Rough 68 Camaro

[PremierJosh]

I picked up a 68 Camaro over the weekend that has had alot of crappy work. We are going to end up replacing almost all the body panels anyways so I was thinking about just buying all 69 fenders, quarters, doors, front end. Is there anything behind the bodypanels that will not allow me to switch to the 69 parts? Is it best to try and keep some of the stock bodypanels for fitment or just go ahead and replace everything?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/07/1968Camaro004-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/07/1968Camaro005-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/07/1968Camaro008-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/07/1968Camaro009-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/07/1968Camaro007-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/07/1968Camaro006-1.jpg

[TT302Z28]

WOW! Now that is a restoration project!

Someone like Frank or the Fesler guys would know better about your sheet metal questions.

[Rhino]

Looks alot like my '68 when I got it. :) Outside of all external panels you would also, at the very least, need the 69 outer wheel houses. if you're needing to do a quarter, you'll likely need them anyway.

With that said, I'll be the first to ask why. You will totally kill your resale. Potentially in both value and time to sell. '69 guys won't want it because it's not a true '69. '68's wouldn't be interested due to appearance.
If you're that dead set on a '69, I would wait until I found one. if you're able to do all the panel replacement you can easily find a clapped out shell relatively cheap.

[1badchevelle]

Why change it to a 69 keep it 68.

[Rhino]

Forgot to mention that the differences aren't only in the sheet metal. The dash, interior, and wiring are different as well.

[Ishmael]

Why change it to a 69 keep it 68.
x2, there are lots of 69s. As far as resale, Rhino's prolly right since guys that don't know much about cars want a 69 because that's the trading card car to have. That said, if it isn't going to be a high end build - build what you want. Someone will want it when you're done with it. It is a camaro after all.

[SatisTraction]

With that said, I'll be the first to ask why. You will totally kill your resale. Potentially in both value and time to sell. '69 guys won't want it because it's not a true '69. '68's wouldn't be interested due to appearance.
.

agreed. it will be HARD to sell that. no matter the quality.

[venturabeachpup]

It's your car, do what you will. But I would keep it a 68. If you want a 69 I would just take my time and find one. They're out there.

There's lot's of guys that would buy it finished as a 68 and pay well for it.

Why are you wanting to do that? For resale or just to enjoy a 69-ish for yourself? ..... Just wondering.

[PremierJosh]

I prefer the 69 look but couldnt find a busted roller around here for under 8k. Let alone a decent body. This one looked better until my guys looked at it for 10 minutes. Luckly I got it for a good deal and next time I will have the car delivered during work hours not on a Sunday but I still feel like I did ok on it. Its just a drop in a bucket compared what spending is about to come right. I will be ordering all 68 parts tomorrow. Complete floor, both rear quarters, complete doors, front fenders, and tail panel. I also really like the carbon parts but dont want to spend to much $$ up front.

[trapin]

I think you made the right call. The other version would have killed your resale and wasted your investment.

Besides...'69 Camaros are so played out anyway, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting one. :smoke:

[Rhino]

...but couldnt find a busted roller around here for under 8k.

That's surprising. Even on ebay you can get a much better deal than that. Such as this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/chevrolet-Camaro-1969-orginal-project-car-CLEAN-TITLE-/320563669161?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4aa31568a9) car. A '69 in the condition your '68 is in would go for ~3-4k in my area, depending on what the floor pan looked like.

I would agree you made the right call, especially getting the added floor components. My next car will be little more than a firewall. I'm amazed at how much people want for little more than rust.

[Steve68]

I think you made the right call. The other version would have killed your resale and wasted your investment.

Besides...'69 Camaros are so played out anyway, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting one. :smoke:

Damn straight!!

[Rod]

keep the car a 68 changing to a 69 is more than skin deep just off the top of my head some basic changes, grill, hood release, lower valance, fenders, fender wells, doors, hinges, dash, upper dash panel, lower firewall, quarters, inner rear fender wells, outer rear fenderwells, trunk pan, trunk drop offs, gas tank supports, fuel tank, tail panel, tail panel braces, lower tail panel inner support, and you might have to change the door hinge mounts on the body unless you charlie manson that and weld the door hinges in place, and Im sure i forgot something :spank2:

[shmoov69]

Good call!

Man, that is a big Suburban!!

[DarkBuddha]

Where are you located? Just curious... by description, that car reminds me a lot of one listed locally on craigslist.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

turn it into a 69 torino.. all the body parts will change right over.

[PremierJosh]

We are in Memphis. www.PremierAutosportsTN.com The suburban is a nice rolling advertisement, you can't miss it with a 24" lift and 49" tires. One of my guys loves driving it which is great because I hate it. I'm almost certain the car wasnt on craigslist, it came out of Little Rock. The guy owned it for the last 23 years and 2 years ago took it to a shop to have some items updated. The shop pulled out the drivetrain removed the paint and got busted for making meth in a building right behind the shop. The car was impounded, the customer got the car back and completely lost interest after that ordeal.

[fantasygoat]

Why not just get a Dynacorn body?