While most folks don’t care for the non-performance oriented versions of the Camaro and the Firebird, there’s a certain charm that is inherent in a car that seems to have a mistaken identity. The Camaro wearing Berlinetta trim is just such a specimen, shedding its bad boy persona for wire wheel hubcaps and sharp color-coordinated vinyl upholstery. This example is a 1980 model with just under 45,000 original miles, and it’s even equipped with T-tops. Throw in the V8 engine – admittedly, not the most powerful iteration ever formed – and you have a sensible cruiser with some additional creature comforts you won’t find in the Z28. Find the Camaro here on craigslist with an asking price of $14,000.
The Camaro has clearly been locked away for a while, wearing old-school Ohio license plates. The Berlinetta trim wasn’t hidden away, with a badge plastered right on the rear deck lid. The integrated rear spoiler is more of a Z28-like feature, but clearly this Berlinetta was not going to be type-cast into being a one trick pony. To me, I always think of this car as the model the stereotypical secretary or hairdresser would opt for, but the truth is, car buyers at the time liked the idea of a luxury model. And for the most part, a lot of the Berlinettas we see are equipped that way, with features like tinted glass, air conditioning, power features, and more.
This picture captures perfectly what car shoppers wanted to find when they popped open the door, and the seller claims it’s almost all original. The photos appear to show a car equipped with power windows, AM/FM stereo, and presumably air conditioning, but the listing doesn’t specify whether it has this feature or if it still works. What’s most eye-catching is the wall-to-wall red, from carpeting to upholstery to dash and console plastics – it’s hard to imagine a car today being equipped with monotone details like this. Regardless of whether it’s out of style with today’s standards, it’s in incredible condition – a testament to its previous owners. The current owner did install a new headliner and sun visors.
The engine bay is crammed, wall-to-wall, but don’t expect big power. The eight cylinder in a Berlinetta would push out around 120 b.h.p., and that’s attached to a fun-sapping automatic. But you weren’t checking the Berlinetta box for speed as a buyer – that’s what the Z28 was for. This one is an interesting specimen as it could be considered mildly collectible if it’s one of the best Berlinettas left, but that’s a small pool of buyers who are treating these like investments. Instead, just buy it to use as an excellent cruiser that still gives off a V8 burble and lets you pop open the T-tops when the weather is right. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Pat L. for the find.
Looking closely at the ad, shows a/c, power locks and intermittent wipers. If you have a hobby car with 2 speed wipers, you will know how nice a feature this is.
Too bad about that 267 V-8. Swap it out for a crate 350, upgrade the 14 inch wheels to 17 inches and you would have a nice cruiser.
That 267 v8 was short lived. Gee, I wonder why?
🤣 120 hp out of a v8 that embarrassing camaro
Very comparable to the 135 horsepower the Mustang was achieving out of 302 cubic inches the same year.
@ Tony Primo:
The only V8 option for the 1980 Mustang was the (de-bored 302) 255 ci displacement, offering a wicked 119 HP. 🤣
http://www.mustanglab.com/mustang-specifications-1979-1993/1980-mustang-specifications-performance-data/
@mikefromthehammer
Thanks Mike, I’m not up on my Fords. If you say Ford in my house, you have to put a toonie in the swear jar!
@Tony:
You’re welcome man. My second car ever was a new 79 Mustang Cobra. It got me to watching what Ford did to mess up the Mustang for the next 2 model years. The “hot” engine became the 2.3 turbo – a whole 143 hp! Truly the malaise days.
I ticked the box next to “custom interior” and got the Berlinetta seats, door panels and extra sound insulation on my 1979 Z28. Best of both worlds.
I had one like this to drive in driver’s education in high school and it drove very nice since it was new then.
Despite the seller’s claims of original paint the car has been repainted.
My dad bought one of the early versions of this car. It had the 350 in it but was pretty puny by the time the smoggers got to it. He called one day to ask what he could do to put some more go into the car. He was in Jacksonville, FL at the time and the town was packed full of tuners and engine builders. I put together a list of 15 things he could do to increase the horsepower and sent it to him. It ranged through all the things you’d do to build a street racer and still get him to the grocery store. Nothing from him for 3 months, then a phone call. I asked him what he’d had done off my list and he came back with “everything”. He wasn’t kidding. Got to drive it a few months later and what a rocket! Haul ass luxury at it finest!
thats great, so um could i have that list.
I vote for an LS swap. Keep the white walls and wire caps. Insane burnouts on demand. Good times.
KC John I vote you pay for the car AND the LS with all the upgrades needed for the swap. Once tallied up. Not so much of a good idea or fun to turn this chick car into a one tire fire. You will certainly throw off a hubcap and possibly hurt someone
I’d lay good money to watch a Karen get popped with that hubcap. Good times.
Once again, so many people ready to trash this Camaro in order to “hot rod” it. So sad. I, for one, love the “non-performance” Camaros and Firebirds. Hate to see them trashed.
Located near Cleveland, OH