$50k to spend on a Camaro. Which one would you pick this month

[sapple89]

I need to buy something for my pops. 1969 numbers matching z/28 on a shoe string budget of 50k.

[restore-z28]

It will all depend on what condition you need the car, a driver or something fully restored. Lots of nice cars out in the market place right now but have varying degrees of restoration. If you are looking for numbers matching, fully restored, nice color combination and with original documentation then I don't think $50K will do it. If you find a car somewhat restored and numbers matching with no documentation then yes lots of stuff out there. Have you looked on E-Bay, Cars on Line, Team Camaro, just to name a few.

Buy nothing until you have the car inspected by someone who knows these vehicles like Jerry MacNeish.  You can also post pics of the car, trim tag and stampings on this site and others to soloist feedback and be careful lots of fake cars for sale with bogus trim tags etc. 

Best of luck in your hunt.

[firstgenaddict]

If you wait on the right car you should be able to find a good numbers 69 Z for 50k. It might not have the 837 alt or a 480 dist or correct detailing but you should be able to get there... bide your time and don't fall in love with anything or you WILL get taken!

[Kelley W King]

I agree with restore-z28. 50 probably won,t get you a restored documented car. There was a black X77 at Charlotte 2 weeks ago and he wanted 65 and did not have enough doc,s to convince me. I also agree that there are more fakes out there than real cars so buyer beware. The mid year vette saying was if you don,t have all the doc,s assume it is fake and pay accordingly if you like it.

[KurtS]

They are out there, just look hard.
Here's a nice 68 RS/Z for $35K - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-Camaro-Z-28-rally-Sport-/280977463074?pt

[IZRSSS]

Wow…If you don’t buy it and quick, someone else will. Best of all, look at the spare change you’ll have for the inevitable odds & ends necessary to make the car complete.

Makes me wish I had an extra 35 lying around...

[68camaroz28]

They are out there, just look hard.
Here's a nice 68 RS/Z for $35K - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-Camaro-Z-28-rally-Sport-/280977463074?pt

Dang, that is a nice car for the $$$$, especially being an RS. Had not seen that one!

[vtfb68]

Something or a Z-28?  Not sure how old pops is but a solid lifter, cluched, High winding, lifter adjustment loving car might not be the ticket FOR HIM.
 A nice RS/SS automacic convertable with A/C would have been the ticket for my pops (and mom). Is this car going to be handed down?
  Sorry for your "problems", wish I had them.
   Good luck,
    VT

[lcmc]

There are 5 on eBay right now in the 50K price range

[tmodel66]

Wow…If you don’t buy it and quick, someone else will. Best of all, look at the spare change you’ll have for the inevitable odds & ends necessary to make the car complete.

Makes me wish I had an extra 35 lying around...

.
I'm sorry but I can't see 35K for a restamp block and original transmission gone.

[IZRSSS]

I don’t think Kurt would have mentioned this car unless it’s already been documented & is legit. And, even though the seller states the engine has been decked I would certainly like a closer peak. I’ve blown his pic as much as I can and the broach marks look good. But let’s say it was decked by the factory…nothing wrong with that.

As for the transmission; its period correct & KIM the author is looking for something within his budget. Any cream puff Z is going to be about 75 to 95K (perhaps even north of that).

[68camaroz28]

Wow…If you don’t buy it and quick, someone else will. Best of all, look at the spare change you’ll have for the inevitable odds & ends necessary to make the car complete.

Makes me wish I had an extra 35 lying around...

.

I'm sorry but I can't see 35K for a restamp block and original transmission gone.

Daniel, you are of course 100% correct about the eng/trans. but believe what some of us or at least what I was referring to is the overall cost to get a camaro to what appears that level, plus a RS version (+20%) to boot. Has some nice options and if it had all the orig. stuff like dist., alt. starter, DF wheels, etc.etc.... even better yet.

[mopar346]

Shoe string budget of 50K, I'm hanging out with the wrong crowd.

I would look for a true survivor, maybe not top shelf but still original. Maybe something that needs a little TLC but nothing major. Good color if possible but original paint. If I couldn't find that then I would step down to a well maintained/repaired car that has just been kept as original as possible. Too many people get carried away in restorations and over do it, doing so many things wrong it is tough to really tell the original condition of things, essentially needing a complete redo to make it right. Next on the list would be a car complete needing restoration but with MINIMAL metal work required. Last on the list would be a car someone took apart and don't knwo what to do with now or doesn't have the skills/fundage to get it done.

I agree with VT, a Z might not be the best choice for dear old Dad, but if you wanted to buy me one it would be perfect for me and I'm a Dad.

[tmodel66]

Perhaps I should have kept my mouth shut. After all who am I to say what wrong or right especially for someone else. Kurt would you please delete all my post from this thread?

[mopar346]

Perhaps I should have kept my mouth shut. After all who am I to say what wrong or right especially for someone else. Kurt would you please delete all my post from this thread?

Who are you? Someone with good practical knowledge from years of being aroudn these things and studying what you see. I think the post should stay.

To a degree every forum is a collection of experiences and YES opinions, some right some wrong but express properly there is a place for all of them. I will agree this forum is based a lot more in fact and research then most.