Boteetus
11-08-2025, 10:24 PM
Hello,
So here’s my story…
Back in 1995, I was 15 years old, learning to drive with my dad riding shotgun. We were about 30 miles south of Atlanta, Georgia when we passed a house with a Camaro parked in the front yard — a “For Sale” sign in the window. I begged my dad to turn around so we could check it out. He agreed, and we pulled into the yard. An older couple came out to greet us, and after a quick conversation, I bought the car.
The seller explained that his son had blown the original 350 small-block Chevy (SBC), so they replaced it with a 327 SBC — a solid engine with high-performance camel hump heads. Behind it sat a Powerglide transmission.
I drove the wheels off that car during my high school years. I loved every minute of it. But one morning, while pulling out of a restaurant on my way to school, a guy in a work van backed into the front of my Camaro. Before I could even put it in park, he jumped out, saw the damage to my front end, and sped off — never to be seen again. The impact had dented the front header panel, right where the iconic bumblebee stripe sits. I was furious. My dad was even more so. I ordered a replacement panel and stripe from YearOne, but to this day, I haven’t installed them.
Later on, I decided to swap out the SBC for a big block. A cousin of mine who worked for GM connected me with someone who had a 402 bored .030 over, in need of a rebuild. He even threw in a freshly rebuilt Turbo 400 transmission. I bought the setup, had the motor built at a shop, and installed it. I drove the car a fair bit after the big block swap, though not nearly as much as I had before. I’d estimate the engine and transmission have less than 5,000 miles on them. I’ve done two oil changes since the install — if memory serves.
Now for the sad part — grab the tissues.
As the years rolled by, life took over and my old hobbies fell by the wayside. Every time I cranked the Camaro, something needed fixing. The wiring has been a nightmare since day one. Eventually, I parked it in the shop and only drove it once or twice a month. That dwindled to once every few months. I even considered selling it due to lack of time and interest, but I just couldn’t bring myself to let her go. In 2010, I put the car on jack stands — and that’s where it’s been ever since. Out of sight, out of mind. I hate that I’ve let it sit for so long. I know it’s wrong. I want to get it back on the road.
I’ve thought about freshening it up with modern equipment, but I’m not sure I have the knowledge, dedication, or discipline to take on such a big project. A full frame-off restoration with modern touches would be amazing — but I know it’s expensive. I often ask myself, “What could I get with a $100K budget?” I’d love a Goolsby Customs build, but their top-tier work is probably out of my price range. I do know a few local rod shops, and I understand pricing varies wildly depending on countless factors. Right now, I’m still undecided.
Anyway, I’m glad to be part of the community here. I’ll probably be lurking and researching a lot. Thanks for reading.
So here’s my story…
Back in 1995, I was 15 years old, learning to drive with my dad riding shotgun. We were about 30 miles south of Atlanta, Georgia when we passed a house with a Camaro parked in the front yard — a “For Sale” sign in the window. I begged my dad to turn around so we could check it out. He agreed, and we pulled into the yard. An older couple came out to greet us, and after a quick conversation, I bought the car.
The seller explained that his son had blown the original 350 small-block Chevy (SBC), so they replaced it with a 327 SBC — a solid engine with high-performance camel hump heads. Behind it sat a Powerglide transmission.
I drove the wheels off that car during my high school years. I loved every minute of it. But one morning, while pulling out of a restaurant on my way to school, a guy in a work van backed into the front of my Camaro. Before I could even put it in park, he jumped out, saw the damage to my front end, and sped off — never to be seen again. The impact had dented the front header panel, right where the iconic bumblebee stripe sits. I was furious. My dad was even more so. I ordered a replacement panel and stripe from YearOne, but to this day, I haven’t installed them.
Later on, I decided to swap out the SBC for a big block. A cousin of mine who worked for GM connected me with someone who had a 402 bored .030 over, in need of a rebuild. He even threw in a freshly rebuilt Turbo 400 transmission. I bought the setup, had the motor built at a shop, and installed it. I drove the car a fair bit after the big block swap, though not nearly as much as I had before. I’d estimate the engine and transmission have less than 5,000 miles on them. I’ve done two oil changes since the install — if memory serves.
Now for the sad part — grab the tissues.
As the years rolled by, life took over and my old hobbies fell by the wayside. Every time I cranked the Camaro, something needed fixing. The wiring has been a nightmare since day one. Eventually, I parked it in the shop and only drove it once or twice a month. That dwindled to once every few months. I even considered selling it due to lack of time and interest, but I just couldn’t bring myself to let her go. In 2010, I put the car on jack stands — and that’s where it’s been ever since. Out of sight, out of mind. I hate that I’ve let it sit for so long. I know it’s wrong. I want to get it back on the road.
I’ve thought about freshening it up with modern equipment, but I’m not sure I have the knowledge, dedication, or discipline to take on such a big project. A full frame-off restoration with modern touches would be amazing — but I know it’s expensive. I often ask myself, “What could I get with a $100K budget?” I’d love a Goolsby Customs build, but their top-tier work is probably out of my price range. I do know a few local rod shops, and I understand pricing varies wildly depending on countless factors. Right now, I’m still undecided.
Anyway, I’m glad to be part of the community here. I’ll probably be lurking and researching a lot. Thanks for reading.