The Chevy Camaro was all-new for 1970 and had the appearance of a more aerodynamic car. It would turn out to be quite successful and the second-generation Camaro would see production through 1981. This first-year edition with the Rally Sport package is finished in what looks like Hugger Orange, has spent its time in Nevada, and looks to be rust-free. It’s also received quite a few new parts and performance upgrades. Available here in Denver, Colorado, and here on eBay, the no reserve bidding has reached $9,400.
After receiving a lot of advanced fanfare, both the 1970 Camaro and Pontiac Firebird were delayed getting to market by several months. Instead of starting in August 1969, production didn’t commence until November due to issues with the new body’s stampings at Fisher Body. As a result, production of the ‘69s lastest longer than usual and the new ‘70s didn’t start arriving at dealers until February 1970. This would account for part of the drop in assemblies for the new year at 124,901 units, about half of the prior models. Of that figure, 27,136 of the new Camaro’s had the $168.55 Rally Sport option, like the seller’s car.
The Rally Sport, known on build sheets as RPO Z22, was a distinctive appearance package. While it had been available before 1970, the previously hidden headlights were dropped going forward. The RS option now included a split nose/bumper treatment, round front parking lights, hidden windshield wipers, and some other trim. If you ordered it in conjunction with the Super Sport, the car became an RS/SS or RS/Z28 when combined with the Z28. It was popular as one out of five of every Camaro made in 1970 came with RPO Z22.
This ’70 Camaro RS has been the beneficiary of quite a few mechanical upgrades or changes. The car comes with a 350 cubic inch V8 paired with a TH-350 automatic transmission, somewhat oddly column-shifted. We’re not told if either is original to the car or how well any of it runs. Add to this a new set of headers, battery and cables, and an HEI distributor along with a full tune-up and rebuilt 4-barrel carburetor. Want more? The list also provides for a new kick-down cable and shifter linkage, valve cover gaskets, driveshaft, cross member, brakes, and shocks.
The paint may be original, but after more than 50 years, that’s not likely. While most of the finish is shiny but scratched, the hood is faded and has touches of grey primer, so the car might be an easy candidate for a total respray. The hood hinges and the front spoiler have been replaced, the windshield is new, and the windows tinted. This Camaro also wears new Cragar rims and tires.
We’re told the interior is good, but it’s hard to tell with cheap aftermarket seat covers from the big box store over the front buckets. And the dashboard has a Velcro cover over it, but the sound system has been replaced with one that includes Blue Tooth. We’re not sure of the mileage on this car as the seller uses the placeholder “1” in that part of the eBay listing. Hagerty says that a top-shelf ’70 Camaro is worth $25,000 plus 15% more for the RS package, so a second-gen Camaro looks to be a cheaper purchase than its predecessor. With all the work already done and if the paint is the only problem, the highest bidder might end up with a nice semi-muscle car bargain.
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