There is always an underlying fear amongst classic car enthusiasts that the supply of genuine barn find cars will eventually trickle away and disappear entirely. I don’t subscribe to that theory because recent history suggests that those fabulous finds are becoming more frequent. Many factors account for this trend, but it still leaves hope for passionate individuals that they may still score their slice of motoring history. That is the case with this 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. It has recently come out of hiding after thirty-five years in seclusion, and it shows enormous promise as a project build. It is complete, and some aspects have the potential to provide potential buyers with a pleasant surprise. If you feel ready to allow a project car into your life, you will find the Camaro located in Deer Park, New York, and listed for sale here on eBay. The action has been pretty subdued to this point, with a mere four bids pushing the price past the reserve to $10,700. However, with 104 people watching the listing, you must wonder how many may be holding out to submit a last gasp bid.

The history of this Camaro isn’t clear, but the owner claims that it wears its original Mountain Green paint with a Black vinyl top. Both the paint and vinyl have seen better days, but that doesn’t make this car a lost cause by any means. The panels are pretty straight, the glass appears to be in good condition, and any chrome that won’t respond to some hard work with a polishing cloth would still be suitable for restoration. With that out of the way, we now need to decide whether the car is healthy enough to justify some enthusiasts’ attention. The simple answer to that question would seem to be a resounding “yes.” If I were to take on this build, I would probably dismantle the Camaro down to the last nut-and-bolt and mount it on a rotisserie. The owner indicates that there is rust in the floors and trunk pan, and it sounds like the buyer will be doing some cutting and welding to return this classic to a rust-free state. However, it seems that this is about the limit of the issues under the car because there is no evidence that there are problems with areas like the frame rails or cowl beyond heavy surface corrosion. There are a few rust spots in the lower extremities and rear quarter panels, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some is hiding under the tattered and peeling vinyl. If the buyer mounted the car and had it media-blasted, the results would be pretty positive. I also believe that it would be worth the effort if the goal is to produce a classic that will remain solid for many decades to come.

The Camaro isn’t numbers-matching, but it does feature a 327ci V8, a two-speed Powerglide transmission, and power steering. The car doesn’t currently run, and I get the impression that it hasn’t done so for more than three decades. If that V8 turns freely, breathing new life into it may be possible. However, there are other options for potential buyers to consider. Rebuilding that 327 with improved internal components could unleash significantly more power while dumping the Powerglide for a transmission with more ratios would also improve the potential performance. Alternatively, a larger and/or more modern motor could turn this car into a beast. The whole concept of a restomod build has its attraction. By slotting in a fuel-injected V8, a better transmission, and performing some sensible upgrades to the suspension and brakes, this could be a hassle-free classic whenever its owner wheels it out of the garage. The new owner could achieve this without disturbing the car’s appearance or style, and one of the attractions of this approach is that almost everything the builder would require is available off the shelf.

I initially discussed the potential for pleasant surprises with this Camaro, and opening its doors reveals what I meant. Apart from a split on the passenger seat, some damage to the lower door trims, and fading on the carpet, the interior looks pretty serviceable. Before I spent a dime, I would treat the whole thing to a deep clean. I think it would be worth the effort because the rear seat and trim, the dash, pad, and console look like they would all respond positively to a bit of attention. Apart from a wrap on the wheel and a radio/cassette player, it also seems that there have been no aftermarket additions. When the buyer commences this project build, it appears that whipping the interior into shape could be the least expensive part of the process.

My taste in classic cars is quite eclectic, but I have an enormous soft spot for these early pony cars. They represent a purity of styling design because their creators did not load them with scoops or tons of chrome trim. They have a sense of purpose. Even in their most basic mechanical form, they offered their original owners affordable admission into a lifestyle they could only dream of in earlier times. I love to see them restored to their original splendor, but that doesn’t mean that I oppose owners treating such cars to updates. There’s no doubt that this 1967 Camaro would turn heads if the next owner restored it to a factory-fresh state, but if they chose to pursue a custom or restomod path, the results could be equally impressive. If you were to become its next owner, how would you tackle this build? More importantly, are you tempted to throw your hat in the ring so that you have the opportunity to transform that dream into a reality?