How Much Would It Take to Save This 1967 Camaro RS???

[NYC]

Hey Guys,

I picked up this 67 Camaro RS recently. Worst case I can take the title and some of the body parts and build another car with a Dynacorn body. Part of me would like to reuse the original chassis to preserve it.

How much do you think it would take to rebuild my rust bucket - ALL IN? My goals are to put a full frame suspension under it like Scwartz, plus a tame LS1 or LS2.
Let me know if anybody out there wants to take this one on.:firefire:

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[1969CamaroRS]

Looks like a lot of work, you good at welding and metal fabrication? I think alot of the cost would depend on whether or not you can do it yourself or if you have a shop do it.

[NYC]

Looks like a lot of work, you good at welding and metal fabrication? I think alot of the cost would depend on whether or not you can do it yourself or if you have a shop do it.

I am willing to learn but I have very little hands on experience welding. I know the basics. If I went that route I would want to do the car justice.

[hefs72]

Wow. You have alot of inner structure rust. If the car doesent have any sentimental value
I would say save what u can and find a car that is in better shape. The cost involved
for you to save that one is gonna be way up there. I've been down this road.unless you are
very experienced in doing this kind of work your gonna pay a fortune to someone to fix it.
Even if you are capable of doing it yourself sometimes it is not
the best road to go down.
You can find a decent car for @ 10,000 prob cheaper and your gonna save a boat load of cash
in the long run
Good luck!

[NYC]

Wow. You have alot of inner structure rust. If the car doesent have any sentimental value
I would say save what u can and find a car that is in better shape. The cost involved
for you to save that one is gonna be way up there. I've been down this road.unless you are
very experienced in doing this kind of work your gonna pay a fortune to someone to fix it.
Even if you are capable of doing it yourself sometimes it is not
the best road to go down.
You can find a decent car for @ 10,000 prob cheaper and your gonna save a boat load of cash
in the long run
Good luck!

Thanks Hef I appreciate that. I have never dealt with a car this rusty. I agree with you. No the car doesn't have sentimental value. I wanted some advice before I invested in media blasting and metalwork. Looking at the pics again its obvious...

Merry Christmas!

[elitecustombody]

I'd say it will take full Goodmark or AMD catalog of sheetmetal parts to get it back on the road,if you have the means,go for it.With full Schwartz chassis it will be one nice 67

[wellis77]

I say pick up a welder and some scrap metal, start learning and go for it. That is what I'm doing on my build, full chassis and all. A Schwartz chassis is going to cost you probably upwards of $15k but if you're willing to spend the money, gitty-up!

[NYC]

I say pick up a welder and some scrap metal, start learning and go for it. That is what I'm doing on my build, full chassis and all. A Schwartz chassis is going to cost you probably upwards of $15k but if you're willing to spend the money, gitty-up!

I think I will start with some simple brackets first... :bananna2: Thanks for the responses and the votes. I have my answer.

[dhutton]

Look for the body jig plans over on camaros.net. You will need one. Once that is done you will know if you want to tackle the car.

[NYC]

Look for the body jig plans over on camaros.net. You will need one. Once that is done you will know if you want to tackle the car.

Thanks for the tip. I don't have the $10K for another car and I probably won't for a while so I need to at least look at the DIY approach...

Thanks y'all.

[protouring70]

Whew! But sometimes its better to start at that point. At least in the end you know what you have!!!

[Bill Howell]

I say throw 50 pounds of salt on it, then leave it outside for a couple more years and it will be just about where Frank (Prodigy Customs) likes to start!

[dhutton]

Thanks for the tip. I don't have the $10K for another car and I probably won't for a while so I need to at least look at the DIY approach...

Thanks y'all.

The sheet metal alone to fix that car will be several thousand dollars. Cost it out before you start.

[critter]

Run away.

[ProTourGSX]

Wow! Body by Fisher, Rust by Nature!

My intention is not to discourage you, but it's an understatement to even call that a MAJOR project, if you decide to begin restoration!

You may be better off just to buy the Dynacorn Camaro body, and wait to find/afford the frame to put it on, since that '67 has nothing solid to hold much of anything together, as it is.

I've seen cars in worse shape come back, so it's not impossible, just depends on time/money/skill/materials...

Worst case, save the best parts from that car, to use on the next one that you find/buy!

Good Luck, however you choose, but we'll be here for moral support, either way!:cheers:

[esenior]

http://www.dynacornclassicbodies.com/images/67coupe_collage.jpg

[DoABarrelRoll]

I am willing to learn but I have very little hands on experience welding. I know the basics. If I went that route I would want to do the car justice.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/burgerkingtinyhands-1.jpg

Joking aside

Do you have experienced friends? That's the only way I'd start learning to weld better on a potentially awesome project like that.


OR

learn to weld better using that body, AND get the new one.

[NYC]

My internet's been down since the storm. I appreciate the responses. I want to know which other newbie voted $10k with me? Lol

More later,
Marc

[NYC]

Wow! Body by Fisher, Rust by Nature!

My intention is not to discourage you, but it's an understatement to even call that a MAJOR project, if you decide to begin restoration!

You may be better off just to buy the Dynacorn Camaro body, and wait to find/afford the frame to put it on, since that '67 has nothing solid to hold much of anything together, as it is.

I've seen cars in worse shape come back, so it's not impossible, just depends on time/money/skill/materials...

Worst case, save the best parts from that car, to use on the next one that you find/buy!

Good Luck, however you choose, but we'll be here for moral support, either way!:cheers:

I'm convinced. I will find another body eventually. I'm glad I didn't waste any money in the short term. Thanks to everybody!

To be continued.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/ronals-1.jpg

[MonzaRacer]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/ronals-1.jpg

Yep get a look at THAT!
And I ant talking the 4 lug wheel.

[nickv]

Man that is one sweet seat cover!!! All Gen1's are worth saving. But yeah it will not be cheap... Sheet metal is available, MIG welders are cheap, There's nothing like a good project to keep you busy.

[77thor]

I would run away... and find something in better shape.

[NYC]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/ronals-1.jpg

Hahahaha now that lady and wheel are keepers! I see a lil rust in her hay-yer.

I bet that Ronal would fit on my S30.

[DRJDVM's '69]

Walk away... Altough it can be done, this big of a project for someone with little to no experience with metal work, welding etc will get that person over their head very quickly. It's great to learn but in my opinion a project this far gone is not the place to start. Find something that needs work but not this much work

[elitecustombody]

Ned, how is the Cuda coming along?

[Rybar]

I agree with the others, that body is in bad shape. Will take a ton of time and money to get right again.

My advice would be to save and buy a better starting point. Have seen a few solid rollers selling online for well less than $10k recently. Be patient and find one of those deals. You'll thank me down the road.

Perfect example is this '69 that just sold: https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?74845-69-Camaro-Roller-Shell-in-San-Diego&highlight=

[Taman]

I think the best would be buy a Camaro in Arizona or somewhere out west. I have seen them for under 10k. Dynacorn bodies are not cheap and require quite a bit of body work. They are very poor for fit and panel straightness. Find someone's project that got tired of. That would be your best approach.

[NYC]

I agree with the others, that body is in bad shape. Will take a ton of time and money to get right again.

My advice would be to save and buy a better starting point. Have seen a few solid rollers selling online for well less than $10k recently. Be patient and find one of those deals. You'll thank me down the road.

Perfect example is this '69 that just sold: https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?74845-69-Camaro-Roller-Shell-in-San-Diego&highlight=



I think the best would be buy a Camaro in Arizona or somewhere out west. I have seen them for under 10k. Dynacorn bodies are not cheap and require quite a bit of body work. They are very poor for fit and panel straightness. Find someone's project that got tired of. That would be your best approach.

Thanks that is great advice. And here I thought all the old Camaros were completely rusted out. LOL. I have time to find another candidate. I definitely can't wait to cruise around NYC in my bad ass '67.

Marc

[barraza]

A long time ago, I hauled off better cars to the scrapper. Now the answer seems to be that anything can be saved. The question is "Is it worth it?" The answer to that depends on whether you want to spend lots of time and money WORKING on a car, or if you want to actually DRIVE it.

Parts, welding wire and tetanus shots will add up to more than a non-specialty camaro will bring these days. Even if it were a z28, it would probably cost more to restore than it would sell for.

Always start with the best car you can afford, you will be miles ahead in the long run.

[toxicz28]

Just looking at the pictures and throwing sheet metal at it, I figure $5000 just for the metal for the shell, and a decklid. No doors, no shipping. Fabrication skill and actual condition of parts will move this estimate either way.
I would be crazy enough to tackle this project though, just because I enjoy doing the work. Either way you decide, good luck with your project.

[youthpastor]

RUN away- too much structural stuff- you can buy a clean RS here in Washington for 9k with new full quarters - all sheet-metal work done

[NYC]

Just looking at the pictures and throwing sheet metal at it, I figure $5000 just for the metal for the shell, and a decklid. No doors, no shipping. Fabrication skill and actual condition of parts will move this estimate either way.
I would be crazy enough to tackle this project though, just because I enjoy doing the work. Either way you decide, good luck with your project.


RUN away- too much structural stuff- you can buy a clean RS here in Washington for 9k with new full quarters - all sheet-metal work done

Thanks everybody. The feedback has been very helpful. I am over the idea of rebuilding my roller. I don't have the skills to do it justice and the cost would be ridiculous even if I broke it into pieces over time.

Now the question is whether to purchase a Dynacorn replacement body or to buy a shell. $9K for a rebuilt RS is pretty good. I have been scouring the internet looking at shells. Eventually I will find a good deal. And that is when the fun begins!

[NYC]

I found this 1968 Camaro,orig from LOS with about 90% good original chevy metal:

http://s878.photobucket.com/albums/ab341/mseek21/67%20Camaro%20LOS/

The car does need doors, mini tubs will cost a lil extra, and things like smoothing out the firewall will cost extra.

[John510]

I have a original survivor 67 IL6 in the cars for sale section that is 99% rust free for only 7500 if you wanted a perfect starting point.

[musclecarmetal]

we can rebuild it to better than new, check out our work at musclecarmetal.com
tony

[MarkM66]

Thanks everybody. The feedback has been very helpful. I am over the idea of rebuilding my roller. I don't have the skills to do it justice and the cost would be ridiculous even if I broke it into pieces over time.

Now the question is whether to purchase a Dynacorn replacement body or to buy a shell. $9K for a rebuilt RS is pretty good. I have been scouring the internet looking at shells. Eventually I will find a good deal. And that is when the fun begins!

Have you priced a Dynacorn body? There about $13.5k, shell, doors and trunk. No front end.

I'm not sure why anyone would start with on of those, when you can buy a whole car for that.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-CAMARO-COUPE-REPLACEMENT-BODY-SHELL-W-CRATE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZalgoQ3dLVIQ26itu Q3dUCIQ26otnQ3d3Q26poQ3dLVIQ26psQ3d63Q26clkidQ3d65 97427801181968054QQ_trksidZp3286Q2em7QQcategoryZ36 475QQitemZ310210519655

[Taman]

Than there is all the body work. The only difference is that you are starting out rust free. You need a regular 69 for all the little clips and misc. items.

[NYC]

Thanks to everybody, this thread was really helpful.

On to the next:

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?76462-Project-NYC-Soul-Marc-s-68-Camaro-Build