No keys, no problem? That’s the logic that’s at play with this dusty 1987 Chevrolet Camaro, which comes with no keys and really, no data on whether it’s a runner or otherwise worth rescuing. That may be part of the fun, however, if your idea of fun is spending money on a car that clearly hasn’t run in years and may have been parked for a reason eons ago. But with a set of killer period-correct wheels and a sharp two-tone paint job, you could be convinced to give it a shot. Find this Camaro listed here on eBay with an opening bid of $5,900.
Now, that’s really the first problem as that’s simply too much money out of the gate for one of these. You’re not going to get much action from interested parties with a high opening number for a car that hasn’t run in years and will need a set of keys cut before you attempt anything resembling a start-up. The good news is the bodywork appears to be in excellent shape and the classic two-tone color scheme is in place – even if it’s a decidedly un-sexy combo of black and tan.
It’s also an automatic, which is how most of these third-generation Camaros were equipped. I could have justified the higher opening bid if it had three pedals, as those are hard to come by. But as you can see, this will need a total interior restoration in addition to the requisite mechanical sorting. The dash indicates this Camaro may not have been in a barn but simply sitting outside in the sun for eons. The Long Beach, California location all but confirms this, but also hopefully indicates rust is a non-issue.
Whenever you attempt a project like this, you do so with the comfort that a domestic muscle car will offer endless options for spare parts, new parts, engine transplants, and donor carcasses to put your vehicle back on the road. However, this Camaro may, in fact, be a parts car for another more worthwhile expenditure, but with the asking price plus roughly $800 in registration fees and penalties, one would hope this forgotten muscle car could be put back on the road.
If I had a shop this would be a good project for a 1/4 mile car. The body looks good. The interior just gut it out and set up for racing. Pull the drivetrain and put in what you want. But the starting price is too high. With no keys and penalties the seller has to do better. To me it not worth fixing it up for regular use. 🐻🇺🇸
usually no keys means no title. Lien packet sounds messy and adds another level to this project.
sorry, didn’t notice your post before I asked essentially the same question.
No keys are definitely an issue. Bigger question that I would be asking – if I were the least bit interested – is where is the title?
Is that a Kammback parked next to that Camaro? Nice.
Looks like it, two piecers parked side by side
Ooh, that DOES look like a possum or some kind of swamp rat…
Did…did anyone else notice the possum under the hood??
Why do you tell everyone that. The seller will raise the starting bid at least a grand. You know California wildlife don’t come cheap. Seriously overpriced messy paperwork and no keys. Where do you sign up. LOL I might could 3k out the door but I can’t seem to find any live for this ride. That’s a shame.
I’m sure he was(& still is? lol) chewing on that hood insulation – IMO the most ridiculous of all vehicle options – ever.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/sDAAAOSwoJFk1nA1/s-l1600.jpg
No keys is not a issue proper documents to get title might be fun if you don’t live in California the fees listed don’t apply to you the odometer has rolled at least once but would still make for a fun project just to get on the road and and just rattle can it black
Did GM have VATS on all keys by then? My 84 Vette had it, just haven’t owned another 80’s GM car since.
I think I read once that it was optional starting in ’86 but made standard in ’88.
First year for VATS in the thirdgen was 88 and only in the Firebird GTA. In 1989 it became standard for all trim levels of Firebird and Camaro.
Corvette did not receive VATS till 1986.
Thanks for clearing up my memory. Somewhere in my past I had a key with VATS. It’s not the Vette.
Has nobody noticed that this is a Z28? Without the IROC-Z package? With a 5.0 TPI V8 (5.7 was only with the IROC package)? A five speed would be better, but depending on its mechanical state and how well it cleans up, it may not be as overpriced as it seems at first glance.
A very popular Supertramp song comes to mind !
Dreamer, you’re nothing but a dreamer …
Here is the motive on this add. Yes baby I listed the Camaro for sale. I dunno why no one has bid on the car. It’s a classic, if it was restored it would sell for 30K. They just trying to steal our car. I dunno what happened to the keys. Well you took them last time I came home drunk right before I went to prison.
In my part of the world we call this a sale proof add.
Expect the rear brakes to be locked up solid. It looks like it’s on level ground but someone still got carried away on the parking brake…