'67,'68,or '69 for 1st camaro

[dunnjun]

OK guys, if you were starting from scratch, with a good body and frame, what year 1st gen Camaro is the best starting point (from a engineering standpoint not looks)? Consider automatically that each car starts with a new front sub, LS engine, quad rear, t-56, and other identical parts. Is there any real difference like weight, wheel base, track, that would give one year an advantage over another? Mark Stielow uses pretty much '69s now, which is where I came in with Camaro X, and it seems that Bad Penny kind of rules. I was a '69 fan, but the more I see, they all look pretty awesome. Now I'm so confused:hammer:
thanks
dunnjun

[tyoneal]

Any first Gens are great. Get what you like looking at. They will all handle about the same if you put the same things in them.

I think the 69 will hold wider tires in stock form, but that might not mean anything to you.

There are a lot of cars for sale now with many people needing cash. Find what year you like, and buy a, "Used" Pro-Touring Car. Tweak what you don't like. It's cheaper that way, unless you want to build it completely yourself.

.02 worth,

Ty

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

67 camaros are the shizz.. i know... i own 2 of them.

[Shiro666]

1967. Wind wings rule and are a great place for Burt Reynolds stickers.

Example;
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/IMG_0458-1.jpg?t=1262616499

[tyoneal]

1967. Wind wings rule and are a great place for Burt Reynolds stickers.

Example;
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/IMG_0458-1.jpg?t=1262616499
=========================
I'll have to admit, the wind wings are pretty cool, but if you really want them you may be able to also put them on a 68 as well.

Dare to be different???

Ty

I also had a 67. (My first car) I dearly loved it. A GD Drunk Driver took it out, and damn near did the same thing with me.

[madmax]

Here's my take on them:

67: Clean.
68: Aggressive.
69: Refined.

The '69s are hot right now, and might hold their value a little more than the others. If it's a PT monster then it probably won't matter too much.

That being said I bought a '69. If it weren't in paint prison right now I might have sold it and gone with a '68.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

67 or 68...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/3705073025_339e362cba_o-1.gif

[dunnjun]

So there is no track, weight, or wheelbase difference in the three years? To me the 67s and 68s look lighter and smaller. I guess that's just an optical illusion. The ability to hold wider tires, now that is important. But, with minitubbing I guess that a wash also.

Thanks for the info,
dunnjun

[68Formula]

Body is a little wider but it's all in the fenders/quarter/tailpanel. Tire fitment seems to be the same for all years, I'm guessing because the wheel wells partially cover the tire on the 69s. If I could go back, I'd probably consider a '67 for the vent windows. I've ridden in cars with them, and they are nice for reducing buffeting in passenger compartment.

[67rsssls]

I have had two 69's and a 67 all great cars.

[CarlC]

You mean there is something besides a '68?

[Rag-Rat]

The 69's cost more because they are in more demand, but that also means that they are easier to sell and hold value. They can also take a wider tire due to sheet metal configuration. Factory suspension is basically identical except for the non-stagger of rear shocks in 67 (caused wheel-hop and corrected for 68-69). Aftermarket parts are available for all three years so that shouldn't be a problem (if you notice most aftermarket performance suspension companies list 67-69 as a single application). Hoods, deck lids, front and rear glass are all the same.

[trapin]

The '68 Camaro was the greatest car ever invented. It is said that sitting in one can even cure some forms of cancer.

[monza]

Seriously a '69!

you guys have to stop posting all this misinformation.....

[CarlC]

The '68 Camaro was the greatest car ever invented. It is said that sitting in one can even cure some forms of cancer.

It does cure many of my mental illnesses.

[TT302Z28]

You really can't go wrong with any of the 3. Resale value seems to be highest for the 69's. I prefer the 68's but that is just me.

[rchaskin]

Forget the Camaros all together, go with a 68-72 Nova!!
Almost all of the Camaro go-fast parts fit them, and not everyone has one.

[mikedc]

IMHO you're overthinking this a bit.

They're 1st-gen Camaros. There are essentially no mechanical differences between the 3 years. And you can find any part on the whole car at the nearest 7-Eleven. (I'm a Mopar guy. Yes, I'm jealous.)



Aesthetically, I'd do a 1969 non-RS car with the '67 vent windows added onto the doors. Just my opinion.

[Jim Nilsen]

The '68 Camaro was the greatest car ever invented. It is said that sitting in one can even cure some forms of cancer.

67's must work too because my cancer is gone!:fingersx:

[Rick Dorion]

It does cure many of my mental illnesses.
Makes me believe I have a full head of hair.

[ss dave]

69's are for sissies.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/P1010329-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/01/P5180198-1.jpg

[Nicks67GTO]

It would be about personal taste. They are basically the same car wrapped up just a touch differently arent they?

The 67' has the vent window advantage. By this i mean at 70 MPH on the interstate you can open the vent window and get cooled off. It sounds petty but trust me, this is big time stuff. My last Nova {73} didnt have vent windows and it would get dead ass stale in there. ITs not somthing i would base a car purchase on but they sure are nice....

Im fired up about having vent windows in my GTO....haha

[JEFFTATE]

I like the refinements of the '69 better.

I always thought the '69 had better interior, dash , seats , etc..

[BonzoHansen]

I have had two 69's and a 67 all great cars.

HEY! My picture gets around! lol



67 = Pure Class

68 = Carl C.

69 = everybody else


:smoke:

[67rsssls]

HEY! My picture gets around! lol




:smoke:

Scott,

Great picture! I saw it a while back and have been itching for a chance to use it.

Steve

[Steve1968LS2]

So there is no track, weight, or wheelbase difference in the three years? To me the 67s and 68s look lighter and smaller. I guess that's just an optical illusion. The ability to hold wider tires, now that is important. But, with minitubbing I guess that a wash also.

Thanks for the info,
dunnjun

It's all an illusion.. lol

'69s will always look lower due to how thier wheel openings are more squared off.

I think '69s have a more "modern" look while I like the curves of the 67/68 fenders better (and they look more 'classic')

You can't go wrong with any of the three and from a performance standpoint they are all equally capable.

[class67]

Honestly, you can't go wrong with any 1st gen Camaro...they are the ultimate in classic muscle as far as i'm concerned. The only thing (and I do mean "only") that I don't like about the 69 is the dash, but that can be changed.

[dunnjun]

I like the refinements of the '69 better.

I always thought the '69 had better interior, dash , seats , etc..

Yeah I like the aftermarket dash setups of the '69 better too. I was sold on '69s, until I watched Bad Penny run the cones 1 too many times:). Nice interior too. Had an old Toyota land cruiser with the vent windows that I miss on every car. Started off as a mopar guy, now I like everything. I appreciate all the help!

dunnjun

[trapin]

67's must work too because my cancer is gone!:fingersx:
Was I lying people??!!!

I THINK NOT!!!!!!!!

[Nine Ball]

I've owned a few of each year, 67 68 69. I prefer the body of the 69, but the interior of the 67. I prefer the 67 body over the 68, since the 67 doesn't have side marker lights.

[68sixspeed]

The '68 Camaro was the greatest car ever invented. It is said that sitting in one can even cure some forms of cancer.

amen! I've bought and sold two 69's - can't get past the dash, I know it's what some people like but I don't get the speedo/tach layout, bump out on the dash either. I so wish they used the 68 as the model for the new camaro interior!

But, you'll do ok with any of the three... vent windows are cool too.

ss-dave - nice vert- but check out this celery green stock beast! :P (oh what the h@ll was I thinking...)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/picturephpalbumid4629pictureid29946-1.jpg

[ss dave]

love those knobby tires!

[68sixspeed]

love those knobby tires!

that's why it's got the lift-kit in it! :) -Dan

[tones2SS]

I think all 3 years are great, but my heart belongs to the '69.
The '68 would be a close second!!

[Banks68]

As said numerous times in this post, any first generation camaros are way cool in my opinion.

But the 67 and 68 are my pick. I think they have a little more muscle car look. The 67 and 68 must have the right stance and must be minitubbed with 315's in the rear, if a 67 or 68 has the wrong stance--the 69 takes back my vote--but with the right stance and wheel combo they rule.

68 camaro is my personal favorite of the two 67 and 68. In the summer with all windows down they just seem to have cleaner more open look to me.

[usa-69z]

ive owned both..68 & 69 and when i had the 68 it had to pro street..influenced by the early days of dragracing i saw as a kid.. so i wanted a skinny front tired , big rear tires street car , and thats how i see them. Now ive owned my 69 for 3 years and i just cant see it that way..Its gotta be pro touring .. the muscular pumped square guards nice n low....sooo...
67/68-pro street
69-pro touring ! Ha ha!

Gav:1st: