Hello All,

I'm about going to be looking at a 1978 Camaro priced at $1,200 obo. It has not run for atleast 5 years and the transmission is out but is a rebuilt turbo 350. (So I will need to put it in)

The paint is faded and needs a respray and the front seats are torn and the a/c and brakes don't work.

My main concerns are getting the car smogged, and of course that the engine will turn over once I get new fluids and tune it up.

Any ideas what a good price is for a non smoged or non running 1978 Camaro?

Any thing I should be worried about beside rust in the quarter panels and trunk?

Thank you

 

If the tranny is out, and the motor doesn't run, then you need to look at the Camaro as just a shell with chassis. Unless the seller will guarantee in writing that the engine is good, and likewise the tranny, you're buying a "pig in a poke".
Considering you need to get it running, and don't know for sure if the engine or tranny is good, plus need the smog parts reinstalled, I wouldn't pay more than $800 for a shell, and that's if it has good tires and wheels.

 

500 or less look at the flour bords and frame

 

Are you sure it needs to pass emissions?

 

i gave 600 dollars for a complete car,non running and it had all the problems that a camaro faces except the frame rails were good.look under the carpet,window sills and rear quarters,trunk area.these 2nd gens are antiques but they are not in high demand,everybody seems to want a 1st gen.if its in bad shape after looking at all the areas that we have told you about and he wont come down on the price quite a bit ,go somewhere else

 

I'm in the same boat with a 77 Camaro but in better condition. Excuse me for being a newbie and asking a dumb question but what do I need to make sure I have on the existing 305 motor in order for the car to pass smog when I register it? Will be putting a 350 in it once I get it but I am in California and it could be a pain in the *** to get it to pass smog!

Any help would be great!