Hello all! I am new to the site and just recently bought a 1967 Camaro and I have a small dilema. The seller of this vehicle was in the very early stages of trying to convert it into an SS clone (as it appears to me anyways). I did know enough prior to buying it, to know that it was NOT an SS (although I'm still learning the differences in SS, RS, etc.) so this wasn't an issue with me before laying the money down. Also, I just decoded the Trim Tag and found that it came from the Norwood, OH factory as pretty much a standard, plain Jane '67 Coupe (6 cylinder, Gold on Gold, etc.). I still love her just the same though :yes:. Also, I paid $15,000 for it (he was asking 20K but he was trying to sell it as an actual SS).

I would consider this car to be in great shape with only a few minor issues to resolve. I'm still learning the finer details about it as well. What little I do know is, it currently has a 327 with a 3 speed manual transmission, black interior and decent paint job (Red with black strip around the nose). Oh, and I should mention that I am by no means a good mechanic (or a mechanic at all for that matter). That said, it's going to my normal mechanic in a couple of days, for a checkup and so I can get further information on it (i.e., type of transmission, carb, heads, etc.).

This brings me to my dilema and what might very well be the dumbest question of the day. Would it be more beneficial (from an investment/eventual resale standpoint) to spend the time, effort and most importantly, the money on restoring this car to it's original state (from the factory), try to make it an SS Clone (again, if this is even possible), turn it into a street rod, or just fix the little stuff and leave it alone? Again, I'm looking at this from the long term perspective of getting the most money out of it, if I get into a bind or something and God forbid, have to sell it (of course after I've already sold the wife and kids ;-).

Bare with me here if this seems like a totally stupid question as I have no experience in this area, just alot of curiousity. All I knew going into this was, I've wanted a 1st, 2nd or 3rd gen Camaro forever and finally got one. Just curious as to where to go from here.

Thanks in advance for any advice anyone has to offer.

John

In my opinion , with the original drive train gone it is not a viable restoration project. Its modified enough I would continue and build it into the car you want.
Since it appears you won't be doing your own work a fat wallet will be required. Enjoy the car, they are lots of fun and at the end of the day you only have to make yourself happy.

Just don't go overboard and build something like this - http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=151211&highlight=supra l:)

It's your car, you should feel free to do whatever needed to get the car the way you will enjoy it the most. :thumbsup:
Even though it would seem the site would lean toward the 'as built' look you will find all sorts of examples of cars with all ranges of modifications on here :yes:

Even though your car wasn't 'born with' a 350 or BB, as the original SS's were - you will find those power plants give excellent performance and 'bang-for-the-buck' for street use - built it the way you want.
As long as oyu don't decide to mislead or misrepresent the vehicle to increase it's value to someone with intent to decive them you willl get little flack from most on the site.
Several on here have very nicley done "clones" and they enjoy the he11 out of them :D

I tend towards the 'restore' side of that question most of the time - but, I really enjoy seeing cars that are nicely modified and upgraded.
Shows the owner to be a true entusiast and into making their car a statement of their enjoyment :thumbsup:

As always JMHO's

Would it be more beneficial (from an investment/eventual resale standpoint) to spend the time, effort and most importantly, the money on restoring this car to it's original state (from the factory), try to make it an SS Clone (again, if this is even possible), turn it into a street rod, or just fix the little stuff and leave it alone?

The most economical thing would be (d) "just fix the little stuff and leave it alone." Anything you do to the car will be expensive and inefficient in terms of getting your dollars out if/when you sell.

A 6 cylinder Camaro restored or not is never going to be worth what a V8 non matching car is worth in my opinion. There just isn't any demand for them. My latest project started out life as a 6 cylinder Powerglide car and I'm having a blast building the car "my way". I got burned out on the whole restoration thing doing a 69 Z/28 a few years ago and this is way more fun. I've added a 12 bolt posi rear and 4 wheel disc brakes with Wilwood aluminum calipers, Muncie 4 speed, 350 .030 over with RHS heads, lots of home made aluminum parts, etc. In my spare time I'm a crewchief on a Nascar Pro-Stock circle track car so fabricating my own parts is fun and saves a bunch of money. With a restoration it can take a LONG time and alot of searching not to mention money just to locate a "correct" bracket or widget. With this car I just make my own. Need seats ? Go to the salvage yard and find something modern & more comfortable for way less money than original stuff, etc. I'm going with SS emblems just because but a cowl induction hood (not "correct" for 67) and Z/28 style stripes. Paint is a year 2000 GM medium metallic blue with black stripes. Why ? Because it's what I like. In the end if the car is nicely done and looks good it will still be worth real money.

A 6 cylinder Camaro restored or not is never going to be worth what a V8 non matching car is worth in my opinion. There just isn't any demand for them. My latest project started out life as a 6 cylinder Powerglide car and I'm having a blast building the car "my way". I got burned out on the whole restoration thing doing a 69 Z/28 a few years ago and this is way more fun. I've added a 12 bolt posi rear and 4 wheel disc brakes with Wilwood aluminum calipers, Muncie 4 speed, 350 .030 over with RHS heads, lots of home made aluminum parts, etc. In my spare time I'm a crewchief on a Nascar Pro-Stock circle track car so fabricating my own parts is fun and saves a bunch of money. With a restoration it can take a LONG time and alot of searching not to mention money just to locate a "correct" bracket or widget. With this car I just make my own. Need seats ? Go to the salvage yard and find something modern & more comfortable for way less money than original stuff, etc. I'm going with SS emblems just because but a cowl induction hood (not "correct" for 67) and Z/28 style stripes. Paint is a year 2000 GM medium metallic blue with black stripes. Why ? Because it's what I like. In the end if the car is nicely done and looks good it will still be worth real money.

agree! sounds like your working a nice ride!
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If I were you, I would either get the mechanicals good and sturdy, just small fixes and enjoy the car.

Or

Build the car how you want it.

As others have said, restoring it back to stock can take a lot and not be beneficial to get the bang for the buck, especially on a plain jane. Making it an ss clone is feasible but that is if it is what you want to do. I don't think it will bring about anymore money than building it the way you want it. All depends on when you sell and to who you sell as they will be buying it based on what they want.

There is not much to add to the what the others have said, except, mine is modified and I don't think I would have it any other way. Let's you have what you want and not pay for stuff that is only there to make it authentic, which is fine if that is your thing.

As previously stated,
It's what YOU like that really matters.
As for investment value? Going back to a stock 6 banger, forget about it. Too much coin spent, too much time spent looking for X, Y and Z. and in the end. It's still just a 6 cylinder.
If it were me....Id enjoy it AS IS. You can spend a fortune and not increase the overall value. About 10 cents on the dollar spent. Figure it that way. Wanna play with it? Then change this or that when you feel like it.
Most important thing is, Enjoy your car.

My 2 cts: Drive it after the widgets have been fixed to make it safe for not only yourself, but others also, first and foremost.
Seat belts in the back seat for those baby seats, if you have young ones? If not, they can be installed.

As said, it was born with a 6-cyl and not there now, lost cause to restore it back to original - kindda like pouring sand down a rat hole, but what car isn't?

You've wanted a Camaro, either a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Gen.
You looked around and compared.
You found this one and it pulled at you.
You struck a deal to own it.
Now you have it, drive it like you stole it and enjoy it.
If you decide to change something, the car is down for the count, no driving allowed until the project is finished.
As always, the Snowball Effect invites itself in.
You start a project, you see something else to do while you're at one stage, make decision to finish the second project while doing the first project, then oh, a third project, then a fourth project , and so on. They keep piling in.

But, if you do decide to do projects to your liking, when the car is finished, it will show your taste.

One other important fact to consider, you're married, and you own this Camaro, it works and drives at the present moment - wife says nothing. You start to modify, the car sits, collects dust, becomes a table for other stuff, car needs a NY buck 3.80 part to finish, wife gets concerned, car not moving, scattered about in pieces, and money is spent - hmm, what's wrong with this picture she asks........

Food for thought. Drive it, enjoy it.
Make an album of the car - give it a history and a name.

Build the old girl the way you want too, but make her fast and make her loud ...you are representing the camaro world now!! Good luck with your choices!!

All Right! Another Okie joins the ranks :thumbsup:

There are 5 first gens in my neighborhood:

- Original Bolero Red (?) '67 RS Z28 with deluxe white interior
- A project Grecian Green '68 Z28 cowl plenum induction car
- A Maroon '69 Z28 clone (former 327 car)
- A Garnet Red '69 RS/SS 396 clone (my current project that was originally an LM1)
- A Hugger Orange '69 SS 350 (the shell was built by Mike's Custom Cars an it will be my next pro-touring project)

Bring your car over if you are ever on the west side of OKC.

Build the old girl the way you want too, but make her fast and make her loud ...you are representing the camaro world now!! Good luck with your choices!!


BILL I like your "tude":yes:

This depends on your goals. An SS clone would bring more than a 6 cyl gold/gold car but stillnot a lot. If you are doing this for yourself and not to sell and make money or anything else, then do what you want to do. Restomods are bring more money these days than clones anyway (in fact I have rethunk my Yenko clone many times but I am almost done)... Build what you want and you will love it.

Thanks a bunch to all that replied. I knew I found the right website and obviously a whole bunch of good folks with sound, solid advice. It sounds like the general consensus is, don't worry about taking this thing back to its original specs from the factory and just make it the kind of ride I want personally. I like the sounds of that.

Most especially Bill's advice...make her fast and loud!!

Thanks a bunch, you guys rock!

John

At this point... do your own thing.
One day I really want to go with a high performance car, I love the originality side, but there is definitely something to be said for building what you want. Pick the options you like add them to your car and enjoy... but I wouldn't expect to make any $.
Since your car was a 6 cyl you might as well opt for a bigger engine. It sounds like you appreciate originality so a good option for you might be a customized clone of a factory/dealer available car that would be unique, fast, and fun to drive. If it still has the original gold interior a great option would be a Black Panther clone with a 427. There is nothing wrong with a clone that is built or sold as such. The Black Panther was a 1967 Canadian "copo" car. Here is some more information: http://www.firstgencamaro.com/blackpanther.html