Is this worth getting? (Chevy guys)

[IrishBoxer92]

Just wondering if you guys think this would be worth getting to make into a fun hill climb/canyon carver/street drivable fun car. The only thing is that it's a conversion from a firebird so it wouldn't have as much value in the long run. I would end up getting a real camaro though sometime in the future. Thanks Guys!

Here's the post
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/4428918606.html

[Bonehead]

What kind of Neanderthal tries to change a Firebird into a Camaro???? That would cause me to walk away from it - instantly. God only knows the butcher job that thing has been through that someone is going to have to unscrew.

[FlyDoc]

if you don't want to be a Bonehead, take Boneheads advice!, it looks BAD! with a bad rattle can primer!

[cluxford]

you could pick up a 69 Camaro in similar condition for around that price. Some examples

$9500 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Camaro-2-Door-One-Owner-1969-Camaro-Barn-Find-Project-/181384847331?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2a3b611fe3&item=181384847331&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

Bit rough but $3600 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Camaro-Black-1969-camaro-rs-no-motor-no-trans-x-11-project-/151282281107?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2339206a93&item=151282281107&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

$8100 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Camaro-standard-1969-camaro-convertible-barn-find-/191145231829?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2c8124c5d5&item=191145231829&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

$7500 (not bad, if you were willing to go $7500 on the other one, this one is a steal) http://cnj.craigslist.org/mob/4435043033.html

$9000 http://ventura.craigslist.org/cto/4435614343.html

[71maroesteban]

I wouldn't buy a car cloned to look like one. A 69 Camaro is worth a lot more than a firebird so a fake 69 isn't worth that much, if the car was complete maybe it's be worth the 7k he's asking

[IrishBoxer92]

Yeah y'all are right, thanks guys. I'm from Los Angeles and people ask way too much for Camaro's. I'll put up some examples

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/cto/4434477288.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/4432902111.html

This one especially ( I know he's just trying to get his money back but that's not how the car selling world works) http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/4432375299.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/cto/4431882642.html

[groho]

You could always buy a FORD. . . just sayin :) I gave up trying to buy my 6th first gen when I saw shells going for $10K, at that point you're only buying a VIN number. Knowing the amount of effort, labor, sweat and cost it takes to resurrect some of this overpriced shells, unless you have the tools, welding gear, and talent, you're better off starting with a Dynacorn shell for the prices that are out there. Loved my camaros, but not at that cost, you'll be into the car for $30-40K before you know it.

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

I have a friend doing the same thing. He is a Camaro nut, has like 4 early 2nd gens, 68 Z28, 68 SS396, and 2 69 Firebird convertibles... one of which he is turning into a 69 Camaro. I've tried to dissuade him but he wants his Camaro convertible. :screwy:

He's going to keep it though, and he does great work so it will be nice. Still makes me cringe, I'd love a 69 Firebird convertible. He was persuaded into keeping the 2nd car a Firebird, as he was going to *******ize that one too!

[71maroesteban]

First gens and second gens are now crazy expensive they sell bare shells for like 10k and justify it by saying it's solid and would make a good pro touring car if I didn't have my Camaro I'd go with a Chevelle or nova Maybe even an elky!

[cornfedbill]

It looks like bad going to worse. There are likely a lot of surprises in this car that won't be happy ones.

I'd walk away.

[minendrews68]

I'm going to have to agree with everyone. Walk away and put that 7k to better use. This just looks like a headache waiting to happen...

[Knoxferatu]

You can't make a Firebird into a Camaro, no matter how good you are. It's still a Firebird, and there's NOTHING wrong with that, at all. Firebirds are totally freakin' awesome cars in their own right. If you've scoured creation looking for a Camaro, only to come up empty handed, but you look around and see that you're all covered up in available Firebirds... consider it a sign! Rock the 'Bird.

[IrishBoxer92]

Yeah you guys are right, I'm pretty good with patience so I think I'll just save up until I have enough to get a decent roller. I just love the looks of the Camaro from the grill, to the sporty look and it's not as big as a Chevelle which I like. And I miss having a fun car to drive around, who knows, maybe a good one will come up soon that's in good shape with a lower price that someone is trying to get rid of due to kids or financial reasons.

[IrishBoxer92]

You could always buy a FORD. . . just sayin :) I gave up trying to buy my 6th first gen when I saw shells going for $10K, at that point you're only buying a VIN number. Knowing the amount of effort, labor, sweat and cost it takes to resurrect some of this overpriced shells, unless you have the tools, welding gear, and talent, you're better off starting with a Dynacorn shell for the prices that are out there. Loved my camaros, but not at that cost, you'll be into the car for $30-40K before you know it.

haha thanks for the opinion, and I was thinking about a Mercury Cougar but I heard that they were not very good cornering/track cars and had a wheel hop problem but I could be wrong though, and I know I'm a Chevy guy at heart ;) I honestly didn't know that a company made brand new shells for cars, that's pretty cool, I'm gonna have to check that out.

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

I wouldn't say to go with the repop shells unless your pockets are deeper. I too saw the new shell by CARS INC I believe of a 69 Camaro for like $8k. Then I found out that was a bare shell. To get doors, hood, 1/4 panels and trunk lid it was around $11k. Start pricing all the little nitpicky things, then a complete but not perfect $9k original 69 Camaro looks appealing.

[ADiCarlo]

I'm from/live in LA and I know exactly what your talking about but there are way better deals than this conversion and that are local. I've see running 1969 camaro's go for 10k at the Pomona Swap Meet and I feel that place is over priced.

Use craigslist and/or auto tempest. Wait for the right deal and if your looking for a project just bide your time there are out there. Do you just want a 1969 or does 1967 and 1968 work also.

[WallaceMFG]

haha thanks for the opinion, and I was thinking about a Mercury Cougar but I heard that they were not very good cornering/track cars and had a wheel hop problem but I could be wrong though, and I know I'm a Chevy guy at heart ;) I honestly didn't know that a company made brand new shells for cars, that's pretty cool, I'm gonna have to check that out.

A Cougar is basically a Mustang with different body panels and trim, so most of the Mustang go faster parts bolt on as far as I know.

Stacey David is building a monster Cougar on Gearz if you haven't seen it before, it looks sick

[Knoxferatu]

There are some badass Cougars right here on this forum.

[IrishBoxer92]

I wouldn't say to go with the repop shells unless your pockets are deeper. I too saw the new shell by CARS INC I believe of a 69 Camaro for like $8k. Then I found out that was a bare shell. To get doors, hood, 1/4 panels and trunk lid it was around $11k. Start pricing all the little nitpicky things, then a complete but not perfect $9k original 69 Camaro looks appealing.

You are right if the shells are that much without doors or anything, might as well buy an original

[IrishBoxer92]

I'm from/live in LA and I know exactly what your talking about but there are way better deals than this conversion and that are local. I've see running 1969 camaro's go for 10k at the Pomona Swap Meet and I feel that place is over priced.

Use craigslist and/or auto tempest. Wait for the right deal and if your looking for a project just bide your time there are out there. Do you just want a 1969 or does 1967 and 1968 work also.

Yeah patience is a virtue, I actually would rather have a 67 or 68 Camaro but a 69 is fine too if the price is right

[IrishBoxer92]

Yeah I saw the one in Gearz, the black one with ITB's right? The thing is I'm also in love with the LS motors and I think the Ford guys would murder me if I put one in a cougar lol.

[ADiCarlo]

see if he'll negotiate:
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/4435733088.html

A bit of a mess but I bet it'll clean up nice:
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/4405379023.html

I would sell the motor out of it:
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/4413342921.html

Now this guy is asking too much:
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/4362437046.html

[groho]

You are absolutely correct on the unibody fords. They flex so much you often see cracks in the body C pillar where the roof and fender meet. The good news, they're dirt cheap, and reinforcing the body is easy if you have a welder. I picked up my 66 coupe for nearly nothing, very clean, solid unibody, installed subframes and front torque boxes. Its currently in paint, and expect to have it back in the next month or two. Parts are readily available, and its a very easy car to work on. Don't get me wrong, my first car was a 68 camaro, always loved camaros, but theres a point where the prices are stupid.

[IrishBoxer92]

do you guys think this is a little steep?

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/4469358009.html

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

do you guys think this is a little steep?

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/4469358009.html

Wow, in this day and age that seems very steep. I may be wrong here, but I can't see anymore than $9k for that, being that it's nothing special optionwise, and you can't even drive it. I'm also super leery about "just needs a couple things to be drivable" cars, it usually isn't the case. I'm seeing turnkey decent cars for only a few grand more here in AZ. More than it seems you are looking for, but this tells me to hold off and wait till a more decent project comes along.

http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/4445428709.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/4437152987.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/ctd/4440304674.html (drag car, but decent price)
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/4421624588.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/4412547949.html

[IrishBoxer92]

yeah man, people just want too much for them. There's a Camaro with a LS2 swap for like 55k out here, it's crazy... I don't really care that much for a running one since I'll be swapping it anyways but it'd still be cool do drive it around before I did. I guess people just can't accept that they can't sell it for the amount of work they put into it...
thanks for the ads though man, I'll probably just wait for a nice one to come along, we are lucky that we live in rust free areas lol

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

Yeah, 1st gens are nuts. I wouldn't have my 67 if it weren't for a fortunate trade. I had a 56 Chevy I bought for like $1500. Scrubbed it, primed it one color, assembled the trim and put rally wheels on it, and a guy with a 67 Camaro called, asked if I wanted a straight trade. Camaro had new sheetmetal, floors were solid, suspension was done with tubular control arms up front, coilovers, and all the parts. Was there to swap cars the next day, haha.

Actually both cars on on his website. http://www.coyoteclassic.com/projects.htm

[71maroesteban]

People want way to much for first gens. Some dude wanted 17k for a baby blue v6 1969 camaro they are cool cars but come on

[IrishBoxer92]

maybe one for the right price will pop up sometime, honestly a rolling chassis without rust would be perfect. I'm just excited to get another project car going I guess...

and damn dude you got lucky, so pretty much got a camaro for pretty much around 2500 including parts and labor...you lucky man lol

[IrishBoxer92]

Hmmm, found another, it seems to be missing some interior but looks to be in good shape. Any of you think it's worth it for 14k? I'd be probably trying to get him down to 10 if possible

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4478268450.html

[ADiCarlo]

Hmmm, found another, it seems to be missing some interior but looks to be in good shape. Any of you think it's worth it for 14k? I'd be probably trying to get him down to 10 if possible

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4478268450.html

I doubt he'll take ten. You need to find one not running but worth a shot.

[IrishBoxer92]

We're talking and he may take 10 but the car is a drag car with gutted interior, short gears. But I may just swap everything to be more street drivable. Idk if it would be worth it though since I'm going a whole different direction. I'd also have to get it towed from San Fran to Los Angeles.

[71maroesteban]

Why not take that 10k and go to the pomona classic car swat meet this weekend? You might find a better car there and be able to inspect it in person

[IrishBoxer92]

Why not take that 10k and go to the pomona classic car swat meet this weekend? You might find a better car there and be able to inspect it in person

yeah, I might just. The back of the car seems to be a little crooked in the pic of it on the driveway anyways.

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

As far as that last car you posted, how is the interior gutted? Is the dash cut up, or is the sheetmetal fully intact? If it is, there's nothing to worry about. The great thing about these 1st gen Camaros is you can get an entire interior shipped to your door for ~$1500-2000. As far as the gears go, it's a 9", so pull the pumpkin and have someone swap gears out for you. As far as the car being crooked, that's tricky. Sometimes it can be the pavement, I know I have one garage stall where if some cars are parked, they'll look crooked. I'd park it in the street, and take a tape measure side to side at certain points, like the top of the wheel well, to be sure.

[IrishBoxer92]

As far as that last car you posted, how is the interior gutted? Is the dash cut up, or is the sheetmetal fully intact? If it is, there's nothing to worry about. The great thing about these 1st gen Camaros is you can get an entire interior shipped to your door for ~$1500-2000. As far as the gears go, it's a 9", so pull the pumpkin and have someone swap gears out for you. As far as the car being crooked, that's tricky. Sometimes it can be the pavement, I know I have one garage stall where if some cars are parked, they'll look crooked. I'd park it in the street, and take a tape measure side to side at certain points, like the top of the wheel well, to be sure.

yeah, the sheet metal and the car being a little crooked are my top worries, because if he dragged it and it twisted I'd be kinda screwed unless i spent alot to get it straightened and for the sheet metal I don't know how to weld yet. I'm good with cars, I was a mechanic for 2 years but never worked on old school muscle cars before. So figuring out what to look for and how to work on them are a little new for me. I'll spend time watching car shows on channels like velocity to kind of give me input along with threads on here. Thanks for the input man, I miss having a fast fun car... I may just wait for one with a good price to pop up around here in LA so I don't have to drive 6 hours just to see this car which may or may not be worthy lol