I'm a year this past February.

I thought it would take a year or two, tops.

I'm not even close!

I'm a year this past February.

I thought it would take a year or two, tops.

I'm not even close!

Mine isn't a resto. but my camaro is in it's 5th year now. I work on it when I can.

Here's an idea where I am...


http://s272.photobucket.com/albums/jj178/Norcoastal/th_DSC00971.jpg


Miles away...

Twenty one years - same car... Interrupted by college, work, marriage(s), kids, house, hobbies, etc.

9 years and counting. seems neverending.

Bought mine (67) November 2006. My youngest son and I took the car completely appart in 4 days and sent to the body shop. Got the Car Back from Body Shop November 2007. But we worked on parts that needed work during that year. Real work kept me busy till Jan3rd, 2008. So I I finished the car last week end (9 weeks) but have done nothing to the motor. I still have the windshield glass molding to install, just polishing it and the brakes. The Motor is what i will do next, but do not know when time will allow me to start and finish. With proper prep it goes pretty fast. Car is installed like new but not using NOS Parts.

http://community.webshots.com/user/kgmunro

it's been 2 years for mine but the car was in great shape when I bought it.

Just over 2 years and im about 90 percent done . Luckily Ive been able to devote a lot of time to it. I figure I had about average rust conditions with a few bogus repairs here and there, but nothing horrible. I basically took it apart and put it back together to analyze the condition and repair any problems. The interior is 95%, the undercarriage is 95% finished along with trunk 100% and engine bay at 95%. tranny and engine are rebuilt. Paint is good and Ive been able to match the few exterior areas I worked on pretty well. The one piece Ive had real trouble finding that I still need is the clip for the two power brake lines under the master that holds the lines together. It attaches to the upper part of the bracket that holds the caliper hose. The only real bad screw up so far is an early repair to a half inch tear in the convertible top. I wish I could have a redo on that because I think I could do a better job now. The top is in great shape but now has a repair circle you can see from the outside instead of the tear.

25 years for the SS (interrupted by marriage, kids, home work) and 3 years for the 327 car (interupted by double cancer surgeries) :(

Just started mine last month. Will be working hard on it and hope to make forward progress. Body is in HORIBLE condition, but I guess time and patience will prove rewarding. I have been away from tinkering for 20 years due to marriage and kids. Now the kids are gone and the wife wanted a 69 camaro. Life is good!!!

When I started in 2001, all I wanted to do was strip and paint the car. Now it has been down to almost the last nut and bolt and 7 years later, I still am not driving it. Last spring I said would make the spring Super Chevy show in Atlanta...not, and then the Food Lion Auto Fair at Charlotte Motor Speedway...not, and then July 4th... not, and now another year has passed and Im still shooting for July 4th. There is soooo much to do for just one person. Good luck on your project. Kevin

Do we ever stop? Seems ongoing at times.

capt

Almost exactly three years in and painting my first coats of filler primer today. Getting married and big house remodel slowed down my original unrealistic 12-18 month estimate. Got to say that there is light at the end of the tunnel now!

I owned this one for 21 years and the I complained the first time I had it painted because it took 6 months and cost a $1000 in 1988. Man, I had no idea what a great deal that was!! :)

Like what's been said it's never really done. But on a lighter note hang in there and things will seem to pick up .The amount of work that has to done is huge. What I would do is just take one area at a time and work on that area only so it not so overwelming at once.Certain thing's need to be done before another and just put things in order and that will help. Make weekly goals on a calender and be realistic and work toward that.good luck Joe

This September will be my 3 year mark but the mechanical stuff is done and now I have the body to work on. I envy those that live in a warm weather climate. Up in the East Coast we have 4 months of hibernation to deal with. As you can see in my picture the body is not that bad,,,LOL. I posted the thread for the Body Jig plans so until I get some of the reference points I need to finish the plan design,,,this is where I will be until the snow melts..
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p23/camjoe63/current.jpg

I guess you can say I'm on year 26. I bought my first car at age 15 so do the math :D

I've had many cars over the years and some just hang around a little longer than others :beers:




bob

24 years. No end in sight. Never have enough money. Family first. But I will never get rid of my Camaro.

I got 2.5 years and almost done....

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii15/davidcalligan/050606_D70_18-55_Mis046.jpg
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii15/davidcalligan/DSC_2793.jpg

7 1/2 years for me. Hopefully finish within the next 12 months as long as the honey do list doesnt get too big.

Bob

39 years and almost done!:D
This is yesterdays work on the new Retrotek FI system.
http://epitomesrebuild.com/images/293.JPG

Bought mine in the summer of 82, moved it to Phoenix in 89 when i got married, sat in parents backyard until september of 06 (dad was always going to do the bodywork for me, now he has to come visit more often to help with it), started actually working on it last August....hope to have the body work all done this year. Interupted by long distances, lack of money, 2 great kids, 1 amazing wife recovering/surviving breast cancer....Family comes first...althought the Camaro is my therapy.

Scott

3 1/2 years and still in the tunnel looking for the light. I think its just around the bend....??

One year now, but all I was going to do was swap out the engine with a big block.

So far I have:
Blueprinted Big Block (broken in ready to go in)
Rebuilt entire front end
New Upper/Lower Control Arms
Coil Overs
AFX Spindles
New Brakes
Powder Coated Subframe
Painted Firewall and inner fenders.

About to to start on redoing the rear suspension as well. Been taking a welding class to be able to mini-tub.

Almost 6 years, but none of the time spent was in a rush.

1992/1993 Bought 1968 Camaro in Virginia
1995 Moved back to Ohio with the car
1996 Moved to California but left the car at mom's house where it sat garaged.
2005 Brought car out to California
2006 started hoarding parts/ waited awhile for Classic to get their full quarters in but that never happened so I went with Year One
2008 Finally took car and got it media blasted and now I am starting to get serioius.
2009/2010 Estimated time of completion.

Boy does it need alot of work! lol

Here are some recent pics
http://picasaweb.google.com/nico.discenza

It took me and my brother inlaw , (and friend )Bill who is a body man by trade , 11 months to do a ground up , start to finish, restoration on my 69 , which included all new outer sheet metal except for the trunk lid and the driver side door skin , which was already replaced before I purchased the car due to an accident.

The only other metal that had to be replaced where the outer rear wheel houses , (that we did'nt know needed replaced until the rear quarters were off :o ) , A complete trunk floor , and both trunk side filler panels.

All glass , including the windshield were removed and replaced upon restoration

Floor's , belive or not were solid as a rock , (which is almost unheard of here in the North East) And thank godness for that because it would of set us back for another three day's lol.:D

A complete interior kit and a new conv. top , pad , well , and rear window were the only things farmed out to a local upholstery shop here in Langhorne Pa. (Williams interiors , they do great work in case you need to know of someone in my area :thumbsup:)

I wet sanded this thing myself very carefully 18 hrs. total (and nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rockers lol ) Thank's to my long time friend , Tony Carango for the use of his spray booth and Bill's painting abilitys , there were no debris issues to sand out except for very little dust and a little orange peel.

I put in anywhere from 45 to 55 hrs. a week at work , and have been doing so for about 22 years. I drive a 18 wheel chemical tanker , mostly hauling 93% sulfuric acid. (I know this part of the post should be in the , what do you for a living forum lol.) That's remind's me I have to do that.:D

Anyway with all that being said , there is no such thing as a (HONEY DO LIST!) when it comes time to work on the camaro.

However I'm the same way with any project I do , like the completely renovated bathroom I just did , I stayed on it untill it was done , all spare time went to that project , I did'nt even take the time to take the camaro for a ride :confused:.

I don't like to have thing's apart or in disarray , I know this may seem like an anal way to do thing's to some, lol ,But not liking to have anything apart , or in disarray , gives me the inspiration and the passion to get the job done sooner than possible , with what little time I have .:thumbsup:

got mine in 89 and just have the interior left........i have to get crackin if i want to have it ready for summer....

Was planning to do the patch panel route on my 67 but ended up doing full quarters and then the domino effect, tore everything apart . That was over 25 years ago. Started when I was living in an apartment. I'm on my third house now and not done yet, well maybe the end of this year.

i know it's not a camaro, but a equally big or lager project of mine, I really wish i would have done a muscle car,, this thing isn't going to be worth anything.. but it's half done so i need to proceed!!!!
Here's a few pics, if nothing else it will make you feel better about your project.. loll..
and to answer your question,, it's been years.. lol..

This is the beginning pic
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f8/projectpages001/Project%20blazer/beginningpicresized.jpg

just a few progress pics.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f8/projectpages001/Project%20blazer/xtremeblazer022.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f8/projectpages001/Project%20blazer/xtremeblazer055.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f8/projectpages001/Project%20blazer/xtremeblazer013-1.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f8/projectpages001/Project%20blazer/xtremeblazer025-1.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f8/projectpages001/Project%20blazer/XtremeBlazer013-2.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f8/projectpages001/Project%20blazer/XtremeBlazer026-1.jpg

39 years and almost done!:D
This is yesterdays work on the new Retrotek FI system....

Fred, that looks nice, but LOUD, lol...................Put a rubber isolator in there man. That thing's gonna buzz you outta the car. ;)

-

I've been working on my car for just over 10 years, and as of last week my pile of receipts now totals up to over $49,000. :rolleyes:

-

--------------

7 1/2 hours, yesterday reinstalling the engine due to a little cam mishap .....before that, about 9 years. After today, probably another 25 years.

Oh, yeah, I was going to get it done in 2 years...3 years, tops!!

Fred, that looks nice, but LOUD, lol...................Put a rubber isolator in there man. That thing's gonna buzz you outta the car. ;)

-

I've been working on my car for just over 10 years, and as of last week my pile of receipts now totals up to over $49,000. :rolleyes:

-

--------------
Look closer. See the rubber feet under the pump?:thumbsup:

It has been 2 years since I started. I hope to have it off for paint in September 08.

http://www.camaros.net/showroom/data/500/December_30_07_012SM.jpg

Its going on 5 years since I purchased my car. Unfortunately I am unable to finish it for another 20 months due to being in the military and getting sent overseas. Interior, suspension, brakes, and exterior molding will (for the most part) finish it off as soon as I get back. I can't wait!

Its going on 5 years since I purchased my car. Unfortunately I am unable to finish it for another 20 months due to being in the military and getting sent overseas. Interior, suspension, brakes, and exterior molding will (for the most part) finish it off as soon as I get back. I can't wait!

I wish I lived closer...I'd work on it for ya while your over there kickin ass for us back here...I mean it. Thanks!

HA! Decades.....

I better get started so I can start to worry about when it will be done...:beers:

I bought a plain Jane 67 in 1998 ($1,800) after selling a 70 Chevelle SS 454 because my 6 year old son was banging it with driveway stones and it was new paint. Took the money from the Chevelle, bought the camaro and stuck it in the barn. I have had it 10 years and bought it from a guy who had it in his garage for 17 years. He never got to restore it. Last time it was on the road was 1981. About 6 years ago I started taking it apart buying some small parts, cleaning, assembling, etc. Every part has been sandblasted, cleaned, painted or replaced. I'm still working off the Chevelle money but might run out with wheels/tires and exhaust to cover. My son will be 16 in July and guess what he wants to drive. I hope its ready. Still needs final paint, intake etc but we're getting close. I've really enjoyed working on it and hope my son keeps it for a very long time.

My 67/327 it has been 26 years for me 2 marriages, kids, but I still have it! I have the NOS quarters fit and hung just need to finish my shop so I can start welding. Plus it was in storage for five of those years so all I could do was accumulate parts when I could. I've come a long way from rolling it around on a cart.

I bought mine when I was 15 years old. I am now 33. I have been working on it off and on since when I could afford to and have the time. It is finally getting close.

I wish I lived closer...I'd work on it for ya while your over there kickin ass for us back here...I mean it. Thanks!



And he does real nice metal work to boot :beers:




bob

Adrian, I'm with Gary...

Thanks Man.

Started 28 years ago then finished , then did it again 3 years ago now I'm done again :wacko:

started by replacing the sppedometer cable, for some reason that turned into a complete strip down - EVERY nut and bolt. Two years in probably 1000 hours or so. Ready now for paint, engine done, drive train in.

I purchased my 69 in 1994 from an uncle for $3000 I drove it for 1 summer parked it to repair rear 1/4 wheel well rust and there it sat in field until 2005 as I wanted it restored for my 40 th.The first body shop cut up body removing rust then closed shop, after rescuing camaro from bodyshop repo guys I then found another to finish,he cried when he saw pre cut-up pics said guy should have left orig.panels and welded in metal not repo parts,oh-well Live/Learn,total frame off,sandblast,lizard skin,paint and now it's on shop hoist getting the brake lines run,fuel system,disc brakes and wiring,hope to be on road this spring!? $40,000 + later time will tell good luck to everyone else,I can see it's an on going process as something new and better comes along with suspension comp. etc!:beers:

21 Years since I legally drove it. It's been neglected because of a couple remodeling projects, school, a divorce, a remarriage, a house purchase, a bankruptcy. Since this car has put up with me through all that I'm going to fix it up real good and build it a really nice new home. Hopefully all will be done by this time next year.

Jeff

I bought my 69 in 83 when i was in college. i did the expected modifications on the car back then like headers, intake, rims. then i wrecked it in 85. i replaced all the front end sheetmetal, gave it a driveway paint job and in 86 it was stolen. (i had a 76 camaro that was stolen in 82). my 69 was found in 88 with no engine or transmission, i towed it home, dropped in an engine and trans, drove it for a while until i bought a new camaro in 89. every now and then i would work on the 69 but mostly i'm sorry to say i neglected it. eventually in december 2005 i got off my butt and got serious. Anyway it's 2years and3 months on the latest restoration attempt. I am making progress with the help of Team Camaro, hopefully before the summer is over i'll have the body panels welded on.

I've been in the process of restoring a 67 RS since July 4, 2006. I've got it to the point where I can make it go, stop, and steer, but it's still ugly as hell and needs the interior, paint, and tires and wheels.

my dad and i have been restoring my 67 since June 16, 2007 we started the next day on our restoration! we replace all the front sheet metal, the drivers door, both quarters and outer wheel wells. the car is in paint and we are hoping to get it done by summer!!

The 69 Camaro, year and a half, 68 GTO, since high school, about 20 years,the sad part, I'll never be done with either one, but that's what makes this hobby so much fun!

3 Years!!! My wife didn't understand why it needed to be redone. She thought the spider cracking laquer paint was fine????? Yes she blonde.

I should be complete with the exception of the Interior in 2 months.

2 years and 4 months. Getting tired of the body work, want to move on to mechanical.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2184000-2184999/2184953_89_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2184000-2184999/2184953_279_full.jpg

Been working on mine since Oct. 2007
have the sub-frame pulled and suspension stripped and ready for sandblasting which im going to do in the next day or so, then paint with POR-15
here are some pics:
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c221/hockey5605_2001/Picture191.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c221/hockey5605_2001/Picture070.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c221/hockey5605_2001/Picture083-1.jpg

i'm liking the color combination.

i'm liking the color combination.


I know i like it too, its pretty unique haven't really seen many others like it :D

i think that's why i like it

...started in 1980, and even with new math that is about 28 years. Earlier efforts were rustorations, but I torn her down all the way in the fall of 1989. Since that time I got married to a very understanding wife and her three kids, moved three times, financed four sets of braces, bought 7 other family vehicles, and paid for some college classes. I tried to jump start the restoration in 1999 and 2002, to no avail. Things finally picked up in 2005, but the pace is still very slow. I can't imagine it seeing the street until 2009 at best, and it still won't be done, I'm sure.

Bought my 68 SS/RS 396 wrecked in Feb. of 1980. Replaced the hood,driverside front fender, uper and lower valances grill etc.. and painted it Corvette yellow instaed of Buternut. On April 12th 1982 It was almost totaled by and old lady in a Buick wildcat when she ran a stop sign. :angry:

We fixed the car again and I drove it every day and raced it on weekends. :yes: I tease people when I say I grew up in that car. I done some really dumb things in it and some really dumb things to it early on.

In 1995 I desided it was time for a resto and I started gathering parts and pulling the car apart in my spare time. I pulled the motor and trans and gutted the interior. I welded in a new dash face I cut out of another 68 to repair the the dash where I thought it would be cool to put Autometer gauges. :o The work was going slow as I had other projects going at the same time and never seemed to have the time or money to jump in with both feet.

In 1998 I found my 69 Z/28 and had to have it. I sold a '39 Ford Coupe street rod I had built and bought the Z. I knew at this point it would most likely be a few years before I could get back on my 68 so I put it all back together so it would move on it's own power. In 2003 I freshed up the big block and continued to drive it every now and then and race it on weekends.

Almost 2 years ago I spun a bearing at the local Drag strip and it has been parked ever since. This time the car will not go back together untill it has had a total resto.

So i guess the moral to my long winded story is , so far 28 years and counting. :D

Too long got it in 85 drove it for 2 years got married in 87 and started in on the car had to move, my wife was in the air force could not work on it, it was in another state moved car to same state in 91 lived in a apartment and could not do much on it there, got a house in 96.
Got a new job then had no time to do anything on it, now I cant work on it because I cant work do to severe continues back pain but the car is staying here for life wont get ride of it.
I thought I was the only person who had a project that has been going on for over 20 years,
Now I don't fell as bad.
Bob

skates236 nice blue, what color is it?

9 Months. I started in June last year. It was a running driving car..............

http://www.camaros.net/showroom/data/500/medium/DSC03797.JPG

As of about 2 months ago. I'm still doing bodywork on the front clip.

http://www.camaros.net/showroom/data/500/medium/DSC04425small.JPG


http://www.camaros.net/showroom/data/500/medium/DSC04427small.JPG


http://www.camaros.net/showroom/data/500/medium/DSC04145.JPG

skates236 nice blue, what color is it?

the guy i bought the car from said it was blue with some purple and sliver flakes thrown in never really got a definite color title :confused: