The 1980 Hugger Camaro was a very limited edition of cars with quite an interesting story behind them. In a nutshell, a man named Tom Nehl was trying to fund his racing team’s entry into the 1980 24 Hours of Daytona and created and sold these 90 cars as a way of doing it. We’ve covered #32 (a really nice condition survivor) before here and here; this is #83. It’s listed for sale here on eBay with an opening bid of only $200 (with a reserve, of course) but a buy it now of $10,000. It’s now located a long way from it’s Florida beginnings in Centennial, Wyoming.
I’m pretty sure these are the original graphics, so the odds are this is the original 1980 paint as well. One of the “functional” features of the cars, the rear window braces, has left a rust hole with it’s demise on the right hand side. Unfortunately the beautiful Minilite wheels are long gone as well. You can learn a lot more about these special edition cars by reading this article from the GM Heritage Center, or this one from Super Chevy.
Wearing Oklahoma license plates and some truly period bumper stickers, we can still see the dealer badge from the original Florida dealer that sold the car.
Those of you who took me to task for my recent F-Body post about a 1979 Firebird and mullet reference in it should note that I really do like these cars. And while it may be tired to some, I lived in that time and although my hair never quite made it to mullet status, I’m not ashamed of it. So please don’t get offended, ok? Repeating: I like vintage F-bodies! I wish this one didn’t have quite the wear and tear it does, though. The seller also notes that the driver’s door is rusty from the window being down, and I think you can see that in this shot at the rear of the door.
I’m not sure how much of the interior can be saved, to be honest. It looks pretty bad, and for once the rear seat doesn’t look much better than the front. My nose is wrinkling up from the imagined smell just looking at the pictures.
Still, it’s #83 of only 90 produced — how much is that worth to you? We know nothing about its mechanical condition apart from the fact that there is no engine or transmission! Since the unique Hugger equipment did not consist of any engine or transmission modifications to the Z28 platform, maybe that doesn’t matter as much? This is a pretty darned big project though, especially if you want to restore the car to its original condition. What say you, Barn Finds readers?
A Scooby would say ruff roo !!!!
The body can be repaired and yes I bet floors and trunk pan are required with one door and a donor interior as tail lights .
One would be ahead to find a complete car with engine and tranny to part out with a good door .
The price is a 3000 dollar offer or less with all the missing pieces ! The labor and parts cars and paint and….is going to be a small fortune alone .
I luv boneyard finders always thinking their POS is the mother load of all and they’ve struck it rich 😂. If this was in good shape sure but it’s not.
This car is a load of something for sure. The Mother Lode it is not.
You are almost spot on with the price, it was a no sale with bidding up to $2,850
No engine or tranny and needing just about everything for $10,000?
I don’t see it happening.
My first car was a 1980 Pontiac Firebird Yellowbird Edition. I loved that car and have fond memories to this day. Unfortunately it had one of the worst interiors I have ever had the pleasure of interacting with. Cheap plastic all over that was not helped by years of sun damage. That car started my love affair with the local pull-your-part junk yard!
Still… ask me if I would buy another (preferably a Trans Am this time, LOL) if I had the chance. :)
I’m a fan of obscure cars, but not sure I would spend the money on this one.
REALLY, I don’t the car is even worth the opening price…
I’m usually pretty optimistic about some restoration projects. I don’t think I can be here. Yes it’s rarity is a point of interest, but contributes little to it’s value.
My 89 C4 convertible Corvette is one of 54. It’s not worth any more than any other C4 that I can see. I love the car, but it’s just a C4, like all of the others. I appreciate, your appreciation of these Camaro’s Jamie. I like em too, but this car is best suited to the other 89 folks that bought one new…or their kids. It’s a shame it got so far decayed. Who would sacrifice the drive train from this thing, and for what? Scratching my head.
Obviously used as a parts car. I’d like to see where all the parts went to.
$10K restored maybe
I agree, Jaime, it probably reeks of mold an mildew , the body doesn’t look too bad.. but my guess the floors are shot . IDK a whole lot about the underpinings of the ” newer” cars but I would say a crate 350 w/ a 5 spd auto. discs all around one doesn’t see too many 80 Camaro’s period! it would attract attention!
You can stack up $60,000 cash on a table and it would attract attention too!
At least with the cash, you would still have the cash. Put it into this car and you have $60K in a car that is worth maybe half that. And in my professional opinion, it might get quite a bit north of $60K to restore this one. Like BRAKTRCR pointed out, just not a rare car /good year etc combo. It’s not like you found a Yenko or a Shelby.
The amount of rot in this car, and more importantly where it is at, knowing a grinder is going to expose a WHOLE LOT MORE, is NOT good. sorry but I think RIP is appropriate here.
That’s a 500 $ car …..
Needs to much for
All it is…
Not sure it would make a good parts car. A $1,000 would be to much.
We all know there’s other projects out there, that are better starting cars for half the price. Yeah, it’s a unique find z28 -ish camaro, but Too much IS missing and unknown. Someone didn’t care about it a while ago, I will pass on it now.
Still tons of Camaro’s around I don’t this one is unique enough to bring a lot of money and this car needs everything.
I know where Centennial is!! Just west of Laramie where the Univ of Wyo is located. Something fishy here in the Rockies. Florida car, Oklahoma plates, in Wyoming??? Sounds like someone misappropriated some property.
Ohh I can see your Love!!
I love the old cars. I could kick myself for my husband and dad making me getting rid of my 1977 camaro. I would do anything to have it back.
After the styling of 67,68 and 69 Camaros what happened? Ugly to the core!
For sure nothing unique but I will hang on to my 95 Z. Itz a mustang burner
P.O.S. from some LeMans wannabe… Tell this seller to stick with his over priced Nopars. Maybe people willing to pay stupid money for mass produced Detroit steel like Chryslers but not this thing. Parts car at best, $3500 since the bidding is up to $3000 so far. But there is a reserve and most of us know what happens on Ebay when bidders feel the bidding is damn close to the reserve. I love ‘Cuda’s and Road Runners but face it Chrysler’s were number 3 for a reason…
I also love these F bodies, lots of good memories. Not this one though, lots of better cheaper buys out there. I would probably go the Bandit route though.
I remember seeing these on the showroom floor at Gary Fronrath Chevy in Fort
Lauderdale fl and always admired them. They must have had 10 or more for sale. I was 17- 18 and they were out of my budget but loved window shopping!
This was my brothers car that got sold without his knowledge years ago. He thought it was a lost point to report it stolen as it was broke down then but he knows where it is now! I am sure the registration is still in the glove box with his name on it.