1969 PT Camaro: What’s it worth As-Is vs Running?

[CE69]

I have a half built 69 Pro Touring Camaro. My question is how much would it be worth as is (half built) or would it be profitable and how much would it be worth if I put more money in it just to get it in running condition? Or would it be worth my time to part it out? I know a lot of you would say finish it and drive it, well a little history first….
After buying several complete rust buckets I found this car, a very solid base to work with. I was 40 at the time and set a goal to complete it by the time I was 50 (10 years!!). Well I’m 50 and the Camaro is not done. I have two kids, had a job change (that I do not care for) and a change of residence since I bought the Camaro. I consider myself as a low to middle income family with not a lot of resources. I am surprised I got this far with the project. With college and retirement heavy on my mind I am considering selling my dream. Like I said, a lot of you would say finish it and drive it but reality has to set in sometime. I have a 69 Camaro half way built and cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. So….. This is where I’m at, Do I sell the car as is and how much is it worth? Or do I put “more” money in it to get it running and then sell it? I have no idea if I could come up with the money or how long it would take but I don’t want to leave too much money on the table. On the other hand I don’t know whether it would be profitable to get it running and then sell it.
I have been a long time reader of both Pro-Touring and Lateral-G and respect every ones opinion. This is a very hard decision to make and would like your input on how much the car would be worth as is or???? This is a list of what I have and what it would take to get it running or to finish.

1969 base Camaro
Car has been stripped and sprayed with epoxy primer. All metal work was done professionally by Brian at Screamin Performance. Pictures of body work can be viewed at http://screaminperformance.com/gallery/Completed%20Projects/Chad's%2069/index.html. Both quarter panels, outer wheel wells, tail panel and rear filler panel were replaced with AMD panels. Firewall, roof, doors, trunk lid and all floor pans are original. All seams have been sealed and underside of car sprayed with Raptor. I have all the front end sheet metal excluding the hood. Front end sheet metal is AMD as well and will need to be fit. All new panels were stripped and sprayed with epoxy before installing. Sub frame has been blasted and painted. DSE frame rail connectors installed. DSE mini tubs. Firewall smoothed with DSE filler panel and painted. I also have the DSE electric RS headlamp assemblies, new GM RS grille. I have original GM window moldings, drip rail moldings and bumpers that have been rechromed. I have most NOS emblems for the car. There is a new complete American Auto Wire body wiring harness (not installed).

Suspension/Steering/Brakes
The car has DSE upper control arms, Ride Tech lower control arms, VariShock coil-overs and a Hotchkis front sway bar. The rearend is a Moser 12 bolt 33 spline, Tru Trac and 373 gears. Has a Prodigy Bar (air bar) with QA1’s. Steering gear has been up graded to the 84-92 Camaro w/performance steering gear Cardone #276550. All steering linkage is new Moog parts and I have the “short “steering arms installed, (I also have a set of the mid length ones as well). I have a rebuilt tilt steering column with new comfort grip (I think) steering wheel. The brakes are Wilwood w/6 piston front calipers, 12.19” drilled and slotted rotors and 4 piston calipers w/parking brake kit on the rear. 7/8” bore Wilwood master cylinder. 17” American Racing Torq-Thrust wheels. 17X8 front with new 245/40/17 Michelin Sport Pilots and 17X11 rears with used (need to be replaced), 335/35/17 Michelin Sport Pilots.

Motor and Trans
Motor is a L92 w/VVT out of a 2008 or 9 Escalade. LS3 intake, Mast oil pan, Mast Cam, Holley accessory drive brackets, Stainless Works headers, and DBW gas pedal included. Wiring harness has already been modified and labeled. Motor has been gone through and checked with a new oil pump, water pump, belt, ARP head bolts, seals and gaskets.
Transmission is a 4L70e out of a 06-09 Trail Blazer not sure what year. Trans has been gone through as well.
Note: Work on motor and trans was done by someone else and I can’t prove internal parts. Had the motor for three years and have not had the opportunity to fire it.

Items needed to get running and to finish
ECM and programming, fuel system, radiator, exhaust, gauge package, wiring, battery and cables. Transmission mount, shifter and drive shaft should be all that’s needed to get it started.
What the car needs to finish after its running. Front end sheet metal installed and alignment. Needs a hood and possibly trunk lid. Tail lamps, headlamps and side markers. All glass and weather strips. Paint and install all the parts I have accumulated over the years.
Install wiring harness. Install Dynamat. Car will need complete interior including seats, carpet, dash, door panels, ect…. A/C (optional) but at this point?

I know I’m missing things I have and by no means is this a complete list of what the car still needs. Just trying to be as honest as I can. Thanks for your input. By no means is this list complete just what I can think of at this point.

[Kcorrigan2]

Man, what a tough position to be in. Every car that is completely rebuilt takes years to build...even in a professional shop. To be honest I have a Camaro that was comp,steely built in 2008. At that time it was complete state of the art...this year I had to replace the front suspension to remain competitive. You have a lot of nice parts for this car...some are already outdated but still new. You still have a few very expensive items left...paint and interior. I hate to see a man sell his dream..and you do need something to do in retirement...but if you have decided to sell I would not put more money into it just to get it running. As you said, the engine is somewhat of an unknown so either way you are not going to get top dollar for it. These are popular cars and there will be buyers interested but you are likely going to loose money on it...just like most of us do. As far as value...based on what is see and what you say it needs maybe $15,000??? List it several places and then put it on eBay...if you are lucky two people will like it a bid against each other. Anyway...it looks like a nice build...sorry to see you sell. You have 10 years into it...take your time selling to get the right buyer and the right price

[cactuss4]

I love 69 Camaros and that get's me excited. I hate to see good people have to choose reality over a dream and if there is any way that you could just hold on to it, until you got into a better place. These cars are not losing value. And honestly what do you think you have left in $$ wise, $10K maybe (without paint I recon, or maybe that's partial paint <shrug>..

I don't know if you can continue to store it and add pieces do so. Start completing it vs shoving new parts in the closet. 1 weekend day a month designated as your time and just hit the garage, the juices will start flowing again. The pictures are 2 years old, so maybe it's all dusty and has clothes and boxes all over it and every time you have to move around it to get to something else it makes you even more upset and finally you bang your knee one too many times and come to pro-touring and say "I'm out, how much can I get for this".. When in reality, if you remove all the crap from all over it, blow it off and just spend a few hours on it, your juices may start flowing enough where you get excited.

I wouldn't sell. It's a driver not a competitive autocross so "having to replace parts to stay competitive" is not something you sound like you will have to deal with. You have good parts and they will stay good, they will allow the car to curve mountains and drive 3 hours to a nice winery. It will be an awesome ride for your kids to drive at graduation, their wedding etc.

I don't know the situation, but I feel ya and if you have the means to keep it do so. If you are in a tax situation or going to lose the house or not be able to afford the kids education, than ya you have to make a hard decision, but again if none of those things and it's just upsetting to see it covered in boxes and used as your wifes storage shelf, clean it off and spend some time with her (the car, not the wife!)

I don't know, I wouldn't get rid of it.

Sorry not the answer you specifically asked for,

Tory

[CE69]

Thanks for the replies. I figure it will take about 10 to 15k to finish before paint. I hang out in the garage almost everyday so trying to get motivated is not the problem. Just real depressing to look at it for three years and can't seem to get the money to finish. I would love to work on it, finish and enjoy the car. My problem is the 10 to 15k to finish and paint costs. Yes the pics are two to three years old but the car is in the same condition today. I have attached three pictures I took yesterday. Thanks again

[cactuss4]

Then I would think if you have the time and the means you would make the best return on parting it out. You lose money selling it complete as a project. Maybe some of the old timers that have been through a handful of projects will weigh in.

[CE69]

I follow you on parting it out. Time is not an issue. I know what I spent on the motor and trans a few years ago but what are they worth in todays market. Also what would the rolling chassis be worth, I know I'm going to take a beating on it as well but I wouldn't know where to start with $$$. Thanks again

[ICrombie]

As far as a rolling chassis goes, with everything included (brakes, tires, rear end, 4 link, etc) I would guess somewhere around $25k-$30k or slightly more. It's tough to say because you sometimes see rolling shells with all new sheet metal (but no suspension) for $15k.

[andrewb70]

Instead of clinging to your original dream, why not adjust your expectations and get the car running? You have all the big ticket items already. If I was in your shoes, I would forget about paint and start bolting everything together to make it a drivable car. Life is too short and if your dream was to have a kick a$$ Camaro, you have one sitting in the garage! Get it running!

Andrew

[boneheadzz]

I agree with Andrew. I posted a few months ago to another guys wanting to sell his 69.
https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/95110-Project-quot-Am1nal-quot/page4?p=1117860&highlight=#post1117860
But I see why he sold his. He was done with it. Me, I still haven't touched mine. I've actually been fixing another car to play with for now until the kids are out of school. My 69 is too far from running to just throw together and drive so I bought this 79 TA and did some upgrades to it to bide my time. I actually took it to an autocross in May and did well with it. Had a blast. Very low buck. Extremely tight budget.

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/1467275_10204930653123355_3875935468595256393_n.jp g?oh=c297c720f48c7e2cc3e5cc5ca39434d0&oe=55E77805
Just my two cents. Keep it. Make it run.
Mike

[Chillenthemost]

Did you ever sale this car?

[CE69]

Did you ever sale this car?

No I still have my car. Still can't bring myself to sell. Been talking with several members with different (less expensive) options to finish. I have looked for a replacement if I did sell. There is not a lot of completed cars out there that I could get into for what I could sell mine for. I tossed around going backwards for a nice non-ProTouring build but like I said there is not much out there that are real nice in my price range. After getting this far into this build I would probably regret that decision. I think I will try to find some way of getting it painted and finishing the car a little cheaper with some help from some members here. It might be a mistake but I owe it to myself to try.

[willieboy240]

That a boy. That's what I'm talking about. I'm super happy you didn't sell it. Finish that bad boy and drive the hell out of it. Just remember that it doesn't have to be perfect.

[JohnnyH]

Live the dream! Don't sell it, I am building one too and your a lot further along than me. I know it tough paying bills and trying to get car parts while raising a family. I am in Canada so the exchange rate makes it worse vs the US dollar. Just keep going it will all be worth it when it's done.

[icemanrd19]

You don't need the following to drive it

Paint
Windshield wipers
Passanger and rear seat
Carpet
any interior panels
AC
speakers
etc

Get the engine running. Dump the exhaust, junkyard radiator, Used gauges, american autowire kit, efi stock fuel tank, fuel lines, brake lines and drive it. Im seeing about 3k to 3500 to get this thing moving so you can atleast do burnouts and gain some hope back

buy some used parts and be happy with it. You can get some door handles cheap and always check craigslist. Traid some stuff that you think it junk and don't use toward car parts.

[hifi875]

ive got some door handles. pay shipping and ill give them to you. perfect condition. I just put fesler billet ones on mine.

[CE69]

ive got some door handles. pay shipping and ill give them to you. perfect condition. I just put fesler billet ones on mine.

Thanks I really appreciate the offer hifi875, but I already have most all the outside trim.

willieboy240 I don't know about "It doesn't have to be perfect" LOL but I do or have to lower some of my standards and expectations in order to get it done.

Still questioning where to get the money to finish though.

Thanks for all the nice comments on the car and the encouragement to get it done.