Though the design was nine years old, the 1978 Camaro had a great sales year, continuing to outsell the Ford Mustang which was still the downsized subcompact it had been since 1974. The ’78 Camaro was treated to rubber/plastic bumper covers fore and aft, providing an overdue styling update the car had been wearing since government mandates started requiring stronger collision protection. This ’78 Camaro has been in the garage for more than 20 years waiting for a restoration that has yet to come.
A car like the seller’s was commonplace in 1978. Out of 272,000 units of the Camaro built, 143,000 (or more than half) had the 305 cubic inch V8 producing an anemic 145 hp. A 4-speed manual transmission was standard to help give the small block some zip, but the seller’s edition has an automatic transmission (TH-350?). Removable T-Tops were an option, though not ordered in this version.
As the story goes, the seller has owned this Chevy since high school, and we assume it’s been at the project stage ever since. The engine and transmission are no longer in the car, but in the garage and will go with the sale. We’re told the 305 at a minimum will need to be rebuilt. Missing items include the exhaust system and driveshaft, so you’ll have to hunt for some parts to get this machine on the road again. The tires have been replaced, but not recently, so you need to check the date codes before using them.
Rust is an issue in a few places and the blue paint has peeled away in others. What we can see of the interior shows a decent passenger compartment. The seller has decoded the VIN and nothing unusual or exciting pops out. If you’re looking for a summer project, perhaps this second-generation Camaro fits the bill. Located in Abington, Pennsylvania, this roller is available here on eBay where $1,075 is the top bid so far. This tip was brought to us by Russell Glantz.
This is definitely a parts car. Too far gone to be worth restoring. Current bid of $1,075 is way more than I would ever offer.
There’s enough here to work with if you just wanna throw a vortec 350 in
it and make a decent driver out of it.
Wouldn’t use the 305 anyway due to
issues with the crankshafts snapping
in two at 20K miles or under. Might
use a 700R4 for a tranny if I couldn’t
find a way to hook up the modulator
valve for the Turbo 350. For our younger readers, this valve was operated by a vacuum line that ran from the back of the carb to the valve
itself which was located on the left side of the tranny itself. This valve is what you checked first thing if the unit wasn’t shifting right. Usually, you’d find a pinhole in the rubber line
that caused the vacuum to escape.
That used to be the ploy that tranny
shops would use to really sock you
for a complete “rebuild” of your car’s
transmission– especially here in Florida where a rebuild would set you back a grand or more in ’70s/’80s money at least. Yes folks, this old
Camaro could be brought back to life
as the aftermarket has most all you’ll
need to restore it to driver status again. I’d do it, but my girls and my
checkbook both day no.
This car defined the word “beater.” Ridden hard and put away wet.
Chevrolet produced enough rubber bumper Camaros (78-81), that there is no need to try to resurrect this poor example.
Russ, I think the 3 speed manual was standard on everything but the Z/28 that got the 4 speed.
You are going to spend roughly 10k just to get it driving and looking decent.
There’s plenty of these out there for 10 to 15 k that already meet that level. This is a junk yard special that should just be left alone to die an honorable death.
IMO. these body colored plastic bumper covers provided much LESS collision protection than prior 5 mph steel bumpers. & even ’74-75 rubber firebird 5 mph bumpers.