Anyone go from a modern sports car to a pro-touring classic?

[ggsz28]

Hi guys,
New member here seriously considering making the move to a 1st gen camaro for a couple of reasons. Mainly I've had a C5 Z06 for 7 years now and have two sons (4 and 6) that can't ride with me together due to no back seat. At the same time I've always loved the 1st gen camaro and I've owned a couple 4th gen F-bodies prior to my vette. If I go this route it has to be as fast or faster than my Z06 (450 RWHP) and can at least handle in the same ballpark as a C5...maybe not Z06 standards but at least as good as my last F-body. I considered cheaper options like adding another toy to the garage such as a 4th gen F-body but I barely drive my vette as it is so this would make it even worse. I turn my own wrenches and believe I could probably do it for maybe $45K ballpark ($25K for a good condition car, $12K-$15K for motor/6-spd, and the rest for suspension mods. All I know is LS motors but I'm a little interested in learning something new and going more traditional...496 or 540 maybe and be done with it. Has anyone else made this kind of switch? If so any regrets?
Thanks

[Nicks67GTO]

For 45 K you might be able to pick up something on here that's already done, save some money and throw some of your own touches in after you try it out and see what you like and don't like.

In your estimates don't forget brakes $2-6K depending on your taste, Wheels/tires another $2-6K+ depending on your taste. Nickle and dime stuff that will tab up fast, maybe you want vintage AC in the car another $1500. Good seats because 1st gen seats are the WORST. Another $600-1500. Modern gauges and dash another $1K+ A lot of it is all about your personal standard. You can do C6 Kore3 discs for under $2K with C6Z51 fronts and junkyard LS1 rears which are basically the same thing as Vette stuff. This can be done for under $2K. Function is there but but the bling factor is much lower than 6 piston Baer stuff which is probably closer to $6K. This is just an example of how taste can make a huge difference.

If you wanted something off the beaten path that would work well, have a huge aftermarket support, and start you off much less expensive you could look at the non traditional 64-72 A body stuff. Tempest, Lemans, F-85, Cutlass, Skylark etc. Same as SS chevelles, GTO's and GSX cars without the huge price tag. Iv'e seen really nice cars in the mid teens and a lot of them are really cool.

[sheck44]

Before you go down this road, I'd highly recommend that you talk one of the guys here into taking you for a ride in a properly executed car. I don't believe that you will be happy getting into a $45K budgeted car coming from a Vette. Even if you wrench most of the car yourself (as I did) will $45K come even close to the parts you will need for handling and the power you are looking for ...

Coming from some serious cars, Viper, Vette, Roush Stage 3 ... I started with a $45k budget 3 years ago and trying to get my car to that level has been VERY $$$$. Would I trade my car now for any of those ... not in a
million years !!! They dont even come close to the thrilling driving experience I get from my Camaro now

Just my 2 cents
Cheers
Steve

[ragz]

I also have a c5 z06, my opinion is that for 45g you may be able to buy a built car that some one needs to get rid of and is willing to take a substantial loss, but I don't think you can even come close to building your own from ground up for that amount., (to compete with a Z06)
I know what I have into my project and I have blown past that mark a long while ago. Not trying to be discouraging just realistic.

[Vegas 69]

The 1st Gen will never drive like a C5 or C6 Vette. You can build them to handle extremely well and out perform the Vette but it will never drive like a sports car simply because it's not a sports car.

That said, what are you goals for the car? Straight line light to light, Weekend cruiser, Road Course?

And I would strongly suggest whatever you do go with an OD tranny.

[srh3trinity]

Late to the party, but I agree that you will eat through a 45k budget quickly in parts alone. It is pretty easy to spend 10k just on suspension. Whatever you do, if you are shooting for that budget, buy a car that has had paint and body done in a color you can live with. That could eat into half of your budget and a lot of time.

[ggsz28]

Thanks guys. I understand it won't handle like my Z06. This is why I said I just want it in the "ballpark" of a C5 or even a 4th gen F-body. I would think that's achievable right? As for goals I'm talking about a weekend cruiser with straight line being a higher priority than cornering. I don't autocross my C5Z so I surely don't need that capability. Its not hard to build a mid-11 second car so I'm not worried about too much about that aspect. Really I want a good condition head turner with a back seat that's fast and isn't a complete dog around the corners if I feel like a little spirited driving. I agree with the paint comment too. That can be very expensive.

[mikedc]

In the last 20 years the classic car hobby has gotten into a paint quality arms-race.

The problem is that 45yo cars need far more rust & repair work than a typical collision shop can/will deal in. And the fit & finish of the cars/parts (even new reproduction parts) is not good enough to look decent to modern eyes right out of the box. So even a lot of "decent" project cars end up getting $15,000 body/paint jobs from dedicated restoration shops.



As for speed & power, keep in mind that you want a FUN car more than a FAST car. It's modern-car-centric thinking to assume these two traits are interchangeable. With older cars the difference between them can sometimes be much more pronounced.



IMO you should try to get some experience with older cars before jumping in and buying one. These are a whole different animal from newer ones in so many ways. Not just the drawbacks or the strengths on paper, but the entire feel of them is so different . . . you may end up wanting different things from the project than you originally thought you wanted.