Figure I might as well chime in here with the rest of you.

I didn't buy the car for the attention it gets, but there is something about rolling through town and having people stop, turn around and point at the 69 rumbling past. My friends freak out at all the attention we get in the car. It never fails, someone ALWAYS commments on it. Parts store, grocery store, or sitting at a light....I've yet to drive it and not gotten one thumbs up or "hey, nice car". Hell, I had a 50+ year old lady in a mini-van tell me "beautiful car. Make sure you take care of it" What's that about? Like she was my mother or something!! I think that generation just gets a kick out of us younger generation who choose autos of "their" era and not the more modern cars.

As for prices...I bought an SS that was resto'd 10 years ago. Of course, it lost some parts between now and then thanks to the 3 owners in between, but it's straight as an arrow with new panels, no rust and a redone interior. Only question was the engine...which just so happen gave up the ghost a couple months ago and now I have a 383 stroker in there. Southern car, $14K. No regrets. Compared to prices up here in Michigan, I stole it! Not to mention 2 weeks later I got offered $19K for it!!

Take your time. Be verrrry cautious. If you don't know much about cars, take someone who does. I'd like to think people in general are honest...but they aren't! Someone WILL try to screw you!

Best of luck

 

Get what you want...but you should see the wicked smiles I get when girls ask "What year is that car?"...

"sssssixxxxtyyyy nnnine!"

 

It's because of people like you I always get people asking, "Hey, what year is that, sixty-nine?" And, of course, I have to reply with, "Nope... ssssssssssssssixxxxxty-sssssssssevennnnn!"

 

Same thing happens to me. I typically chalk it up to idiots not knowing 1st gen Camaros... like the self-proclaimed "expert" that was showing off his knowledge about 1969 being the first year they were made.


I quickly put him in his place.

 

hey guys thanks for all the info, i cant wait to be part of you guys. i need some info though while im shopping for a car, i was just wondering how hard would it be to swap a 6 cylinder for an 8, and a automatic for a manual?

 

Easy...but if you're going from a 6 to big block you're talking a lot more effort and money (not including the engine).

 

It doesn't quite have the same effect.

This is why I put the "1969 CAMARO" license plate on the back...and the license plate number "6D9". I couldn't believe the DMV gave me that plate! I wanted "IB6-UB9"...that's funny as hell.

 

Hah! Speaking of license plates the DMV won't give out, check out this link:

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/blueplate/blueplate.html

It has a few lists from a couple of different states of revoked/banned license plates and a couple of DMV complaint letters. Should have you laughing all day!

 

Switching a 6 to an 8, that's no problem as long as the trans will bolt up to the engine correctly. You'd just need motor mounts. You just gotta worry about everything else that's in there that won't work. Definitely research it thoroughly before you start. It would suck to have a half finished engine swap and realize you left something out.

The looks are great that you'll get around town. I love having the older (senior citizen aged) men come up. I always offer them a ride so they can relive it. Maybe it's just here in GA, but the girls don't flock to the 69. I guess it's because it's not rice.

 

782-

here's my 2 cents:

1.be very very patient. there are plenty of cars out there, trust me...
2.just walk away once a seller tries to convince you how rare and valuable his car is.
3.go to many car shows and cruises in order to talk to owners about their experiences
4.identify exactly how much of a project you want
5.try to find a seller who dumped a lot of time and money into his project but now needs to sell it because he needs money. there are plenty of guys out there who end up selling their car for pennies on the dollar.
6.when the right car comes around you'll just know it- i can't explain how but you'll know when it happens

hope it helps!!

good luck and have fun!!

 

Add to that list...

7. Stockers with original paint or primer are often easier to tell if there are problems that a "new" paint job might hide. (Look for the tell-tale signs of rust and where they frequent.)

8. Unmodified stockers with the 210hp 327 (67-68) and 307 (69) are a dime a dozen... unless they've got the RS option or are fully documented and original. Therefore, pay accordingly.

Also be aware that the latest "fad" is to drop in a big block (usually 454 truck motor) and throw some emblems and stickers on it and call it a Yenko clone. I've seen several plain Janes that normally would sell from 4-9k priced in the 20k+ range that have such a conversion. If you really want a Yenko clone, buy a plain Jane and do the conversion yourself... for less!

 

WERD. Be careful.

 

thanks for the reminder. in order to reduce the overall cost of your project try and find the straightest all steel body you can find. don't fall for flashy detail jobs...just make sure the thing ain't a "putty wagon"

 

I'm 20. I bought my '68 when I was 18. School, money, and just plain laziness have kept me from getting it running so far. But, here's my 2 cents:

IT'S WORTH IT!!!!!!!!! Ok, now don't laugh guys... but I bought my car off of E-bay. Yes, E-bay. I know, I know... but believe it or not, you can find some great deals. Mine came with decent paint (about 8 years old), new quarters, new tail piece, new right fender, front AND rear disc brake conversion, multi leafs, 2-inch dropped spindles, rebuilt 700-r4, Ram Jet 350 that had never been turned over, fresh undercoat job, and a host of other goodies that hadn't been put on the car yet. All this was BRAND new, for $6500. Just the parts on that thing alone was worth close to 10 grand, plus the shell of the car was worth another 2-3 grand. But, he was one of those that needed to sell it fast. And you wouldn't believe how many stares and thumbs up I got from people while trailering it to TX from Denver, CO.

Anyway, 1st gen seats suck dong. Cheap and easy cure? Some bucket seats out of a 4th gen fit pretty nicely, and are cheap. Handling? Sucks. But a good start is to get some polyurethane suspension bushings and at least a front sway bar (usually don't need a rear one if you have multi leafs). As long as you have a V-8 radiator in there with a good fan (with a clutch that works) and a shroud (you NEED a shroud), it shouldn't run hot. If so, pour some Royal Purple Purple Ice in there and it will help a little. Carpet's 100 bucks, throw a little sound deadener in there and on the roof, and you'll stay warm in winter, cool in summer (if you have a/c).

There's so much custom stuff out there for first gens it's ridiculous, and most of it is fairly cheap. Here are some suggestions for looking:

Bring a magnet and someone that knows what they're talking about.

Don't worry about finding something with a bad *** engine, perfect interior, great paint, blah blah blah. Look for something with straight and non-rusted metal. Body work will suck your wallet DRY. Trust me, I know. Building a 400 horse 350 is pretty cheap (big blocks are great for bragging rights, crappy for actually driving, and the handling is worse with one too). If you find a good body with a run-down 6 cylinder for a great price, take it. It's not too hard to swap in a V-8. Suggestion, if you have the money, swap in an overdrive.

BE PATIENT!!

Always try to get the seller to come down a little, but don't insult him.

Don't worry about keeping everything "original." You're young. Your g/f isn't going to want to ride around in something with vinyl seats, no a/c, and an 8-track. Mix in some modern stuff, like bucket seats (aftermarket, like Corbeau, or something from a 4th gen), new carpet with lots of sound deadener, maybe some custum door panels (vinyl is HOT), coil-over shocks (ride/handle better), stuff like that. Oh, if you put wheels on there bigger than 17 inches, then I'll kill you.

BE PATIENT!!! (repetition is for emphasis)

Windshields are EXPENSIVE. All glass is for that matter. Try to find one that has all the glass in good shape (no scratches, cracks, etc).

Um... I think everything else has already been said by these other guys. Oh! And no, there's no easy fix for making '67 rear shocks staggered. They staggered them in '68 to help reduce wheel-hop. Just my opinion, but try to stay away from ladder or slapper bars. There's not much ground clearance on those things anyway, and those kill it. Multi-leafs help a lot, and so do the '68/'69 staggered shocks. Plus, I don't like they way slapper bars look, some people do though, so do what makes you happy. I think that's it. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any more questions, I think I've typed too much as it is. Either way, good luck!

 

Definitely feel free to mix in some new stuff if it's not a numbers matching or anything. Although my gf's never complained about riding around with the vinyl seats, no a/c.