Hey eveyone, I have an 80 Camaro that my son and I are building for his first car. He prefers the 74-77 front and rear over the 78-81. So my question is can I replace the tail light panel (sheetmetal) with one from a 74-77? are there any big differences in the floor pan or bracing or quarter panels?
Thank you.

BTW, NO I do not want to "sell and go buy a 74-77", this is a project for us both. Besides, people in California think their junk is pure gold.

 

That probably take a lot of work because the tail panels are so different .But thats up to you.

 

unreal......Thanks, that helps a LOT. Starting to think people know absolutely nothing about building cars these days.

 

I was born in 1956 So I grew up with these cars.And had friends and family who had them. So we didn't have the parts to build them they have now. So we had to build them from scratch .And our adapt parts from other cars.I have been a member of a local Camaro Club since the 1980s .So I have seen all sorts of builds .MY 1979 Z-28 RS is made up of aftermarket and factory parts .So learned how they went together. And since I dont know your mechanical skills .I would find year you want .and build the car you want .Will be cheaper in the long run. Good luck to you.

 

You have a nice car for sure, BUT I am wondering about the floor pan shape, quarter panel fitment. I have been an automotive machinist for most of my younger life, built many race engines for offroad cars/trucks, sand drags, street cars, drag cars, roundy rounders, etc... I am very capable. But just want to know if I am going to run into any surprises when I take out the 80 panel for the 74-77 panel. Sorry for the sarcastic comment, but too many of these forums never want to help, they just want to tell you ITS TOO HARD, JUST BUY WHAT YOURE LOOKING FOR. Well as I said, here in Kommiefornia, people think their JUNK is worth GOLD.

 

The tail panel is different and the front end pieces at well. ,There was a program on what was the Motor Trend Channel .By a guy named Stacy who converted a 1980 Camaro into a 1972 Camaro .So it can be done .Its just time consuming, Do notice that most people don`t do their research And or dont have the skills to do it.And I agree that people overvalue their cars .Even buy cars that most people would just walk away from .If they have a lick of sense..I got lucky on my car being a "T" top car .I had two small rust patch near the bottom of the doors .Otherwise no rust .Probably because its a Washington state car as well. Good luck on your build