Too Far Gone? Owner Sees If Burnt Camaro SS RS Has Salvageable Engine.

By Patrick Morgan - October 27, 2023

Would you buy this Camaro SS/RS just for the numbers-matching driveline? Or is this burnt toast Camaro too far gone?

This is a tough one. First, because it’s not easy to see someone’s pride and joy go up in smoke. And secondly, because it poses an interesting question. Is a Camaro SS RS worth saving?

We know the answer is “it depends.” There’s certainly been cars with more rust than this one restored to former glory. And that includes rust that has taken out entire panels. Fire, on the other hand, represents a clean slate. But it’s not like a Camaro of this caliber is a six-digit value car. A Full restoration would be more costly than the car’s value. So where are the diminishing returns?

Too Far Gone? Owner Sees If Burnt Camaro SS RS Has Salvageable Engine.

The owner of this Camaro had their car stored, and experienced a garage fire according to AutoEvolution. The fire could have come from this car, but it wouldn’t matter. Because this doesn’t have a clean panel on it. But it is all straight. However, the owner thinks this car is beyond saving, according to AutoEvolution. Instead, they feel there’s enough usable bits left from the driveline to upgrade someone’s base model Camaro.

Too Far Gone? Owner Sees If Burnt Camaro SS RS Has Salvageable Engine.

To be fair, that might be the best option for this car. The engine is reported to be a numbers-matching unit. Additionally, it has a 4 speed Muncie M20, and a 12 bolt Posi-traction rear end. Even if these were on fire, simple refinishing would bring them back to life. So all the best bits that make a Camaro SS RS a great driver’s car could make your Camaro inso an SS clone. Or a Firebird if you’re a Pontiac enthusiast.

Too Far Gone? Owner Sees If Burnt Camaro SS RS Has Salvageable Engine.

We all hate to think of tragedy striking our cars. But maybe it’s OK to think of them as organ donors in instances like this. Parts for this car might help one other stalled project find a way of being complete. Or it’ll be recycled and end up being a Blazer SS… and that’s a sad thought. We’d prefer someone save what is worth being saved, and hear that V8 roar once more.