was too strong and said to myself I would find another for much less. Well, I did, 2 actually that were both from the original owners that cost me the same for getting both cars as the one that I sold. So, I got 2 for the price of one that I sold. However, I do miss it and wish he never offered me on it.
Exterior of the one that I regret selling. 1979 Camaro Z/28 with just 21,000 actual miles.
This second generation Camaro will always be the best looking, IMO. I was going to wait until 1982 to buy order my car, but when I heard that the body design was changing, and then actually seeing an early picture of one, made me run down to the dealership and order an ’81 while I could.
Smart!
Thank you Mark! I was in the 9th grade in 1978 so I know what you mean. Here is a YouTube link to a my Camaros in my shop, and two of my ‘79’s out of 3.
https://youtu.be/FJq7i48V9M8
https://youtu.be/l5otDoghABs
Greg