The second generation of the Chevrolet Camaro was finally retired at the end of 1981. An all-new Camaro debuted for 1982, and it also enjoyed a long run (through 1992). The seller’s ’82 Camaro is the upscale Berlinetta model that – with a V6 engine – represented 21% of revitalized sales that year. This example seems to be in nice shape with just 53,000 miles, though the paint may be showing its age in places. Located in Peoria, Illinois, this survivor is available here on craigslist for $12,000. Thanks, Barn Finder Barney, for the tip!
You could get a 4-cylinder engine in a 1982 Camaro, and 11% of buyers did so, but I can’t imagine the throttle response was great. Next up was a 173 cubic-inch V6 like the one in the seller’s car, and its 102 horsepower wasn’t exactly a barnburner, either. So, it’s not surprising that more than half of 3rd generation/1st year Camaro shoppers went for a V8, even though gasoline was selling at a whopping $1.28 per gallon.
The seller’s car is the upscale Berlinetta model, and it comes with a better level of trim and is also a hatchback. That was a new body style for the Camaro, as the 1967 to 1981 editions had no such feature. An elderly person owns this car, though no mention is made of first or second ownership. It appears to have been well taken care of with no visible rust and decent or better bronze paint. It has an automatic transmission, which may have been the only route you could go with a V6.
We’re told this Chevy runs and drives as it should and has been garage-kept, a plus. The miles appear to be low, and the interior has held up nicely. One of the selling points given is that the radio is the one from the factory (AM, AM/FM? Why is that special?). If you’re looking for a clean third-gen Camaro, this seems like one of the nicer ones left. But don’t expect to burn any rubber.
It’s funny. Back in the early 80’s, there were quite a few Camaros equipped like this Berlinetta with a V6 and an automatic. I remember a neighbor who bought a brand new blue one with the 4 and a stick. It’s the only one I can ever remember seeing equipped like that. The stripes on this one don’t look stock to me, they’re starting to peel off, I’d be tempted to help it along with a careful application of a heat gun. Clean it up, buff it out, and enjoy it.
Pricey for a base Camaro if that year, no matter how nice it might be. It will likely be hard to find someone willing to dig that deeply into their wallet.
Steve R
Not exactly a ‘base’ car. The Berlinetta was the smooth riding, gadget/tech heavy luxury version of the third gen, if you can imagine such a thing. This one doesn’t appear to have the digital dash unfortunately, but if does have the rather uncommon console clock and the Berlinetta specific alloys.
I own one that I ended up removing the “6” from and installing an LS1 in. Really love the comfort of the Berlinetta, but would never buy a 4 or 6 cylinder, especially with the automatic transmission again. Why is it that it seems like most of these “low mileage” cars never have a picture of the engine compartment? Personally? I think this car is probably a $3-$4,000 car…
I was wondering about those graphics also. Never saw them before. Would like to hear from a Chevy enthusiast, whether they are factory or not.
The stripes are a high quality aftermarket product manufactured by Sharpline Converting in Wichita Kansas.
Berlinetta maybe was autoloader only Dixon. Buddy had a non Berlinetta w 2.8 V6, and 5sp, it was pretty fun.
I interpret the radio statement in the ad to mean that they have replaced the original radio with an OEM replacement. I had a friend who owned a Berlinetta from a few years later in the 80’s. The radio in that one was not in the dash, but was mounted on a post sticking up out of the console. It could rotate towards the driver or the passenger. Looked like something that would easily break, and it did. Some of the dumb things car makers did to look more futuristic.
Putting controls on pods was envogue in the 80s. You saw it on French and Japanese cars. Maybe not a good enough reason to do the same. I think GM stopped with the Baretta and Corsica.
Oh, those stripes 😍. We sure liked tape in those days. No, they’re not from Chevrolet but are period correct dealer add on. Berlinetta came standard with the 2.8 V6. Auto, air and power windows made a well equipped car. Lots of people still remembered buck and a quarter gas in ’82 and a good looking car with the V6 was enough.
Back in late 80s, there was a guy in a van that would drive to car lots in Eastern Mass and Cape Cod.
He had every color and width tape, and would spend hours stripping trucks, cars, and vans.
Personable guy, seemed to be having fun and making a decent paycheck.
He could dress up a boring car Fast.
Our tape and graphics guy in the 90s was Phil. Super nice guy. We also had Zak the pin striper who would come out up until more recently, pre-pandemic.
I remember, I think it was Trimline, they were somehow connected to 3M. That was a good a gig back then.
too much going on with those stickers all over it. clean 8k Camaro.
At some point, Chevy added a pull-down motor for the rear hatch. Too many people were shattering the rear glass by slamming it closed.
I’m positive those are not stripes from the factory. Dealer applied perhaps. Decent looking car but it’s a non-exciting brown. As nice as it is, the V6 ruins it for me. The optional 305 fuel injected V8 made only 165HP.
Holy 1982 pinstripes Batman! I’m not liking it on this car. The 2.8L especially carbureted version of the motor was garbage in the Chevy rear wheel drive stuff. The TBI version was a little better. Should’ve at least kept the 3.8L as an option in the F body. Way overpriced also.
I find the wheels on this car to be pretty attractive.
I didn’t think they were stock, so I looked up an ’82 Camaro brochure and, yes, these were the stock aluminum wheels that came on the Berlinetta.
You prompted me to go back and look closer.
Those are nice wheels, I like it when they are color matched to the body.
Okay, I’ll make a clarification on the Berlinetta.
1) These were not a base Camaro
2) These cars did offer a 4-speed tranny
3) The 2.8 V-6 was decent engine for its day!
4) There are NO graphics available on this model of the 1982 Camaro, they had their own style of minor graphics
5) The only option manual trans was a 4 speed! (5 speeds were available in 1983.)
6) The “top model” was a Z28 but only available w/305 V8 and automatic,
7) Belinetta was a “sport/luxurious) branded model V8 and V6 auto or 4 speed.
8) The Sport Coupe was the base model offering an Iron Duke, 2.5 liter V6 or 305 V8
Ask me how I know. Just sold my blue Berlinetta a few years ago.
Overall looks pretty clean and the interior looks really nice. Wish they had just given more better shots as well as the engine and underside. Don’t think those graphics are original as I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Berlinetta with them before. Don’t care for them either way. Price might be a bit high for just a Berlinetta with a 6.
Those stripes are not from Trim Line. That was a franchise type of company that only later started purchasing from Sharpline Converting. From what I was once told by an installer, their association with 3M was only as a user of the 3M product line; I was an independent installer in this industry and have used the material that Trim Line spec’d out from 3M on an occasion or two. It was nowhere near as nice a product to work with (from an installer’s perspective) as what you could purchase from 3M at automotive supply outlets (in more recent years), or from converters such as Sharpline. My guess is that the converting companies (including Trim Line) specified adhesive, color, flexibility, t & e balance and 3M would cast and supply as per requirements specified.
I should add that to me, it appears someone attempted to peel the stripes off- normally, if after multiple years of sun exposure there is any affect, it is in the form of fading. In this case, the only spots that have been affected is in the same area on the car- both upper and lower stripes on the driver’s side rear quarter, in the form of attempted removal.
AS WELL, I should clarify that Trim Line may well have installed products converted by other companies, including this stripe package; my point is simply that it was manufactured by Sharpline. (Probably not a huge deal in this community.) Their work was good- and as a competitor, they kept me on my toes.