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    1. #1
      Join Date
      Apr 2006
      Location
      Atlanta GA
      Posts
      7,477

      Now now.. i KNOW im gonna sound insane with this, but..

      As most of you know.. ive been sweating the 2nd Gens lately.

      sooooo....

      I have a pretty solid 1975 Camaro laying around.. I HATE the front end of it... back isnt as bad but the front~!! uuuhhh!!

      is it POSSIBLE to convert the front end of a 1970-73 camaro?
      and change the rear to match?.
      i know the bodys are the same so i was wondering..

      i know most will say "ey boi, go and buy a darn tootin 1973 if you want a dern darnit 73!"



      but.. i want to go all the way with it and protour it being that it isnt a special model SS RS or anything of that nature..
      also i dont plan on selling it.. so it wont matter either.
      what do you think!?

      im nuts right?


    2. #2
      Join Date
      Mar 2003
      Location
      Kirkland, WA
      Posts
      884
      It is possible to put the front end from a 70 to 73 on a later 2nd gen, the swap should be pretty straight forward. The rear is going to be a lot harder since the rear quarters aren't the same as the earlier cars, plus the rear window is a dead give away that it's a newer car.

      If you have a running 75, I'd proabbly look for a bare shell and swwap parts to it. I think you'd be ahead financially in the end.
      James
      -1969 Camaro Sport Coupe
      -1996 Z28
      -2005 Silverado
      Webpage

    3. #3
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      Ontario, Canada
      Posts
      2,314
      Country Flag: Canada
      Quote Originally Posted by Venomous Type
      I have a pretty solid 1975 Camaro laying around.. I HATE the front end of it... back isnt as bad but the front~!! uuuhhh!!

      is it POSSIBLE to convert the front end of a 1970-73 camaro?
      and change the rear to match?.
      i know the bodys are the same so i was wondering..
      I've seen this done to a '77, front and rear. Nancejd is right, the window was a dead give away.
      Personally I find this disturbing because I love the front end on the '74s to '77s . If I had the room I would love to add a southern 2nd gen to my collection of dust gatherers. AWW what the hell; Hey Venom, how be I come down to Georgia and get that '75 out from under your feet? I'm sure you could use the space for something else.
      Ken
      If there is a hard way to do something, I'll find it!
      My other car is a Vega.

    4. #4
      Join Date
      Apr 2006
      Location
      Atlanta GA
      Posts
      7,477
      hahahahah yea i know right!..

      i figure hey, im going to do some interesting things with Venom so i figure why not make the harem even more stout and do a nice 2nd gen as a wild younger brother to it. also i kinda like the rear glass giveaway. kinda gives it a custom appeal to it.

      and damn Ken you would be nickeyserious to come AALLLL the way down here to get this..

      side.. only the devil came down to georgia.. and couldnt beat my fiddle.

    5. #5
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Posts
      282
      Be easier to go newer 78up vs 701/2 to 73- and if you want a RS nose woo buddy that repo thing is pure crap.
      I think in a "one off" like this the fender vents from a later model 78up would look good on a early secgen 'maro- even cooler with the shoortie spoiler!

    6. #6
      Join Date
      Aug 2003
      Location
      Orlando, FL
      Posts
      8,745
      I actually think if the bumper got the Foose treatment, narrowed and closer to the body, it might actually look good

    7. #7
      Join Date
      Apr 2006
      Location
      Atlanta GA
      Posts
      7,477
      frank, that bumper didnt flow then.. and wont flow now! hahah

      i debated the later bumper but i love the big mouth of the earlier ones.

      looks like its eating the road.

    8. #8
      Join Date
      Mar 2003
      Location
      Kirkland, WA
      Posts
      884
      There's a '74 running around these parts that has the bumpers painted body color. It's still not my favorite, but it looks worlds better than those big aluminum monstrosities do stock.
      James
      -1969 Camaro Sport Coupe
      -1996 Z28
      -2005 Silverado
      Webpage

    9. #9
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      Ontario, Canada
      Posts
      2,314
      Country Flag: Canada
      Quote Originally Posted by Venomous Type
      ........and damn Ken you would be nickeyserious to come AALLLL the way down here to get this.....
      Hey, no big deal. I'm layed off for a few weeks and there's a chill in the air up here. Fall is on our doorstep.
      Besides, even after 27 years, I still miss my '75 .

      Quote Originally Posted by ProgidyCustoms
      I actually think if the bumper got the Foose treatment, narrowed and closer to the body, it might actually look good
      Frank, I've often thought the same. I'd really like to see something like this after it's been done.
      Ken
      If there is a hard way to do something, I'll find it!
      My other car is a Vega.

    10. #10
      Join Date
      Apr 2006
      Location
      Atlanta GA
      Posts
      7,477
      here one painted.. still not as sexy..


    11. #11
      Join Date
      Jun 2005
      Location
      Greenwood, SC
      Posts
      2,314
      pure straight sex? no.

      But soooo totally 70's cool, especially with the billboard z-28 logos? ABSOLUTELY.

      I say live it and clean it up right. Not because of year-to-year loyalty, just because I really think it'd be very cool.

    12. #12
      Join Date
      Apr 2006
      Location
      Atlanta GA
      Posts
      7,477
      nope.. cant say i like it..

      on another note.. this guy did what im talking about

      http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2217303

    13. #13
      Join Date
      Apr 2001
      Location
      Rockford Illinois
      Posts
      3,949
      Country Flag: United States
      It might be better to go with a later rear panel off of a 78 or later so the bumper is hidden and the tailights are better looking and go with the 73 RS front nose from VFN fiberglass. Vettes got away with a chrome front bumper and covered rear for one year and it didn't look too out of place at all.

      Jim, Nilsen

    14. #14
      Join Date
      Apr 2006
      Location
      Atlanta GA
      Posts
      7,477
      thats not a bad idea, Jim!

    15. #15
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      Northern New Mexico
      Posts
      224
      Country Flag: United States

      Not worth the trouble

      I think the 70-73 are still priced low enough that it wouldn't be worth the time, money and effort to do. I have a 70 and a 71 here at home that I bought very reasonable. The 71 will be for sale soon if interested. It will need both quarters due body damage but has solid trunk and floors. I bought it for the drivetrain and rs front so it will be for sale minus those parts for cheap to get it out of the driveway. Its a long haul to New Mexico though.

    16. #16
      Join Date
      Apr 2006
      Location
      Atlanta GA
      Posts
      7,477
      update!

      well looks like it isnt a 75 its a 79!

      check it out..





      still got the same idea.. and even better it has T-tops..
      but one things for sure.. this need a bit of work. mostly interior
      is it worth tackling and making it look like i want or should i just save?

      the 79 with a 79 front would be sick.. heres a nice example that someone took a 79 and put a 70 on it.. dont like the graphic tho.




      and heres a photoshop i did of what my goal would look like..ignore the window..

      now i ask you fellas.. is it worth the work?



      i found out i have to change the fenders, rad support, light housing, to make the 70 bumper work.

      so the verdict?

    17. #17
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      Northern Indiana
      Posts
      588
      Looks like it could be a interesting swap for you. I say give it a try.
      "Champagne taste on a beer pocket book."

    18. #18
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      Harriman, Tennessee
      Posts
      1,310
      Country Flag: United States
      I say give it a shot! I'd keep the wrap-around rear window though. It's easier to see out of, and G Chevrolet wanted it that way from the start, just couldn't get the glass bent like they wanted. I think I'd do the back too, just cut the area out you need for the 1/4s, add the rear panels and the early bumper. It'll take a little fab work, but I think an early car with a wrap-around glass would look cool. In fact, I had been thinking about doing that to my '79 T/A before I sold it. I probably would have too except that it was a non T-top car.

      Shiny Side Up!
      Bill
      '72 442 "Inamorata"
      "You can never go home again, Oatman...


      But I guess you can shop there."

    19. #19
      Join Date
      Dec 2005
      Location
      Dublin, CA
      Posts
      502
      I think it is a great idea, although I have always loved the '79ish Z28. Thinks about the interior also, the 70-73 center console and dash is far nicer than the '79. Just me two cents.

      Brent

    20. #20
      Join Date
      Nov 2005
      Posts
      827
      Quote Originally Posted by Venomous Type


      and heres a photoshop i did of what my goal would look like..ignore the window..
      This car kind of sums up the look i would expect when i hear such a swap described.
      The 79 though less popular than a 70-73 is a far better option than a 74-77 but if you don't have a mullet and/or a cowboy hat, I'd avoid any t-top car.
      Here's a good example of the potential of a 78-81 bodystyle. Notice the flat hood and lack of fender vents and t-tops
      Attached Images Attached Images  

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