My quest for a 69 Camaro will continue.......

[gearheads78]

Well 14 hours later I am home with an empty trailer. This was an expensive lesson costing me $250.00 in fuel and a $500.00 deposit.

I guess I am too trusting. If I am selling a car and someone asks me a question I am 100% truthful with my answers whether I know my answer my loose a sell or not.

I found this car in the Nashville TN Craigslist. Car looked great asked for more pics and got them and car still looked great. Talked with owner multiple times asking very specific questions about the quality of work, rust, floors, trunk floor ect. I was reassured over and over "its a great car I have been buying these, playing with for a little while and selling for 20+ years" He said the under carriage was not restored just painted over black but in great shape. I was fine with that since I am not looking for a show car just a really nice driver.


He was asking $29500.00 with some 17" Torque Trusts and after talking we agreed at $28,000.00 with a set of 15" TTS instead of the 17"
I could not make Nashville and back in one day and asked if he could meet me in Memphis. He a greed but required a $500.00 deposit to cover his time and effort and swaping the wheels in case I didn't show. (I would have done the same thing and I agreed to the terms and a pending deal was made)

I pulled up the the meeting spot and starting drooling. The car looking incredible in the sunlight. Looked to be everything I wanted and then some. Body looked arrow strait gaps and body alignment looked good. As I was walking up even 5 foot away this car could easily bring home a trophy at any local show in shine.

Things started going down hill from there. I got close and could see some sand scratch shrinkage and a few runs. This was troubling but not something I was going to walk away from. I then layed on he ground with my trusty flashlight and saw a hack job of installing through the floor sub frame connectors. There was huge gaps between the sheetmetal and connectors with a few tack welds and attempt with glass and seam sealer to fill the gaps. I then noticed a chip of paint loose on the rocker flange. I pulled it back with my finger nail and a 1" piece came loose. It was painted right on top of surface rust with no prep in that area at all and then looking closer about 6" away from there was a place where you could see most of rust hole was filled over leaving a part of it open big enough to stick a pencil through. Maybe that wanted more drainage.

At this point I'm thinking screw it I'm not happy but I came all this way maybe I can salvage this deal just take it home and put a for sale sign on it and find a better car later. I then layed down at the back of the car and see a 1/2 dollar size rust hole in the LH outer wheel house and 2" gap between the trunk floor and 1/4 drop down filled with a strip of fiberglass. There was hack patch work all over done by someone that does not know how to weld or fit patches and rear floors are just flat sheet metal with glob beads of seam sealer covering weld or rivets or whatever else thy might have attacted it with.

Now I am pretty furious after only looking at maybe 1/3 of the car and knew it couldn't get any better on the rest of it. I hopped up and hold him he can take it back home and he's like why and starts to get mad. I mentioned just a couple items and all he says is "that's a great car for the price. I hope you didn't think you can find a rotissory car for that money." I couldn't say anything else or I was going to lose my cool. I just jumped back in the truck and headed back to Dallas.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[spacepirate]

Man, sorry to hear that. Its always hard looking at pics and then seeing it in person.

[MK69RSSS]

I totally understand where you are coming from. I did the same thing and as the man turned
In the parking lot I saw the patches and told my wife "are you ready to go". She said you have not
Even gotten to look. ....

I also now have 3 69's and have had no expense spared and have had a guy just begging to buy
One and finally told him 45$ and then he started to tell me about 1 in Dallas for 35. Well over a
Year later and lots of money he ain't even close.

Wait and you will run up on 1.

Sux though

[moreHP]

I guess you can be thankful you didnt send him the money trusting he was honest and then have a shipping company bring you the car. The time and effort lost in this deal was small compared to how mad you would be if it showed up at you door looking this way.

[gearheads78]

I guess you can be thankful you didnt send him the money trusting he was honest and then have a shipping company bring you the car. The time and effort lost in this deal was small compared to how mad you would be if it showed up at you door looking this way.

I agree but still does not me any less mad after the conversations I had with the owner.

[5spd540]

I always post a thread trying to get a member to go look at it for me and pay them for their time this has worked well in the past for me. Yes the person may thing it is better than you do but it also trims down the time and money you spend travling to see junk.

[class67]

Good from far but far from good! it happens to all of us, sorry you had to waste so much time and money though.

better luck coming your way...

[Finch]

That sucks, I live in Nashville and would have been more than happy to go look at it for you. Keep up the search and you will be rewarded one day

[JEFFTATE]

Keep up the search man !!

[MrQuick]

I'd rather put 50K in a $1500 pos than pay 30K to just put 50K in it anyways. Keep looking, the deals are out there.

[chv0606]

Damn that sucks man. Good luck with your search.

[Fesler built]

Sad story but good for you as you have your money, better to be out $500 and some time over the full amount. We always try and tell people that its good to get very detailed shots of the underside and floor if you can before going to look at the car. With todays economy people are just out to scam everyone and I have never seen it so bad in my 20+ years building cars. I dont think its going to get any better any time soon because people see that these cars still pull money. Ask for detailed shots of the underside and have them pull up carpet and take shots of the car, rule of thumb for us is if they dont have them then they have no iidea on what they have and probably just bought it to flip and you never want to buy a car like that. Someone cut corners somewhere to make a quick buck.

Keep your head high and good luck on the find, if you find a car in my area and need me to look at it just shoot me an email.

[evostilo]

Sorry to hear that i went throgh the same thing out here in CA with a 70 chevelle the worst part is the Drive of same all the way home and thinking i would never find a car but keep searching and eventualy you'll find it don't rush to buy, Good Luck

[TheJDMan]

Look at Barrett-Jackson or Mechums auctions. There are a lot of nice looking cars go across both auction blocks for resonable prices.

[Tony_SS]

It's a tough process isn't it? No matter how nice the guy sounds over the phone... I can always expect something to be worse than described... its just always seems to happen that way. Patience pays off.. you'll find one. It sounds like you know exactly what to look for and that's a good thing.

[HotRod47]

That $750 loss just saved you thousands of dollars. Yes it six, but move on. You will find the car you are looking for and be happy with. They are out there.

[gearheads78]

Anyone that really knows body work and build quality near North Central Kansas area Osborne 67473 zip code? I am waiting on more pictures but if it looks good I might have one to have looked at. Also any leads on a car are also welcome. If possible I would like to have something in my garage by early September in time for our 10th anniversary.

[rockytopper]

Not to far from ya Rich http://www.redlinemusclecarswilson.com/1969-Chevrolet-CAMARO-SS-Ardmore-Oklahoma-73463/3806102 I guess you have already seen all the ones listed locally in the same price range. 2 appear to be your neighbors.

If you change your mind about another boring f-body I can fix you up with another nice olds....................... it even has a part of you

[gearheads78]

Not to far from ya Rich http://www.redlinemusclecarswilson.com/1969-Chevrolet-CAMARO-SS-Ardmore-Oklahoma-73463/3806102 I guess you have already seen all the ones listed locally in the same price range. 2 appear to be your neighbors.

If you change your mind about another boring f-body I can fix you up with another nice olds....................... it even has a part of you
I have seen the pics at the one at redline but if you look at the pic on the rh side behind the back window the seam for the trunk filler is missing so that was a big red flag not to even look at it.

Yours would be sweet as much a I am an A-body fan but this one is for my wife.

[Goat05]

Your about 5hrs from me, im up in Oklahoma. Im sure your looking for a more finnished car.. But, well.... I tend to drag these things *first gen Fbodys* up all the time, aswell as other old beaters. P.M me if interested.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/1216211776-1.jpg

[gearheads78]

Your about 5hrs from me, im up in Oklahoma. Im sure your looking for a more finnished car.. But, well.... I tend to drag these things *first gen Fbodys* up all the time, aswell as other old beaters. P.M me if interested.


I have been trying to find time to build one for a few years but with 1yo twins and a 6yo plus 13 hours away from home with work and drive time its just not in the cards anytime soon. That's the reason I am waiving my white flag and just getting a loan for a done car. Ive got a 1978 beater Suburban I just wanted to put an overdrive in, slam it and install tires and wheels and its been 3 months and the 700r4 swap is not complete.

[Jeff70]

Here's one in your area.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Camaro-Z28-Clone-Frame-Off-Restored-355-T56-6-Speed-Vintage-Air-Excellent-/200793384657?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2ec037e6d1#ht_500wt_1182

[gearheads78]

Here's one in your area.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Camaro-Z28-Clone-Frame-Off-Restored-355-T56-6-Speed-Vintage-Air-Excellent-/200793384657?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2ec037e6d1#ht_500wt_1182
Originally saw that one a month ago. If that car was not green it would probably already be in my garage. She just can't go with that color. I do have a few cars on the radar right now.

[BA.]

sucks to hear that the car was just slapped together man - he doesn't sound like an honest guy at all.

Keep up the search brother!!

[Rick D]

Not to far from ya Rich http://www.redlinemusclecarswilson.com/1969-Chevrolet-CAMARO-SS-Ardmore-Oklahoma-73463/3806102 I guess you have already seen all the ones listed locally in the same price range. 2 appear to be your neighbors.


I have seen the pics at the one at redline but if you look at the pic on the rh side behind the back window the seam for the trunk filler is missing so that was a big red flag not to even look at it.

Yours would be sweet as much a I am an A-body fan but this one is for my wife.

No the seam is there, if look a little farther down in the pictures there is a clear picture of the seam.

[gearheads78]

This is the one I saw that looks like bubble and half the seam missing.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[Tony_SS]

Here's one in your area.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Camaro-Z28-Clone-Frame-Off-Restored-355-T56-6-Speed-Vintage-Air-Excellent-/200793384657?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2ec037e6d1#ht_500wt_1182

I think that green is great... its not for everyone, but I love that color.

[6D9 Matt]

Damn that sucks man... but it will be all worth it when you finally find what you are looking for. Just sucks when people arent forthcoming about the car, especially when traveling so far.

I searched over a year to find my Camaro... happen to find it at the Good Guys show here in Nashville (guy was from Dallas though). It was awful waiting so long to find what I was looking for (was pretty picky) but looking back now, I wouldnt have changed a thing and it was all worth it.

[glassman]

You guys really seem to know what to look for when buying a first gen camaro. I have always wanted to build one, but never had the resources. I am finally in the position to build one and would like to know what I should be looking for. I want to build a 68 convertible pro-touring. Can someone direct me in the proper direction for trouble areas in these cars. Sorry for the post poach but i'm a newbie.

[gearheads78]

Well after looking at a whole bunch more cars my search is over. Hand shake was made a week ago but some stars had to align before it was officially mine. Its now safe in my garage as of 10min ago.

Its a real SS NMN and a color change. Needs paint to be perfect but a super solid car. I am very happy with the deal and car.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/P__2162-1.jpg?t=1344053019

[Rick D]

Very nice, what are the rest of details?? Engine, trans?? We need details!!

[srh3trinity]

I like the color combo. A nice black wheel would look cool with the black stripe.

[gearheads78]

Going to have to get this one paid for first but long term plans are similar to my Cutlass build. Body and interior will stay pretty much stock. Will get mild suspension mods LS power with 5 or 6 speed and brake and wheel upgrades. Leaning toward some sort of black mesh with polished lips.

Currently with a mild hopped up 350 with a lumpy cam and 4 speed 3.73 12bolt. I drove it to work yesterday and to our local Saturday night cruise spot last night. Overall it drives great. Needs lots of minor TLC but nothing major for now. The brake fluid was real low, has a pretty good oil leak, clutch is way out of adjustment has a blown header gasket on one bank and rusted out muffler on the other side and I am sure I will find plenty more. The guy that had it bought it 7-8 years ago and didn't do anything but drive it once every few months.

The car needs paint to be nice but it looks OK as is and I'm not going to worry about it for now. My biggest concern that this car met was a solid structure and not a bunch of slapped together hack work that most of the cars I have looked at had. The only hack work on this one is the way the RH 1/4 skin was replaced. I'm sure do to body damage and not rust. I will go back with a new full 1/4 when its time to redo it.

At work Saturday one of my techs brought in a friend of his 68 so we had a quick photo shoot with the backdrop of a dealership built in the early 70's that looks just about like it did then.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/P__12F0-1.jpg?t=1344182819

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/P__AC27-1.jpg?t=1344182805

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/P__D3BE-1.jpg?t=1344182834

[rockytopper]

So was the boss happy with her gift?

[gearheads78]

She loves it.

[Bigblue73]

Great it all worked out in the end. Sorry the one in Missouri didn't work out.

[gearheads78]

Great it all worked out in the end. Sorry the one in Missouri didn't work out. I'm sure it was a nice car but she said she was firm on her price because some dealer she knows (Rick???) told her don't take any less It was a few $1000.00 above the most I could spend so I had to pass. Had she been a little flexible I probably would have bought it.