The second generation of the Chevy Camaro had a long run: 12 years (1970 to 1981). Changes were generally few from year to year, yet the Camaro was able to almost tie the Ford Mustang in pony car sales in 1976. But the Mustang was more of a sporty subcompact after 1974, so it was attracting folks who were interested in saving money at the gas pump. This 1976 Camaro has something you couldn’t get from the factory: a 454 cubic inch V8 engine. Perhaps only needing paint, this ’76 Chevy is in Kingston, Massachusetts, and is available here on craigslist for $10,000. Kudos to Rocco B. for the cool tip.
When this Camaro was assembled, you could get it with either a 250 CI inline-6 or one of two V8s, the new 305 and the 350. We don’t know what was in the seller’s car before the big block was installed, but one of the heavier V8s may have involved less beefing up of the suspension to handle it. Since the car is an automatic, we’re guessing the transmission was upgraded from a TH-350 to a TH-400, but that’s just an assumption.
This Camaro’s odometer reads 97,000 miles. And the seller believes the 454 V8 has 40,000. But we don’t know at what point the marriage commenced. We’re told this car lived in California for its first 42 years, having migrated to New England eight years ago. The machine runs well, and the Chevy has “many new parts,” though the seller does not include a list. The interior looks very good, the body is fine, and the paint is okay where there is no primer.
Perhaps you could try to spot-spray some matching yellow paint, though a completely new finish is probably the better choice. The car wears a set of Rally wheels from a Corvette, which are wider than the ones a 1976 Camaro would have worn. Those will be swapped for the sale, but the seller doesn’t say anything about how good the replacement tires will be. Is the 454 overkill for a car this size?
Not a great ad, but the car has a 454 and looks nice enough and the price seems more than reasonable, anyone with serious interest is going to come and look at it in person. It’s easier to sell a car if you put effort into an ad, a good deal is nearly as effective.
Steve R
At first glance, it would seem a good price. Then you start noting all the question marks that the seller is dancing around and you have to wonder. The limited quantity and the quality of the photos sure doesn’t help.