At first glance, this car looks like just another run-of-the-mill 1984 Camaro. No redeeming qualities, nothing that stands out, just a white-on-tan Camaro with T-tops, very 1980s graphics, and an underpowered 305 engine. However, a look at the rear spoiler area reveals this is an important piece of baseball history, depending on the team you root for. You can find this car here on Facebook Marketplace in Campbellsport, Wisconsin, with an asking price of $50,000. Big thanks to Barn Finder Danny Martin for finding this one for us!
The concept of the bullpen vehicle has a long, diverse history. It was popular in the 1970’s and ’80s for each MLB team to have a dedicated vehicle to deliver relief pitchers from the bullpen out to the playing field. The most popular bullpen vehicle was a golf cart shaped like a baseball, but over the course of their working life, scooters, motorcycles, and even a tugboat in Seattle were employed. However, several teams used cars, likely with local dealership tie-ins providing them to teams in exchange for marketing revenue. For instance, the Yankees used Datsuns for several years, and in the early 1980s, the Milwaukee Brewers used Toyotas. The problem with these brands was that they were NOT popular amongst baseball fans, who preferred American automobiles. Milwaukee listened and changed to an American car for 1984.
This exact Camaro Z28 was used as the bullpen car for the 1984 Brewers, spending its time at old Milwaukee County Stadium (I did some independent research and was able to verify that this car appeared during the 1984 season). The seller’s father-in-law won the car at Fan Appreciation Night in 1984. The seller notes that the car is completely as it was that night, with the exception of the front tires. The odometer shows 32,000 actual miles.
Provenance aside, this may be the most well-preserved 1984 Camaro in existence. The white exterior is in excellent condition; the tan interior is spotless, the exterior graphics remain crisp, and the engine bay looks nearly new. The T-tops are in place and look stellar. The seller notes that the car was rarely driven, mostly on short Sunday drives, the occasional car show, and, of course, 81 games of ferrying Milwaukee Brewers relief pitchers out of the Milwaukee County Stadium bullpen. Such Brewers legends as Rollie Fingers, Don Augustine, and Tom Candiotti would have ridden in this car. With the Brewers playing in their first World Series in 44 years this week, this lifelong Brewers fan asks: could someone buying this car be the key to a Milwaukee championship?
These days, the pitchers just walk from the bullpen.
I’m from Milwaukee and I ought to know,( Blatz beer) never heard of one. I wasn’t the biggest baseball fan, never actually been to a game, but I certainly would remember something like this. Let me go no further than to express our joy, the Brewers are going to the World Series, YAY,,,1st time since 1982. Even though I live ( and will probably die) in Colorado, you never seem to lose that connection with the sports teams you grew up with. Packers same thing. Naturally, baseball was huge in Milwaukee, County Stadium long gone, and now home to Miller Park, ironically, Miller is about the only major brewery left. “Beer City”, so aptly named, “Brewers”, at one time was home to Pabst, Miller, Old Style, Hamms, Blatz, Schlitz, we shipped a lot of beer to fuel those games. One of my grandfathers greatest joys, was sitting in his ’65 Rambler Ambassador, unable to drive, but still listened to the ball game and smoked cigarettes. I was extremely skeptical why series games usually go the full amount, but with the Brewers shutting out the Dodgers, changed my mind some. Go Brewers, and at home games, don’t forget to check out “Front Row Amy”.
The car here? Meh, the recent WS drama could invoke a sale. I never cared for these, but liked the Firebird, I doubt the fanfare doubles the price, it certainly is an entertaining story, for Wisconsin baseball fans, but not much anywhere else. I’m sure it’s the real deal, whatever that is.
Thanks for a great post down memory lane( overgrown with weeds) :)
Right on Howard… Brew 🍺 Crew and Bob Uecker 🎙 have alot of fans up here 🍁
I was in Milwaukee at the Papst Theatre a few weekends ago. The Papst is a beautiful restored venue, and within walking distance of the river, plus the ‘Bronze Fonz” statue is also nearby. The high asking price is to cover the cost of World Series tickets…
Pabst was a gigantic name in Milwaukee, and without question, the beer of choice. By 1970, they produced almost 10.5 million barrels a year out of the facility on Juneau Ave. Then had a great tour and, if 21, you could sample the beer at the end of the tour, and get as potzed as you wanted, That didn’t go well for obvious reasons, and they began limiting “samples”. In fact, I hauled some of the last loads of beer out of that facility, before they closed in the late 90s. It’s now an apt. complex and parking structure.
I happen to know who made that Fonz statue. He was/is( I hope) a very talented sculptor from Ft. Atkinson, Wis. and also made the Blackhawk statues on Ft. Atkinsons bridge over the Rock River.
If you’re going to mention Pabst then you can’t help but think of Augie Pabst’s race cars. They were Scarabs and all were gorgeous looking vehicles but the mid engined Scarab has a special place in my heart:
http://www.tamsoldracecarsite.net/PabstScarabRE1.html
The pool of potential buyers is small, but sports fans, in my mind are unpredictable and willing to dig deep into their pockets. I wouldn’t be interested, ever, but if there were ever a time to get close to the asking price, this is it.
Has anyone looked at the going rate for World Series tickets, or any other popular sports championship tickets? The sell for mind boggling amounts.
Steve R
They are in the Series. Grab it now before the value goes up.
would need to see more than a picture for proof of what’s being claimed.