Despite riding on a 10-year platform, the Chevy Camaro had a record sales year in 1979. The Berlinetta was introduced as the “luxury” version of the car, replacing the LT. This ’79 Berlinetta is a well-used “pony car” with a rebuilt 350 cubic inch V8. It will need some cosmetic attention but is priced in Cheap Wheels territory at $3,500. Located in Miranda, California, this Chevy is available for a test drive here on craigslist. Kudos to Barn Finder Jack M. for this Bow-Tie tip!
Gas prices spiked again in the late 1970s with costs approaching $1.00/gallon for the first time. Yet Chevy sold more than 282,000 of its aging Camaro, with nearly a third of those being the Z28 (hot or not). Other than a new dashboard and some electronic features, the cars were largely unchanged. The new Berlinetta saw a production of 67,000 copies or about one in every four Camaros to roll off the assembly line. And 43% of all Camaros had the 350 V8 that produced 170 hp.
Unfortunately, the photos provided by the seller are all rather blurry, which doesn’t help portray this car in a positive light. The Camara still has its original brown paint which is pretty faded all over. And there is a touch of rust here and there. The interior needs work, too, particularly the headliner, carpeting, and likely the driver’s bucket seat.
The car itself has more than 240,000 miles, but the V8 engine has much less. In the rebuilding process, the motor was bored out to a displacement of 355 cubic inches. A 4-barrel carburetor is in place along with a racing shifter for the automatic transmission. Aftermarket wheels are present with a set of new tires at all four points. The do-list for the buyer includes installing new power window motors (which the seller includes) and replacing the instrument panel circuit board (we assume none of the gauges work as a result). This is said to be a good running car that just doesn’t look so good. Is it worth the asking price as a fixer-upper?
Rebuild or not, that’s one crusty car.
Your a dumbass
Eh, Ive seen worse, and its not crazy priced
This car is a heap, run away.
This is what most can afford then put your spin on it as wallet allows
The color seems appropriate ; )
Chocolate??
💩💩
Reminds me of the 81 camaro my friend Russ had,rough around the edges,bad paint and an interior that needed some serious help.but under the hood was a 400hp 383 stroker,low rise single plane intake,750cfm double pumper,tall covers for the 1.6 roller rockers,headers.and a 4.10 posi out back.out on the highway at wide open you could see the gas needle vibrate because it drank it that fast,a beater that ran low 13s in the quarter.
This 1979 Berlinetta would be a good project for someone who has either the time or the money to fully restore this Camaro. Its all there except for the wheels. Hope it finds someone that would bring this car back to its glory days! Be fun to drive and a head turner.
It’s not too rough. And the price is right. But it’s a Berlinetta. It’s a girls car. It’s never going to be nothing but a Berlinetta. Nah no thanks.
This car is not that bad…we all have seen some rust buckets..Cameros and Trans AMs of this era. Most would rot all around the rear glass, T-tops, doors, 1/4 panels…pretty much anywhere sheet metal was on these cars. And since this one is in California rust shouldn’t be an issue…unless it came from some other state that promoted rust, but doesn’t seem the case. She’s needs some help, but you could fix and drive on the go.
This is definitely not a Berlinetta. It’s a base sport coupe. Berlinetta’s had different interior door panels and seats, not to mention a silver panel between the tail lights, as well as badging on front fascia and B-pillars.
You are right. My first car was a 81 Berlinetta (in 1985). Had the badging and silver panel as you described. Power everything, wire wheel covers and five miles of pinstripes.
I though I saw this car on s box showdown
Not a 79 Berlinetta….
I had dark blue metal flake paint with facory silver pin stripes velour oyster bucket seats and gray floor shift console, oyster with chrome accent door panels.
Silver rear facia between taillights and plasti-chrome headlight bezels with script BERLINETTA on “B” pillars.
The Berlinetta was not a “luxury” Camaro upgrade from the LT model.
GM designed and released the Berlinetta to attract “female” buyers to this subdued 305 V8 version of the Camaro thus why the seats were velour and not leather or vinyl and the head liner was padded felt to accent the softer velour and imitation suede and well insulated quiter interior.
They also came with body colored/silver accented honeycomb wheels.
I loved mine and mounted Keystone mags with knock-off spinners and G60 Good Year Eagle radials,tinted windows and rear window louvers.
Out of 4 Camaro’s I owned she was my favorite.
Since all the money is in the engine, you think that we would be treated to a glimpse – nope.
Most people who comment on barn finds are repeat commenters for every car pictured. For 1. The days of the $500 muscle car are gone 2 if they had a car in their garage they wouldn’t be here saying everything they see is junk. Yes. I miss the days of buying a $500 z28 but get over it. Those days are long gone. I wish I woulda but didn’t and that’s why I’m here looking for a deal but unfortunately it won’t be found.
Would be cool to fix up,But who has the patients and years of life left to do it,I hate to be a party pooper on the classics but if you’re young you would be better off finding a running car or truck you really love and just do little stuff to it here and there until you have the vehicle you want,I happen to love my 96 Dodge Dakota it’s a classic to me fun to drive and everything is original equipment and it has the original Magnum 5.2 and where I live the guys that drive big diesels are intimidated by this little two wheel truck plus it has quite a few fans.