This 1970 Chevrolet Camaro is described as a barn find split bumper model with some discrepancies regarding whether it is a true SS car. The listing starts out by proclaiming it as such, but the auction was later amended to reflect that the seller is not entirely clear on the car’s provenance. Regardless, these split bumper models are desirable among collectors, so there will certainly be interest even if it’s not a genuine SS – but will a prodigious amount of rust scare buyers away? Check it out for yourself here on eBay where bidding is approaching $2,500 with no reserve. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Patrick S. for the find.
The liberal coating of dust on the glass leaves little doubt that this Camaro is a real-deal barn find, and it would appear the seller dragged it out and parked it in their shop. The interior looks decent for what it is, with a full console and original door panels still attached. The carpets look fair in one of the photos, but it’s impossible to tell whether they are clean or retaining moisture. It’s hard to tell for sure whether the dash is reusable as it appears to be misshapen in places, and the seats are definitely from a later model vehicle. Still, there’s nothing here that would suggest the Camaro was parked for decades with the windows down, as cars in those situations typically need a complete gut of the interior. I’d still look for OEM-correct seats if it were mine.
The engine bay is clean as well, but the drivetrain is no longer numbers matching. The seller notes both the engine and transmission were swapped in at some point, but the work at least looks like it was done cleanly given how tidy things still appear under the hood. As per the claims that this may not be a genuine SS car, I’d be grateful to our eagle-eyed readers who can potentially spot the tell-tale signs that this is or isn’t what the seller thinks it is. The Camaro does come with a clean title from Pennsylvania and the original 12-bolt rear differential, so the provenance factor is a big deal when considering a car like this. The final price paid can swing widely based on whether the evidence stacks up in favor of this being an SS, even if it’s non-matching.
All that aside, this Camaro has some bigger issues to contend with: rust, and lots of it. There’s rust in the rear fenders, quarters, and valence, along with inside the door jambs and at the bottom of the fenders. The body may look presentable from the nose of the car up to the windshield, but from there, it all gets a bit hairy. The rust in the rear fenders is a typical trouble spot for Camaros of this vintage, but it sure seems like this example spent plenty of time driving in Pennsylvania winters and left parked in the elements for extended periods. Fortunately, the seller says the undersides are better than you might expect. At the moment, there’s more than one bidder looking to potentially take this once-pretty Camaro home – would you attempt to restore it?
Honestly, it looks as though the only things worth salvaging from this cancerous/corroded hulk are the front grille/bumpers/valence, and the rear spoiler. I’m surprised that it didn’t crumble apart when moved onto the trailer. Yes, it COULD be restored, but at what cost?; probably for as much as finding an intact running version (IMO). Good luck to the brave soul tackling this project! :-)
Another salty dog from the northern states . Metal worms love salt !
I had a Norwood built 71 SS Camaro, it had Z27 on the cowl tag. This one should also. Absent the original engine or some form of factory documentation such as a POP, build sheet or window sticker that has managed to stay since new there will no way to verify the sellers claim. The 12 bolt isn’t proof, they weren’t uncommon at swapmeets and wrecking yards at one time. Even the seller is having second thought, which is unusual, they usually double down when someone suggests they may be incorrect.
This car is rough, it looks like a parts car rather than a viable project.
Steve R
Approaching $2500? Wow, I am adventurous, but not in this case. I see maybe $1250-$1500, the majority of that is the 12 bolt rear. The one year only 1970 buckets are gone, and the small 1-piece rear spoiler has been replaced with the 3 piece mid-71 up design. I wouldn’t want to be driving behind this thing on a trailer…
Restore this ?
Shirley you jest
And don’t call me Shirley
I had a 72 Camaro great car I couldn’t keep it from rusting
That lead photo is terrific. It looks like a snarling cur.
I like how the underighting on the front end makes it look like its telling spooky campfire stories.
Lol, this car IS spooky!
Split bumper means rally sport option look at turn signal lites factory option
With those front lights could be a RS model for starters.
Rally Sport is not a model. It’s an appearance package
This is the Rustang bastardized brother.
Call the time of death 💀 five years back.
Its a shame as these are cool cars …
Looks like this Camaro made it …”I don’t want to die without any scars.”
Chuck Palahniuk
I believe this is an SS\RS. It does have the SS steering wheel that looks as old as the car. There was an RS option for the SS in 1970, which got you the split bumpers, the console and the horseshoe shifter. The spoiler isn’t original and the engine appears to have been replaced. I wouldn’t buy it. I have a better 70 SS//RS sitting in my garage that I know is the real deal without a doubt. My dad special ordered the car when I was a teenager.
Is it my new glasses or is there a little rust on this thing…
Sue the optometrist. He wrote u a bad prescription
So the ALL ORIGINAL 77 TRAN AM I HAVE SITTING OUT BACK—RUSTED ALL TO PIECES–WITH PROFF==IS WORTH MORE THEN THIS ONE—because I have proff? Unbelieveable what people will pay for. My sister bought it new– I tried to buy it off of her and she would not sale it. Then after it rusted all to hell and she had no place to put it. She gave it to me.
By the time your done restoring this one you could have purchased a rust free survivor and had enough change leftover for a new Camaro. You pull the interior out and this car will collapse. It needs to be lowered to the Titanic. It is an A/C car. What a shame.This car should have been sold to someone who wanted it and restored 40 years ago.
I’d take the drivetrain, Rear and wheels for another project if I could get it running. Not enough of a Camaro Nut to go through the $ and work to save this but that’s me.
Weather or not a SS, or a RS. It could be saved from the crusher.
Okay, you are all correct. yes. It’s can’t be saved. BUT!! It still could be a DONOR💫. We all need a donor, sometime. sad to say. But please don’t let it be smashed.
K, nuff of all that. I’m interested in a 1973, 4 speed, 454/396 SS, loaded with all options,. Any help out there?? Also, not looking for, the SCALPERS. Just honest people. I would greatly appreciated it if any of yuh may have some leads on a vehicle of my dreams (just a want). Thanks.
There was no 73 Camaro with a big block from the factory, or a 1973 SS Camaro.
The more I looked at the pictures, the more I believe this poor Camaro sat in a pool of water, up to the split bumpers.
Maybe a flood “survivor”. Too bad, but I wouldn’t consider it.
Wow. This Nightmare-o sold for $4,550. That is some maaaagical thinking right there.
SOLD for $4550.
Someone saw more value in it that any of us did.
A fool and his money are soon parted.