The second-generation Chevrolet Camaro was produced between the 1970 and 1981 model years, and although the exterior styling is easily recognized by stateside Camaro enthusiasts, the model featured here may be a bit unfamiliar. That’s because this second-gen Chevrolet Camaro “Europo Hurst” fastback was bodied by Frua, an Italian coachbuilder that added its own flair to the classic American muscle car. Now, this Camaro heads to auction without reserve at an upcoming RM Sotheby’s event.
Indeed, this 1976 Chevrolet Camaro looks quite unlike the standard model bodied in the U.S. The front end is squarer and more evenly rounded, unlike the pointed front fascia of the standard vehicle. The fascia is finished in black, while the headlamps sport large, twin lighting elements per side, complemented by additional lighting lower in the bumper. The familiar Chevy Bow Tie badge is found front and center, but the words “Camaro restyling by P. Frua” are encapsulated inside the polished border.
The profile is long and straight, with clean, unbroken lines reaching from tip to tail. Stretched, thin sections of glass are used behind the B-pillar, adding to the vehicle’s visual length, while a sizable rear glass section provides ample viewing of whatever happens to be in the cargo area. And although the standard 1976 Chevrolet Camaro had a bit of a curve to its rear end, this re-body by Frua almost gives the muscle car a new shooting brake design.
The rear end of this 1976 Chevrolet Camaro is flat and square, with high-mounted tail lamps and dual exhaust outlets with polished tips. The rear bumper is also done in black, book-ending the vehicle with the black finish up front.
Under the hood, we find a familiar V8 engine.
Now, this 1976 Chevrolet Europo Hurst by Frua will be offered without reserve by RM Sotheby’s during The Mitosinka Collection event, an online-only affair set to take place between September 23rd and September 25th, 2020.
What do you estimate this vehicle’s worth to be? Post your estimates in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Camaro news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
Comments
Butt ugly that’s a fact.
No matter how much I try to.like this redesign, I find my self having to “Frua” in the towel! It may have had its advocates back in the ’80’s, but it is too large for its wheelbase and the tiny wheels and tires do not help the profile. The bumpers are appropriate for the day which means they totally destroy any chance for a good clean look to the front and rear ends. Also, the color is appropriate for the period. It’s about the same color as my mother’s 1963 Chevy Bel Air 4-door sedan.
I would not bid on this car at auction. But I estimate that it will go for about $75 large.
Amen, my friend!
Way to screw up the picture of the rear with your watermark, RM Sotheby.
I like it. Did Frua make it a hatchback, or does it still have the same trunk?
One photo shows the glass liftback open.
Oh, nice! There was a whole gallery that I didn’t see when I was on my phone. I didn’t see that it had t-tops, either.
Looks like the front end from an early Accord and taillights from a mid-eighties Firebird.
Am glad this didn’t show up in America, it would have FAILED day 1 this looks Hideous
just another European design which do not appeal to me at all
Who would want that ugly car.
Yuck. 🤢 The recognizable style and shaping of the 2nd gen Camaro has been destroyed. Gone is the iconic sportscar of my childhood in this rendition. Italians really know how to wreck something. It was beautiful the way it rolled off the assembly line, leave your paws off American Muscle.
Looks like an AMC Matador
I dig it. It has Hurst t tops found in 76-78 trans ams, and even the taillights are classic firebird 74-78 style. Cross this with the 77 firebird nomad prototype, be a sweet 2 door wagon.
When you look at this just remember the time period, this kind of design was ahead of itself by about 5-10 years. I think that is what makes it interesting.
When Pontiac got to design the 2nd gen GM pony car it was heavily European style influenced, The irony though is that GM ran the design that was perhaps only intended from 70-74 for an additional 6 years before truly redesigning the car. Somehow GM (Pontiac and Chevy) figured out how to make the 2nd gen f body styling fresh over 10 years. By 76 I am sure this was an inspiring prototype for some folks who felt the 2nd gen was already dated.
Ummm, NO!
One way to improve the late 2 gen Camaro which until recently I’d thought it was always big, slow and goofy.
My grandfathers both worked a gm one a pres an another a executive they would have never let these funky looking euro style touch are beloved Camaro name its an iconic American muscle car that are only usa thanks for letting me give my opinion
This this thing looks very much like the Toyota Celica 1979 model!
Absolutely a disgrace to the Camaro. I just restored my beloved 1976 Camaro and I always thought the early 2nd gen camaros were a thing of beauty.
No thanks , but the úinque thing those is it’s different from our camaro I think it should be worth something at least as much as a yank o from early years..
Oh, yes. Don Yenko used to soup up Corvairs, Chevy II’s, Novas, and Camaros. Interesting machinery.
Looks a lot like a Jensen Interceptor doesn’t it ? Weren’t they made in about the same era?
Yeah, I can see some similarity to the Interceptor.
Not a chance of me driving this if it was given to me. Pull the motor and put it in a Vega
HIDEOUS NO THANK YOU
Heck yeah, I’d drive it way cooler than the tired design it replaced.
Cheap knock-off of the ’75 XJS in front. Citroen CX in back. A mess in between.
It’s awful.
Looks like it would have been right at home (as a time machine) on the set of the “Back to the Future” movies.