WTB - Muscle Car (Pontiac, Chevrolet)

[greg86z28]

Looking for a project muscle car, my first one to restore. Probably will be my last one too, so I want to make sure I get something that I really like and can enjoy for the rest of my life. Looking to restore back to factory spec and have something around a #2 condition car when done (excellent/mint condition, but a car show driver, not a trailer queen investment grade vehicle). I've been told by knowledgeable people to find the most complete car possible. Also, to me, taking apart something is half the fun to learn the history.

Here are the cars I have interest in:
1969-1970 Chevelle SS (L78, LS5, LS6 cars)
1969 Camaro SS/Z28 (My uncle has a 302 from his old Z28 (car is long gone), this would be my first choice of vehicle as it would have sentimental value).
1963-1967 C2 Corvette (maybe a 1968-1970, but I'm not a huge fan of the C3 body style).
1968-1970 GTO (especially if it was optioned with hide-away headlights)
1970-1971 Trans Am

Car must have been optioned with a 4 speed. Does not need to be numbers matching however. I think I'd rather have a NOM L78 Chevelle than a numbers matching L34. Is that a smart choice?

Cash in hand ($10,000 roughly, that could go up depending on the vehicle, maybe even by $5,000) and I can travel to pick something up.

Thank you so much,

Greg

[the427king]

1963-1967 C2 Corvette You should probably take this off your list,10-15K wont get you anything close to a complete car

[greg86z28]

1963-1967 C2 Corvette You should probably take this off your list,10-15K wont get you anything close to a complete car

Yeah I wouldn't think so either but I figure I'll just keep my list complete.

I'd take things less than complete as well for the higher end models (LS6, C2 Corvette, Z28, etc)

[WILMASBOYL78]

Given the scope of the budget you described, I don't think you are going to find anything on the list you have presented. If your goal is to enjoy the process of building a car and have fun driving it...why not consider a clone or tribute approach. Try and find a base model Chevelle, Camaro, Nova, Lemans, Skylark, Cutlass, Firebird, etc...preferably one that has decent sheet metal and interior, and then build from there.

Even with this approach you will have to be a 'patient shopper'...$10k - $15k is not a lot of money for a car today. Be careful not to get a car needing major metal work...it will sink your budget and your enthusiasm for the project. Even with a good starting point the end product will probably cost a little more than you have budgeted, but it can be done over time, with upgrades along the way.

There are lots of websites you can research for prices like Craiglist, Ebay, etc...maybe even your local papers. If there are 'car guys' in your neighborhood, look to them for help...they may even know of a reasonably priced car that will fit the bill. Take your time and don't rush it....and of course use the SYC folks here for opinions on cars you find...there are a lot of helpful people here.

Good luck.

wilma

[greg86z28]

Thanks for all the input guys!

Just to clarify, I've got the resources (and wife approval) and patience (I'm ok with a 3-5 year project) to do a frame off and deal with rust repair, including frame work. It would just need to be the right car. My budget is simply to purchase the car. I fully expect to spend another 20,000-30,000 to restore the vehicle after purchase. I plan on doing everything myself, metal work, mechanical and body/paint. If I can't do something (i.e. Machining the block), I hope to pay someone who will do it and let me be around/help.

Does this seem like a good plan? I've been looking now for about 2 weeks (and lurked for awhile last summer with no intention of buying) so I appreciate everyone's advice. I'm new to the game, born in the late 80s!

Greg

Given the scope of the budget you described, I don't think you are going to find anything on the list you have presented. If your goal is to enjoy the process of building a car and have fun driving it...why not consider a clone or tribute approach. Try and find a base model Chevelle, Camaro, Nova, Lemans, Skylark, Cutlass, Firebird, etc...preferably one that has decent sheet metal and interior, and then build from there.

Even with this approach you will have to be a 'patient shopper'...$10k - $15k is not a lot of money for a car today. Be careful not to get a car needing major metal work...it will sink your budget and your enthusiasm for the project. Even with a good starting point the end product will probably cost a little more than you have budgeted, but it can be done over time, with upgrades along the way.

There are lots of websites you can research for prices like Craiglist, Ebay, etc...maybe even your local papers. If there are 'car guys' in your neighborhood, look to them for help...they may even know of a reasonably priced car that will fit the bill. Take your time and don't rush it....and of course use the SYC folks here for opinions on cars you find...there are a lot of helpful people here.

Good luck.

wilma

[GTO_DON]

In all honesty Greg,I think your whole post is unrealistic. Nobody is going to sell you a early trans am or L78,LS6 or any hi perf car needing work for that little. The only way that will happen is if you live and breath on craigslist and hope your the first one who sees the ad and runs like he'll to beat all the vultures out who lurk everyday. It can happen and I wish you luck.. Maybe do yourself a favor and go for a cleaner lesser model that you can enjoy today. Trust me, I've been restoring cars for a longtime. Your in for alot of ups and downs.

[greg86z28]

For some reason I was under the impression that my budget would get me a decent car.

Just FYI, there is an L78 Chevelle on these forums for 13,000 OBO. I was in discussion on another 70 chevelle L78 for $8500. So I'm not sure.

Again, thanks for all the input. Only one way to figure it out is to get advice and start looking!

Thanks!

Greg

[GTO_DON]

As a 54 yr old guy that's been around the block a few times I'm only trying to help.

[Mr70]

Which forums are they on specifically?

If one of those 1970 L-78 Chevelles is a Cortez Silver 4spd.,made & bought in Calif. and just sold to a guy in Tn. for 10K recently,it does not have it's original born with engine in it,and was for sale publically for a long time before he bought it that way.It's also in very,very rough condition needing a complete TLC restoration and many parts.
I know both the seller then & new owner now and have many details about it.
It is a good foundation & true L-78 SS with it's buildsheet showing such,unfortunately it's being over hyped/pumped around and hearsay says he has offers of over 30K for it.
It's also being mis-represented as 1 of only 28 in existance,which is completely false as there's more.
Just wish the owner would get out of the way & let the car stand on it's own..

[marxjunk]

10K will get you a restorable 68-69 GTO..but it will be a basket case and possible to get a stick...but youre way off on the rest, unless you are the guy that discovers it sitting somewhere off the beaten path..

save for another year...then attack this again..but..keep an eye out justincase you stumble on a good one.

unless you can do the resto yourself a decent resto is 50k...dont care what youve heard or what billy bob said he got etc..its all labor.

if i where looking for my first musclecar..id save some more money..and buy a 10 year old or so resto you can turn the key and cruise..then improve it as you can and just enjoy it..

[greg86z28]

The one on the forums here is the glacier blue 69.

The 70 is unlisted at this point.

Neither are numbers matching which is ok.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

I am a bit of a muscle car optimist :-)

Take your time, narrow your scope to one specific car of a one-two- or three year window and study hard. If you look deep inside you will have one car you love more than the rest!!

You have your family finances in order you are way ahead of lots of posers who blah blah rare rare rare and have no car:-(

Hone in on a specific car and talk to the most experienced guys on here that know about that car, for example a Nova is some kind of star to me:-)

As I mentioned I am an optimist and feel advice is great but it should always come with suggestion to steer towards the goal.

My advice, is to only considers buying a car from Canada, nobody else here will be able to offer you advice that will save you 33% 1/3 off if you can believe it, and we have been importing Southern US cars for decades, you may buy a U.S. car and bring it home for 2/3's of the cost of the same car locally:-)

Your 15,000 USD today is worth 19,107.36 CAD

Ryan

I know American guys who have recently bought Canadian cars and paid transportation but very little else........ (We pay huge:-(

[Charley Lillard]

Welcome to the site. Keep in mind a whole lot of the fun is "in the hunt". Enjoy your search and be patient.

[ban617]

Hi, For a 69 Z/28 you may get a hull & the trim tag & Vin but will need substantial sheet metal work....I think I would save up & get a "good project " to start with ..... Rather than have a Z/28 with every panel replaced ...Enjoy the hunt ....

[Damien]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ryan1969Chevelle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am a bit of a muscle car optimist :-)

Take your time, narrow your scope to one specific car of a one-two- or three year window and study hard. If you look deep inside you will have one car you love more than the rest!!

You have your family finances in order you are way ahead of lots of posers who blah blah rare rare rare and have no car:-(

Hone in on a specific car and talk to the most experienced guys on here that know about that car, for example a Nova is some kind of star to me:-)

As I mentioned I am an optimist and feel advice is great but it should always come with suggestion to steer towards the goal.

My advice, is to only considers buying a car from Canada, nobody else here will be able to offer you advice that will save you 33% 1/3 off if you can believe it, and we have been importing Southern US cars for decades, you may buy a U.S. car and bring it home for 2/3's of the cost of the same car locally:-)

Your 15,000 USD today is worth 19,107.36 CAD

Ryan

I know American guys who have recently bought Canadian cars and paid transportation but very little else........ (We pay huge:-( </div></div>

Ryan, I think there is a trend towards our Canadian friends advertising their vehicles in USD rather than the Canadian Dollar. I had the same thought as you when I was looking for a Chevelle a year or so ago, as the Australian dollar was about on par with you guys, and thought I may be able to get better value for money at parity but wasn't able to find something in Canadian dollars that was what I was looking for. The couple of cars I enquired about wanted to be paid the USD amount which I couldn't justify, so I ended up buying something out of Vegas. Perhaps I was looking in the wrong places or didn't look hard enough! Best of luck to the OP. Hopefully he can find something that suits in his budget.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Damien</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ryan1969Chevelle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am a bit of a muscle car optimist :-)

Take your time, narrow your scope to one specific car of a one-two- or three year window and study hard. If you look deep inside you will have one car you love more than the rest!!

You have your family finances in order you are way ahead of lots of posers who blah blah rare rare rare and have no car:-(

Hone in on a specific car and talk to the most experienced guys on here that know about that car, for example a Nova is some kind of star to me:-)

As I mentioned I am an optimist and feel advice is great but it should always come with suggestion to steer towards the goal.

My advice, is to only considers buying a car from Canada, nobody else here will be able to offer you advice that will save you 33% 1/3 off if you can believe it, and we have been importing Southern US cars for decades, you may buy a U.S. car and bring it home for 2/3's of the cost of the same car locally:-)

Your 15,000 USD today is worth 19,107.36 CAD

Ryan

I know American guys who have recently bought Canadian cars and paid transportation but very little else........ (We pay huge:-( </div></div>

Ryan, I think there is a trend towards our Canadian friends advertising their vehicles in USD rather than the Canadian Dollar. I had the same thought as you when I was looking for a Chevelle a year or so ago, as the Australian dollar was about on par with you guys, and thought I may be able to get better value for money at parity but wasn't able to find something in Canadian dollars that was what I was looking for. The couple of cars I enquired about wanted to be paid the USD amount which I couldn't justify, so I ended up buying something out of Vegas. Perhaps I was looking in the wrong places or didn't look hard enough! Best of luck to the OP. Hopefully he can find something that suits in his budget.


</div></div>

The dealers here now work in USD, but some individual sales are in CAD, check Kijiji:-)

Ryan

[Zedder]

The only Canadian cars that 'might' be advertised in Canadian dollars are local sales. Almost everything on the Internet has been in US dollars for the past 15 years...

[92646]

There is 68 Z/28 project on Team Camaro that might work for you but I would recommend flying out to look at the car in person before you buy. I have made that mistake myself and it was not fun. Dana Hurt has the barn find black GTO that is on the site and you might want to check with him to see what he is going to do with it. The GTO might cost more up front but it will save you money in the long run and Dana is a first class guy to deal with.

[John]

... sent you a PM with some choices ....

Welcome to the site....

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[njsteve]

For that price range you can probably find a nice 1974-1976 Trans Am or Formula or Esprit. The 74 to 76 cars are the least appreciated of the second gen Firebirds due to their love it or leave it 5-mph bumper/nose styling. The fun thing about Pontiacs is that all Pontiac V8s are dimensionally the same. So you can tell the onlookers that it's a Plain-Jane 350 when it's actually a bored out 455 hiding under the same valve covers. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif

just like what we did with my Gramma's car:

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/652097/1

[the427king]

Its not the year on your list but a 1976 trans am Hurst special gold edition bandit trans am,rare 455 4 speed ,ttops Black on black/gold accents. One of THE raraest trans ams built w around 100 made in that configuration 50th anniversary car. Needs total resto comes with 455 and a 400 motor,T10 trans . And its around a 60K car when fully restored , Pontiac historical papers , for 4900.00...

[njsteve]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: the427king</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Its not the year on your list but a 1976 trans am Hurst special gold edition bandit trans am,rare 455 4 speed ,ttops Black on black/gold accents. One of THE raraest trans ams built w around 100 made in that configuration 50th anniversary car. Needs total resto comes with 455 and a 400 motor,T10 trans . And its around a 60K car when fully restored , Pontiac historical papers , for 4900.00... </div></div>

Damn! Now that's a neat project car! They were made for the 50th anniversary of Pontiac Motor Division. Very rare piece to be a 455 with a stick. Here's a little info on them:

http://www.78ta.com/limitededition.php

[92646]

How about the 1969 SS396 L89 El Camino project in the cars for sale section on this site. That sounds like a project worthy of your time to check out.

[greg86z28]

Hi all. I have not forgotten about everyone's great suggestions. After the holiday weekend I'm still sorting out a few of the PMs I received and all the posts here. I'm also at stress level 10 with my professional engineering exam approaching in less than 3 weeks!


Greg

[SeattleCarGuy]

Greg,

I have been in the market for either a '69 L78 Camaro or '69 Z-28 Camaro project, much like you describe, I'd love a complete car to start with or at least a real documented born with drive train car. I found a couple projects that did not suit me as neither had original drivetrains.

The L78 is a fathom green with deluxe interior car. Gauges, console, etc. Motor is an L78 out of a '69 Nova. The Seller has tons of parts to go with the car which is otherwise in pieces. Needs at least one quarter panel hung on it. He would take $16-17k for everything. It's located in the Seattle area.

The Z-28 is also fathom green. Body appears pretty solid. Non-original DZ302. Claims trans and rear are original. Its been sitting in a barn for 25 years. He would also take around $17k for it.

Like I said, I passed on both as I want a born with drivetrain and paperwork, and now I have temporarily suspended my search as my wife and I want to move to a different home with a dream garage for me, so I'm not buying anything until we've moved.

If you want me to put you in contact with the Seller on either of these cars, call or text me at 206-310-2153.

Paul

[SeattleCarGuy]

Here is the thread with some pictures of the Z-28 that can be bought. Also, a '66 Chevelle SS396 convertible and a '73 Z-28.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/647237/2