With the transformation of the Ford Mustang into a subcompact in 1974, the Chevrolet Camaro took over the top sales spot for pony cars. Deliveries crept up year by year, and the Camaro had its best showing since 1969 in 1976. By and large, it was no longer a performance car as the Z28 had been discontinued (though temporarily). The seller’s ’76 Camaro is a basic example without a lot of goodies and a 305 cubic-inch V8. Located in Wellston, Michigan, this nicely running survivor needs some cosmetic TLC. The current bid here on eBay is $4,650.
Demand for the Camaro was up 25% in 1976, though the car was little changed (it had received a large wraparound rear window in 1975). While an anemic six-cylinder was still standard in the car, the 305 V8 became the next step up, and it was new to the Camaro in ’76. The one in the seller’s car has been upgraded to a 4-barrel carburetor, and we wonder if anything has been done internally to the engine at a reported 143,000 miles.
With an automatic transmission (TH-350?), we’re told this is a numbers-matching car that came out of California many moons ago. The Chevy runs and drives well and has been treated to new brakes, tires, and a battery. The seller may have owned it for a long time, as mechanical records go back at least 13 years.
Rust isn’t a huge factor that the seller calculates at four percent. Being stored inside for much of its idle time is likely a factor. Since we’re told this is a two-owner car, its original keeper may have had it well into the 21st Century. Negatives are that there’s a crack in the windshield, the radio produces no sound, and the factory A/C hardware is MIA. The interior is also dirty and ready for an extreme makeover. If you’re looking for a classic to fix up while you still use it, could this Camaro be for you?
A real bread and butter example. Used to see alot of these roaming the streets in the late 70s, early 80s.
I wonder if the original owner worked in a coal mine?
Unless you want the car to race, and be lighter, why would anyone ever remove the A/C? If you don’t want it, don’t use it. Oy vay…….
Can’t see putting much money into this one with the high mileage, plus it’s not really collectible. My first new car was a white ‘75 Type LT with saddle interior, somewhat similar to this car, with a 350-2bbl. This one brings back a lot of memories but it needs too much to open the wallet.
I’ll agree that it’s in rough shape, but not collectible? That I beg to differ.
Yes, these used to be everywhere. Wonder how good this will look with a proper detail? Good starting point for your dream Camaro.
When I was growing up (70s-80s), and living in Michigan if the air conditioning quit working we really just did remove all the parts. We of course thought that it was too expensive to fix, so it all just got pulled and thrown away. I threw away countless A6 compressors that we all thought were useless. Little did we know that if was probably just a small leak and not a major fix for most of the cars we had. It was just the way things were.