I bought my 67 camaro about a year ago and she hasn't left the garage and I'm getting pretty discouraged. I made the HUGE mistake of buying it site un seen except for photos and the word of the seller. I didn't have the buget to fly and look at the car man I wish I would have, anyway I don't want to get into it as I'll just get upset. The car is really not that bad but my main problem is that I'm by no means mechanical, this car was supposed to ready to go and needed nothing. I basically have just been cleaning and waiting for it to get dirty so I can clean it again. I have attempted to put a complete wiring harness in but after running the wires I'm pretty lost. Everywhere I look I need to replace or redue something and I just don't know if I have the know how or patience to get her driver ready. I don't have a #'s matching show car I just want a driver that I can enjoy and fix as I go. I really have no idea what I'm going to do with it, I love this darn car like I've owned it since new. I'm sure many of you have felt this way, I just don't know what to do about it. Thanks for listening......

we all been there and done that lol.
stick to yer guns and ask questions here for answers.
IMO its better that you are working on the car and learning about it.
dont get discouraged before you know it the car will be on the road.
it all depends how much time and effort you put into it.
Also after you finish it youll have pride in yourself knowing you did it all.

Late last year I strip mine all the way down. It is sitting on floor jacks right now. I started this with hardly any mechanical knowledge at all (just read some of my posts) but thanks to family help and people on here willing to answer questions, I hope to have her put back together and painted by April. These folks will help you any way they can!
Thanks,
Brian

You're not the only one man!....I purchased my 68 coupe, back in 2005, sight unseen, and when it arrived, I discovered it was a poor mans Camaro!:mad:....But seriously, if you have any questions just start a thread and remember, there's no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid people! :yes::D:thumbsup:

As said, don't be afraid to ask questions. Get a clipboard/notebook and a digital camera and a reference book, either a Haynes manual, not the best, but better than nothing, and/or a reproduced assembly manual followed by a reproduced shop manual. might check ebay and the sponsors of this site. These books will come in handy for the life of the car and make yours alot easier, its money well spent. Even for a daily driver.

Make a list of repairs needing to be done - safety items first.
Then, make the list in ascending order starting with the easiest repair first.
Do the easiest repair first - after taking a picture of each task for future reference.
If in doubt how to make the ascending repair order, post them here for outside assistance. No sense in doing one repair and having to find later you need to disassemble the same repair for a later repair.

Get together small hand tools.
Get a digital multimeter, Harbor Freight has an el-cheapo meter for less than $5.
Might check the pawn shops to see what they have to offer - any Beckman or Fluke is nice with Fluke being the top of the line. You will need a multimeter for voltage checks and continuity checks of wires and the like.

After doing several of the small repairs, the bigger ones will seem to be knockoffs and wha-la, you're driving.

I assume the body and paint are in fairly good shape. Replacing body panels, such as rear quarter panels, etc., those panels welded in, can be overbearing. This is where friends come in handy. Ask one to show you how to do, then you do it and have them check it. Other panels, front fenders, bumpers and the like are bolted on and not really hard, but need some ahead thinking to protect the paint if they need to come off and go back on.

Or, as a last resort, if you believe you're overwhelmed with this car, cut your losses and get another daily driver - but still get the reference books - they will be money well spent.

Most of all, keep the faith.

My SS has not left the garage except to change garages (on a trailer) for the past 25 years! :D Keep working on it and it will get done!

Thanks guys I really appreciate the encouragement. I'll keep plugging away as I hope to have her on the road this spring. :hurray: I'm sure I'll have lots of questions along the way.

Still a work in progress since '04..just keep hope alive!

You got the car and it's a done deal, period. You can't turn the clock back so now you need to make the best of it and enjoy yourself at the same time. Remember, one thing at a time. No hurry, take your time as good things in life do take time. You've come to the right place as people here are awesome. They will help you in any way they can.

Lot of great suggestions so far...:thumbsup:

If not mech inclined.. it will cost you a bundle, unless you're prepared to hunker down, get some manuals/reference books, educate yourself, and take it one step at a time. Some things may be be beyond your scope, and have to be farmed out.

Perhaps you could join a car club, or get some retired type who has both the time and abilities that you are lacking to get some of the work done.

Other alternative is to bite the bullet, sell your car, and down the road pick up a "turn key" car that just needs to be driven...I think that the prices will be in your favour in the next while.

Hang in there... you are not the first, nor will be the last to arrive at this crossroads... as to what to do.

capt

I'll bet there is someone nearby that would lend you a hand! Us Camaro guys stick together. Heck, I'm just over the border in Colorado!

Been working on mine in the basement for 3+ years. Don't tackle all the big, complicated jobs one after the other. Throw in some easy ones so when done you feel you have accomplished something. And when that gets to be too much, walk away and do something else that is fun. As others suggested try to find someone to help directly or give advice. Car clubs are a source and not just Camaro or GM clubs. Go to local car shows, cruize-ins, etc. Talk to people. Guys who work on their own cars usually like helping others work on theirs. Lastly, the guys on this site will help, just ask.

Good luck and I'll bet you will be on the road before I am!

Thanks guys I really appreciate the encouragement. I'll keep plugging away as I hope to have her on the road this spring. :hurray: I'm sure I'll have lots of questions along the way.

That's the spirit:yes:. Ask any and all questions that you want, we'll be here to answer them for you and remember........there's no such thing as a "dumb question". If questions aren't asked, nobody would learn anything!!!

David F.

I know / we know exactly what you are going thru .... You think your the only one who sees their car like that?? I walk past acouple of my undone cars that are just sitting there waiting for something. It seems that money is tight sometimes and when you do get money for it something breaks down in the house ex. "water heater" "well pump" etc. and you have to spend the money on that. Hey life throws curveballs at you, but in the end you will be happy !

Remember do searches on threads for what you are looking for if no "hit" then start a thread ... Google anything and everything , click for web , click for images and go from there.

i've fixed my 42 inch plasmas from googling , I fixed my 52 inch big screen tv from googling aswell. Google is your friend and so are we, just ask away !:D

Thanks guys I really appreciate the encouragement. I'll keep plugging away as I hope to have her on the road this spring. :hurray: I'm sure I'll have lots of questions along the way.
Keep your chin up and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. You might be surprised how much fun this can be learning to do the "mechanical stuff".

Since joining this board, I've read more than a couple of posts like yours from people who feel overwhelmed. Many times, I've felt that way also over the past 14 months. Just take your time and don't set deadlines for accomplishing anything. Good luck!

You arent"t alone out there. This is a great site with sharp people-talented people.
Keep in mind, a car must be safe ,before it can be fast.Ask questions. Read. Go to shows and swap meets. Most of all enjoy the journey, and the car.

John

I think I made a post similar to yours a few years ago. I was in the middle of a 19 month resto. I cut my teeth on fabrication while doing a Jeep, so I went into the project with at least some knowledge about I was doing.

I had to replace my full trunk and frame rails. I know some hardcore guys that won't do this. Thankfully, I jumped into that part of it before I knew what I was getting into. Long story short, I won my first award last summer with it (67 of course). The TC family is huge, and smart. I use the search a lot, but even at that, still start a thread once in a while.

I find it really fun to work on the car while I watch Barrett Jackson. Gives you some added inspiration. :)

The guys covered everything pretty well.

Pick one project (you mentioned wiring? That just happens to be an area I'm pretty good at. So is Everett who posted a bit back.)
So fire up your digicam, and learn how to get pics on the site, and lets see what yer dealing with, and hear your questions.
You said you were trying to replace a harness? What brand, and where are you having trouble?

Chad,

Just take it in small steps, i think most of us got discouraged at some point, but with the help of the guys here you can get it done.

I bought mine 5 years ago, dug into it, got in over my head, worked my way through it and now im about to tohe point where all i have to do is paint it to finish it up.

I got discouraged a few times to say the least, but when it got real bad, i just changed my plan of attack - got it on the road. Now everytime i come home from work I am exctited to get a chance to work on it.

And i'm sure like others have said, there are members here that are close by and would help out if needed.

Keep on keepin' on - you'll get there.

PS - I didn't have a lick of experience with anything i've done on my car, most of it was learned from here or just general trial and error.

Rob

I have to agree with the local car club suggestion. When I purchased my camaro I joined one and met Steve McCorry. He has helped me so much w/ work done to mine that I should give him a job :)

So look around and see if any other local Camaro owners are available to give a hand.

Good luck with the car.

Mine's been on jack stands for the 3-4 years I've had it. I have to depend on someone else for my welding, so it gets done slowly. I am learning as I go and have been where you are. The folks here are saints. They have to be to put up with me and my questions. Point is, if you don't know, ask. These guys are full of answers and suggestions and will help.

Guilty as charged, I also am I that has had a car since 96 and this car has not been driven since 1973 when it was wrecked.:( I have never even sat in this car. It has been moved many times and I am sure I own at least 2 of everything to finish the car. I will plead innocent however as that I have put over 55 of these cars back on the road for other people in this time frame, so I don't feel quite as guilty, but knowing my luck I will probably drop dead of a heart attack before my car gets done:sad:

Your initial question got lost!
So what wiring harness are you wanting to replace?
What problems are you running into on it?

Been working on mine in the basement for 3+ years. Don't tackle all the big, complicated jobs one after the other. Throw in some easy ones so when done you feel you have accomplished something. And when that gets to be too much, walk away and do something else that is fun. As others suggested try to find someone to help directly or give advice. Car clubs are a source and not just Camaro or GM clubs. Go to local car shows, cruize-ins, etc. Talk to people. Guys who work on their own cars usually like helping others work on theirs. Lastly, the guys on this site will help, just ask.

Good luck and I'll bet you will be on the road before I am!
Danny,My first time to this thread OK how did you get your car in the basement and how are you getting it out when its put together......

Chad,Keep your chin up my build was three years and when I was just about finnished I crashed the car in the garage with no brakes.It definatly takes time and it gets you down just keep pluggin.....

Sorry to hear about your delimma. Don`t get discouraged though. I didn`t read through all the posts, so I maybe reposting what someone else has said. My car has sat virtually in the same place in pieces for almost 7 years now. It`s frustrating, but my vision of the car keeps me going. I take breaks from it time to time just to keep myself from not getting too discouraged. I have found that if I look at just each little thing that needs to be done on the car rather than looking at the whole project, I don`t get overwhelmed that way. I have had to replace quarters, floor pans, trunk pans, outer wheel houses, shock tower, trunk pan, toeboards, dash top, rear window filler panel, fix rusted frame mounts, you name it needed it. Completely rewire the car. My car has needed everything and I mean everything. It takes a lot of time to get all that done. Just look at each individual job rather than the whole job and you`ll keep your sanity that way. Good luck with your car and don`t sell it.

I think I am holding the record on rebuilds. 14 yearsd and counting. Bought my 69 in 1994 and tore it apart. Full resto, still in progress. When I have time, I don't have money. When I have money, I don't have time. I save $$ during the winter storage time and buy/refurbish parts and complete bits and pieces in the other months. All I hear from my buddies is "when are you gonna finish that damn thing"? I don't talk about time, I tell them in another 6 grand. Bit by bit, it's getting done. For motivation, I read hot rod magazines, watch hot rod stuff on TV and go to shows. Hang in, just like making your way west in the 1800's, one step at a time and you will get there.

Bought mine Oct. '66, took possession of her in Dec.
66, let her get away in '73 and bought her back in '81 or '82??

DD her one year back in '86 and now her she sit's unfinished ONLY road worthy w/ my new 496 and almost 100 percent restified suspension-wise so I gotta going this coming summer!

I hear you bigtime!!

pdq67

Darn double post!!!

Sorry about that.

pdq67

Bought mine Oct. '66, took possession of her in Dec.
66, let her get away in '73 and bought her back in '81 or '82??

DD her one year back in '86 and now her she sit's unfinished ONLY road worthy w/ my new 496 and almost 100 percent restified suspension-wise so I gotta going this coming summer!

I hear you bigtime!!

pdq67


Paul, if you ever get a chance to be in my area, I want you to stop by for the day. I want to have you help me work on the Camaro. I have no project in mind right now, but I think it would be cool as hell to spend a day chatting it up, and turning a few wrenches. Just a thought. I do want to put in a new tranny. That ought to keep us busy for an afternoon. :)