Hello,

I've been putting my money away for the past year to buy a classic car \. My two favorite cars/two choices right now would be a later C3 Corvette or a First Generation Camaro.

I really like the 69 the best with the cowl induction hood, but the three first years were really nice.

I dont really know too much about Camaros however, so I couldnt consider buying one right now untill I learn more about them. Anyone have any ideas where I could find some more information about early Camaros? Most of my reading has been mainly for Corvettes, but I havent begun learning about Camaros.

Also-What are the prices ranges for them?

Any help will be appreciated,
Denny

 

Yo u should just start lookin for camaro sites and read about mods and stuff like that. A 1st gen in decent shape prob between $2500-5000. I would go with the First gen... Those are soo nice... G/l

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Please smoke any little riceburner at any possible chance!!

http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/view_page.pl?page_id=216501

 

Probably one of the most important things to look for in a 1st gen is the body. I just got a 67 bird and thats what i looked for. Engine tranny are easy to replace but rust can be a pain to fix. Also the interior is something to look for also. It can be real expensive to replace a whole interior. These are what i looked for when i got mine.

 

Denny,
Check out these web sites:
www.camaros.org
www.camaros.net
There is a lot of info on these sites that might help you.
Daniel

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67 RS/SS 350 2004R (owned since 81)
97 V6 5-speed Coupe (work car ordered new)
My Camaro

 

Definitely go with the First-Gen Camaro. I've got TWO '67 Camaros (don't ask). A lot of people like the '69, and I think it has a higher resale value...but I personally like the lines of the 67-68. The best advice has already been given here: Avoid RUST. You're always going to find a little, unless you're taking over someone's restoration project. Check the floorpans, the trunk, the dashboard, the package tray, the bottom of the doors, and the bottom of the front fender (right in front of the doors). If you find significant rust through, walk away. A little surface rust is OK, but holes will quickly become a nightmare. Unless you've got your own bodyshop, bodywork gets expensive really fast. Also, take an unbiased person with you, preferably someone who knows cars but isn't into Camaros. That way they can stabilize you and keep you from jumping at the first car you see. Another good thing to do is to ask if the seller has any extra/spare parts he'd like to throw in with the deal. I got a set of front seats for a '67 for free this way!

Oh, also, go to the bookstore. In the automotive section there's always a couple of good books on the history of the Camaro and about restoring them. Good info can be had there.

Good luck!

[This message has been edited by DCLXVI (edited August 27, 2002).]

 

The Corvette would be a better daily driver, but most likely, higher insurance premium. The Camaro would make a nicer "toy" if that's what you are looking for !

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69 Camaro Z28 "clone" 327 AT
DAYTONA YELLOW WITH BLACK Z28 STRIPES
327 - "461" camel back heads. TRW,Edelbrock,Ultradyne,Hooker
TPI 700r4 automatic transmission

 

Hello,

This is going to be my first car project. I've been working off and on with my jeep and can vouch that body work sucks. But I find most mechanical work pretty relaxing.

Its definatly a change going from looking at 'glass Corvettes to steel cars.

I was at my best friends house. His brother has got a 69 Camaro and had the hood up. The Camaro engine compartment was much roomier than the Corvettes. Seems like it would be easier to work on.

snomnw- 2500-5000 should get me a car with a decent body and most/all main components on the car? That doesnt sound too bad.

Daniel-Thanks for those links, I have them bookmarked.

DCLXVI- How much rust is acceptable? Should a car with any holes be passed or is it just a judment call? I will be taking my Dad with me to any cars I go to look at so he can be of help in keeping me from jumping into something to far gone.

Dang-I was just in the nearest town with a bookstore but didnt make it there today. Will have to wait untill later in the week.

TJs69-Yes, that is something I had thought of. The Corvette Insurance is really out there.....and I already have a driver I use, so I want a toy to rumble around the backroads in.

Are 4 speed 1st Gens pretty easy to come by? Its really hard to find c3 corvette 4 speeds. I love driving manual, its all I drive right now, I've been lighting up alittle to autos, if that is all I could find.

Thanks for the help,
Denny

 

It's really a judgement call as to how much rust is acceptable. That's one of the reasons you should get to know the car pretty well before you go to buy one. For instance, if the only rust through is on the front fenders, that's really not a problem, since the whole things bolt on and replacements are _relatively_ cheap. So, it's good to know what's easy to replace and what isn't. Ask yourself, how much painful bodywork are you willing to endure...and that's if you have the tools/talent to do the work yourself. If not, you're going to have to pay someone and that's gonna cost ya plenty. Another thing: Beware of cars that seem to have a really new paintjob for some reason...and they don't want a lot of money for them. That should tip you off that the guy is probably trying to hide some pretty gnarly bodywork. How do I know? It happened to me. One more thing to look for, and then I'll shut up: Doors. Check to make sure they line up/open/shut fairly well...and check if the door windows line up properly...if not, that's a sign of possible damage to the car. OR, it just could be bad hinges...yet another reason to educate yourself before you buy!

Good luck!

 

Good Luck on finding a first gen (in good shape)that cheap. With that said, you can find someone that doesn't know what they have and WILL sell it that cheap. Watch for rusted floorpans and trunckfloors. Also, check dash area(windshield leak)and rear window leaks. Number 1 - forget about finding a "real" Z28 or SS everyone says it is, but look close, it probably isn't. A real one is worth big bucks. I would seriously consider a 2nd gen., as they are much cheaper and better handling and driving than a 1st gen.

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69 Camaro Z28 "clone" 327 AT
DAYTONA YELLOW WITH BLACK Z28 STRIPES
327 - "461" camel back heads. TRW,Edelbrock,Ultradyne,Hooker
TPI 700r4 automatic transmission

 

I am not to concerned about a Z28 or SS. I just want something to tinker on and play with. I do like the RS hideaway lights.

Wheres the best place to find them? I've been on Collectorcartrader.com but they dont have too much. Should I just keep an eye on the local papers and classifieds?

Right now I dont care for the 2nd Gens that much. They may start growing on me though.

 

Ditto, 70-73 are 'ok', but I don't like second gens much at all.

First gens are hard to find, most of what you do find nowdays are resto projects or fully restored, hotrodded, usually not fixer uppers. I know at that site, I can find probably 7 total under 5k in my area.

I'd also check the papers etc, but they will be a rare find. The cars are 34-36 years old, some people that do have them are holding them, and others are high $ resto, so its a watch and wait ordeal until you find just what you want, then jump on it!

 

I've been looking around the internet at different places. Tell me if I have the right idea.

up to 3,000-basketcase, a good deal of rust, car is not complete.
Over 3K to 7,000 is a complete, mostly solid car that needs fixing.
7K+ are much ready to go, may need very minor things but are in good running condition.

Thats my very basic, generailized scale. Just trying to get an idea of 1st Gen prices. Seem about right?

There actually is a 68 in the local paper right now, its nearby but its more money than I have so I am not going to find out anymore about it.


Another question-
About how much is insurance? Corvette insurance is about $1400 for 6 months. Very high. I am hoping Camaros are alittle better. Anybody use Haggerty or other type of collector/antique insurance?

 

I didn't know much about the Camaro until I started looking for one. What I learned is that you need to consider what you're going to do with the car before searching for the one that will suit you. I started looking because my wife wanted one. I didn't even really like the cars. I looked for a convertible because we liked renting them when on vacation. I knew my wife liked manual transmissions, so that was put on my list. After seeing the body styles, I thought the rs was the nicest. Then I found out what "numbers matching" meant, and I looked for that too. So the car we finally got was an all original numbers matching 68 rs convertible with a four speed. We got it on e-bay. I am thoroughly happy with the car and the only thing I'd do differently is I wouldn't seek out a numbers matching car because I had to pay more for a car that I'll never sell anyway. The numbers matching thing, in my opinion, is only good if you want to sell the car later for a profit.

 

If you like the 69's anyway take some time and try to find a z-28 with a 302 in it may sound smaller but it will smoke the 350s that came in them.

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I find your lack of faith disturbing

86 IROC .040 305 TPI
#186 Heads shaved .040 1.98 valves
Shorty Headers 3 in exhaust with Flowmaster
Lunati 259/271 .500/.515 cam
Highly Modified 700-R4
B&M Slapshifter
3.55 Posi Rear
Accel Plugs and Wires
Petronix Flamethrower Distributor
Cragar 15x7 front 15x10 rear

 

Look for an original 6 cyl car and then build it the way you want it. Don't worry about matching #'s, but if you find one with the original engine, pull it out and store it for later. I've got at least $50K into my 69 Z28 project and it's not even close to being done. But, my car is documented and matching #'s with some of the rarest performance options and add-ons and I know it will be worth 70K when finished. I don't plan on selling it, but it's easier to put money into a car that will be able to hold the value and even increase over time. Take your time and look at several cars so you don't make a mistake buying a piece of junk.

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Jeff H - 69 Z28 Hugger Orange, GM crossram, GM fiberglass cowl induction hood, factory TI setup & factory installed JL8 4 wheel disc brakes - original #'s matching and documented, being restored), 87 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Turbo