--- title: "Somehow, This Chevy Camaro ‘Carralo’ Is Real and Not Something From GTA" date: "2026-10-17" modified: "2026-10-17" authors: - name: "Stephen Edelstein" job_title: "Weekend Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/stephen-edelstein.md" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/somehow-this-chevy-camaro-carralo-is-real-and-not-something-from-gta" categories: - "Culture" - "For Sale" - "News" --- # Somehow, This Chevy Camaro ‘Carralo’ Is Real and Not Something From GTA ![1989 Chevrolet Camaro Carralo]() *\Craigslist\* The makers of *[Grand Theft Auto]()* have mastered the art of generic-looking cars. While they sometimes [cross the line into recognizability](), the [cars of *GTA*]() usually look just enough like real-world cars to give you an idea of what they're supposed to be, without triggering any lawsuits. And sometimes [life imitates art]() when somebody takes the trouble to bend sheet metal or mold fiberglass, only to have the end product look like it rolled straight out of the game. This 1989 [Chevrolet]() Camaro is one such example. Currently for sale on [Craigslist](), it's a custom-bodied Carralo that was one of only two made for that model year, according to the listing. A further 90 were made as 1990 models, so maybe things were just getting ramped up for 1989. I've never seen one of these before, but thanks to the GTA-like design, I kind of feel like I have. ![1989 Chevrolet Camaro Carralo]() ![1989 Chevrolet Camaro Carralo]() ![1989 Chevrolet Camaro Carralo]() The front and rear ends are a weird mix of stock Camaro and bits from other cars. The [third-gen]() Camaro's rectangular headlights are combined with a pointed nose that looks more like what you'd find on a contemporary Pontiac Firebird. The taillights and rear fascia look like they came off a Plymouth Duster. All the styling changes appear to be below the beltline, so the Carralo retains the stock Camaro's boxy rear roof pillar and window, as well as its [T-tops](). Other parts of the design don't directly copy other cars, but still play off common styling themes. The wide-body treatment is executed in a predictable way, although the way the front fenders blend into the front fascia to emphasize its nosecone-like look is definitely interesting. There are fake vents with strakes as well, recapitulating a common 1980s styling trope. The interior appears to be mostly stock—even preserving the Camaro badge on the steering wheel—and it's unclear if any mechanical changes were made. The listing mentions a 5.7-liter engine, so this car has the L98 V8 that was the most powerful option for the 1989 Camaro. ![1989 Chevrolet Camaro Carralo]() ![1989 Chevrolet Camaro Carralo]() ![1989 Chevrolet Camaro Carralo]() For what it's worth, this isn't stereotypical Craigslist fare. Aside from some cracked leather upholstery, the car looks pretty clean and well-maintained. The car-show information boards are a good indication that someone valued this oddity and took good care of it. And the listing claims it has just 55,000 miles. Located in Henrietta, Texas, its asking price is $18,500 if you're interested. It would definitely be fun to take this thing to a car show and have people try to guess what it is. If you told them it was an obscure *GTA* car, they'd probably believe you. ## Author Stephen has always been passionate about cars, and managed to turn that passion into a career as a freelance automotive journalist. When he's not handling weekend coverage for The Drive, you can find him looking for a new book to read. ### Author social links [Twitter]()