Finding an affordable project candidate can sometimes be challenging, especially if a pony car is on the buyer’s Wish List. However, they are out there if potential buyers are willing to exercise patience. This 1989 Camaro RS proves that, and with an asking price of $1,000, it certainly is affordable. The question is, are you getting what you pay for? That is the question we will attempt to answer as we assess what the new owner will receive for their money. The Camaro is listed here on Craigslist in Naubinway, Michigan. The seller doesn’t indicate whether they are firm on their price, but there probably isn’t much room to move anyway.

The Rally Sport returned to the Camaro range in 1989, becoming the badge’s entry-level model. The original owner ordered this car in Medium Gray Metallic, but many years have passed since it presented at its best. The paint is tired and beyond the point where buffing and polishing will return it to a presentable state. However, it isn’t all doom and gloom. The panels appear surprisingly straight, and I can’t see any evidence of significant developing rust. The listing is short on specific details, leaving potential buyers in the dark regarding the state of the car’s underside. The plastic pieces aren’t severely damaged, and there are no visible glass issues. The Camaro retains its original wheels, and while they aren’t pretty, they may be restorable. The possible presence of hidden rust is the greatest mystery with this RS, but if it is solid, it could be a viable project candidate. Returning it to our roads isn’t the only option because the parts are readily available to transform it into an excellent track car.

The seller supplies no engine photos, but they hint at what the new owner will find when they lift the hood. Those expecting a V8 will be disappointed because this Camaro rolled off the line powered by the 2.8-liter V6. That placed 135hp and 160 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal. With those ponies feeding to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission, this would have been the least potent vehicle to wear the Camaro badge in 1989. The journey down the ¼-mile would have taken 17.8 seconds, although the car’s excellent aerodynamics allowed it to hit a respectable 122mph. We receive no further information beyond a claim the RS has a genuine 59,000 miles on the clock. It isn’t clear whether the seller holds verifying evidence or if this classic runs and drives. However, the visual indications on the subject aren’t positive.

This Camaro’s interior is complete, and the first impressions are that apart from the badly cracked pad, most components might respond positively to a deep clean. However, close scrutiny suggests the driver’s seatcover may be ripped and worn because there is evidence right on the edge of the only interior image. The lack of crumbling plastic is a positive attribute, and there are no aftermarket additions. It isn’t loaded with luxury features, but the buyer receives a factory tachometer, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player.

Is this 1989 Chevrolet Camaro RS a viable project candidate? Only a close inspection can provide a confident answer because much depends on the state of the floors. This classic will fall at the first hurdle if there is extensive rust. Is it worth $1,000? Some may argue it isn’t, but I beg to differ. It may not feature the most desirable mechanical package on the planet. However, it appears to be a goldmine of usable parts. Reproduction door shells retail for around $220 each, while fenders sell for approximately $110, and a hood will lighten the wallet by $370. Those prices are for reproduction components, not genuine items. They are also the tip of the iceberg because there are still plastic, glass, interior trim, and mechanical components to add to the equation. There might be questions over its viability as a project, but the parts potential makes it worth a grand.