There are rules and there are regulations, and there are people who will find legitimate (but creative) ways to circumvent them. This 1978 Camaro LT has spent the vast majority of its life in California, and it still wears its original California blue plates. However, since Californian laws prevented the 350-engined Camaro being sold in California, the owner purchased the car in Oregon, and then immediately had it shipped to California. I like a bit of creative thinking, and I also quite like this Camaro. It is now located in Villa Park, Illinois, and is listed for sale here on eBay.
The owner describes the Camaro as unrestored, and if it is wearing its original paint, it looks quite good. There are few minor chips visible, but no real signs of rust. The trim and chrome look good, as does the glass. Personally, one thing that I could do without is the luggage rack. They certainly have their uses, but this one looks out of place on this particular car.
The first thing that I noticed when I looked at this photo of the interior was how incredibly faded the carpet is. At first, I thought that it was this strange color, and then I realized that you can see a few spots where the original red is visible. The rest of the interior presents quite well, although some of the plastic is beginning to show its age. I am actually quite surprised that given how badly the carpet has faded, items such as the dash pad haven’t cracked. The Camaro has been fitted with a few options, such as a tilt wheel, cruise control, air conditioning, and tinted glass.
This is why the car started its life in Oregon, because of the 350ci V8 engine under the hood. This is hooked to an automatic transmission, while power brakes bring the beast to a halt. The owner says that the car runs and drives well and that he is holding a significant amount of documentation for the car. This includes the original order form and the window sticker.
Apart from the luggage rack, this ’78 Camaro appears to be original and unmolested. The body and paint look really nice, while the interior won’t need a huge amount of dollars or effort to bring it back to life. The owner has set a BIN price of $7,900 for the Camaro, or the option is there to make an offer. Is this a car that you would like to park in your garage?
Nice rig Adam, only a grand more than the sticker price. I agree with the rack on this rig. I did not see it listed on the sticker so who knows? Seller states, ‘with very rare 350 ci motor’. I don’t think that applies here since the car is in Ill. now. Not to mention the other billion Camaros with 350’s.
Luggage rack was never offered as an option by Chevrolet on this model. First thing to remove and then install a new moulded carpet kit.
Loved my 79 Z28(Sold it for a 00Berger Camaro)
The carpet does disintegrate as a the sail panels
You can upgrade the heads to 202
Ahhh my brother had a 00 Berger….#8 out of 104! baddass’ car! He also traded a Camaro for his, but his was a 98 Camaro I sold him!
Car would also benefit from an upgrade to 15 inch wheels and tires. I would stick to factory, either the steel 5 spokes or the aluminum turbine wheels.
Pffft. I’m sure the original owner didn’t have to do anything but cross the state line to get his new 350 Camaro. Nothing “rare” about it being a 350 other than the 350 couldn’t pass the CA emissions laws. Otherwise, a non-descript powertrain and installed many Camaros from 1969 to 1981 (other than California). I took over my father’s maroon 76 Firebird a mere eight years after it was built and the carpet had already faded to an ugly orange.
So much this. Plenty of old cars get bought and sold in California. The seller is required to provide a smog certificate no older than six months prior to date of sale.
Very nice! I once had a 1980 Z28, 350, 4speed. It wouldn’t take much to tighten this car up! The price is too high for a LT
This is my 78 z28 that i bought in 78. Paid 7k. I still have it today. 350 30
over comp cam, angle plug heads, t10 + 4 speed hurst shifter, 3.73 rear, msd 6, holley dual plane and 650 dbl pmpr and many other upgrades including color matched alum turbine wheels.
Great car for the money, I still have my 80 z28. These cars drive and handle so well for the era.
Nice car Derald, great color too, i had a blue/black stripes 71 Z/28 back in the late 70’s early 80’s still like the 2nd Gen body style, it was my 1st and only Camaro until I bought my 11 SS a few years ago
Thx. Love my newer ss too
Odd the seller said “car was ordered by a California resident in Oregon, then immediately shipped to California”, however in the last pic. the dealer sales invoice has a buyer listed with an address in Portland. True the buyer could have used a friends place for the paper work. The car also looks to have a replacement “CAT”, then again nothing last forever or 40 years. It has a fender mounted radio ant., sort cant’ fault em for that, at times the windshield ant was not the best when out of the cities. The plate on the car is not from 78/9, more like 82 or 83ish, could be a replacement for a lost plate however.
Id buy it ,its in better shape then most north east cars . The red dye never lasted long in the rugs back then and 350s were common . Id add the 3piece spoiler on rear ,ditch the rack and add a set of cragars ss mags. It would look good with a set of hooker side mount headers !
If Jim Rockford drove a Camaro instead of Firebirds, it would be this one..
Doubtful, Bakyrdhero. Pontiacs had RTS! (Radial Tuned Suspension) in these years. That gave the owner a little badge on the dash between the gauges. LOL. Not sure this Camaro is the equivalent of Rockford’s Formulas AT ALL! What compelled you to say that. LOL :)
I don’t know what I was thinking Alexander…it’s not even Sierra gold!