The second generation of the Chevy Camaro would enjoy a long run, 1970-81. It was popular most of this time, and it would see more than 282,000 copies built during 1979 alone. The seller’s car is the more upscale Berlinetta model, which was nearly 25% of overall production that year. It was purchased new by the seller’s father-in-law and has remained in the family ever since. It runs well but is going to need a new coat of paint. Located in San Jose, California, this Camara is available here on craigslist for $8,000. Thanks again, Pat L., for another neat tip!
Berlinetta in Italian means “little saloon” and Chevy chose to use that name on their luxury model from 1979-86. It replaced the Type LT and was a kinder, softer Camaro than the Z28, so it had less power and a softer suspension. The seller’s car has what appears in their video to be a small-block V8 even though it’s listed as a six. This ’79 Berlinetta has been both well used and taken care of for the 111,109 miles it has traveled. It was a daily driver through 1996 and a backup vehicle after that.
The family took the car over in 2015 and have likely decided it’s time for the Camaro to move on. The body seems to be in good condition, but the original blue paint is begging to be resprayed. The interior is looking good, and we’re told it’s factory as well. The seller also says it runs great, compliments of a new carburetor which is flanked by an automatic transmission.
This car is also listed for sale here on eBay and there you’ll also find a link to a brief video on the car. Hagerty estimates the average resale value to be about what the seller is looking to get out of it, and double that if upwards of Concours.
I owned a ’79 Berlinetta Camaro in Beige with the same super comfortable interior color shown here. Mine had factory wire basket look aluminum wheels, rear spoiler and full instrumentation. It also left the factory with a Turbo 350 trans rather than the Metric 200 or whatever they called it. That 305 ran so smooth and when you kicked it into passing gear would scoot along. That’s one I regretted selling.
Me too, mine was brown with this same interior and the wheels you described. I only enjoyed it for a year before it was destroyed in a wreck, I really miss it.
Even though the craigslist ad states it’s a 6 cylinder, the eBay ad gives the lists a VIN. The engine code is given as G, which is listed as a 305 V8.
Regardless, the asking price seems like a stretch for a low option 79 Camaro that needs paint.
Steve R
I almost bought a black one back in 1987, a real POS I glad my father strongly suggested I pass on it.
Had a manager at McDonald’s back in 1979, that bought one of these, it was kinda of a seafoam green if my memory serves me right. She was an evil woman, she barely fit into the car, and she had a wicked attitude and mouth.She wasn’t my shift manager, but I still got to work with her on occasion. I wore my paper hat, wiped things down, or got a broom for my $2.35 an hour. Her employees had been through enough, 2 guys poured grease traps, mixed with grill acid, over every inch of her car. She had gone to a concert, and left it overnight. This was 1979, no camera, no security, no evidence, and we never knew who did it. She moved to another store the next week. Was it wrong, yes, did she deserve it, yes again. Only person that I ever knew to own a Berlinetta.
The 1979 Berlinetta interior was a major upgrade from the base, but could also be ordered separately on the Rally Sport and Z28. $307 extra but that didn’t include the console -another $80.
Berlinettas are a nice choice now that everyone that owns a Z28 thinks that it is worth millions of dollars. Same basic car comes standard with full instrumentation. Typically wasn’t beat to death by teenagers.
I had an ‘80 Sport with the 305 and 4bbl quadrajet. Swapped in 3.42 gears, headers and a mild cam with a Pete Jackson gear drive….. man that crazy whine. Loved it dearly. Got the bug for power and finally had 383 stroker built with Dart heads, TCI street fighter trans and 3.73’s. 17 and stupid. Two summer jobs and lots of IOU’s later…….I sold it for the next best thing. God I miss it. 2nd favorite car, despite owning several cars that are worth a hell of a lot more on paper, including my 66 real deal K code that became my wife’s engagement ring……guess I can’t regret that one!!! Anyhow, love and miss that car. Great memories. Unfortunately, I think this ‘79 is on the high end of the money, but I hope it becomes some other 17 year old kids’ entry way to our obsession.