New 1980 Camaro project.

[79 Camaro]

So it begins.

Saw the car on CL about 2 weeks ago and I contacted the owner (It was his fathers car) and we talked at length about the car. It was Friday and I said if it's as nice as you say I will come on Monday with cash and we can go to the DMV to transfer the title. He said there was a local guy that was coming Saturday morning and he had first shot. I said that's cool and just let me know. Saturday evening he texted me and said the car was sold.
Last Tuesday the owner called me and said the deal had fallen thru and am I still interested? I said yes and we spent some time talking about the car. He is not a car guy and his dad would want it to go to real car guy not to someone that is going to resell. I have no plan to resell.
I met him this morning and the car was amazing.
The good. 28,000 original miles. Original no hit paint. A few dings here and there from 40 years of driving and the black hood insert has some crazing. Original "Oyster" interior. Prefect no crack dash. Rally Sport stripe package. Stainless drip rail molding. Rear window defrost. AM/FM cassette. I have the original window sticker, owners manual and invoice. He paid $7400 in April of 1980. Totally rust free. Glass all around is prefect. Front nose has some waves but they all did. Tail lights are very nice. Trim around the front and back glass are very nice. Console is perfect with no burns.
The bad is that it's a V6/three speed car. That V6 was junk in 1980. Can't do a V6.
So here's the plan. I have a LS3/4L60E in my shop. Totally rebuild the underside of the car and leave the car interior and outside "patina" with a totally upgraded underside and engine/trans.
I will update with progress. Tonight I just sitting here looking at it.

[79 Camaro]

Couple of pics

[ULTM8Z]

Looks cool and a good starting point!

Minnesota plates... how's the rust situation?

[79 Camaro]

Car was Ziebarted when it was brand new. So with that and the low miles it's totally rust free. Pretty crazy for a MN car. The down side of the Ziebart treatment is it's on all the bolt threads and makes them bind up as I remove them.
Tonight I'm working on getting the front bumper off. Then the complete front clip.
Earlier today I redid the head liner. Typical glue released on the 40 year old head liner. Easy fix. New marine vinyl from the local Johann's fabric shop. Total cost about $40.
When you do the math for a 1980 Camaro with 28000 miles that's about 700 miles per year.
Sorry about the double pic post. Just getting the hang of it.

[BonzoHansen]

I love the late mid-late 70s RS paint schemes

[79 Camaro]

Head liner is in. Back plastic is in. It's so weird for me to not to clean and repaint everything as needed but it's my first "barn find" hot rod.
Under the hood will be totally upgraded.

[79 Camaro]

So just an update.
So the Zeibart prevented rust but when I took a bunch of parts (subframe, core support and even inner fenders) to my local powder coat shop they pre-heat the parts to remove oil before applying powder. When they pre-heated the parts the Zeibart rust proofing turned back to liquid and ran out of the parts where ever it could. So no powder coat. I will clean it up and spray paint it.

[79 Camaro]

Project update. Subframe back on. Test fit for the L92. See attached pics.

[79 Camaro]

Just a couple of pics of the gauges. Custom Works gauge panel. Autometer gauges.

[Just 1 More]

Very nice, should be a great cruiser

[79 Camaro]

A bit more progress. Engine in for good? Engine wiring harness plugged in. Exhaust back on for good. Starting on the wiring on the inside of the car with the ecm and dash wiring. Bumper support back on. Hope to fire it after deer hunting.

[TANKMASTERJ]

That's totally awesome cannot wait to see it progress.and a great foundation.
Jason
Tankmasterj
Jason's 67 Pro touring Camaro build

[79 Camaro]

More progress. Starting to look like a car again.

[79 Camaro]

Man I can't believe it's been so long since I updated the progress. 95% done needs a tune and front end alignment. I've put a miles on it. Seems to be pretty snappy.

[brink_79camaro]

Looks great!! Very clean install!!

[andrewb70]

Looks great! If you are using Holleey EFI, I would love to help with the tuning.

Andrew

[TANKMASTERJ]

Just a couple of pics of the gauges. Custom Works gauge panel. Autometer gauges.

I totally love the gauges. Nothing against digital screens but in classic cars I prefer analog looking gauges that's what I did in mine the old stewart warmer wings style.

[Chevelle68]

Look very nice, Like the setup your going for as a original look

[79 Camaro]

So I had a "drive" tune a couple of weeks ago and front end alignment yesterday. It runs and drives great. I really considered the Holley system but my engine/trans combo is pretty mild and I've such good luck with the OEM GM stuff I went that way.
We have a couple months to enjoy. It sits a little low in the front so I'm debating a coil over conversion or just some spacers. $600 bucks or $30 bucks. LOL.
The alignment guy loved working on all new parts in the front end. I took a gamble on Summit tubular upper and lower a-arms. They were able to dial in 4.8 caster with the proper camber.
I still chuckle to myself that I could find a 28K original mile no hit Camaro with zero rust in MN.

[cornfedbill]

Nice build. I like the late 2nd gen Camaros.