Hello all. New to this forum.

I am in the process of researching the 1st generation camaro. Would like to find an SS, preferrably a convertible. Was one year better than another? What things should I look for? I am more familiar with Datsun's, have owned quite a few, so I know I can borrow some knowledge from them. I'm not necessarily looking for a show car. Would like to find a solid daily driver that might require a little work, not a full restoration. Is it difficult to find a numbers matching car?

Any helpful hints are greatly appreciated.

 

not terribly hard to find if your willing to pay lots of $$$$$. im building a 69 ss soon but i dont care if the numbers match so my search will be much easier and much cheaper. there are number matching cars on ebay and elsewhere but they will run you 40 to 50k for an all original SS.

 

not terribly hard to find if your willing to pay lots of $$$$$. im building a 69 ss soon but i dont care if the numbers match so my search will be much easier and much cheaper. there are number matching cars on ebay and elsewhere but it will run you 40 to 50k for an all original SS.

 

Buy what you love, not what is going to impress everyone else. If you look for the car that everyone else tells you is the perfect year or model and package you may not like it. Personally I like the 69's but I have a friend who thinks they are nothing compared to his 68..

I have no idea what my Camaro was suppose to be. I think, threw just a little digging it was a standard model, Hugger Orange, Vinyl top, and a 307 with a 4 spd. Did I want to worry about number matching that? Nah, make it what I always wished for and go nuts

Find the model, year, and package that makes you happy. Then research the hell out of what you want to do and build it. When it's done all the hard work feels like the best sex ever.

 

i was originally looking at spending close to $50K on buying a new car and have noticed that most of the models i was looking at have now become very popular and ordinary. i do not want ordinary! it's too boring. i want little kids to look at the car and go "hey dad? what kinda car is that!" i'm sure you understand. i want it for me and in memory of my dad whose first real car was a '68 Cardinal Red Cougar, before my time but the pics of the car were great.

let me ask....a friend has an uncle (who i do know) that has a '69 Z28 that's been covered and stored in a barn for 20+ yaers. my understanding is that it'll need a little rehab but nothing major to become a good dd. in that case, what should i look for? if the older camaro's are anything like the old Z cars i used to own should i look for rust in the same areas? wheel wells, trunk, frame, floor boards? any other rust areas specefic to a camaro?

i've already thought about engine upgrading. for whatever stupid reason i want the hp. if i swap to a 454 or 502 won't that mean the tranny and rear have to be changed as well?

again, any input is truly appreciated!!

 

Ok, I see where your going.

With the First Gen's. Look for rusting at the floor boards front and rear. Common to see holes there or week spots. Look for cracks where the rear of the windows come down to meet the rear fenders. In the rear wheel wells towards the door they like to rust out there also. Frame wise, since it is a partial frame in the front and unibody in the rear make sure the mounting holes are solid and not rusted threw. In the trunk, they seem to like to go to hell also. Make sure it is solid and not rusted out. Also in the rear unibody area make sure the frames that are attached to the body are in good shape.

Even with all these possible problems they are easily solved. There are so many parts available for first Gen's they are like a-holes. Everyone has one. My Camaro has just about every piece replaced. Front fenders, hood, doors, rear fenders, rear valance, trunk, and frame rails. I'm glad someone else went elbows deep in debt then sold it for a loss to me!

Beyond that the same general things you would look for on any car. Crash damage. Poorly done work where there will be no way to fix it unless the area is all new.

With a big block and mondo HP. I've got a hopefull 525hp 600ft 454 engine in mine. With the TH400 built to handle it and the original 10 bolt rebuilt with Auburn gears and all new parts. Driveshaft was professionally done to handle it also. The 10 bolt is the week link, I can admit that, but I'll live with it since I have no plans for drag racing the car.

As for sitting in a barn for Twenty years. I am beyond elbows deep in a project like that right now.



Ok, that was at the mid-point


Needless to say this is now a frame off restoration. Every possible seal is dried out, every gasket, everything. The interior will most likely be mouse infested and shot to ****. The engine will need a little TLC, sometimes you get lucky and they fire up and are good. I only say that because amazingly mine did. Axles seals, wheel bearings, suspension bushings.....on and on. A barn find is a find, but it is a project.

 

thanks for the info and for not treating me like an idiot. i know more about cars that my fiancee and that pisses him off . he thinks i should stick with sweet and sedate...to hell with that!

if i get a chance to drive down into virginia to see the Z28 i'll look at the other areas you mentioned. my friend emailed me back. says she'll just need some tweaking, that his uncle goes out about once a month to start the car. now i'm just trying to see how much he's askin'......

 

Cool, don't worry, everyone get's a fair shake in my book. Your fiancee will get over it when your grab'n gears and chirping birdies on the street with a nice Camaro. Maybe if he's nice you'll let him drive?

Your ahead of the game already if it is down south and he actually runs the motor once in awhile. If you where unlucky enough to be in the rust belt like I am finding a decent project car is a adventure itself. I'd try and start getting some pics mailed up and you'll get a better idea of it's value before treaking down there. Maybe you'll get lucky and fine a gem in that barn!

 

I know where there is a 1969 camaro ss coupe. It has a 350 and is fathom green with a white bumble bee stripe down the side. The car is completely restored and is located in georgia. If you go to thegenerationgap.com you will find the car there with pics. He is asking between 25 and 30 thousand. Ive seen it in person and it is really a nice car. Let me know if your interested

 

sounds like willie has put you on the right track. I really have nothing to add except to say... IT'S GREAT TO SEE A GIRL ON THE BOARD WITH SO MUCH INTEREST!!!

good luck with whichever road you chose