- Seller: M B
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Mileage: 49,154 Shown
- Chassis #: 1S87L9L594132
- Title Status: Clean
Sometimes we have big plans and dreams, but then life gets in the way and we realize we aren’t ever going to get around to completing all of our projects. Long-time reader MB has decided it’s time to thin out his herd of projects. The first one up is this 1979 Chevrolet Camaro roller. If you’ve been looking for a great project to build, be sure to take a look and cast your high bid below.
MB bought this Camaro as it sits right now. He believes it was a theft recovery, but unfortunately, he doesn’t know much of the story of how it came to be in its current state. The engine and transmission are long gone, as is some of the interior, but it’s rust-free and comes with a clean title in MB’s name. He believes the paint would polish up nicely with a little work and chances are it will.
Decoding the VIN reveals that this car started life as a Berlinetta with the LM1 350 V8. The LM1 was the most powerful option for ’79 and was rated at 170 Horsepower. Getting this Chevy back on the road won’t be a small task, but it’s very much doable. The simplest route would be to buy a fresh crate 350 V8 and a TH350 transmission, but an LS would make for a powerful and fun option. The car is currently wearing an L-88-style hood with hood pins. It gives the car a mean look, saves some weight, and will make it easier to access the engine bay while installing an LS in it!
As you can see, the interior is dusty and missing its original front seats. It currently has a set of what looks like Recaro seats. If they are genuine Recaros, they could be restored and reused or sold to help fund buying original-style seats. While getting the mechanical systems sorted will take a lot of work, the interior is likely going to be the biggest challenge. There are companies manufacturing replacement interior components, but there are a few trim items that are hard to find. Hopefully, those parts are still present and reusable, otherwise, you will need to keep an eye out for used parts.
This might be a big project, but it has a lot of potential. It won’t ever be an all-original car, making it a great candidate to build the custom car of your dreams. If you are going to build a serious street machine, you want to start with a rust-free car like this one! So, what route would you go with this one? Would you install a modern drivetrain or something more traditional? Either way, it could be a fun machine.
Bid On This Auction
- Joe bid $1,300.00 2024-02-02 10:38:32
- Timothy CIESIELSKI bid $1,200.00 2024-02-01 17:26:18
- Joe bid $500.00 2024-02-01 05:28:15
Well the good news is you get the whole thing which ain’t too bad for a 45 year old car. What isn’t there can be found. And hey, change that motor while you’re in there, too. Those S-10 hub caps and L-88 hood will be the best sleeper around.
Agree w Nelson. Leave the dog 🐕 dish caps. No spoiler 👍
As always no pics of the crutual rear half underneath which is the major concern on this gen. Camaro. They can be really deceiving on these cars, look good on top but a terrifying underneath. Use caution when considering buying one. I have a 1980 with a 72 doghouse on it bought it at a swap three years ago. Talked to the guy on phone when he arrived there was about half a dozen people looking at it, I was laying on the ground looking underneath he immediately knew I was the one interested on buying.
I put an LS in my 75 and it turned out to be one of the best vehicles I’ve ever owned. Really stupid of me to sell it. Missed it ever since. Hopefully my situation lets me at least bid on this one.
There’s no “Berlinetta” left in this old heap, from the dog dishes to the funky hood to the trashed interior. Berlinettas were basically a “luxury” Camaro, making no claims to power or sport. So, the thing to do is put a decent drive train in it, fix the interior and have a ball driving it. It’s not worth making it a true Berlinetta again.
And that hood fits so beautifully. Artful work …