I remember there being a post that had a website on what to look for in a camaro when shopping. I'm about to go look at a 68 convertible and would like some pointers on what to look for while at the car. Any help would be great.

Camaro Research Group - www.camaros.org :thumbsup:

I don't know if you are looking at a restored car or a builder:

Places to look for rust: door jambs, outerwheelhouses, trunk drop offs, upper trunk panel piece, trunk pan drop offs, dash panel-corners by pillar post and where the windield meets the dash top panel, trunk pan and floor pans.

Always check the rear frame rails for rust or rot, check the subframe from the rear-make sure the tubing is square, alot of times when cars are wrecked the square tubing is retangular shape instead of square.

rear tail panel: most guys when replacing quarters or rear tail panels screw up the seams that meet between the two. Make sure this looks correct. Another thing guys do is butt weld quarter panel skins when replacing them, 9 out of 10 cars you can spot this and is not a good idea. Normally this is butt welded at the top of the quarter, about 1-2" down.

Magent and flashlights are always a good idea when checking out a car.

I am sure I left some other things out. Hope this helps

AMEN...RUST SUCKS!!!

Spend your money on a clean body, and you will be money ahead in the long run.

As far as rust, check the lower front fenders behind the front wheel. The lower 1/4s, both in front of and behind the wheel. Floors and trunk pan.

I usually stay away from those that have rot in the rockers and/or rear frame rails. Those arent typical trouble spots on these cars, so it those are bad, chances are the rest of the car is in bad shape.

A magnet or mil gauge will be helpful.

Like car habit mentioned, a good clean body will put you ahead in the game.

dave

Rust is of course an issue with old cars,.

From what I learned from buying mine. Make sure the car has all the parts that are hard to find or expensive. Cocktail shakers, x brace, top parts, top boot, etc..

Yes, I own a convert - 2004 BMW M3 - WOW! Ain't no rust on this baby!

Get a good look inside the trunk and up and around the rear window and the 1/4's from the inside. Use a flashlight and look for repaired areas. It's not bad that repairs have been done but if you find them and see a 1/4 has been replaced and have been told they are original it's something to think about and cause to look more closely at all claims about the car. I would also inspect the trunk area around the tail pan, the bodies mount attachment points, the core support and it's attaching points. Check the sub frame and around the cross member for repairs. Look at the dash and up under it also. You’re looking for rust at the windshield and wiring. You don't want a cut up harness, it goes for the rest of the cars wiring also. If you can drive it someplace and put it up on a lift then do it. Take a good look at the floor pans and the condition of everything else.

All this means is you can inspect and find all the flaws you want. You need to decide what you can spend on the car, what you can do your self and what you will have to pay for. My advice is if you’re not doing any of it your self and your buying anything from a project to a show car have it looked at by someone you trust and/or whom is going to do your work. Hopefully they know what they are looking at. I have seen my share of cheap excellent projects and advertised show cars that are nothing more than a rebuilt wreck and done poorly at that. As they say buyer beware.


Joe

The guys hit on the trouble spots...

If you're not familiar with cocktail shakers, they are round cylinders, 6" by nearly a foot tall, located in the 4 corners of the car, 2 in the trunk, and 2 just behind the headlights. Chevy put them in for vibration dampening. They are expensive and tough to get if you don't have them.

Another place to look for rust is the windshield frame and top of the dash right up by the windshield.

What the heck does it mean when a user name has "banned" under it?? Not sure if I should bother replying or not, so I'll be brief.

On a vert, the rockers and extra factory bracing welded undernath are absolutely critical. If the lower seam on the rockers is bulged, uneven and rusty, or any of the points where the underside bracing connects to the floors and rockers looks the same, walk away unless you are ready for a major project. There is a brace on each side where the toe panel meets the front floor, and one more or less X-shaped one welded from rocker to rocker under the front seats. There are also two welded braces at the front of the backseat inside the car.