Why build a Camaro or Mustang?

[fantasygoat]

When I go out to cruises or shows, I always see dozens of Camaros and Mustangs. Even at a small parking lot show with maybe 50 cars, 30 of them will be Camaros or Mustangs, and they'll all look basically the same.

What's the attraction? I mean, beyond the obvious that they are spectacularly attractive vehicles - I mean, when you spend the kind of money it takes to own one of these cars, why would you want to have something like everyone else?

I'm just curious as to people's opinion on the topic.

[Restomod]

Simple there is no other reason to own them than they are beaufitul and I want one....I dont want a Chevelle and 69 Camaros (had one of them to and 20+ Fbodies) cost more than 69 Mustangs (had over 30 Mustangs) and I cant afford a Ford GT or Lamborghini Gallardo.
I may pass anouther 69 FB but it wont be like mine. My next project will be a 70 Nova.......

[silver69camaro]

Some of us have had the cars for years, way before the popularity really caught on.

Others just like the cars. Why does it matter what other guys have?

[bigvegan]

1. Because they look awesome and have a tremendous heritage.

2. Because you can build them up to handle / perform as well as a modern sports car.

3. Because it's a benchmark car that's available to people at every income level. You can still find a 1st gen Mustang / Camaro / Firebird for less than $10k in running condition, and you can find them for $200k+. That's the sort of thing that daydreams are made of.

4. Perhaps most importantly, with their popularity / aftermarket support, you can pretty much build a whole car from brand-new parts. Not that you should do this, but anybody whose ever spent a futile weekend at a swap meet looking for a piece of trim or hardware for a less popular make / year can testify that part availability is a definite plus.

[mjoc1]

Why? Because we build what we like. and actually like finger prints no two are alike, they may look similar but if you go through the car no two are the same. Now I own a 70 1/2 RS/SS camaro I have owned this car over 12 years. I get mad when i see all the coverage the second gen is getting but then i get over it.

Now what made you bring up the camaro and mustang. When the 55-57 chevy still out number almost al other customs. What about lower rides and IMPALAs. It all depends on what you are looking to see.

Mike

[Ron S]

I am a lover all cars,American ,Foreign and trucks for that matter.I have to say,that every once in a while Detroit just got it right.The early Camaros,Mustangs were just about aesthetically perfect,along with the mid year Vettes and E -body Mopars.The high production numbers of those two cars didn't hurt they're populatity either.Ron http://mysite.verizon.net/ls6ron/

[TonyL]

Parts. Availability.

Ease of build. Less and less fabrication, and therefore imagination is required. (wow. am I going to regret saying *that*) to build an awesome car.

That's why there is so many. Also, for many of those that have them, they wanted them since they were kids, and the coolest car on the block or in the school parking lot was a camaro or mustang. They're instantly recognizable as an icon. They get instant respect in traffic.

Sure, at a show, there's lots of them. But that's NOT what 90 percent of the camaros that get built were for. They were built for that moment when someone pulls up alongside the car in traffic and gives you a big thumbs up or nod of respect.

[jvike]

Build a MOPAR!

[fantasygoat]

3. Because it's a benchmark car that's available to people at every income level.

Well that's just not true. When I was looking for my next car I considered a Mustang, but for the price of a rusted out, engine-less heap with a ripped interior I got a drivable Torino with not too much rust.

Most of the $10K Camaros I see are body shells.

As far as 55-57s, I originally had those in there too as they make up the next 10 cars at the show. The last 10 is the rest of the cars.

As a person who owns one of those "other" cars I am obviously biased, and certainly envious of the parts availability for the Camaros and Mustangs. But myself, I generally glance at and walk past them at shows to go look at the different stuff.

At least here, people generally make them different, unlike the stock nut-and-bolt crowd who seem to live to point out I have the wrong hose clamps.

[Jim Nilsen]

I will like people who think that my car is a Camaro and it is like all the others because it is always fun to see their faces when you open the hood or have them look closer at everything and here them wonder how you made it into another car without them noticing.

The value in a Camaro or Mustang is the popularity of them, the reason for owning one is that they have value no matter what you do to them.

They are not all the same unless they are factory original and even then they are not the same ,you wouldn't even be here if you were truly one of those people who believe in orginal being better.

The S15 I did had no real value other than what I thought it had and when the wife wrecked it the insurance company made me a believer that a valuable car starts with the car and not the owners appreciation of it.

[Damn True]

Because GTO's are ugly.



Kidding.


Because I've wanted this car, this way for 30 years. Now I can have it and I don't give a rip if anyone else digs it or not.

[trex1270]

Hold on....you mean a 1969 Camaro is not the only car made??? The 69 camaro, along with a 1970 mach are two of the best looking cars ever built. It probably goes back to when we were all lads and Joe smucatelly had a really hot car and we would stare at it when he drive by.....for me, my brother always had Cuda's, but in 1987 I saw a 1969 L78 camaro SS. It was Glacier blue,black interior, awesome car. I was hooked...love them 69's...I actually tried to by that same car in 89 (sr. high school). Could not come of with the 6500.00!! That car now is worth around 80k...heck, it even had factory a/c.

[bigvegan]

I hope the OP's user name is also the name of his car, as that's just awesome.

[Mathius]

When I go out to cruises or shows, I always see dozens of Camaros and Mustangs. Even at a small parking lot show with maybe 50 cars, 30 of them will be Camaros or Mustangs, and they'll all look basically the same.

What's the attraction? I mean, beyond the obvious that they are spectacularly attractive vehicles - I mean, when you spend the kind of money it takes to own one of these cars, why would you want to have something like everyone else?

I'm just curious as to people's opinion on the topic.

I feel the same way about restorations. But the obvious answer to YOUR question is that they were great looking cars and everyone wants to own one.

Mathius

[f1shman]

Well that's just not true. When I was looking for my next car I considered a Mustang, but for the price of a rusted out, engine-less heap with a ripped interior I got a drivable Torino with not too much rust.

The deals are still out there, you just have to look harder for them now. I bought my Firebird (no not a camaro) in 2004 for $2500. I did have to drive two states away to pick the car up, but it was a complete car that was registered and driven by the previous owner up until the time of sale.

[Gearhead Dude]

I too love the look of early FBs and Fastback 'Stangs, but can't afford the price of entry yet. I bought my '67 Cutlass for $1000 from the original owner, then got in it and drove it home 200 miles. That's got to be equal to driving across 3 of them lil' New England states to find my deal! LOL

[icebird84]

it is simple like in politic you 2 big party's GM and Ford
Camaro biggest name over all form GM but not only big name from GM you have the Corvette hard to get ,then you have the Trans am (firebird)chevelle and 442

The secretary car is Ford biggest name over all The Mustang , but you have Ford GT40 very but hard to get, then you have the Torino,thurnderbird

but there is a third party Moper
it has big name like , Charger ,Barracuda ,Road Runner ,Challenger
but you need to have some big round hairy cajones to go with the third party

[69stang]

My 69 mustang is definately on par to being totally different than any on the road. Why, cause its my favorite car and I'm building it to suit me. There are other cars I like but my goal for this one is a Ferrari class of vehicle.

[JEFFTATE]

Becuse they look good.
They're easy to get parts for.
The popularity of the parts makes them cheaper ( in a way )

They can be made to handle pretty well.( in a way )

[MuscleRodz]

For all the same reasons they were popular when they were new on the showroom floor, everyone wants one.

The second biggest reason to pick a 69 Camaro? Value.....

Value ties right back into popularity, if you have to sell, you don;t have to fire sale them to get rid of them.