Hello everyone, new here to the forum. I've been a mustang guy for a while, I've rebuilt 2 foxbody mustangs, an 89 and a 92. I've had fun with them but my favorite body style of car has always been a 67-69 Camaro/Firebird. I got to thinking about it today and came to the conclusion that it's gonna be my next build, some things I should point out first are, I do not want a body/car with any sort of historical meaning or rarity as I do not plan on keeping the car original. Actually, I am looking for something that doesn't have much rust, otherwise it can have no dashboard, no hood, it doesn't matter. I am mainly looking for a body that I can throw some aftermarket seats in, fabricate my own dash, door panels, etc if need be. I'll put an LS and a 5 speed in it and call it a day! Now here's the question, what is my cheapest route to one of these bodies? As I said, it doesn't matter what it is, it can be an original V6 auto car, etc. I'm just looking for the cheapest way into this style of body. I've seen some people running them fully gutted at the strip and thought they can't be too much $$$ considering they are just using the shell but everywhere I look is 12-15k just for a decent one. I'd really like to find just a body that needs interior work, paint work, etc for around 5k with no motor or trans. Is this possible? Where do I find them? Thank you!

 

Ha Ha,well good luck with that, everyone want's a 1st gen car. Wish I had kept my '69 that I sold 25 years ago. They make brand new bodies these days, spendy but no rust and all new. Oh and with LS power you want a T-56 six speed not a 5 speed. Best you can do used is keep looking and be quick if something comes up as they go fast, you and every other car guy on the planet is looking for a deal on a 1st gen Camaro. http://realdealsteel.com/c-1105811-b...69-camaro.html

 

I understand that everyone is after them, I just thought I maybe had a better chance giving the fact that I would be completely ok with no interior, no engine, non numbers matching and no transmission. I will continue to look, I do appreciate it though. Buying a new body sounds appealing to save the work but in all honesty I'd rather try to find something in rough shape and do the body work myself like I have done in the past, it sure is a pain in the *** but always worth it in the end. Thanks again!

 

Your best be is to get on a few boards and start checking the for sale ads. Keep searching and I'm sure something will pop up, good luck with your search.

 

Well good luck,last used shell I saw for sale with no windows etc. was a '67 and they wanted $5K for it. Wish I'd of hung on to my '69 longer. lol

 

If you don't care then the 67-68 Firebirds is you best shot. They tend to bring the least of the 1st gen group. The 69 Camaro tends to be the highest valued. Make sure you check out the difference and that you are ok with that. Conversion for firebird to camaro is a pain and is just about every body panel.

Also keep in mind people have been trying to hide rust since the 70's. There are nice looking cars out there that are not safe to drive no less handle the torque of an LS motor.

As Y2K said if you hope you are going to get a near rust free hotrod going down the road for under 12K I would say welcome to the club. There are about 250,000 of us. There is a reason the new all steel body is available, that reason was 10 years ago there where no more rust free bodies and to get a solid foundation for a 1st gen cost more then what that steel body costs.

I am in no way say you it is impossible to have a good find, I am on a lot of Camaro forums and I see a nice finds once in awhile. But for every one that is a good deal there 20 posts of people that are mad they didn't get it and offers to buy it. So you want to move fast if you see a good deal. But a lot more common is guy rushing and buying cars that will cost more to fix then they will be worth when done.