The second generation of the Chevy Camaro ran from 1970 to 1981. The 1979 model year was one of its most successful with more than 282,000 copies built. Of those, just 90 are said to have been equipped with the Oregon & Washington Dealership Graphics Package like this one, dubbed the Cascade Camaro. Over time, this car found its way to Florida where it’s offered from Groveland and here on eBay where the current bid holds at $14,300 with no reserve.
Apparently, the idea of these specially-trimmed cars was cooked up by the Oregon/Washington sales district and you had to come into your Chevy dealer to order one. Whether they were never intended to be widely available or people just didn’t take to the orange and white creamsicle look, only 90 are supposed to have been built. A little metal plaque on the seller’s car identifies it as #28. We don’t know if they were all identical cars or if you could specify the combination of options you wanted.
As the story goes, this Camaro was sold by a Chevy dealer in Portland, Oregon. The original owner brought it to Florida about 15 years ago. After a couple of more years, she stopped driving it (due to her age?) and the auto stayed in her garage for several more turns of the calendar. The owner’s sons decided it should have a better fate, so after changing all the fluids (including old gasoline), they started driving it around occasionally to keep it running. So if you were to take this automobile home, that would technically make you the second owner.
The body and original paint have held up nicely and we’re told there is no rust to be found. The photos provided show an especially clean undercarriage. The only imperfection may be a small ding in the driver’s side rear quarter panel. The interior is also quite tidy and appears to need nothing but someone behind the wheel on a more regular basis.
This Chevy has a 305 cubic inch small-block V8 under the hood that only manages 125 hp with all the emissions hardware that was bolted onto the cars. Despite its idle periods, the seller says the car performs well and you won’t find any leaks or smoke. But you’re not going to get whiplash from accelerating from a dead stop. This comes across as a turn-key car that there may be few if any others left, especially on the East Coast. The seller has also provided a link to a video.
Barfsicle
Another dealer,with dealer prices.
No reserve auction. Hammer price will be determined by the bidders.
Or, if it’s not bringing enough $ the dealer simply ends the auction, which appears to be what has happened.
I agree that the dealer might end the auction if it doesn’t bring what they want, but this auction is very much still alive.
Looking at the build sheet, this was ordered with almost all options, very odd for the Sport Coupe (entry level) trim. Probably so the ‘conversion’ company didn’t have to remove unwanted emblems or pinstripes.
It is an LM1 350 4bbl car, with F41 sports suspension, the upgraded interior, and the rare digital am/fm radio. No deluxe color keyed seatbelts – just the standard black.
I suppose T-Tops weren’t ordered, because of the additional cost of the Cascade package, (I think they were even more expensive then A/C), and those black panels would really be a contrast against the orange.
Being Oregon born and raised and having worked in and later ran a couple different Chev dealerships over the years we saw quite a few of these Cascade Edition Camaros. This is the most equipped one I have seen, quite a few were pretty basic in equipt. – definitely a glammed up lower end package. I don’t recall having seen any with T-Tops but did see a couple with manual transmission. It was never a really ‘popular’ car, but this one does look pretty well kept.
The custom belts were a $23 option. You’d think Chevy would throw them in with the $307 custom interior option. Then again the console was an $80 option as well. Had to check my brochure about the digital clock radio but sure enough there it was. If you sprung for the gauges package I guess you got an analog clock and the digital clock?
Love the colors! Nice to see a reasonable dealer not using a reserve price like most of them.
That tan cloth interior’s relatively tame. I was expecting white vinyl with orange carpets and dash.
The “Cascade” trim package was supposed to IMPROVE new Camaro sales in 1979?
Uh…. okaaay.
This car would be perfect with a LS in it ! put that wheezy 305 based 350 out to pasture or engine stand and be the cats ass with this baby !
Pretty much exactly my thoughts.
The Portland Chevy dealership that sold this now sells Subarus.
https://www.google.com/maps/@45.5215067,-122.6607486,3a,75y,359.02h,90.75t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1slRmH8pIO1OtscSXLdqDmsA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en
When I saw Oregon, I wondered if this later inspired the Trunk Monkey option?
They were a dual point Chevy/Subaru dealership but had opened a Chevrolet only point a few miles south in Wilsonville, Wilsonville Chevrolet. The Wentworths closed the Chevrolet point on Grand Ave and now focus on Subaru there. So, technically since it’s still the same family it’s kind of the same dealership. Both are 30 miles or so from me.
This location had been a Chevy store for generations. It was a Subaru/Chevy dual for many years. Finally, made it Subaru only in the city location. However, they own another Chevy dealership in the suburbs.
Can we stop calling everything that’s been sitting for 20+ years a “Barn Find” ? This is becoming ridiculous and annoying. This thing is nice, yeah. It’s “rare”: debatable. It came from a GARAGE in Florida. Stop it, already.
Did we call it a barn find? It does have original paint and is a special model so what’s not to like?
Probably a carport find, being it was in Florida.
If that was stored in a Flordia carport the paint would be faded petty bad. It was stored inside all of its life and it shows.
The seller calls it a “barn find” numerous times in the listing. Why don’t you complain to them, instead of shooting the messenger?
Your opinion would be better received if you, instead, complained about the fact that the author claims it is a 305 when, clearly, if they even read the listing, they would know it is an LM1 350 4BBL.
Many thanks to the author for this write up!
I have never seen, heard of or even read of a Camaro with this dealer package…..a true unicorn, in fabulous condition.
Best wishes to the new owner, they will have a lot of questions at the local Cars and Coffee!
🤓☕️
After market sunroof. Anyone else notice the water droplets on the passenger rear armrest?
The sunroof does not leak on this car.
I kind of like it. Ordered with no Posi (G80) though, which is lame…and a horrific 2.41 gear in the rear end. Otherwise, it’s a good looking car and in pretty nice shape. Sellers claim of “ordered with every option” is, simply, not true.
You would certainly, uh, stand out.
I purchased a Cascade Camaro from a dealership in Lake Oswego, Oregon – just outside of Portland in 1979.
It was #23 of 90.
The tan interior was not cloth, more of a vinyl.
Apparently they had different packages, as I bought mine off the showroom floor without adding anything to the car.
The Cascade for bid has a few different looking features in the cab, such as a black steering wheel and orange rims than mine had but I really enjoyed that car!
Hello! I am the new owner of this car! It was delivered early this last Friday morning. We live in Wisconsin, so it’s very difficult to find one that is as solid as this. Very excited to start working on her! Happy that it is turn key and not a true “project car” as we do not have time for that. One thing that will be updated soon is that sunroof. It doesn’t appear that it has leaked, but I’m not taking a chance.
Any info on this car would be greatly appreciated!!
Laurie, Congrats on the new purchase – enjoy!
I still have fond memories on my ’81. Even though it was a 6 cylinder automatic, it was the first car I ordered brand new and would jump at the opportunity to own it again.
Congrats! Stunning car, and ordered with all options with the exception of a couple performances upgrades, but hwo cares, the sellers description was spot on and you are correct the sun roof doesn’t leak on this one.
Would you happen to have any information about the Cascade? I myself was not aware of this package. Any info is appreciated!!