Tinged with surface rust and wearing fresh rubber, this faded pony car shows promise, and a freshly rebuilt V8 sweetens the pot. The 1968 Chevrolet Camaro in Apple Valley, California looks like many cars in metal-friendly climates, rides that go about the business of transporting people for decades with minimal attention. There’s something honest and appealing about a never-restored car that’s 40 or 50 years old. Offered on Facebook Marketplace, the Chevy project can be yours for $18,000, reduced from $20,000.

Shiny new and original-style parts dress out the rebuilt 327 cid (5.4L) small-block. A new TurboHydramatic 350 three-speed automatic backs up the refreshed mill. Most of the time you’d see headers here, but many owners don’t like them. Despite making more horsepower, headers can be difficult to seal properly and melt spark plug wires if the latter are not carefully routed.

Dig that monster U-handle shifter! Dried plastic and pitted chrome pockmark the original parts, but few vehicle interiors are easier to refresh using a web browser and a credit card.

Early this century I visited California for work; a colleague there, Mary, had a 327 Camaro like this, never painted, never restored, and she’d had it since high school. Coming from Northwestern Pennsylvania, I’d never heard a story like that, not regarding a car that was actually driven anyway. Decades ago I would have seen a 327 Camaro of this vintage and simply moved along to the next listing. With the maturity of hindsight and improved driving skills, I now appreciate cars that do not boast the largest engine or fanciest option packages. Cars like this offer entry-level enthusiasts a chance to enjoy the hobby without cashing in their 401k. A decent 327 offers plenty enough power to make trouble, and most drivers only go fast in a straight line anyway, a feat that requires zero skill unless you have more than 400 HP and traction control switched off. Who do you see as the ideal buyer for this classic pony car?