Amazing Survivor: 1977 Chevrolet Camaro Sport Coupe
We see a wide variety of Second Generation Camaros at Barn Finds, with most being the Z28 variants. However, our feature car is something out of the box. It is an unmolested Sport Coupe that retains its original paint and steel. The seller is its second owner, and its overall condition confirms it was pampered from Day One. It needs nothing, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting this amazing survivor.
The numbers tell the story of the 1977 Camaro, with 218,853 buyers taking one home. This figure represented a new sales record for the badge and was also the first time that Chevrolet’s pony car outsold the opposition from Ford. The Sport Coupe was the popular choice, with a total of 131,717 cars leaving the line. Enthusiasts focused on preserving the Z28 in the following years, with many cars like our feature Camaro serving as donors or being driven into the ground. This beauty avoided that fate, and the seller states that its Code 78 Orange paint is original. The car has never been restored or repaired, making it a genuine survivor. It is the same story with the steel, which is as it left the line. There is no rust to cause nightmares, and the paint and panels are remarkably well-preserved. The first owner ticked the boxes on their Order Form beside tinted Glass and Rally wheels, as confirmed by the original Window Sticker and other documentation. The glass and trim are in good order, and the wheels are spotless.
Focusing on this Camaro’s interior reveals a wheel wrap as the only aftermarket addition. The first owner selected Black vinyl trim, adding an AM/FM radio/8-track player, cruise control, a console, and sports instruments that include a factory tachometer. These items are intact, with everything operating as it should. The interior is as spotless as the exterior, with no evidence of wear or physical damage. The console has avoided the traditional rub marks and scratches, and the pad isn’t cracked. It probably wouldn’t gain much attention if the general public thought the interior was restored, but its survivor status guarantees it will command respect.
Buyers could order a ’77 Sport Coupe with a six under the hood, but this car’s first owner teamed the 305ci V8 with a three-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes. With 145hp and 245 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal, this package was the least potent featuring a V8. However, it still provides competent performance, a relaxed driving experience, and the wonderful V8 rumble from its exhaust. Collectors will welcome the news that this Camaro is numbers-matching. It runs and drives beautifully, and comes with items like the original keys, which are still on the selling dealer’s key tag. Flying in and driving home is a realistic option for the next owner.
The seller listed this 1977 Chevrolet Camaro here on Craigslist in Parma, Ohio. Their price of $19,500 is above the average quoted by Hagerty and NADA but is consistent with recent successful sales results. It needs nothing, and although values for the Sport Coupe have dropped during the past year, the situation has stabilized. That means that now might be the ideal time to park this classic in your garage. It has only been on the market for a couple of days, and I believe it will find a new home pretty quickly. Do you agree?
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Comments
Adam, I’m surprised that you made no mention of the seller’s claim of 21,532 original miles. This looks to be almost believable on this car. Being from the rust belt, it has probably never seen snow.
I want this Camaro. Unfortunately, my bank account laughed at me and said,” Um… No…..” I would leave the 305 as is and just enjoy it on beautiful days. Theyre only original once. And as Adam pointed out, sadly many of these were either daily drivers used as commuters and driven into the ground, or parted out for Z28s
Very nice article by the way Adam, thank you.
I hope it finds a good home where it’s preserved as original, and enjoyed for what it is. As someone said above, they’re only original once. Buy a beat up molested one if you have to have yet another silly hot-rod with a modern engine.
Probably one of the better examples left. Leave it as-is, and enjoy.
This car is a real gem. Most of them were finished after 10 years in the snow belt. GLWTS.
Out of my price range, but it’s a lovely car.
Beautiful Camaro equipped as so many were in the upper regions of the country. Orange paint was only a shade darker than the ’73 Light Copper and almost as popular. Still one of the most beautiful dashboards ever.
Bought a new ‘75 Type LT which was essentially the same car, with the LT having nicer seats and a few other bits than the subject car. It was a nice comfortable driver, and stylish then and now. The sellers price is probably fair if the mileage is true, and as stated nice original examples are getting hard to find.
Beautiful 2nd gen Camaro. Leave the 305 in, perhaps a set of duals with no cat and just drive and enjoy like it was 1977.
Nice car.
A tidbit: I ‘think’ the Goodyear Wingfoot HP has been out of production for over two decades. Probably gives credence to the low mileage, but if you plan on driving it, new tires should be in your budget.
Barn Finds used to put the asking price/high bid amount (for non- Barn Finds auction cars) in the first paragraph of the description. Now you gotta go all the way to the end to find it.
Possibly too many readers saw the price/bid, said “hah!” and stopped reading?
If their attention span is that short, BarnFinds is probably better off without those readers.
How is Barn Finds “better off” with fewer readers? Explain.
If you can.
Ignatius, I loved your book!
I owned this same car, wonder if it’s mine?
Great looking Camaro and if I didn’t own a 67 I would buy it.
I had one almost exactly like this, but with the tan interior. Beautiful car, but a mechanical lemon, for sure. I went through FOUR fuel pumps before I finally sold it.
No A/C would be a killer in Texas.
I would think cruise control & no a/c must be a rare combo on any 2nd gen f-body.
That would make sense, but my 1980 Camaro that I bought from the third owner is equipped the same way. Air conditioning was a stand alone option of over $500, which added roughly 12% to the price of the car. Cruise control cost $80 extra.
Why does the the sticker say M40(instead of M38) auto trans?!
I thought ALL F-bodies starting model year 1975(including t/a’s with 400 or 403 v8 motor) with automatic were turbo 350 transes – & that the turbo 400 auto trans could not fit next to/clear the new flat pancake catalytic converter.
Do window stickers sometimes have typos?
On this car, i would look at the very top of the accel pedal & see if there is a wire going to a switch there that indicates a true M40.
I would think having just 1 door mirror on a base Camaro was not rare – heck even the yellow Camaro in the magazine ad has 1 std chrome mirror. What WOULD be rare TODAY would be 1 of these with
whitewalls & full wheel covers & proper muffler(s) – instead of loud flowmaster(s).