If you are like me, then Camaros are always on your short list of cars to own before you die. The problem is that if Camaro prices keep going up, we will all need to work until we are 125 years old. Thank God that science is working hard on finding ways to help us live longer to work harder. In the meantime, there may be an alternative for us dreamers. Take a look at this 1973 Chevrolet Camaro found on eBay in Redding, California. Going for no reserve at a starting price of $4,500, the entry point on this one is fairly reasonable. While the car lacks an engine and transmission, and you will be buying some patch panels, there is enough car here to start with.
Early second generation Camaros are admired for their good looks most of all. However, another advantage is that they are lighter in weight than later second generation cars. Curb weight on a 1973 model with a 350 cubic inch V-8 is around 3,435 lbs. A 1981 model with a 305 cubic inch V-8 averages out at around 3,600 lbs. While the difference isn’t huge, every pound helps. Furthermore, each option added pounds to those numbers. This car was fairly unusual in that it left the factory with a V-8, four-speed transmission, air conditioning, and little else. Sadly, another option on this Placer Gold beauty was a black vinyl top. The weight loss this car has suffered through rust both under the water soaked vinyl top and in the floor pans below detracts from the overall weight and adds to a list of problems.
As you can see from the picture above, the rust damage is considerable. However, it is repairable. Some may slather Bondo over the holes and cover the damage with a new vinyl roof. The right way is to order patch panels from one of many aftermarket sources and forget all about a vinyl top. The seller also notes rust problems in the rear glass channel, a small spot in the rear quarter panel, and in both floor pans. The rest of the usual rust paradise areas seem to be in good shape. This is a blessing, as many early second-generation Camaros are eaten alive by rust. GM steel became porous pretty quickly back in the day.
Inside, we find a dash, a steering wheel, and little else. Thankfully the carpet and insulation was ripped out before more rust damage occurred through the retention of moisture. The seller tells us that all of the missing plastic in the originally black interior is accounted for. It is unfortunate that the picture doesn’t give us a good look at the upper part of the dash. The only clue is the statement that it has “a curl.” We are told that this car has been sitting for a while. The rust tells us that this was probably storage outside, and sunlight can destroy a dash in short order.
There is more good news when it comes to the doors. The seller reports that the passenger side door shuts very well, as does the hood. The driver’s side door does have some sag. Hopefully, a new set of hinges will fix that problem, which is common for Camaros of this era with their long and weighty doors.
We don’t have a shot of what’s under the hood because there is nothing much still there. Too bad we cannot even see what condition the cowl and the rest of the underhood panels are in. We do have a picture of all the parts that will come with the car. As promised, most of the interior bits are there along with the back glass and various other trinkets. Still, there is a lot of car still missing, and a lot of work to be done before you are cruising down the road.
Which leaves us with a question. How would you handle this build if it was yours? A full restoration? Resto mod? Race car?
It’s likely a better deal than the 73 RS 4spd Camaro from a few days ago. That one would have needed every body panel replaced, this one won’t. Redding is basically high desert, with 100+ degree temperatures for months on end and low humidity (9% today). This car has extensive rust for a California car mainly due to the vinyl roof and leaking rear window, but that can be said of almost all Camaros of that generation that didn’t live in a garage. Most of this car will likely come apart with basic hand tools, not a cutting torch and angle grinder that a truly rusty car would need.
It didn’t sell last time it cycled through eBay with its $4,500 opening bid, the seller might be open to offers.
Steve R
Somehow I like this better than the green 1969 Camaro from earlier today. For the price of the ’69, you could do this one up and have tons of change leftover.
I’d make it a resto mod.
With a lot of work and money could make a beautiful car
At least it’s not completely dismantled like that poor ’69 Hurst/Olds the other day. Camaros can be taken in all different directions from plain stock to completely outrageous, since it can never be original the sky’s the limit on this one.
It’s a $500.00 piece that needs North of $25,000.00 to get right.
Maestro1…..I would take 20 of these just like this one, in this condition if it was only $500.
Why would anybody pay $4500 for a car with a rusty roof?
Some people pay $4500 for Pinto’s and Mustang II’s…..at least this car has some style!
Whenever I see an early second-gen, I think of my first car (a 1971 model) and dream of the build I would do now that I have some experience and a credit card.
I would probably go moderate restomod on this one, something nice enough to enjoy on weekends without becoming a trailer queen. Red outside and black inside to match my old car, but with a LS swap/manual transmission instead of the wheezy 307 and automatic. A handling-oriented suspension package with modern disc brake upgrades, to take advantage of California mountain roads.
Of course, in reality I live in a city and have no place to put a weekend car. But it’s nice to dream.
Does anyone know the origins and history of vinyl tops? Were they supposed to mimic the look of a convertible top? I cant recall seeing many on Asian or European imports. Were they conjured up by starving American body men? Was it some twisted effort to increase tetanus immunizations from big pharma?
This looks like a great starting point for an LS & 5 or 6 speed with up graded suspension!! Always loved these bodies Without the vinyl tops. Maybe an IRS package in back for a better ride & handling. Nice find, good luck to the buyer.
Big price for not much car…
You know I can at least see a fairly decent car here. What would I do with it? #1 never drag race it! I had a really beautiful 78 Rally Sport, it came with a 350 4 bbl and like most 350 CI engines from that time frame the cam was round and the power output reflected that. In the end I had welded in sub-frame connectors rebuilt the Trans with a manual shift body and was running a 3000 stall converter, the engine was a 377 that on the dyno made 525 HP at the crank, I was also running 456 gears and a posi rear. I also bought a full Nitrous management system for the car from Jacobs electronics, everything I built the motor and converter to handle a 200 hp shot. Well I got the car down to a low 11 sec ET but it was launching with 1 front tire 4 inches off the ground, WAY to much flex in the frame to handle the HP, NOS would have twisted the car in half. I still have the engine and trans but sold the car, it was way to nice to destroy making it a race car.