So, as the subject says, I'm in the market for a '70-'73 Camaro. Basically looking for a solid project car with no rust or damage. Drivetrain isn't important as I plan on dropping my own in anyway. I've been poking around Craigslist and have come across some decent deals, then I expand my search to places like Hemmings, Auto Trader Classics, etc and find the listings on them to be a LOT higher and I'm not sure why. In many cases the price is 2-3x more.

My question is, what is a reasonable price for a rust-free '70-'73 Camaro on the west coast? I'm in southern CA but willing to travel a few hundred miles for the right car. I'd like to stay as much under $5000 as possible, but I'm flexible if the car is right.

Besides looking for rust in the obvious places, is there anything else I should be looking for or avoiding?

Right now, the inconsistent prices have me scratching my head.

Thanks, hope to be more active as I get closer to and finally have the car.

 

good easy project with no drive train will sell for around $6-8000 here

 

I've seen prices for a roller start at $500 and complete cars from $500-20,000 around here on craigslist/ebay. As for the collector car listings. I don't really know, I've noticed that too from looking in the mags but my guess would be it's for more of a collectors market. They seem to be more original or professionally done compared too the more amateur/incomplete stuff on craigslist.

 

Those type of people in Hemmings as well as say the people who buy/sell at Barrett Jackson aren't car guys like we are. Some aren't even collectors, they're investors who try to by low and sell high. They have driven the cost of very nice cars right out of the average joes reach. Sad really. There is no way that a guy with my income could ever afford a $125,000 Hemi Cuda'. They have done it over and over. Camaros, Chevelles, any Mopar, GTOs all were obtainable, but now investors have gotten in on it and are killing us little guys.

The good news is. We (us second gen owners) are starting to come into our own. The barn find classics from the 60s are drying up. Now people are looking closer at the DISCO Camaros. Hot Rod and Chevy Hiperformance both have second gen project cars. The aftermarket is starting to make more parts for us. Soon we'll have enough repop parts to build one from scratch. Or I may be dreaming, LOL

 

From what I've seen here in Oregon, a good solid body (needing paint) that just needs an engine and trans to drive is around $3500-$4500. A running car that's not restored will go around $6,000 for a base model, and over $12,000 for a real Z28, SS, or Big Block SS model.
Then there's the frame off restos that usually go over $20k for the typical clones, and even more for real performance models. There's lots of variety in pricing once you get into finished cars or performance models that are drivers.

 

If you are patient they are out there. I just bought a 71 rs/ss for 7k, needs paint. In the Seattle area, I agree prices are all over the place.

 

Here's a few:
1970 in Wa. for $4500 that's a runner/driver.
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/2225318625.html
For fun, here's one that's a few blocks from me. I've looked at it, but not seriously. $56,000:
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ctd/2223062675.html

Here's a 1973 Type LT that seems right up your alley for $2500:
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/2220720469.html

 

There is a 34,000 mile survivor on Nasty for 6500. Needs paint thats it. If I hadn't bought all my new toys I would have it in the drive way right now.

 

http://www.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cg...mit=++++go++++

seen lots of good options there. figure at 7500 max, you could beat them down to 5-6k

 

Thanks for the info, everyone. Good to know I wasn't losing my mind or just finding the scammers on craigslist. jaxed.com is just what I needed, makes searching ebay and CL so much easier.

The search is on, hopefully within a few weeks the empty spot in the garage will no longer be empty.