Vehicle Description
Cars like this 1971 Chevrolet Camaro used to prowl the streets
looking for fun, but today folks see the cowl induction hood and
white SS stripes, not to mention the wicked stance, and they steer
clear if they know what's good for them. And for good reason, as
this F-body packs a 454 cubic inch V8 and a host of back-up
hardware to make it run like a scalded dog. Throw in the killer
black-on-black color combination and those sporty alloy wheels, and
you've got the total package.
OK, so the black-and-white exterior color scheme isn't exactly
going to help you stay under the radar, but nobody will argue that
it doesn't look fantastic. The early second-generation Camaros are
finally getting loads of respect in the classic car marketplace (as
they should be), so it was easy to justify a quality respray on
this one when the time came for the restoration. During the build
it was also treated to a vinyl chin spoiler and a set of split
bumpers - RS-style (sans the placement of the turn signals - which
were left underneath the bumperettes), and the aforementioned cowl
induction hood that sets the tone up front. It's been driven and
enjoyed since it was completed a few years ago, since that was the
point all along, but it still shows well enough to get more than
its share of appreciative glances at the local hot spots. It's a
strong driver-grade muscle car with off-the-charts curb appeal that
can be driven just about anywhere - at this price point you almost
can't ask for much more than that. White SS stripes continue out
back over a ducktail spoiler, an addition that really sets off the
early second-gen shape, and a well-placed SS badge in the front
grille represents a legendary performance image that works well on
just about any Camaro. The chrome and all the shiny brightwork
really stand out against the black paint as well.
For a car that looks this fast from the outside, it remains pretty
stock and a bit more subdued inside, with high-back buckets wearing
nice black reproduction vinyl seat covers that are in excellent
condition thanks to a relatively recent install. The bench seat out
back looks virtually untouched as well, ditto for the black door
panels, and even though there's no center console the TCI shifter
atop the transmission hump looks commanding in between the front
seats. The burled walnut dash appliques are just like what the
factory-issued, so they're not terribly convincing, but nobody's
primarily buying Camaros for the ambience anyway, and the stock
gauges within are in very good condition overall, with a trio of
accessory white-faced dials set underneath keeping an eye on the
motor as well. An updated Kenwood AM/FM/USB/AUX stereo radio was
installed in the center of the dash but we're having some trouble
getting it to work, but if it's entertainment you seek (as if the
big block under the hood isn't entertainment enough) the fix should
be fairly minor. There's a super-clean dash pad that's free of any
blemishes, same goes for the package tray out back, and the
perforated headliner that was installed above is taut and very
clean, likely a piece that was very recently added. The trunk is in
good order with no mat to hide any nastiness underneath and it
appears that a lot (if not all) of the weather-striping on this
Camaro is new.
The 454 cubic inch small block V8 under the hood is what I'd
certainly want in one of these, and if you've ever driven one of
these torque factories then you know just how a perfect a match
they are for the early second generation Camaro. With a killer idle
and healthy lope, a Holley Performance 4-barrel carb and Brodix
high-rise aluminum intake up top, and long-tube headers at the
flanks, the torque curve looks like Devil's Tower, yet it's
friendly enough to drive every day. Dressed in lots of shiny stuff,
it has a vintage performance look inside the uber-clean engine bay,
accentuated by the Chevrolet polished aluminum valve covers,
open-element air cleaner, and an aluminum radiator covered with a
bright and shiny shroud. The 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission
barks through the gears and handles highway speed alike, and it
feeds a 10-bolt rear end that's more than capable of handling all
that power. The H-pipe Flowmaster dual exhaust system sounds
fantastic, the undercarriage is incredibly tidy, and the suspension
has been augmented with QA1 upper and lower tubular control arms
and a huge sway bar up front. Power steering and power front disc
brakes are the perfect dance partners to all that added power, and
the rolling stock sits atop a flashy set of staggered US Mags
wheels wrapped in 235/45/17 front and 295/40/18 rear performance
radials.
Affordable fun, plenty of power, and a great look make this '71
Camaro an appealing way to get into the game with something other
than just another garden-variety late model. Call today!
