It’s a bit hard to glean much detail from the pictures of the 1979 Chevy Camaro Berlinetta found here on eBay, but the odometer confirms this Barn Find has just under 6,300 miles! Last tagged in 1981 only 3 years after she hit the roads, the car has been hidden away – a true barn find according to the seller – and is ready to hit the highways or the show circuit.
The Berlinetta package, introduced in 1979 was Chevy’s attempt to create a more luxurious version of the Camaro, replacing the LT badging but keeping everything under the trim virtually the same. Chevrolet had considered extending the LT model for another year, but since Ferrari, Maserati and Alpha Romeo had all used the name before, they picked up on that history (and marketability).
By 1979 Camaro, especially the infamous Z28’s had earned a reputation for power and pizzazz. They were loud and rowdy machines driven by people who liked to show off that raw muscle. With the Berlinetta, Chevy was directly marketing a more “refined” version for men (and women!) who longed for the Z28 lifestyle but needed a more acceptable family car. In fact, the first ad’s for the Berlinetta model read “Some will call it smooth. Quieter. More sophisticated than Camaro’s past. But it’s still a Hugger.”
As of this writing, this very low mile survivor is just over $9k, without hitting the reserve. The seller has already tipped their hat on the amount needed to sell, saying “High retail is 15,700 and a car in this condition with such low miles is worth it, but the reserve is lower.” With a 1 mile (yes, 1 mile) 1979 Berlinetta fetching $22k right now, getting this one at less than $15k might be a fun way to start your dream Camaro collection!
That 1 mile Berlinetta is actually 7200 miles per the description
The “1 mile” Camaro actually has 7200 miles if you actually read the description. “1979 CHEVY CAMARO FEATURING 7200 ACTUAL ORIGINAL MILES!”
I know this car. Its a Minnesota car. I have seen it many times at shows. Not nearly as nice as you would think. Allmost disappointing. I has been a Minnesota car its entire life. Check for rust. Even stored in winter stuff still rusts around here.
Potential buyers must not think it’s worth what the seller does. It’s been for sale, along with a yellow Firebird for many months.
This car was even featured on the site once before.
Steve R
Hi Garr. I am not an American so am not too conversant with US cars even after owning a fair amount of them, however, were all Camaro Berlinetta’s automatics or did you just forget to have a dig at the fact?
I am sure you could have ordered it with the base 6 cylinder and the base stick shift.
I believe you are right, Amigo Miguel. Back then, you could order either the base model Camaro or the LT/Berlinetta with the 6-cylinder/3-speed manual combination (which is my personal preference) but they are extremely rare.
Hi Ken, I am not an American either (Canadian). I have owned a number of 1970-1981 Camaros and presently own a 1980 Berlinetta this same colour. The Berlinetta was a luxury package that included extra insulation and conveinience features.I don’t believe that they were limited to automatic transmissions.
Thaat has to be the smallest engine I have ever seen in a Camaro.
It has a .305 engine.
You have not seen too many camaros then. Many had straight sixes, v-6, and even 4 cylinders.
This is also interesting
“Build sheet is underneath the seat but it’s pretty fragile because it is so old so we have not pulled it out.”
Does this mean they have ripped the interior out just to look or was it for some other reason?
The ONLY thing remarkable about this car is the low miles.. Camaros of this era may have looked decent for their day, but they were horrible slugs to drive, and it shows in the (lack of) collector’s market today. Unless it’s a T-top 350/4-speed Z/28, you’ll likely be waiting a long time for any significant appreciation in values
To compare a Berlinetta to a Z28 is ridiculous . Given the fact the gear ratio is quite different. The Berlinetta is a high geared vehicle while a Z28 is low geared. The Z28 is fast off the line , will light up the tires and has power in comparison to the Berlinetta that would in no way light up the tires, slow in acceleration and has little power even with the V8. One is built for speed and performance and the other is just a basic model without performance.
My Ex bought a 79 Camaro in Baby Puke Green with green interior. It got 12,864 miles on that 305 engine before it blew the piston rings. It didn’t help that her brother was doing burnouts with it. The dealer wouldn’t fix it without 2500 bucks. The car only cost 3800. Had I to do it over again I would have traded it for a 1980 Z-28 with a 350 in it. This car with a 6 banger would have been better than that 305.
Sandra Burnhard mentions a Camaro in “Without You, I’m Nothing” and I pretty much pictured this car.
Berlinettas were like the business casual of Camaros. Khakis or corduroys, button down and a sport jacket!
Not being derogatory, I always thought these were the nicest Camaros of this era. Would look even nicer with the aluminum turbine wheels.
Everyone poopoos the 305 I put one in my 70 gmc 1/2 ton which had a 250 l6 in it the truck also came with a 4:11 gears and 3 on the tree. I put a 4v carb on it and dual exhuast. That truck had no problem slapping down a 15′ patch of rubber. I drove that truck for 15 years 10 of which had the 305 in it. That engine never let me down and for half the year it carried a camper on its back. The only week spot I ever saw with the 305 was a problem with soft cams, but I never had that problem. But I did my oil changes regularly.
Nice girl canaro ! Hopefully dual vanity mirrors 👀
Had a friend who dated an. Ugly girl just to drive one like this…..
I bought a 1981 Berlinetta, weak floor on drivers side and right quarter panel needed replaced. Had a 350 w/ 4 barrel and 4 speed. Gave $200.00 for it, back in 1996. Lady I bought it from said was ex-husbands, thought it was a 6 cylinder with a 3 speed. Had deep deep dish chrome mags with extra wide tires, along with the stock size tires on the “wire lace” looking wheels. Ran ok, but carb needed work. 2 weeks later a guy offered me $1500.00 for it and I sold it.
The odometer on this car confirms nothing but that it reads just under 6300 miles. Who knows what the car has on it.
SOLD Saturday April 28 for $12,600.