67-69 Camaros

[Hugh R]

The one I'm going to look at is advertised as primered, 12 bolt posi, a/c in place, but doesn't work, CA car, no rust, recently rebuilt eng. and auto tranny. Asking $4,300, we'll see tonight.

[project935]

Probably a 2-spd Powerglide auto, but you might get lucky with a Turbo350. Check your classic car values for a "project" price ... asking price might be a bit high since it needs paint, but is probably in the ballpark.

[UconnTim97]

Originally posted by Eric 951
Don't mean to nitpick, but Chebby dropped the Stingray package in '76 IIRC.

Chevy made stingrays until '82. They didn't sell any in '83, and started with the clamshell in '84...if i remember correctly

[Eric 951]

Originally posted by UconnTim97
Chevy made stingrays until '82. They didn't sell any in '83, and started with the clamshell in '84...if i remember correctly

That was the basic 'vette. "Stingray" was a trim package that could be ordered, beginning in '60-something and running through '76.

Yep--you are right, no 'vette in 83, as they were prepping for the model changeover.

[Hugh R]

The 69 Chevelle needed lots and lots of work, mostly rubber, interior, and exterior trim. I think I could easily spend 3-4 grand on top of the $4,300 asking price to just get it complete. So I'll keep looking.

[UconnTim97]

Originally posted by Eric 951
That was the basic 'vette. "Stingray" was a trim package that could be ordered, beginning in '60-something and running through '76.

Yep--you are right, no 'vette in 83, as they were prepping for the model changeover.

That makes sense, I've always thought all C3s were stingrays...thanks for the info

[masraum]

The Camaro's are nice, personally I prefer the front end on the '67/68 and the vent windows on a '67. Camaros should generally be cheaper than mustangs (which are also cool) Camaro's are small and relatively light, but they also don't have a frame running all of the way through which I kind of like the idea of in a car like that. Get a Chevelle, Malibu (same thing) or Monte Carlo from the late 60's - early 70's. They are even cheaper than a camaro and have as many or even more aftermarket parts. From a price perspective stay away from Dodge, Pontiac (unless it has a Chevy motor), Oldsmobile, Buick. The parts for these other brands cost an arm and a leg compared to a Chevy. Get him something with a manual tranny. Even if it's a 3 speed, you can put a floor shifter in it and even convert it to a 4 speed down the road if it's not already.

Before I bought my 911 I was actually going to buy a Chevelle, until i discovered that I could afford the 911.

[911boost]

Hugh,

Not to rain on the parade, but remember your 16 year old son is going to be driving this car. When I was 16, my dad bought me a 66 Mustang that needed some serious work. I learned a ton about cars, and how to take care of them.

Mine had the little 200 ci straight 6 in it and I still managed to get myself in trouble. Just keep that in mind, thats all.

Ofcourse I still have the Mustang 14 years later, and it even still has the 6 banger in it but its also got:

3 one barrel Webers with a progressive linkage
6-2 header with dual flowmasters and no crossover pipe.
3.03 3-speed out of a 289 car.
Electronic Ignition
Ported and Polished with head with some other goodies.

It will go like a ba$tard till about 55-60 mph where you run out of gear. No one belives its a 6 until I open the hood. So not everything have to be a huge v-8. Oh yeah the insurnace was ALOT less too.

Bill

[Hugh R]

Bill, I know what you mean. That's why I'm only looking at ones with smaller engines, which are still way powerful.

[350HP930]

I agree with BSiple that a classic V8 hot rod is a lot of car to be handing over to a first time driver.

Unless you prefer that this project is rapidly destroyed and/or your son hurt I would suggest you buy him a more conservative vehicle to learn to drive with.

You two can always restore a camaro together that becomes his when he turns 18 and let him learn the nuances of spirited driving in an econo-beater in the meantime.

Living vicariously through your children can sometimes be a bad thing.

[cstreit]

If I was going to buy a muscle car, the '68 Camaro does it for me man.

[350HP930]

I owned a japanese copy cat of the late 60s camaro, the 70s celica . . .

[Hugh R]

350

Your right, and I've been thinking hard about this. When I got a car for my daughter I got her a new Toyota Echo, six airbags, and a small (but peppy) motor.

[johnco]

I had a 68 RS/SS quite a few years ago. I dropped in a 327 325hp+ with hot cam, highrise manifold, 650 Holley and open headers. punch it at 60mph on wet blacktop and it would quickly get out of hand as it turned sideways in the middle of the highway. I could spin the tires until I got tired and let off. not a car for a teenager unless he has more self-control than I did in my late 20's. something about running around the neighborhood with open headers seemed to bring the cops out everytime. of course it was parked by the time they arrived. wasn't me officer!

[Carrera Sled]

Originally posted by Hugh R
His "currency" with me is good grades in school, and working on his Eagle Scout.

Sounds like he needs a '69 Z/28, such as this one. The RS option with the covered headlights was really cool. Penske and Mark Donahue destroyed the Trans-Am fields with these in the late '60s, and much of the racing development made it to the street cars with the Z28 option, such as optional dual Holley 4-barrels on the 302, several rear axle ratios, camshaft grinds, 4-wheel discs, etc. The 302 was basically a high-RPM racing engine right off the showroom.

What I would've given for one of these in high school! I still might get one...

It's tough to find an original Z/28 though, without selling the farm for it. A nice '69 SS with a 350 or 396 can be had for less $.

http://www.hemmings.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/dealers.detail/hmn_vehicle_id/205970

[Bob's Flat-Six]

When I was in High School several of my friends had hot cars, And as far as I know we all survived. We were pretty good kids (no drugs) but we did like fast cars and um Girls and Rock.

I agree you can get into a bit of trouble with a lot of HP, But it's easy to do with low HP too, Or none at all. I think one key is staying sober.
Young boys have a lot of energy and it needs to be focused on something positive and cars worked well for my friends and I.
We were always working on a motor or something.

I had a V8 Ford PU truck in HS that wasn't really fast but I had it fixed up pretty nice and I burned up a lot of that energy working on it. I think you could eat off the under side I kept it so clean.

[Hugh R]

$43K for that Z-28? he's not that good a kid

[Carrera Sled]

Funny. I was just showing a prime example, although I've seen these go for over $100k at the Barrett-Jackson auction! You can probably find a nice '69 Camaro for less than the cheapest new car though...