Abandoned Project: 1973 Chevrolet Camaro
Chevrolet redesigned the Camaro “pony car” in 1970, but it didn’t capture the same sales magic as the first generation of 1967-69. The market had become saturated and performance versions were taking in on the chin in terms of insurance premiums and emissions controls. Camaro Output was down to under 100,000 units in 1973, with two-thirds having a 350 cubic inch V8 engine. The seller’s car ran when parked, but that was likely years ago and it was eventually abandoned with an outstanding lien.
The 1973 Camaro’s weren’t that different from the 1972s except the front bumpers had been beefed up in support of growing collision impact protection. The Super Sport was gone in favor of the Type LT, but the Z28 was still around and could be had with factory A/C for the first time. The same was true for power windows as an option. The seller’s car is fairly common for the ’73 model year, with the 350 engine and a TH-350 automatic transmission.
We assume that the asking price for this Camaro will include cleaning up the lien that was put upon it. The car wears light yellow paint with a contrasting interior, but the paint is beyond saving and rust has begun to invade the vehicle. It doesn’t help that the windshield is missing. But the machine is numbers-matching which is a plus in its favor. Beyond the glass, the seller believes the Chevy is complete.
The Camaro has been neglected for some time and the seller is unaware of the circumstances that led to its decline. 14,000 miles are showing on the odometer, which likely means it’s turned over. Would you treat this as a restorable project, or would you harvest it for parts? Located in Garden Grove, California, this sad vehicle is available here on craigslist for $4,500. Our thanks, once again, to Rocco B. for the tip!
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Comments
Confusing ad RE: the lien, but it appears the seller is the owner in possession of the lien sale papers..
Pretty rough, and a project that would be a better buy at $450. That it has the original drivetrain is a plus to some maybe but not at that price-unless it’s for someone that absolutely loves that combination.
Perhaps the seller will carry a loan?
Too much has gone foul for me to consider this one. My wife wants what this one had (Automatic, A/C no spoiler). I’ll keep looking.
That paint will buff right out.
My late cousin had one just like this in Palos Verdes, CA. I wonder if this could be the same one. My brother sold it for a couple hundred dollars back in the 90s.
Well if this is something that interests you there is a shell with good glass and nice red paint sitting at A title loan place in Lewiston Idaho says they are taking bids, looks like someone got the cash loan then pulled the drive train and let it get repoed
Spoiler or not, this car appears to be complete and all original. Any car with this combination is worth saving. I would guess that the body/sheetmetal is very much save able since being a fair weather car. But of course all the unrestored units are a bankruptcy starter kit. If you’re going to commit to the restoration, make sure you know what your buying…
Well said. It is the journey, not the destination. We are still casting for the feels right one.
I remember seeing this car about a week or two ago. I was in search of a 1973 Camaro . Found a nice 73′ up in Washington. This car was $3000 a couple of weeks ago. If my memory serves me correctly. Would have like to see a picture of the vin plate / tag to see where it was built .
The seller says he’s is in possession of completed lien paperwork, that is what you bring to the DMV to get it registered in your name. That’s what a storage yard deals with an abandoned car when they want to sell it.
This Camaro is a likely a rusty mess. The top looks salvageable, but has been leaking water into the interior and trunk for a long time. There are rust holes at the base of the front windshield and rear window, when the water leaks inside it would have turned the interior and trunk into saunas until the floors rusted through. Look at the interior photos, everything that is metal shows rust and there are signs of pooled water on the drivers footwell. Any interested person need to pull the carpet and get the trunk open, then look at the substructures such as the trunk support, package tray and firewall.
Steve R
Nasty rust in hard to repair places and a wet moldy interior. But it ran when parked. When the heck was that? And never mind the lien thing. Yeah, it’s a project alright. It’ll project the money out of your pocket faster than you can wonder what you got yourself into. But it does have a trailer hitch. $4,500?! Rotsa ruck.
I believe I would restore the mechanicals and interior and leave the paint (or lack thereof) alone. Depending on the extent of the rust.