I have a chance to get a running 1977 Camaro that the registration just expired on. Most of the body just has light rust. The passengers side has some bad rot in the common areas behind the front and rear wheels. Otherwise those the body seems seems sound. I didn't find any rot in the truck areas under the hood, or in the floor pans.

The engine appears to be from a 69 350. It has a big Edlebrock chrome thing on top that I'm assuming to be the air filter.

I looked at the car for the first time last night and was able to turn it on. After putting it in gear though the car did die and with the owner we couldn't turn in back on again. We're assuming the battery died. The car did have a little trouble starting but once it was started the engine sounded great.

It looks like a previous owner painted over the original blue paint. This could be seen as some of the yellow paint had flaked away.

The interior of the car it looks like some cheap restoration work was done as cheap carpeting that doesn't really seem to fit right covers the floor and what's covering the automatic shifter has no indicators as to what gear your in. I have a feeling that the transmission and engine aren't original especially since there's a 3rd pedal on the floor that the owner says doesn't do anything.

The door panels seem to be original and are in good condition. The bucket seats are worn but not torn. There is a tear in the rear seat. The interior roofing is missing.

All the electronics appear to be working.

All the weather stripping needs to be replaced. There's a bit of chrome around the window trim on the drivers side that is missing.

I didn't see a Z28 next to the vin.

Here's the specs I have from the owner.
Year: 1977
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Camaro
Trim: Sport
Body: Coupe
Mileage: 110,000
VIN: 1Q87L7L524063
Title Type: Clean Title
Exterior Color: Yellow
Interior Color: Black
Transmission: Automatic

The owner is asking $3000 which is what he says he bought it for a year ago, and he didn't do any work on it even though he meant to.

If I got this car it would be my first classic, and first ever car to try and restore. Have I stumbled onto a gem? I hear that the 77s aren't such a desirable year. Or any from about 74-81. I'm trying to figure out maybe what else I should be looking for, and if the car is a great deal, average, or I should just walk away.

Any thoughts?

 

it may not be a real z28 ,do some home work on that ,there are many fakes from those years,hard to say i see ones for 5k in much better shape with alot less work needed ,i would average if its a z28 ,guys think there cars are worth more couse there old ,for a car that needs a full resto if its a z 2k ,my 2 cents most z28 cars from 77 i seen have a hood scoop if not a z walk an it dont look like one either

 

Those late 2nd gen cars are fast going up in value, that said by the time it's restored you'd probably have more "invested" than the market value of the car at least at this point. I don't think I'd pay $3K for it, maybe $2K if I wanted one bad enough. Still not likely to break even on value but if you want a Camaro and don't have the up front money to get one there's nothing wrong with going for it to build your dream.

 

I see that you live in the rust belt. Those cars rusted pretty badly. Pay special attention to the lower doors, rocker panels, rear wheel lip and quarters, front fenders behind the tires, and window channels. Then you have to get underneath the car and look at the floors, trunk floor and frame.

I would not recommend buying a rusty project. They are typically not restore as you drive deals. They are more like take off the road and sink thousands into it deals.

Of the 3rd gens, 74-77 are the least popular. I'd suggest you look for 78-81, preferably with t-tops.

 

I'm wondering what's the paint code of yellow on this car?