Want to build a First Gen - Need Resources

[qwikz28]

The OGs know I've had my fourth gen for a long time and I think it's time to consider it's replacement. What I want is to build a restomod/pro-touring first gen and transfer the drivetrain and some interior parts from my fourth gen to keep the cost down (the truth is, my car is worth more in parts than whole) and keep my car's "spirit" alive. I'm not the most mechanically inclined so I'm taking the time now to do my research and plan/save.

I've been searching a lot on google and forums to find some information, but what I would really like is a cohesive source such as a book or articles to read about building a first gen and what is needed. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Pic for idea of what I have in mind:

[WildBillyT]

Best bet might be just to do a lot of reading over at pro-touring and lat G.

[BonzoHansen]

And buy a completed car then mod from there

[qwikz28]

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

Best bet might be just to do a lot of reading over at pro-touring and lat G.

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

And buy a completed car then mod from there

I've been searching for days but everything I find is about modding the car or specific issues people hit during the restoration process. I know the common rust areas and that everyone thinks Detroit Speed can do no wrong. I also know that inevitably, you can save money by purchasing a completed car. The absolute most I would be willing to do is buy a restored shell to build up with help from a shop.

What I haven't been able to find is much information on the build process (although I found some books on Amazon after I first posted that I may order and breeze through). I am no where near the point of locating a car and what stage of completion the car would be - I really just know the car I want and how I want it to be modded.

[omarcamaro]

I'm doing the same thing as you I use team Camaro fourm for all my needs you can pm with any question on the classic look with modern twist

[sweetbmxrider]

I think rust and fabrication will be your biggest hurtles.

[V]

I know someone that will come by and collect any unwanted 4th gen parts, lol

[qwikz28]

lol @ Paul.

I'm not worried about rust and fabrication. If it were needed, I'd outsource it but I found this and would make something like this a starting point if I weren't buying a completed car: http://www.musclecarmetal.com/WIP/rolling_camaro.asp

And thanks Omar, but I'm really just looking for prelim reading material on the basics.

[madness410]

i cant contribute much but good luck on your build. you are doing what id like to do with a first gen or an 81 or 92 camaro. keep us posted what you do.

btw i also know someone who is willing to collect unwanted fourth gen parts...

[KevinW]

Quik, Team Camaro has a Pro-touring forum http://www.camaros.net/forums/56-pro-touring/

But you will need to consult the other forums to get the basic body and non-moded portions of the car.

The hardest part about 1st gens is to deal with the body. Almost all the projects we see now are really rusted or pigs with lipstick. So if you do not have major welding skills, you need to find a better cared for car that will provide a good base (but this means way more $$$!).

Another good forum is the "whats it worth" http://www.camaros.net/forums/66-whats-worth/

We talk about ebay and other ads and critique the worthiness of them. So any car you find, post it up and we will give you the good and bad.

So join up and stop by the welcome section http://www.camaros.net/forums/67-welcome-wagon/ and say Hi. We will steer you in the right direction

KevinW, Mod on Team Camaro

Omar, thanks for the recommendation too!

[qwikz28]

Thanks, Kevin. I don't have the trained eye to be able to pick out the "pigs with lipstick" and watching that Gas Monkey Garage show made me realize that even experts can make mistakes on purchases and end up losing big money. Since I want to have the car minitubbed and a roll bar installed, the car will need to go to a fabricator anyway and will need to be disassembled. That makes me think that a rolling shell like the one I posted previously is a safe bet rather than taking a gamble on a completed car that may have been poorly patched up. I'm not looking to make a show car, but I want the metal on the car to be in good condition so it can last as long as my 4th gen last me, you know?

I found a post on Team Camaro last week that I'm going to try and dig up. The guy was saying that he bought a completed car to turn into a pro-tourer, but in the end of the day, he spent so much money on fixing the body work and hidden rust, that he concluded it would have been cheaper to start from bare, new sheetmetal since he was replacing so much of the car anyway.

[KevinW]

Even a completed car may have issues, homework is key! If you can figure out how to get a NJ VIN on a dynacorn body, that might be the way to go, but it wont be cheap

This one might be worth a visit http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/5500684361.html still need to see if a NJ title can be obtained. Rusty floor and rockers, but it may not be deep.

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by qwikz28

Thanks, Kevin. I don't have the trained eye to be able to pick out the "pigs with lipstick" and watching that Gas Monkey Garage show made me realize that even experts can make mistakes on purchases and end up losing big money. Since I want to have the car minitubbed and a roll bar installed, the car will need to go to a fabricator anyway and will need to be disassembled. That makes me think that a rolling shell like the one I posted previously is a safe bet rather than taking a gamble on a completed car that may have been poorly patched up. I'm not looking to make a show car, but I want the metal on the car to be in good condition so it can last as long as my 4th gen last me, you know?

I found a post on Team Camaro last week that I'm going to try and dig up. The guy was saying that he bought a completed car to turn into a pro-tourer, but in the end of the day, he spent so much money on fixing the body work and hidden rust, that he concluded it would have been cheaper to start from bare, new sheetmetal since he was replacing so much of the car anyway.

Inspection is key.

BTW you can do mini tubs and a roll bar in a finished car.

[qwikz28]

I'm pretty confident I don't want a dynacorn body. That brings it into kit car status which I do not want to be involved with. And I read on Team Camaro that the fit and finish isn't great.

I'm willing to do my homework, but I just don't know where to start. That craigslist ad you posted, for example, is way beyond my capabilities. I suppose I could save a few bucks by bringing something like that to Paul at RPM and having him finish the body work, but its still not something I would want to do without first learning what is involved in the build process. Without that, I don't think I can even get into what I should be buying. Or how far in over my head I would be when I bought something...

[sweetbmxrider]

If that is too much project for you, can I ask what you are budgeting towards this?

[WildBillyT]

There are options like this:

https://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/5487193901.html

You'd have to sell the engine of course.

Paint will be expensive.

[BonzoHansen]

holy smokes $18k?

[qwikz28]

My goodness that is a hell of a find.

I have a great hookup with paint. A friend of mine I do business with owns a body shop. This is an excellent find.

[KevinW]

Originally Posted by qwikz28

My goodness that is a hell of a find.

Sarcasm?

Weld inspection for quality is required on that one!

[qwikz28]

Originally Posted by KevinW

Sarcasm?

Weld inspection for quality is required on that one!

Looks it to me. What am I missing?

[KevinW]

If the body work and welding were done correctly and maybe if the price can be lowered by not taking the engine and trans, it might be worth a look, you never know. Sounds like he has some new parts, that might not be what you want, see if he wants to sell it without those new parts. The initial price tag might sound high, but negotiation always start high. A clean NJ title is worth some $$ to avoid the hassles.

That one looks better (potentially) than this one for $15.5K

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Ca...703&rmvSB=true

[qwikz28]

This is so embarrassing. I am going to buy the books on amazon I found. The prices are all over the place and I have no idea why that is.

Here's an interesting post I found on another forum that outlines one guy's cost:
http://www.worldwidecamaroclub.com/f...7744#post17744

[BonzoHansen]

I might have a book or two here you might be interested in. I'll look.

[KevinW]

Nothing embarrassing here. 1st gen prices ARE crazy! You have to be picky and look at a lot. I am dead serious, you really need to go look at all these local ones! By seeing what is out there and seeing the rust piles, you will be able to recognize the prize when you finally find it.

What books? I find most of the "how to restore your Camaro" type books are just fluff. I have one of those, its yours real cheap!

[sweetbmxrider]

That one on ebay is roughhhhhhh

Did you see this thread?