The Captain

I bought this Camaro in '82 and it now has a whopping 9,000 miles on the odometer. Did I need the car? No, but it was the first car my wife and I agreed on. We usually ride around in our '72 Chevy 1/2 ton pick-up. anyway, it's all original (except the battery and one headlight). Wash and wax on a schedule, and regular service.

885speed

iTrader: (1)

Nice car

how about some more info?
price, engine, broken things, problems, etc

The Captain

The price was $12,000. I remember asking the salesman, "What about cash?" His answer was, "It's $12,000 if you make payments or pay cash." As to the engine: V6; a tad underpowered, but good milage (not so important in '82, but now...). Nothing is "broken", if a light goes south, it is replaced ASAP. I am a retired firefighter, and maintenance is job one. No problems.

krisb410

iTrader: (9)

That's awesome. Original owner and only 9,000 miles, and with proper maintenance!!!!! I'd be drooling if it was a Z28, but even though it's not a Z, Nice "survivor" car. Wish there were more people like you around.

fallenleader

iTrader: (2)

I am getting 1,000 questions from the woman right now. I am an Fbird guy, not too happy about camaros because i'm jealous of the attention they get "while we're the ugly twin sister in the room of guys, or something"

Anyway, the berlinetta fascinates me and am getting attacked by her. Can we have more information about the "differences" between it and a regular camaro? Is it something like a special options package?

I am having trouble and confusing everyone, Trying to explain how her car is the aerio SX Premium because of its options.

Help me?

Thanks,
Sean H.

Lets see more pics, it looks really nice. Damn nice color.

"BTW, my F only has 34k, now that its rolled past 99,999 9/10ths." :P

The Captain

Thanks guys, for the positive comments. I was prompted by your questions to look in the storage compartment; I had forgotten that I had placed a few "things" in there relating to the vehicle. I don't know if they still do it - hand out those ultra-glossy brochures - but I found two 17 page, 26 year old booklets touting the Sport Coupe, the Z28, and the Berlinetta. Lots of specs and options here. Also found the January 1982 issue ($1.50!) of Car and Driver, a few pages from the December 1981 issue of Hot Rod devoted to the Z28, and the Consumer Guide for 1982 autos. Needless to say, I still have the "Owner's Manual" in the car. Hey, I never throw anything away! Stand by. More tomorrow!

Rico

fallenleader

iTrader: (2)

I love paperwork, I only have a common base model and I want anything I can get a hold of.
Keep all your papers, and if you need more.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/hist...et+restoration
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/hist...et+restoration
I would also love photos of the interior, underhood and anything else. you should pop in this topic to post some glamour shots.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...your-best.html
A photo of this would be killer.


P.S. at least [field and stream] is still about a buck an issue. "damn inflation"

The Captain

I just recharged the batts in my camera and will try to take your requested pics tomorrow. I have scanned some of the "papers" that I found in the hidey-hole in the rear of the Berlinetta. You asked if the Berlinetta was a "regular Camaro" with options. To quote Chevrolet's broshure : "(The) Berlinetta is the luxurious grand touring machine of the Camaro line." BTW, the price of the vehicle wasn't $12,000 as I previously stated, it was $12,244.59; my wife just found the cancelled check ! I'll go thru all the papers and see what else I can find in the musty archives.

Rico

fallenleader

iTrader: (2)

"cancelled check"...you bounced it? "excuse my dumbness, I prefer not to use checks as I am incapable of writing clearly (enough for a check)"

Take your time, I'm just interested, 12,000... my car would have cost around 9,000 +options

Out of curiosity, what would you sell it for. 20,000?

Edit: over more than 20years the car would cost well more than any price you could legitimitly sell the car for so keep it till you die, then pass it on.

Sonymaster20

iTrader: (3)

Wow.. Thats a nice car there. 9k on the odo and its brand new. keep it forever. Then tell your kids or whoever gets it to keep it.

The Captain

By "cancelled check" I mean the check was returned to me after it was cashed/deposited in the dealers' account. They used to do that (return the check for your records). Now, I just get a blurry picture of the check in my monthly statement. Anyway, here is a quick shot of the odometer and it has more than 9,000 miles; missed it by a few hundred. Shows how many times I have been behind the wheel lately! More pics to follow.

fallenleader

iTrader: (2)

damn its all shiny. and yeah I remember now, they did something to it and sent it back. now they crap scan it.

The Captain

Up here, "Behind the Redwood Curtain", a clean vehicle is one that only has this years mud on it! I rolled the Berlinetta out this AM and the boss and I gave it it's yearly wash job . I thought it looked proper with water drops.

fallenleader

iTrader: (2)

"the boss and I" his wife? Take that photo and the first one from your post #1 and put it in the mentioned link https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/au...your-best.html (Let's post your best pictures so we have some nice wallpapers )

I personally just got my new background. hope my Bird don't get jealous.

The Captain

Here is the 1982 Chevrolet Owner's Manual that resides in the Berlinetta.
All Camaro owners should have one!

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

Nice Ride,.......... Looks like it just left the Showroom !

The Captain

Thanks for the compliment, John. Here is another pic of the car.

fallenleader

iTrader: (2)

damn. a nice house too. i'm green with envy.

Honestly, anyone who says bad about your car needs dragged behind it.

compliments go without saying. Its Fing beautiful and is original, that means its probably 1 out of 1,000,000. And is an icon to all firebird and inspiration of restore the hell out of them. its sad to see them crushed.

Btw another background for me. Damn house. nice yard. i'm in a semi decent apartment in slum central with neighbors that you can literally watch throw garbage on the ground and then state its not theirs.

Happy about my garden, land is contaminated somewhat so yeah.

Anyway, i'm talking too much, i'll be an observer of this topic now. If you need me let me know.

Again, A++ keep her nice.

The Captain

Hey, fallenleader, you're too kind! Thanks for the attaboy on keeping my Berlinetta original. I must say, that it gets more looks and thumbs up from passing cars and people on the street, than most new cars (OK, I wax the fender wells!). It has always been "garaged", and it has only sat out in the rain one night. The trip from SoCal to Humboldt County required an over-nighter, and of course, it rained. When ever it goes out on the highway, it sports a black "bra", so no road-rash.

I really sympathize with your situation (neighbors). Mine are mostly quiet. But what can you expect from deer, racoons, foxes, etc. Most of the time they're in STEALTH MODE!!

fallenleader

iTrader: (2)

you suck :P Anyway remove the bra all the time, bet you know this but it makes your paint go FUBAR especially when wet.

One time it poured at a hotel on vacation, needless to say the hotel room door was open with a bra hanging from it, dripping away.

The Captain

Yes, Sean, I know about removing the bra; I learned that as a teen-ager, back......Oh, you mean the CAR'S bra! Yep, it is only on if there is a need.

Rico

Kevman

That's a damn nice car, true survivor! Around here the V6 cars are quickly converted to 8's, and finding a decent early 80's camaro is next to impossible.

The Captain

Thanks, Kevman. We concidered a V8 when we bought the car but, as my wife was going to be driving it most of the time, we opted for the V6. I'm not sorry. It still has enough power to get me from point A to point B and IMO, I get there in style!

Rico

JohnC

iTrader: (1)

That is a beatiful car! I dont know how you resist driving it

fallenleader

iTrader: (2)

the V6's can still smoke, with an open diff. he resists driving it just like people avoid using their fine china, would you like to see it with front end half torn off. Although by looks of it, worst he'd deal with is hitting a squirrel. Again, he'd have to scrape it off.

The Captain

JohnC, I've got a '72 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup, with a 350, (+/-) 150,000 miles on the clock, that I drive most of the time. The reason that the Camaro gets so little action, is that the log trucks up here have a tendency to cast off chunks of redwood bark. If you've ever had what looks like a road-killed baboon, coming at your car at 65 MPH, you know what I mean! No road-rash here; check out this pic.

The Captain

"Squirrels?" Taste just like chicken!

Rico

lopedawg

Wow!!! Beautifull car. 9K miles on the clock!!!! And I thought I had low miles on my Camaro with only 18K. So hard to find them looking this way and specially a 6. A few people told me they wouldn't pay the kind of money I paid for my car because its a 305 and not a 350 but its so hard to find 3rd gens in this condition let alone the early ones, even worst a Berlinetta.

Hats off to you for having such a nice, clean, low miles survivor.

The Captain

Thanks for the comments, L'Dawg. Yep, low-milage Berlinettas are scarce. It is becoming apparent that I am in the minority here on Third Gen. I have looked around and I haven't found another Berlinetta. If there are any, I'd like to see them.

Rico

fallenleader

iTrader: (2)

your not the damn minority, your the god. At least my idol, never seen a car like that.

The Captain

"Bless you, my son!" Seriously, Sean, I truly appreciate your comments.

Rico

fallenleader

iTrader: (2)

Well, that was my original goal, especially when i saw a white vert 3rd gen sold on barret jackson for over 100,000 "i'll never sell my girl" plus you take the rdneck rep away and yeah rare cars, i want a gt500 and a 60's mini fully restored.

that word is censored?

The Captain

I thought I'd post a pic of my Berlinetta at rest in it's space in our garage. My '72 1/2 ton is parked in the next bay. I really needed this 1,400 sq.ft, three stall garage: "So many toys!"

fallenleader

iTrader: (2)

...*** "envy" , I want a stub pickup, the little ones, my woman's favorite. Whats in the third bay?

Also, your garage is bigger than the house i plan on building. 1,200sq.ft.

actually, what else is scattered in your garagehouse, big enough to be a duplex.

The Captain

Sean, a '94 full-size Blazer sits in the last bay. We bought it when we lived in the southern part of the county - dirt roads, gravel, snow, MUD! As you know, I NEVER throw ANYTHING away - or sell it to someone who doesn't appreciate "stuff". Many more landscaping things are in the garage, too.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

my goodness that is a gorgious berly! i can't believe it made it out lookin' that good! i only wished that i'd have been alive in the hay-day to purchase one of these cars brand new to keep one factory stock like you've been able to.

my only complaint is that i wished you'd drive it more often. it's cool that it now only has just over 9k on it, but jeeze man, it's a car, which was meant to be DRIVEN! besides, things like brake lines and gaskets and such don't like to get dry by not being used...

either way, two big thumbs up for you sir for keeping that car in as mint condition as it is!

on a side note, not to hijack your thread: John in RI! i pm'ed you a couple of days ago, make sure to check your inbox!

fallenleader

iTrader: (2)

noticed the yard. dont like blazers. i'm a major green thumb, absolutly love doing my own yard work.

I agree with driving it more, but not ness. driving. run her more often.

and not sure if anyone else is waiting BUT, im definatly waiting for some underhoods.

"take her bra off whip her open and snap some shots."...then run from the other woman in the house. Don't think she'd appreciate the metaphore.

The Captain

mw66nova, sorry for the delay in responding to your nice words; I've been a little busy. The Berly gets few long drives, but does get lit up and driven out to the mailbox every other day. Being that it takes approx. 20 minutes to do that (plus warmup), I feel (hope!) that is sufficient to keep things "wet".
BTW, the car still has the original tires on those rims; no visual problems.

Sean, I'm not too enamored with the SUV either. But I have it and, well, if I ever have the need to "head for the hills", I have the means! The price of gasoline is a big factor. I just can't stand to help boost the bottom line of the oil Barons. Pics of the engine compartment as soon as I can, dude!
Here's a pic of a local gas station's prices (as of a couple of weeks ago).



Rico

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

jeeze, what part of the country are you in? gas is on a slight down hill slope in our area (ga) and has gone down to 3.79 now...

i am glad to hear that it gets fired up and driven on a regular basis, even if it is just "to the end of the driveway" lol!

fallenleader

iTrader: (2)

new jersey is 3.80 for regular.

that is enough running for her. Also, 20minutes to the mailbox... can i build my house on part of your property? its only 1,200sqft. steel structure.

Tobias05

that is one gorgeous berlinetta! truely a rare, rare find these days.

I have a question about those tires. how's it ride?

my mother bought an 86z from my uncle a few yrs back. growing up i never saw him drive it ever and its low miles. anyways it had the original gatorbacks and it rode like a overweight semi truck with 4 blown out tires.

I can't imagine the tires being in good shape?

its a trivial question, but i was curious! we put new tires on that thing and it drove like a new Z28 should!

best wishes,
brandon

PS: OH 3.47 for 87 octane, NC 3.97 for 87 octane...

The Captain

Thanks for the comments, guys. Here are a few answers to your questions:
I currently reside in Northern California; Humboldt County, to be exact. Gas is more expensive here than anywhere else I've lived (although it went down in price a few days ago - see pic below). The tires ride as smooth as they did when new. I learned my lesson years ago, when a motorhome we had, sat in the same spot for approx. a year. When we finally drove it, the thump-thump caused by the flat spot "on the bottom", was terrible! We ended up buying six new tires! The mailbox is 3/4 of a mile - one way; as it is near the highway, I go out on the road and cruise a bit. Sean, as far as constructing a second dwelling on these five acres, the zoning doesn't permit it.



Rico

fallenleader

iTrader: (2)

i was joking like they would even know, if your property is as big as i think.
keep us updated on gas prices, dont need more pics.

and its egg shape tires have em, not too bad. Have no rear suspension "struts blew out" took my 87's wheels off to replace cracked ones on my 84' before i scrapped the 87. she sat for around 4years in the same spot... can't wait to feel the ride with new tires and new suspension. Probably be beautiful. Enough about me.

Tommychu

Beautiful car.
Everyone I know is really critical of the berlinettas. They started marketing them as the "girl's camaro" around '84 and that's the kind of perception they recieve today. Kind of like the Sunfire. It's funny though, when I had my '85 buick lesabre I bought a set of berlinetta aluminum wheels and had them professionally refinished. They looked better on that car than any wheel on a B-body I've ever seen. I'm keeping them on my sport coupe until I upgrade the brakes, you can't fit much into a 14" wheel.
I think every sport coupe/berlinetta owner wishes their car was like the captain's.

fallenleader

iTrader: (2)

how about every 3rd gen or any "restoration project" car owner "regardless of brand age or model" wishes they had a original, unscathed model... save me a lot of $$$, but would miss all of the BS&T's i put into her.

Sonymaster20

iTrader: (3)

Damn i would Seriously get out of california.. here in houston its about 3.55-3.65 a gallon thats crazy for 4.50 a gallon

fallenleader

iTrader: (2)

He's kicking back, relaxing, and with the value of all his stuff. I assume the house is paid off. gas isn't a problem for him. Unless he goes on a lot of Vaca. or has kids sucking his money up. gas prices should keep dropping, shouldn't they?

Edit: oh, never said it before, but "retired firefighter" in california... do you get paid more out there because of all the fires? one hell of a job.

The Captain

"Kicking back?" I wish. At my age and physical condition, just getting out of bed, dressing and brewing a cuppa makes me tired! I've got a good book keeper and yes, I'm "comfortable". My computer went "south" on me a month ago and I'm just now getting back up to speed on what was missing. I thought I always had "tomorrow" to backup my files - WRONG! DO IT NOW!
OK, thanks to all for the nice words about my Berly!

fallenleader

iTrader: (2)

actually looking back on that post, seems a bit mean. sorry.

a cuppa is delicious. btw, i have to back up my pc, most is but the core files arn't and with all my mods to win xp it needs to be done. and if anything, the berly should make you feel "younger" and always only as old as you make yourself, good health or not. enjoy life!

19CAMARO85

iTrader: (5)

WOW i cant believe that 9000 miles. Its Beautiful man. That Berlinetta is incredible. I am a huge camaro fan. Never thought much about the berlinettas but wow that one really represents them. If you dont mind try to snap a good pic of the interior. I want to see the swivel radio. Thats an amazing car you have there. -Matt