I've learned after a couple impulse buys (including a CJ7 I still miss) that I should do some amount of planning and preparation before diving into my first Camaro. I want a 1st gen, no question, and at the price point I will be looking at it will probably not be a polished and chromed show car when I get it.

What I want to know from you who have traveled this road ahead of me is what I should prepare for in purchasing a 1st gen Camaro as a daily driver. What basic tools should I get? Any specialized tools beyond a good ratchet set? How can I inspect a potential buy for reliability? You can see rust, but how can I know if the thing is gonna die on the drive home? I'm totally new to owning anything made pre-'80's, so feel free to school me. I'd rather spend hours reading through information I might already know than have no information and go bite off more than I can chew.

In case anyone is curious, my price range will be about $15k final, tools included. If anyone thinks I really can't get a good 1st gen driver for that, please let me know. I'm optimistic though and a 1st gen Camaro is my dream car, so be kind.

 

15k should get you a decent (not real good) runner. it will probably need a good amount of work. there are no specific tools you should buy for the car.

with the types of questions you are asking, the best advice I can give you, is to take an experienced buyer with you, or I promise that you will buy a junker without knowing, and you will be over your head

good luck with your search

 

get a specialist!...

 

Are you talking 15k final.....as in after purchase and work needed done to it?

 

O, I'm talking about 15k to make it a reliable daily driver. I'll drive a 350 with wheels if it's a Camaro and work on everything else as I get time, but this is going to be a vehicle I depend upon, so I can't buy it then tear the engine apart getting it to run smoothly. I saw a rough looking '68 with a 327, powerglide tranny and a 10-bolt rear that looks like it would be perfect for 12k, but the money isn't here just yet.

69, I will most likely bring my step-father along. I don't know how much Camaro experience he has, but he's bought and sold more classics than I've owned cars, most recently a '56 T-Bird and a '58 Vette. He currently owns a '32 Plymouth sedan that he's been hot-rodding. Between him and the club members (he's a NorCal Road Gypsy), I think they should be able to steer me away from a bad buy. I'm just trying to get as much information as I can so I'm not totally ignorant in the process.

Thanks for the responses, guys.