The top end model always gets saved. Everyone wants the GT, the Trans Am, the AMX, the Super Sport. Nobody gives half a crap about the lower models. Four door? Nope. V6? Not unless it came with a turbo, buddy. The whole V8 or die mentality flies for hot rodding but in the general sense, a lot of otherwise good cars rot, get stripped or simply get crushed because nobody wants to put any effort into something that won’t get them maximum “wow” factor at shows, at cruises, or with the Internet crowd. Nobody is willing to concede that reverse engineering and hot rodding go hand-in-hand, really. Oh, it won’t be worth five times this amount when I send it to auction in ten years? Ah, the hell with it.

I hate that mindset. And that’s why I love seeing Derek from Vice Grip Garage saving a 1984 Camaro with the 2.8L V6. Is it anything special? Well…yes and no. No, it’s no turbo six. No, it’s not powerful…we’re talking just over 100 horsepower and maybe 150 ft/lbs of torque. We’re talking the 700R4 automatic, a benefit from 1983 that at least gave the 2.8L some legs to run with. It wasn’t hot then and it isn’t hot now. But it’s a third gen that is a time capsule. The car has been parked since 1993 and while it’s rough in most people’s eyes (floors, lower doors and the like are all rust-nibbled) to Derek, this is about perfect. Have you seen the stuff this guy messes with? This Camaro is daily-driver material.

Here’s the story on how he scored a third-gen and got it back to the house. A suggestion? A 4.8L swap, a beefed-up automatic, and some rust fixes. We bet you still see good fuel economy in the end.