1981 Chevy Camaro Could Be Your Dream Classic Muscle Car, Just Don't Look Under the Hood

But is the V8 mandatory? From a petrolhead perspective, that would be a yes, as it wouldn't be a real muscle car without one. The only exception to this rule is if you live somewhere where high taxes prevent you from getting one, which is the main reason behind the previous-gen Ford Mustang EcoBoost's success (ahem, Europe).

On a more positive note, getting a muscle car with a V6 or a straight-four with turbocharging comes with the advantage of pricing, as these are more affordable than their V8 counterparts. And if money is on your mind when looking at the pictured 1981 Chevrolet Camaro, then rest assured, as it will set you back less than a new Nissan Versa, should you decide to go for it.

Part of the second generation, this Camaro has had only two owners since it left the assembly line over forty years ago, who were part of the same family. It has an orange exterior, a tan interior, and very low mileage. The clock reads around 37,000 miles (~59,500 km), and the original documentation accompanies it.

There is nothing to be concerned about so far, but as you already suspect, it doesn't feature a V8 under that long hood. You see, the second-gen Camaro came with a variety of V8s, the biggest of which had a 6.6-liter displacement. But it was also offered with six-cylinder units in the lesser configurations. And this car packs a V6, the 3.8-liter mill, to be more precise, hooked up to a three-speed manual transmission.

The vendor says that despite not boasting the "raw power of some of its V8 counterparts, it delivers a unique and engaging driving experience." And since you're likely looking to find out how much it would cost you, that would be $14,900. That's less than half the MSRP of a brand-new 2024 Chevrolet Camaro in the base configuration, which packs a 335 horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine.

Pre-purchase inspections are welcomed, the Garage Kept Motors listing accessible here reveals, though you will have to make an appointment to see it in the flesh. This classic muscle car presents itself in very good condition all around, and despite lacking the V8 firepower, it still deserves to be cherished. Would you be the one to sign their name on the dotted line and transfer the funds to the vendor, or would you rather pay a bit more for a classic Chevy Camaro in a similar condition that features a V8?