What Is Sentimental value really worth???

[paulk68]

What is sentimental value worth?
Without making this a ridiculously long post, I am hitting a cross road with my project. I bought my 1968 Camaro when I was 15 years old, I am now 33. The car started life as a 6cyl 3 speed on the floor. It stayed that way for a few years then my dad helped me swap that out for a 4 speed and a 305 we had laying around the garage. I drove it like that throughout high school and my freshman and sophomore years of college. On one of my breaks from college I came home and went to take the car out and it had low oil which caused the 305 to seize up. That is when I decided it would be a good time to park it and tear it down, at this point the rockers and rear quarter panels were bubbling and the floors were getting pretty soft. So I parked it and started to strip it down with the intentions of building it into a nice street driver. Well then it sat, and sat and sat. Like lots of us life gets in the way I finished college, found a good job, got married, bought a house, had two kids. That is where I sit today. All the while saving whatever money I could for this project. Well as of today I have about 10K to start working on the car again. And I am very torn, I have priced out having my entire shell rebuilt which will be in the 10K rage. But I will have all new sheet metal. I like the idea of having basically a brand new shell, but then I think if I sold my shell and parts for maybe like 2500 buck that would give me 12.5K to start shopping for a car that is much further along than just a bare shell.
Then I think of all of the great moments I have had with this car. And how it has been my goal to once again finish it. I can clearly still remember going with my dad when I was fifteen to look at it then haggle on the price and bring it home. The emotions are very strong.

Then I think with my wallet, I have two daughters that will eventually go to college and probably get married, I have a mortgage, and lots of other responsibilities finacialy. I could probably be a lot closer to having a running and driving car that the family could enjoy a lot sooner using the money to to look for a car a lot further done that just a shell.
SO PLEASE HELP!!!!

[SkinsandJrfan]

That's a tough one. I don't know that sentimental value has a price. I will go out on a limb here and say that if you were to get rid of it, you might regret it. But that's being said without knowing you. I had mine for 2 years, almost sold it but then decided to rebuild it. Now I have a 485 hp 383 5 speed corner hugging beast of a ride that I just love driving and I'm so glad I kept it. Good luck with your decision process.

[digitalman2112]

What is your longer term goal for the car? I think the decision is different depending on the estimated total cost, and the years it will take you to finance the rest of the project.

[clayton25]

ya, I know how you feel. My 74 camaro was the first car I ever owned or bought on my own. I have had people offer me anywhere from $6500-$8500 for it and it still needs a full suspension and Interior rebuild. Any person in their right mind probably would have taken the money but with it being my first and all the blood, sweat and maybe a tear or two I just seemed to always want a little more than what they were willing to give for it! Also at the time it needed a trans rebuild but not any longer. So pretty much your sentimental value comes down to whether or not you really want to get rid of it!

[diesel25lrs]

You WILL regret it...

[MuscleRodz]

Sentimental value is the biggest price tag of them all, BUT it is an emotional price tag. I was in the same boat several years ago with my 68 that is in my avatar. Had the car 15 years, changed directions numerous times as trends and financials changed. Then I started to change direction again and asked myself what the hell am I doing. Sold the car for a huge loss, bought another project which still took me 18 months to finish, and don't regret selling the 68 for one second.

[TheJDMan]

Here's my take. I purchased my 68 Camaro when I was 18, I'm now 58. I drove it on the street for three years then drag raced it for another 10 or so years. Once I got married I had no cash to race anymore and no money to put the car back on the street. Bottom line is that life took priority over the car. The result was the car has been stored in various garages for the past 30 odd years. As we have moved around the country for jobs the car has been moved along with us. I have had more offers to sell the car over the years than I can remember and I always turned them down flat knowing I would regret selling it as soon as it rolled out the drive. My wife used to pester me to sell it and after several years she realized I was not going to part with it and stopped bugging me. I'm now semi-retired, the house is paid for and I have spare money to play with. Now that life has slowed down a bit, I also have the time to work on the car.

Here is the result of being paitent:
The car as it was in the late 70's
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/CAMARO4-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/CAMARO5-1.jpg

The car as it is today after approximately $40K worth of pro-touring suspension upgrades.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/Camaro1-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/CAMARO3-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/CAMARO4-2.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/CAMARO2-1.jpg

My advice would be to keep the car and bring it back to life. It may not happen today or even next year, but with time the house will be paid off, the kids will be out of college and married and you have time and money to complete your project. Not everyone is sentimental about things like this and I understand that. But IMO you cannot put a price on sentimental value. Years from now you will not regret the decision.

On a side note, I would recommend you contact the AMD Installation shop for panel replacement.
http://amdinstallation.com/index.html

[clayton25]

Here's my take. I purchased my 68 Camaro when I was 18, I'm now 58. I drove it on the street for three years then drag raced it for another 10 or so years. Once I got married I had no cash to race anymore and no money to put the car back on the street. Bottom line is that life took priority over the car. The result was the car has been stored in various garages for the past 30 odd years. As we have moved around the country for jobs the car has been moved along with us. I have had more offers to sell the car over the years than I can remember and I always turned them down flat knowing I would regret selling it as soon as it rolled out the drive. My wife used to pester me to sell it and after several years she realized I was not going to part with it and stopped bugging me. I'm now semi-retired, the house is paid for and I have spare money to play with. Now that life has slowed down a bit, I also have the time to work on the car.

Here is the result of being paitent:
The car as it was in the late 70's
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/CAMARO4-3.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/CAMARO5-2.jpg

The car as it is today after approximately $40K worth of pro-touring suspension upgrades.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/Camaro1-2.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/CAMARO3-2.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/CAMARO4-4.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/CAMARO2-2.jpg

My advice would be to keep the car and bring it back to life. It may not happen today or even next year, but with time the house will be paid off, the kids will be out of college and married and you have time and money to complete your project. Not everyone is sentimental about things like this and I understand that. But IMO you cannot put a price on sentimental value. Years from now you will not regret the decision.

On a side note, I would recommend you contact the AMD Installation shop for panel replacement.
http://amdinstallation.com/index.html

Couldn’t have said it much better my self. Also got a nice lookin first gen there!

[77thor]

Here's my take. I purchased my 68 Camaro when I was 18, I'm now 58. I drove it on the street for three years then drag raced it for another 10 or so years. Once I got married I had no cash to race anymore and no money to put the car back on the street. Bottom line is that life took priority over the car. The result was the car has been stored in various garages for the past 30 odd years. As we have moved around the country for jobs the car has been moved along with us. I have had more offers to sell the car over the years than I can remember and I always turned them down flat knowing I would regret selling it as soon as it rolled out the drive. My wife used to pester me to sell it and after several years she realized I was not going to part with it and stopped bugging me. I'm now semi-retired, the house is paid for and I have spare money to play with. Now that life has slowed down a bit, I also have the time to work on the car....



That's a great story and it says it all.

[Kenova]

You're only 33 years old!?
If you have 10 large to tackle the body with then you are doing better than I am and I'm way past the wrong side of 50 years.
Even if you were able to raise $15,000 to buy another you would probably wind up with a car that you wouldn't be happy with even if you could drive it.

Keep it. If you don't regret it as the car rolls out of the driveway, you will as soon as you start having trouble with the "new" one.

Ken

[srh3trinity]

With that much history, I think I would have to hold on to the car. I miss my 87 Camaro Sport Coupe quite often, but it wasn't my choice to sell it. I would get it rust free and in the dry and then work on getting it mobile, then you can upgrade over time.

[shep]

I would keep it too. I look at it like this by the time you replace all the rot your will know your car is solid. If you sell it and then buy something else you don't know for sure the quality of work that was done, and other than paint you are still going to be at the same starting point. Meaning more than likely you are still going to want to redo the suspension and drive train, I would do it once and do it the way you want it done.

[Gitter Dun]

This is an easy one. I wouldn't take a million bucks for my car if someone offered. Waaay too many years and waaaay too much history.

[rockytopper]

priceless

[paulk68]

Thank you everyone I knew you would help. The reason i have a good chunk saved is becasue i am always finacially responsible wich is why i was starting to run into my issues about selling it? But it is priceless and i will push forward with my plans. Soon I will make a project post to help keep me on track.

[andrewb70]

Thank you everyone I knew you would help. The reason i have a good chunk saved is becasue i am always finacially responsible wich is why i was starting to run into my issues about selling it? But it is priceless and i will push forward with my plans. Soon I will make a project post to help keep me on track.

Paul,

I can certainly relate to your dilemma. I've had my GTO since I was 15 as well, although, I was in a good financial position to start my build at 28 and finish it at age 32. Damn, that was 10 years ago...Having the car has been an amazing experience, but I also feel that if I had sold the car after it was done, I might have enjoyed several other projects. Also, for me at least, the urge to build a "fancy pants" car that is "magazine" quality has been satisfied. At this point in my life I am perfectly content building ugly cars that run like hell.

Here is some food for thought. You said that you have about $10k, right? What if you took that money and bought yourself a less popular car, perhaps a clean "survivor," and then did a low cost LS swap? You could be on the road in a year or two, for a total investment of 10-15K, and be able to enjoy a cool car that you won't be scared to drive. There is something to be said for having a car that you can literally "get groceries" with, instead of a car with a show quality paint job.

For example, check out this build:

http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1350394-1971-nova-swap-02-ls1-a4.html

I don't know what the cost of the car was ($3-5K?....less?), but I bet he won't have more than $15K into it, and will be able to drive her anywhere.

Food for thought.

Andrew

[Happyfunballs]

If it was truly sentimental, you wouldn't even think of selling it. I've had mine 12 years, never worked on it with anyone other than myself and I probably will never sell it. As a consequence, I'll have way more money in it than it's worth....and would do it all over again if given the chance.

[Ron.in.SoCal]

Last classic car I sold was a 68 Camaro in '02. I took probably a 20 pics of that car as it got towed away by the new owner. Depressing day and I'll never do that again. It was a completed restomod car and getting my current ride to even that state has cost me double what I got for it.

Don't ever sell. You have gasoline in your viens and love of the car in your heart. That stays long after the car is gone...:cheers:

[Jay71]

Don't sell. You know what you have with your car. You could sell yours and buy something that looks farther along and end up doing the same work to it as you'll have to do to your car. I've had my 71 Camaro since 1983, it was originally a 6 with a 3 speed as well. I've got more money into it than I'll ever get out of it but I don't care. I've done all the work to it, know it like the back of my hand. They're going to have to prop me up behind the wheel and bury me in it.

[KUSI]

Paul,
I think you got the responses you were hoping for. Everyone that chimed in had at least some sentimental value in their cars and know deep down inside they never would want to sell it. If they did, they would deeply regret it in some way. Life events will always take over these projects but if you have saved wisely you can do like I have and go in stages. I had to "save" my car first from all the initial years the car battled salt damage up north. If you get the metal in good shape and just shoot the body in a decent layer of protection you would be good to go until you are truly ready for paint, etc. Yes, it will take a while to build the car this way but you will still be able to walk out into the garage and see that your car is still there and surviving. If the garage was empty it would just not feel right. I have gone through what most guys have already posted in here and since my Camaro was a one family owned car it has been around a long time. The sentimental value is obviously waaaay high in these situations so I would have to agree with everyone and say keep your car. Nearly every time I have had a conversation with someone looking at my car (no matter what stage it was in) they always had a sad story about selling theirs. Don't be that guy! :) If you are determined to take the family on cruises right now then maybe do like Andrew suggested and just find a low budget driver. You can drive it for a year or two, sell it, and then move back onto your project that you kept. Good luck!

KUSI

[Duramaxpower09]

Well I can give you my opinion if it's sentimental you will regret it here's my story I have a 65 ford falcon that my great grandpa bought new and it has been passed down my mom got it back in 2000 and it needed a complete restore but it was all she had left of my grandpa our family took everything and we had to fight to get the car so It ment a whole lot to her she had it completely restord to original the way he had it and it was her pride and joy well last sept she came down with cancer and passed away march 30 of this year well now the car is mine I can't put a price on it now will I ever I'll sleep in it before I sell it it means more to me than anything else I've had people ask my mom and dad why would you spend 20 grand on a car that costed 2274 dollars new and my dad would always say I can't buy her any new Mercedes that would mean more to her than that car so I have to say man keep it even if you do it little by little

[scotzilla]

I say sell it. Two stories.

Customer brought me his familys 6 cylinder 67 camaro. We were finishing a convertible 69 cutlas for him and he was telling me about how we were doing the camaro next. He brings it down and its a roach but rebuildable. Within 3 months I found him a 69, rebuilt stock subframe, new interior (uninstalled), 17 k in body and paint. THe car was still at the body shop and the guy was asking 14500 to cover the rest of his body and paint tab. He negotiated him down to 10500, the guy took it cause he was in a bad spot. There is alot of that going around. He would have had 30k into the 67 to get it to where this 69 is.


second story. Another customer brought us his dads c20 work truck he left him when he died. 3/4 ton chassis cab plumbing truck all banged up. Wanted us to turn it into a lowered 1/2 stepside but keep it as much origonal inside as possible. It had a 290 hp crate motor. Well 15k later we swapped it all over- then he came back for a edelbrock top end kit, the serpantine pulleys, then msd ignition- then air ride- then SSBC brakes, then it came back for a body drop. THen again for a ls6 swap- Moral to the story he had over 70k into the truck because he built it 5 times over and it looks nothing like his dads truck. He could go out and buy a show worthy done one just like it for around 30-35K. he needs another 20k to finish this one. Selling the old motor and parts was pennies on the dollar. He still tells me its worth it to him. Ive tried to talk him out of it several times- I would have bought a done truck - put a sticker on that says "rip old man" in the back window and took the other 40k and started a college fund for his daughter.

Its a tough call but its only a car- they can be replaced- sometimes money and missed opportunities cant.

[Gitter Dun]

Its a tough call but its only a car- they can be replaced- sometimes money and missed opportunities cant.

To you it's only a car. To others like myself it's alot more than that. If you dont get what I'm talking about now you never will.

[scotzilla]

hahaha- i guess not- like ive never owned a car that i cared about?- I had 30 k into a bug I sold for 8K- it was my first car that i built since i was 13 and sold it when i was 21- I get it- but guess what- there are others out there- you sound like a ***** whipped guy who gets dumped by his first girl freind and acts like he will never love anyone ever again.

[Gitter Dun]

You keep talking money. Money has nothing to do with it. Quit Bs'n yourself....you dont get it.

BTW, 30K is a drop in the bucket, LOL.

EDIT: 30K over 8 years? ROFLMAO. Sorry man, I'm waisting my time with you. Didn't realize you were still in little league.

[paulgurley]

Dude this is weird my name is paul too and i bought my car 4 years ago when i was 15 like you did too! and i will never sell it. 12,000 dollars will come and go but once your car is sold you may never get it back

[scotzilla]

You keep talking money. Money has nothing to do with it. Quit Bs'n yourself....you dont get it.

BTW, 30K is a drop in the bucket, LOL.

EDIT: 30K over 8 years? ROFLMAO. Sorry man, I'm waisting my time with you. Didn't realize you were still in little league.



"What is sentimental value really worth?"

Value....... Worth....... You are right money has nothing to do with it! Hahaha. Cause people who spend more on their car or house or pet love them more than someone who adopted from a shelter. Sounds like you have more dollars then sense!

[TheJDMan]

hahaha- i guess not- like ive never owned a car that i cared about?- I had 30 k into a bug I sold for 8K- it was my first car that i built since i was 13 and sold it when i was 21- I get it- but guess what- there are others out there- you sound like a ***** whipped guy who gets dumped by his first girl freind and acts like he will never love anyone ever again.

Scott,
Exactly why do you feel the need to make your post in to a personal attack? Are you feeling inadequate or threatened? I think you need to appologize.

[Gitter Dun]

Ahhhhhhh.....now you have me getting all sentimental........give me a minute to grab a tissue.

If I adopted a car from a shelter would that make you feel better?

[scotzilla]

Sorry ill go sit in the corner, it's a car forum it's not that serious, I don't mean to offend anyone

[TheJDMan]

Sorry ill go sit in the corner, it's a car forum it's not that serious, I don't mean to offend anyone

But you did!

[Gitter Dun]

Sorry guys....I shouldn't have kept it going either. Peace.

[Scott Parkhurst]

Here's another thought...if you get all new metal, not only do you keep your first car, but you know it's all fresh, rust free and straight. If you buy another car, that may not be the case. The sentiment is nice, but knowing its done right is pretty valuable in many ways too.

[TheJDMan]

Here's another thought...if you get all new metal, not only do you keep your first car, but you know it's all fresh, rust free and straight. If you buy another car, that may not be the case. The sentiment is nice, but knowing its done right is pretty valuable in many ways too.

I agree, which is why I posted the link to the AMD Installation Center. They do better than factory panel installation for surprisingly resonable prices. At least check them out before you make any decisions.

http://amdinstallation.com/index.html

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

I guess this is one of those times where you refer to the movie "Love the Beast" and it should give you an inkling on those who truly care about the cars they build..

I have been offered NUMEROUS times to buy my Camaro, Venny.. but I have always replied to them with this youtube video.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgI2ZQVyrBo

[andrewb70]

I guess this is one of those times where you refer to the movie "Love the Beast" and it should give you an inkling on those who truly care about the cars they build..

I have been offered NUMEROUS times to buy my Camaro, Venny.. but I have always replied to them with this youtube video.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgI2ZQVyrBo

Not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison. Eric Bana is a millionaire, while the original poster probably is not.

For the guys bickering, kiss and make up...This is just a car forum for heaven's sakes...

There is no right answer to the question of sentimental value, because value is subjective. We all have uniquely individual internal value scale that we use to judge everything, be it bottled water, a house, diapers, or sentimentality.

Andrew

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

meh, money or no money sentimental is sentimental.. besides.. i said "an inkling".. a lil bit..

[Tony_SS]

You WILL regret selling it.

But my question is what do you want? A 100k pro-tour show car? Or a 30k driver? Maybe I missed what your end goal is.

I think I have 20k in mine... All the while it has been a driving project. It's not perfect, it's not the fastest, but it's mine and I own it. And I'm not afraid to enjoy it. I WISH is was my Monte that I bought with my Dad when I was 16. But like an idiot, I sold that for a stupid new S10 with car payments.

Don't make a mistake. Keep it and build it within your budget. Resist the urge to go hog wild and be a perfectionist.

[Tony_SS]

Here's my take. I purchased my 68 Camaro when I was 18, I'm now 58. I drove it on the street for three years then drag raced it for another 10 or so years. Once I got married I had no cash to race anymore and no money to put the car back on the street. Bottom line is that life took priority over the car. The result was the car has been stored in various garages for the past 30 odd years. As we have moved around the country for jobs the car has been moved along with us. I have had more offers to sell the car over the years than I can remember and I always turned them down flat knowing I would regret selling it as soon as it rolled out the drive. My wife used to pester me to sell it and after several years she realized I was not going to part with it and stopped bugging me. I'm now semi-retired, the house is paid for and I have spare money to play with. Now that life has slowed down a bit, I also have the time to work on the car.

Here is the result of being paitent:

The car as it is today after approximately $40K worth of pro-touring suspension upgrades.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/Camaro1-1.jpg

My advice would be to keep the car and bring it back to life. It may not happen today or even next year, but with time the house will be paid off, the kids will be out of college and married and you have time and money to complete your project. Not everyone is sentimental about things like this and I understand that. But IMO you cannot put a price on sentimental value. Years from now you will not regret the decision.

That is what I'm talking about. Beautiful car Steve!

[Boostable]

I have owned a LOT of cars in my life.. "its an addiction and I don't think there is a cure". I only regret selling one! My 1969 Camaro RS/SS Convertible. I sold it for the exact some reasons you are describing. I have four daughters, one in college and the others are not far behind. I have been chasing that car for the last 10yrs and would probably grossly over pay to get it back if I could find it. I am building another 69 now in an attempt to replace it.. So naturally my advice would be to "if at all possible" hang on to it, you will be happy you did!

[MonzaRacer]

First of all, get a plan of attack, reasonable time line(allowing for saving along way for the project). Be reasonable, if you need a drive line ,come on does it HAVE to have the 800hp Mast Motorsports crate engine or could you scour the adds and online for a used one, slap in a cam, decent intake,etc and make it run.
My first Monte was a plain jane gobi beige 70 Monte, less engine/trans. Bought it to keep it from getting turned into a bomber dirt car.
Got it home, trans went out of my 76 Buick Skyhawk drag car turned street car. Bought trans out of same Monte later on, took 327 out of my Buick, intending to build it up more. So Monte goes till fall, drops valve. Borrow an old used 350 ran that till I installed the 402 after wrecking my V8 Ranger.
Drove it on and off till 02 when I wrecked it bad enough to damage frame. Had also lost other cars along way either from getting rid of OR wrecking.
Dial back "dream" of car. Build a car thats solid, plan for hard charging side down road. Make it a goal to meet in future. Ridetech coil overs instead of full bolt on air ride. Or CoolRide instead of Shock Waves. Think refurbished used parts, other peoples take offs that are still serviceable.
Other than getting body work done ,never pull it down till your ready to make next mod.
I have no garage, have two projects in the works and it will go faster after I get one rolling. Biggest issue this year is heat, Lord 100 degree heat and no garage yet,,,, kind of hard to make progress now that Im back to work.
Wisely chose your path. Getting rid of something that has sentimental value,,,,it hurts. Has to pass on grandfathers farm truck last year cause others in family thought a 91 Chevy truck all beat up, ac not working 16 yr old tires was worth high book value. I made a lower offer expecting them to be reasonable and come back with better offer. Yeah it had 61 K BUT other than that only other redeeming feature was new exhaust.
Had idea of smoothing out the rough spots, do some fresh paint, even if only partially. Fix AC, add some CoolRide and maybe swap in my roller 355.
My 77 Monza was totaled from blown tire(lost control and hit small tree,,,who would of though small trees stay put too!) I REALLY miss that car. Thats why Iam working on getting part together to rebuild my newest Monza.
also liked having bigger car, so My Caprice was supposed to get my 402, till it came up with water damage. I now have a 454 low miles engine I will install.
Time and your need to have it done fast or done a certain way can rob you of memories. I wish I had stood my ground, and went and bought my dads 95 Ford F250 diesel 4x4,,,his last Ford truck. Only thing I got vehicle wise of dads was the car trailer. But it wil l always stay untill i have no place to store it. At brothers for now, waiting on me finding a good deal on tires and doing some rewiring and building a new set of ramps or a dovetail/ramp set up.
Personally I wish I had back several cars, some I took off road, some I wrecked, some I sold/traded. Many I really regret.
To the guy who says sell it and build something else,,well thats ok for you, but some people DO believe in sentiment over cash or different car with no past history.
Money or finished projects dont always fill the bill. Sometimes KEEPING projects, getting it done even if its not quite FINISHED is so much more satisfying.
Keep it, get it rolling and running, plan for future up grades TIL ITS DONE. Trying to fix it all in one trip,, thats doing brakes,not building a project. Neither of my cars will be perfect. But I will have at least one running car.

[Vegas69]

This is an easy one. I wouldn't take a million bucks for my car if someone offered. Waaay too many years and waaaay too much history.

Buuuuulllllll ****

[TheJDMan]

Buuuuulllllll ****

That was a rhetorical statement not unlike when you say to a sibling "I'll kill you if you tell mom or dad". But you knew that!

[Vegas69]

Steve, I happen to know Gaetano over a few beers and countless ribbing.

[TheJDMan]

Doah! Never mind.

[Gitter Dun]

Buuuuulllllll ****

Tell ya what....I'll bet you a million I wont sell it for a million, LOL

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

how this for you Todd..

I was offered 6 months ago from a Saudi prince 500,000 for my Camaro.. His assistant contacted me through Youtube(i thought it was bull**** at first)
then he contacted me through the phonenumber on my website.. he wasnt playing games.. told me my car had that something he had never seen..

I told him no, and why.. he said if for argument sake I offered you 1 million would you have considered?

I told him this..

"one day I will earn my millions with my own two hands, the grace of god, and my wits.. I did that with this car, and I can do that also if I want it bad enough.. and honestly.. I dont want it that bad right now

why?!










CAUSE IM A MUTHA****IN HUSTLER.. thats why.. I go get what I need to get when I want it.





Just to let yall know I consider this car my "Mt Everest"

it took everything I had to make it this good.. and the strength of my youth..

I wont let her go.. Its going to my son.. just like my other camaro to my other son.







now if you know what this picture is from.. go watch the movie.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/indecentproposalSPLASH-1.jpg

[Gitter Dun]

Glad to hear somebody else gets it.

[SparkyRnD]

I'm not smart enough or talented enough to earn millions....I would have sold for $750,000!

[scotzilla]

am i done with my time out yet? can i take this cone off my head and re-join the class?- You guys are crazy but hey- to each his own

[Torquedork]

Here's my take. I purchased my 68 Camaro when I was 18, I'm now 58. I drove it on the street for three years then drag raced it for another 10 or so years. Once I got married I had no cash to race anymore and no money to put the car back on the street. Bottom line is that life took priority over the car. The result was the car has been stored in various garages for the past 30 odd years. As we have moved around the country for jobs the car has been moved along with us. I have had more offers to sell the car over the years than I can remember and I always turned them down flat knowing I would regret selling it as soon as it rolled out the drive. My wife used to pester me to sell it and after several years she realized I was not going to part with it and stopped bugging me. I'm now semi-retired, the house is paid for and I have spare money to play with. Now that life has slowed down a bit, I also have the time to work on the car.



Great Story and the Camaro is awesome.

I can relate. My first new car was a ’71 AMX I bought just over 40 years ago. By ’72 I ran the back roads in Florida with the local Corvette club, joined SCCA and tracked the car for the first time at Sebring in ‘72 long before the term Pro/Touring ever existed. Drove at Daytona, then Road America and finally Donnybrooke (now BIR). Back then I had upgraded sway bars and Gabriel Adjustable E’s at the time. Had 118,000 miles on it by ’78 and at 142,000 mile, received a valve job and new timing chain. Even went back to BIR in the early ‘90’s when the car was still stock restored and turned 150,000 miles at the track in turn one doing 120 MPH. In 1995 Doug Rippie Motorsports built a fresh AMC engine and in ’98 pulled the original engine out at 165,000. It currently has 178,000 miles on it and the rear axle and trans are still original. I won’t touch it till something breaks just to see how long it lasts. Only then will I take it to another level.

It’s a rare car but it’s an AMC yet you CANNOT replace the memories that this car has given me over the course of 40 years. I will never sell it nor will I “Over Build” it where it can’t be restored easily. Think of it in terms of how many Camaros were built. For me, not easy to replace one of 745 for my year.

Building a fairly common car with Blood, Sweat and Tears and owned less than 10 years is one thing, but any car with deep memories built over the course of multiple decades is a whole different ball game.

The early days
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/1978-1.jpg

Road America 1972 (I'm in the pack somewhere)!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/z12g-1.jpg

Donnybrooke (BIR) Early ‘90’s in Turn One
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/track2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/track3-1.jpg

As it is today with more suspension upgrades, Wilwood 4 wheel discs, 16 inch Halibrand 5 spokes

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/4d-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/eng1a-1.jpg

[TheJDMan]

am i done with my time out yet? can i take this cone off my head and re-join the class?- You guys are crazy but hey- to each his own

No, we are passionate about our cars. If we have to explain it to you, you wouldn't understand it anyway!

[andrewb70]

how this for you Todd..

I was offered 6 months ago from a Saudi prince 500,000 for my Camaro.. His assistant contacted me through Youtube(i thought it was bull**** at first)
then he contacted me through the phonenumber on my website.. he wasnt playing games.. told me my car had that something he had never seen..
.....

Got his number? I got a SWEET GTO for him...

Andrew

[Torquedork]

Speaking of GTO's, My best friend I build cars with bought a Tiger Gold Tri Power '65 GTO in 1965. It was his first NEW car and some years later sold the car but had regrets. When he originally found the car at the dealer, they had TWO Tiger Gold GTO's in stock, one with A/C which he passed on for the non A/C car and immediately put 5 spoke Americans on the redline tires.

About 5 years ago, he ran across an original Tiger Gold '65 GTO project car for sale. Turns out it was the "Other" car that was at the dealership back in 1965. He bought the car and we began the restoration. He does essentially have a version of his old car back complete with the 5 spoke Americans and redlines. He paid WAY too much money for the project car but he is still glad he bought it.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/gto1-1.jpg

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

Got his number? I got a SWEET GTO for him...

Andrew

here he is..

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/angry20muslim20man202-1.jpg

[Torquedork]

Shoot.... I thought it was THIS Guy!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Might not be available any more! :rotfl: