This 1971 Chevrolet Camaro may not be the most desirable spec model out there, but its high levels of originality and honesty are hard to ignore. Equipped with the 250 cu in (4.1 L) straight-six and a three-speed manual on the floor, the Camaro has had just two owners from new, the second of which owned the car for 45 years. Find it here on eBay with bidding over $7K and no reserve.
We like this generation of the Camaro with its slim chrome bumpers, revealing what was a very pretty design before the safety-mandated park bench bumpers were implemented. The moon-style SR Daytona wheels with raised white letter tires are a great look for this car, and while brown isn’t everyone’s favorite color, it’s fitting for a vehicle from the 1970s. Glass, bumpers and lenses all appear to be in nice condition, and chrome finishes look decent enough.
The Camaro benefits from a recent carpet kit, and the dash panel is untorn with what looks like a later model radio installed. The seller admits the driver’s seat upholstery needs some work, but the seat covers at least look fine for the time being. Door panels are a bit tired and don’t seem to match the color of the dash or kick panel covers, but that could just be a trick of the lighting. The seller says everything works, from the heater to the radio to the wipers.
I love details like this, even if it has no bearing on the level of care and attention the engine received. The original sticker on the air cleaner does, however, speak to how pleasingly stock this Camaro is. While this isn’t a muscle car in its current form, plenty of six-cylinder Camaros were sacrificed for engine swaps and hot-rod builds, so finding one that offers the ideal combination of the lower-powered mill with a manual transmission and no modifications from new is a fairly rare find. Bidding is quite active – will it clear $10K?
Don’t know if this nice car honest car will clear $10 K
Six cylinder, three speed Camaros were sweet driving cars.
I had a 70 straight 6, 3 spd Camaro. It was a really fun car to drive! Traded it for a 70 El Camino.
Of course all of this happened 25 years ago.
Will probably need new rear quarter panels with all that rust bubbling up. Don’t see this making 10 thousand.
looks a bit rough and it seems to be a different colour inside the shuts and boot lid, looks like a cheap paint job to me.
I had a 78 Camaro 6 Cylinder with an Automatic that I got in exchange for Fees owed and believe it or not it was one of the best balanced cars I’ve ever driven, and I’ve been in a few. I had other issues with the car but certainly not handling and accleration in traffic.
Probably rarer than a big block, now that all the six cylinder pony cars have gotten V-8 transplants.
this car is absolutely fantastic
It does not say that he car was repainted BUT what is going on in the door jams? Looks like primer over original Yellow?? The bubbling could be indicative of a repaint versus rust on an original panel and paint.
Generally speaking, these cars were rust buckets for sure. I don’t know a lot about Washington being from and in Chicago but have to believe there is plenty of moisture (and salt??) up that way?
UGH on the stick on moldings everywhere? Not like a restoration won’t fix that !! If the car is pretty solid and complete, it has value as a strong place to start on a total resto. Would be nice to have some underbody photos.
Very cool to be set up as a manual trans already. One of my favorite Camaro bodies…70 1/2 – to 73. Too bad it is not an RS, I would be bidding !!
Bottom pictures needed to see if spring mounts are good. Judging the trunk pic shouldn’t be too bad. Does need good detail and rust repair and paint. But does have all that makes it a 71 camaro. 11,500 easy….. Not making any more ya know.
In the 70’s the local 1/4 mile oval track had a “Super Six” racing class with plenty of these running around on those nights. Talked to one of the guys who raced there and he loved being able to outrun stock V8 street cars with his own straight six street car. You can for sure get more power out of them although I’m not sure where you’d get go fast parts these days.
Car was originally Camaro Gold, that’s not original paint or color.
Camaro Gold was for 1970. Placer Gold was 71.
Unquestionably the best iteration of Camaro styling. The color is, well, uninspiring and the condition is a bit questionable but if the rust isn’t too bad it could be a place to start.
I would go with a 350 crate motor, 4-speed, conteporary Keystone mags, raised white letter tires, a black interior and deep blue paint.
Nice find.
$15k in 10 years
I would make it a sleeper with NOS and then a second bottle of NOS. All for the sake of NOS.
For colour, if it was originally Camaro Gold, so be it. I’d look for original 15 inch Daisy rims and polish up outer rims. Paint the spokes a charcoal colour to let them contrast against the gold paint. As for power. I always loved small blocks. Chevy 302 or to be different I’d go for 327 with a street thumpr cam or bootleg cam.
I’d change out the front bumper for a split and go for the round parking lights.
I’d buy it ..if I had money
Really a decent driver. I’d drive the heck out of this thing as is (aside from fixing any serious rust issues). Hope it’s kept in similar configuration instead of getting all swapped out to make it yet another hotrodded version of this.
This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available.
Years ago (about 1978) I had a lady come into the shop with a 67 base model Camaro. 6 cylinder, 3 speed, heater and defroster the only options. That was about as base as you could get, not even a radio! She had bought it new in October 1966, and said it was her “forever” car. Actually a well balanced car, with great (for the time) fuel mileage. Enough power to get you a ticket in some circumstances. Was always asking her to sell it to me, but she always said no. Lost track of owner in late 80s’ so don’t know where or how the car ended up.
Go through the Clifford catalog and ad a 5 speed. ( and some updated sway bars and shocks). It would be a great daily driver!
My first car was a 71 RS in Placer Gold. Camaro Gold was a color name used in 1970. For 1971, it was called Placer Gold. I don’t know what color this car is supposed to be but it doesn’t look original and neither do the rear seats. At least they didn’t replace the original bumper with the split ones and call it a “Split-Bumper Camaro” which means nothing to me unless it’s an RS.
That 6 cyl was most likely why it survived…..like.
Give that 250 6 some respect ! We also had a super 6 cylinder dirt track class. They hoocked-up better out of the corner than the v8s. The local muffler shop had one of the fastest 6s at our 3 dirt tracks. They got Real good at making equal length headers and intake manifolds!
Sure bet to be bought and turned into a Z28 clone.
keep on rowing,no matter
Sure would have been nice to see what this one would have gotten to.
This car is super solid I bought it. The only bad on it is the pictures that he showed on the eBay ad. I had him send me a ton of other pics of this car. is actually magnificent. No it will not turn into a Z28 clone but it will have a 6 Speed LS3 525 swap. Then I’ll z28 clone it.
I’m very sad it’s not going to be kept original. My first car was a ’71 Sport Coupe. Lime green with a black vinyl roof and AT, PS, PB, AC with a 350 small block. Drove it from ’77-’83 before parting it out. All sold but the rear bumper and deck lid which I kept. Both parts are on my 1972 Camaro Sport Coupe…Lime Green, Black vinyl roof, AT, PS, PB, AC with a 350 small block at 26k original miles. Mine could be cloned as well however I believe folks need to see that not every car we drove back then was a Z/28. While it saddens me I do wish you well in your project.
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