Hello everyone. I am new to this forum and a soon to be owner of a 1989 v6 Camaro. I'm buying the car for 500 bucks and its going to be a complete restoration. As of right now the car cranks but doesn't run. It my friend's father's car and its been sitting in his back yard for at least 10 years. Its needs a lot of work, but I'm up for it! Body wise there is no rust. Not one rust hole on the body, and the frame is good. It needs a windshield, bumper cover, drivers fender, and a hood. I hope to have the car in my driveway within the next two weeks.

 

That should keep you busy for a while. Where is your friends father going to store all his crap once the car is gone? After sitting outside on open ground for that long, there's a very good possibility the car has some rust underneath on the frame, floors, brake and gas lines, etc. Give it a good look under, which is kinda hard to do as it is with the wheels sunk into the ground.

 

Is that front bumper correct for 89??

 

You know im really not sure. My friend said it was an 89 but im not sure it really is. I forgot to look at the vin while i was there. Its probably older because he also said it also had a 350 but that wasnt so. Hes a supra person so he really doesnt know anything about camaros. I gotta talk to his dad to get the correct info on the car.

 

If you haven't bought it yet....walk away. There are much better running V6's or even V8's out there for $500. It is not likely you'll finish that project. Even though you say there is no rust, there is a tremendous amount of body work to be done. Assuming you left the motor alone you will still be at least $10,000 deep in body, interior, paint, tires, glass, etc etc. If you are cool with that, then thats cool too. Its just I've seen this a 100 times before its nearly the same result every single time. Elbow grease is not going to Also, check the VIN, it appears to me it is not an 89.

 

A friend i work with has alot of camaro parts. I can get the fender, bumper, windshield, and hood for cheap from him. I also work with someone who welds so body work wont be an issue. The v6 is going to be coming out and im gonna put in a 350. Getting the motor, mounts, wiring harness, computer, and trans from the same guy. Ive been looking for camaros for a while but all the camaros being sold around New York dont have titles.

 

I guess I'm not sure what your intentions are with the car. To do it right costs a lot of money. I had a decent car to start with that was my own since 94. But, it had sat in Pennsylvania after I moved to arizona in 2001, the elements go to it, and it took a lot of work to get where I wanted. But, I wanted it to look like it did on the dealer lot in 87....but better. I also wanted a high performance motor, cooling system, trans, suspension, and rear end along with brand new interior top to bottom. I had budgeted X for the project, and I'm about 2.5X at this point. I'm 99% done....like everyone else on here.

If you go through these V6 to V8 swap threads, or the build threads, you'll notice its the same theme, a cheap V6 car with someone who has all these ideas, but never get off the ground. You mentioned parts and buddy who welds. Are they the right parts or will they need a lot of work too? Can you count on your buddy to do your body work or will he get bored after one weekend? Not being an ***, just hate to see people waste time and money.