There’s something quite attractive about finding an original and unmolested classic car. Even if it needs work to be returned to its best, it provides a window into a past era in motoring history. That is what is on offer for the buyer of this 1970 Chevrolet Camaro. It isn’t loaded with luxury features or high-performance components, but it does allow us to see what buyers received for their money if they wanted to buy into the pony car lifestyle on a budget. The buyer will face some choices with the car, but they can take their time to ensure that the final result is what their heart desires. Located in Powell, Ohio, you will find the Camaro listed for sale here on eBay. The No Reserve listing is set to open at $12,500, but there have been no bids at the time of writing. However, with ninety-five people watching the auction. that situation could change at any time. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for referring this classic to us.
The Camaro spent much of its early life in California, which might make the visible rust seem something of a surprise. The original owner drove the car until around 1998 when she handed the keys to her nephew. Sadly, he lived in Seattle, Washington, and it spent the following 16-years sitting in his driveway, exposed to the elements. With that kind of exposure, the rust that it now sports is no great surprise. The news isn’t all bad in this case because it seems that its problems are mainly superficial. The current owner says that the floors, cowl, and frame are rock solid, and while he supplies no underside photos to support this, the shot of the trunk reveals a pan in as-new condition. The buyer will face tackling rust in the lower rear quarter panels, lower fenders, and the bottom corners of the doors. It sounds daunting, but I believe that it could all be addressed with patches. The original owner treated the car to a repaint in its factory Citrus Green in around 1980. The level of deterioration suggests that this Chevy might set it for a repeat performance. The wider steel wheels and Moon hubcaps are the only external addition, while factory tinted glass is one of the few options the original owner chose when she ordered this classic.
When you consider the overall deterioration of the exterior, this Camaro’s interior condition rates as a pleasant surprise. It isn’t perfect, but getting the presentation to a high level is unlikely to be challenging. The seats are upholstered in Black vinyl, and they look to be in excellent order. The same is true of the remaining upholstered surfaces, along with the dash and pad. The owner admits that the headliner has seen better days, but he includes a replacement in the sale. The only apparent item that the buyer will need to purchase is a new carpet set. These sell for under $200, which is a drop in the ocean on a classic restoration. When the original owner ordered this classic, she didn’t feel that she needed a radio. The radio blanking plate remains intact in the dash, which you don’t see often. A Pioneer CD player is mounted in the glove compartment and a water temperature gauge under the dash, but otherwise, the interior is as it left the factory. This is as “bare bones” as they come, so potential buyers shouldn’t expect to find power assistance for the windows or locks, and there is no air conditioning.
In keeping with its “poverty pack” leanings, this Camaro was ordered with the base 250ci six-cylinder engine and 3-speed manual transmission. With a mere 155hp on tap, it is no surprise to discover that the car’s ¼-mile ET sits at around 18.3 seconds. That’s not fast, but it still looked okay when considering its original sticker price of $2,749. The car remains numbers-matching, and the owner says that it runs and drives okay. The 250 uses oil, so it would benefit from a rebuild. It sounds like he’s checked the bores with a scope because he claims that they exhibit no wear. These are tough old motors, and rebuilds don’t usually break the bank. There’s also evidence of corrosion seeping down the radiator from the top hose, so I’d be inclined to investigate that issue further. Otherwise, it appears that there’s little else for potential buyers to do but slide behind the wheel and enjoy this classic.
Most Camaros of this vintage that we see crossing our desks here at Barn Finds feature a V8 under the hood. To spot one with the same specifications as this survivor is a rarity. I don’t doubt that we’ll have readers who would love nothing more than to slip something more potent under the hood, and I can understand that thinking. There will also be a fair share of people who would advocate for maintaining the status quo, and that stance has its merits. In six-cylinder form, a 2nd Generation Camaro will never be a “big-bucks” classic, but that drivetrain does make it unusual today. That would probably be enough to motivate me to address the rust issues, apply some fresh paint, rebuild the engine, and then hit the road for an enjoyable motoring experience. What would you do?
With the torque of the inline 6, the 3 speed, non power steering & brakes, faint exhaust note, and the smell of the imterior – you know, that one from the ’70’s – well, it should be a unique vicaral experience driving this one.
And THAT is what this car is all about…
Here are the engine specs for the ’70 Camaro. This car should have a 3.07 gear. And check out the picture and write up on the new for ’70 dual sport mirror, one of the few options on this car.
In the mid 1970s I had this exact car package while in high school and not only did it keep me from racing the car, the engine size along with 2 doors set up classified it as a 2 door coupe – my insurance was 1/5 of the cost my brother paid on his V8. Not much to go wrong and cheap to maintain. Oh and I actually got 24 mpg on the freeway ( but that was in the 55mph days ) and it had a large gas tank. Super fun car.
It’s rough, the seller makes it out to be something special, which it isn’t, especially when you factor in the rust. Overpriced, based on its condition.
If it won trophies for being the best unrestored car at a show, it speaks to the lack of competition, nothing more.
Steve R
According to Hagerty, a base, 307 Camaro is worth $24,400 in #1 condition. For the 6-cylinder/3-speed combo, they advise to deduct a huge 45%, putting the value of this car in #1 condition at $13,420. I don’t necessarily agree, but it’s clear that while the base drivetrain adds an element of interest to the car, it does not add value.
Even though the seller is unrealistic, so is Hagerty. A rust free turn key 1970 in decent condition will sell for this guys asking price, unfortunately this car dies not fit that description.
Steve R
Haggerty and NADA are always good for a laugh to make for tears. They are almost always crazy ridiculous values. Then there are the infamous appraisals to make a good laugh.
@Steve R – Like I said, I don’t agree with Hagerty’s value for this car. Other price guides have it in the mid-20s in top condition, which seems more reasonable.
@Purple sky – you laugh at value guides, you laugh at appraisers. How do you put a value on a car? Intuition?
I would certainly have ordered power steering before i got racing mirrors.
Ist time i seen a block off radio plate on a 2nd gen camaro. Oddly, i have seen several on 2nd gen t/a’s!
That many miles & the interior(other than carpet) looks so good?!! I would say, tho, that that steering wheel was replaced, or fixed & repainted.
I’ve seen some stranger equipped camaros – like some 1st gens with many options, but no tinted glass! Ridiculous.
Not sure if this camaro has the latter.
I hate to say what is gonna be the fate of that motor when this car gets a new owner – especially a 6 that needs rings!
I had a block off radio plate on my ’81 Camaro that I ordered without a radio. Thankfully, it still came with the built-in windshield antenna.
IIRC, the plate looked a lot like the one on this car.
I may be too literal, but when I read it got a repaint, that by definition takes away the title “original”. IMO this first year second gen should be made reliable and then driven. Plenty of rusty wrecks out there to hot rod.
Ugly, boring, plain in everyway
Besides the shape of car and price.
I would probably up the trans to a T5 and put a bigger carb vs. the one barrel and open up the exhaust to get a few more ponies going. The 250 and old 230 sixes are strong engines for driving.
I know its not a small block that could be dropped within but i would keep the original car parts …trans carb etc in storage and drive it.
A six cylinder with 3 speed on the floor second generation Camaro is a real unicorn. Properly restored this thing would draw crowds as well as any big block or LS conversion.
It’s my 70 except mine was blu and had a factory AM radio. Bought new and daily drove go almost 20 years. Rust killed it.
I like that it still has the Connell Chevrolet license plate surround. I grew up around the corner from that place. We bought more than 1 car from them, and a childhood friend was the service manager there for a few years.
I never understood why Chevrolet made two Frontenac for the ’70 Camaro. One with a full width bumper and rectangle parking lights under the bumper and one with a split bumper and round parking lights above the bumper. I prefer the latter.
Solid restomod or clone candidate. Try starting the bid at $4000.00 and setting reserve at $7500.00 Nothing special then nothing special now. The old market demand dictates prices. Usually..
I’ve seen this car in person at a local cruise in. I think the owner has done some interior work in it since I saw it two years ago. Really ugly flat green paint. Great that it has survived 51 years, but it’s not very desirable.
Nice to see a NON RS without the bumperettes. Equally weird looking interior without the console.
The price is laughable but many old cars are as old doesnt equate to desirable or pricey, if that was the case id be worth 6 figures.
One thing that is a curiosity to me is why the car wears California license plates? Didnt the add say it was running in Seattle, for 16 years?
Sll that said the 2nd gen Cameros are my favorite having cut my driving teeth on a 1970 and half RS version that i still pine over 30 years removed, such a fun lil car.
$10.5K for that! Good luck.