I'm trying to figure out what I want to do with my 69 Camaro.

Would you rather build from scratch a plain jane camaro with base/clear coat red w/ black z28 stripes...decked out with all the aftermarket goodies like globalwest suspension parts from the front to the back, fourwheel discs from baer brakes, power windows and a stereo that'll make your ears bleed...powered by a ZZ502/700r4/12 bolt 3:55 geared beast?

Or would you rather buy a restored (no work needed) 69 Z28/RS garnett red w/ black stripes in original condition...numbers matching.

Either way they'll cost about the same...the plain jane or the z28/rs. I know it's hard to believe that, but if you make out a price list for all the parts it would take to make a pro-touring beast out of the plain jane it is about 25000 to 35000 range. I've seen good looking Z28/RS go for that. I know it would be harder to find a couple (without a vinyl top) that color for that price though.

Let me know what you think?
Brian

 

I'd love to have an all original DZ302 car... But then I wouldn't want to drive it.


I'll take the custom 502 powered beast, please. Except make it blue with black stripes.

 

They may cost the same now, but in 10 years the "real" numbers matching Z/28 will be worth a lot more.

 

this is true...I was thinking that the color code for a garnett red w/black stripes and hardtop coupe would be pretty rare in a couple of years. The only one I've seen (real # matching) was in a picture from Hawaii!

But like he said above...I'm going to drive the fool out of my camaro whether it's original or not. No trailer queens or garage candies for me!

 

even though your cost will be the same, the z28 will always be easier to sell at a much higher price. you'll lose big money on the plain jane (unless you find a sucker) at selling time.

here's my advice. find a rough #'s matching z28 in the 8-12k range and modify it to your liking (save all original parts). this way it'll have good collector value but still set up just the way you want it. best of both worlds.

 

It all depends on if you want a trophy to look at, or a toy to drive.

 

Then that being said, I'd opt for the 502 street machine. The original Z/28 is nice, but too nice and rare to beat up on the street. Personally, I'd want to store and preserve such a car, therefore, for maximum fun and some periodic fast street blastin' I'd opt for the 502 Camaro and go out and have some fun.



Dave

 

I'd go pro touring. While an all orignal car is cool and all, for me the point is to have fun and DRIVE the thing. A good looking pro touring ride will get just as many, if not more looks, and you'll be able to 'abuse' it without feeling any guilt

 

the numbers matching will always sell for more, but either is a great car. I drive my numbers matching weekly and I've been looking into pro touring. As far as trophies and stuff goes, don't see why you can't get the same amount of trophies from the pro touring as the nums marching, if it's done well. I dunno. I drive the pants off all my cars, so I can see your dilemma.

 

If you plan to drive the car alot go with a hot rod. If you don't want to put a lot of miles on it and are satified with the stock performance go with a stock car. You can always get a stock car, pull the original engine, and only put mods on it that are easy to remove and put the car back to stock when you sell it. I drive mine about 1-2000 miles a year.

 

Here's what I'd do if it were me (and money was no object of course.)

Get the "real" #'s matching Z/28. Pull the engine and tranny and store it. Bolt-in a crate motor (pick your own flavor, but currently I'd opt for the World Products 454 ci Motown small-block) and a modern 5 or 6 speed.

Now when and if I ever go to sell it.... a) it's a "Real" Z/28 and b) I still have the original drivetrain.

 

The cheapest route is to find a car somebody is part way into modifying and buy it half done and finish it. If you can find a #'s matching RS/Z28 red/black for under $30K, then you got real lucky. That leaves you with modifying your car for $25-30K. You'd be better off finding a car someone has started and lost interest or ran out of money and sell yours to buy that car and finish it for under $20K. Just listening to your own arguments, there's no way I would get a #'s matching car in your situation. I've had both modified and bone stock original cars and there's a time and place for each one. There's no reason to argue one way or the other, because it will go on forever.

 

Are they offering a SBC punched out to 454?

Last I saw they only offered a 427 inch SBC.

 

I agree with Jeff. He spells it out rather nicely.

 

454 ci small block Chevy

Pretty sweet. Looks like any other sbc stroker, plus it comes with a 20K mi warranty.