Author Topic: '.. You can't lose restoring one.. 32 Ford of today...'  (Read 8619 times)

69Z28-RS

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'.. You can't lose restoring one.. 32 Ford of today...'
« on: August 08, 2016, 02:23:02 PM »
Today's Hemmings email referenced an article they first published in June 2010, entitled "32 Best Cars to Restore", and of course our favorite '67-69 Camaros were on that list...
 
http://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hcc/2010/06/32-Best-Cars-to-Restore/3396351.html

This is what they said about the Camaros at that time...

"Chevrolet Camaro -- 1967-'69
 Same as the Mustang: Everything you need to rebuild one, no matter how rusty it may be, is available brand new. As Terry McGean, editor of Hemmings Muscle Machines, put it, "The '69 Camaro is the '32 Ford of today," which means there will always be a huge demand for these cars. You just can't lose restoring one. Best of all, they are fun to drive, reliable, and can be made very powerful thanks to a huge aftermarket for performance parts. The only downside is that even rustbuckets and rollers can no longer be had for $2,500. "

I think what they wrote is even more true today...  :)
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Mike S

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Re: '.. You can't lose restoring one.. 32 Ford of today...'
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2016, 04:32:49 PM »
Man, us '67 owners are the always forgotten crowd  ;D
 

Mike
67 04B LOS SS/RS L35 Hardtop - Original w/UOIT
67 05B NOR SS/RS L35 Convertible - Restored

cook_dw

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Re: '.. You can't lose restoring one.. 32 Ford of today...'
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2016, 04:38:53 PM »
At least they picked the correct to show.  Although I dont completely agree with their assessment.

HawkX66

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Re: '.. You can't lose restoring one.. 32 Ford of today...'
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2016, 07:24:36 PM »
Seriously? 78-82 Vette? I love Vettes, but to call the 78-82 one of the best styled? Sorry, their credibility is shot with this one... And several others. 84 Buick Riviera! HA!!
Chevrolet Corvette -- 1978-'82
 One of the best-styled Corvettes is the late Seventies fastback: Its forceful, aggressive lines never fail to make a splash, and you can buy one in good running condition for less than $10,000. Plenty were built, so finding a decent example is easy. With dozens of Corvette specialists selling just about every part needed, including new reproduction parts and high-performance speed parts, restoring one is a relatively simple process. Backed by excellent club support and specialists, it's no wonder demand is on the rise for these models--but only those cars that are restored to original specs will bring top dollar.
Dave
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69Z28-RS

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Re: '.. You can't lose restoring one.. 32 Ford of today...'
« Reply #4 on: August 09, 2016, 12:11:31 AM »
Actually, Dave even most Corvette people agree that the '78 to '82 Corvettes were the 'sexiest, shapeliest body of any..  the thing that 'killed' those cars with corvette people were the LOWLY performance, and that is why they are *cheap* today.   

I think what the Hemmings article is saying with all those cars, is that those cars are fairly plentiful, the market is 'on the rise', so you can't go wrong by buying one right and restoring it..  I think they are right on the '78 to 82 Corvettes, although beyond the Camaros, I didn't really look at their other suggestions.. :)
09C 69Z28-RS, 72 B 720 cowl console rosewood tint
69 Corvette, '60 Corvette, '72 Corvette
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BSMIT59

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Re: '.. You can't lose restoring one.. 32 Ford of today...'
« Reply #5 on: August 09, 2016, 01:28:47 AM »
Just remember Mike S., the 67's are the only 'original Camaro" . Everything after that is a copy.
Barry     Old guy but still learning.....
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HawkX66

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Re: '.. You can't lose restoring one.. 32 Ford of today...'
« Reply #6 on: August 09, 2016, 01:32:09 AM »
Actually, Dave even most Corvette people agree that the '78 to '82 Corvettes were the 'sexiest, shapeliest body of any..  the thing that 'killed' those cars with corvette people were the LOWLY performance, and that is why they are *cheap* today.   

I think what the Hemmings article is saying with all those cars, is that those cars are fairly plentiful, the market is 'on the rise', so you can't go wrong by buying one right and restoring it..  I think they are right on the '78 to 82 Corvettes, although beyond the Camaros, I didn't really look at their other suggestions.. :)
I'm sure you're right Gary, but IMO that is the least desirable body style. I'll take a 63 split window or my Dads 69 tripower all day long over those. Values aside...
Dave
69 SS396 X66 L34 M21 BS
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Stingr69

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Re: '.. You can't lose restoring one.. 32 Ford of today...'
« Reply #7 on: August 09, 2016, 01:43:33 AM »
The 78-82 Corvette isn't worth very much even when it is fully restored.  Cost to finish the car will easily exceed the value of the finished vehicle.  Good values? - YES!  Good to restore from a financial standpoint? -  No way. The value of those years of Corvette have been flat or decreasing for a long time.  Nice ones are out there just waiting for buyers and nobody is even kicking the tires.

X33RS

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Re: '.. You can't lose restoring one.. 32 Ford of today...'
« Reply #8 on: August 09, 2016, 01:46:17 PM »
I'd own one only if it had the L-82 engine and 4 speed behind it.   The L-82 really wasn't that bad of a performer given the restrictions of the time period.
   They still used the L-46 350hp camshaft (.450-.460 lift and 222 @ .050)  and had large valve heads, forged steel cranks etc...  It's only big downfall was 9:1 compression.   With a sharp tune they actually ran decent for what they were.  Considering todays crap pump gas these engines wouldn't fuss.
  However these year vettes are not my first choice.  I much rather prefer anything 1972 or older.  I think the only thing driving prices up on 73 and up vettes, if at all, is because the 72 and older prices are climbing out of reach for most people.

BULLITT65

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Re: '.. You can't lose restoring one.. 32 Ford of today...'
« Reply #9 on: August 09, 2016, 03:56:05 PM »
My first time behind the wheel of a veto was when I was 15 and my uncle took me out in his '80 Corvette. It was red with a white interior, was not an L82, but was a 4 speed car. I thought the car moved really good with the 4 speed, only downfall was when you got up to about 120mph the front nose wanted to lift. Probably because I grew up around the car I grew more fond of it over the years. With the radical design of the body and the front fenders you couldn't see over I thought it was very cool. It was all original and was starting to need a paint job around 2010, and he decided to sell it. It only had 48k miles on it, and I seriously debated on giving him the 7k he was asking for it. If I would have had a spot to park it I would have paid him the 7k. Wish I would have now, the color combo with the 4 spd and originality would probably be hard to come across now.
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jdv69z

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Re: '.. You can't lose restoring one.. 32 Ford of today...'
« Reply #10 on: August 09, 2016, 08:29:21 PM »
I've often thought that these vettes would be ideal for someone looking to start with inexpensively, and then re-work the performance level of the engine to what they were after. Many of them have low miles as well, and might even be a car that could go many miles as a daily driver without much of an initial investment.
Jimmy V.

69Z28-RS

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Re: '.. You can't lose restoring one.. 32 Ford of today...'
« Reply #11 on: August 10, 2016, 05:08:53 AM »
I've often thought that these vettes would be ideal for someone looking to start with inexpensively, and then re-work the performance level of the engine to what they were after. Many of them have low miles as well, and might even be a car that could go many miles as a daily driver without much of an initial investment.

I think that is *exactly* what the authors of the article intended with the Corvette inclusion...
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BULLITT65

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Re: '.. You can't lose restoring one.. 32 Ford of today...'
« Reply #12 on: August 10, 2016, 05:20:14 AM »
I guess some of us missed out, if we got a 1st gen that didn't need to be restored?

Gary you blew it, you got a car that doesn't need to be restored.... ;D
1969 garnet red Z/28 46k mile unrestored X77
-Looking for 3192477 (front) spiral shocks 3192851 (rear)
-Looking for an original LOF soft ray windshield
-Looking for original Delco side post negative battery cable part # 6297651AV

69Z28-RS

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Re: '.. You can't lose restoring one.. 32 Ford of today...'
« Reply #13 on: August 10, 2016, 05:25:15 AM »
I guess some of us missed out, if we got a 1st gen that didn't need to be restored?

Gary you blew it, you got a car that doesn't need to be restored.... ;D

Whether it 'needs' to be restored is a matter of opinion I suppose.. :)    In fact, I collected NOS parts for years with intention of 'one day restoring the car'...  It wasn't until the multitude of 'repro parts reproduction camaros' began to flood the car shows, that I changed my mind, and decided that my car was 'too original' to restore and was much more unique as an unrestored car than 'just another restored vehicle'... :)
09C 69Z28-RS, 72 B 720 cowl console rosewood tint
69 Corvette, '60 Corvette, '72 Corvette
90 ZR1 red/red #246, 90 ZR1 white/gray #2466
72 El Camino, '55-'56-'57 Nomads, '55-'57 B/A Sedan

Charley

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Re: '.. You can't lose restoring one.. 32 Ford of today...'
« Reply #14 on: August 11, 2016, 03:28:40 AM »
I have owned several 32 Fords and lost money on all of them. I don't think you can properly restore any plain 67-9 Camaro and not lose money. I think only the top tier cars are worth more than resto cost.

bcmiller

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Re: '.. You can't lose restoring one.. 32 Ford of today...'
« Reply #15 on: August 11, 2016, 01:06:16 PM »
I have owned several 32 Fords and lost money on all of them. I don't think you can properly restore any plain 67-9 Camaro and not lose money. I think only the top tier cars are worth more than resto cost.

That's an interesting perspective and I tend to agree.

But it's not always about money. Some guys spend their money on boats, airplanes, traveling the world, etc. There aren't many cheap hobbies.

Personally doing a lot of the work can help keep costs down. Dropping a car off at a shop and saying "call me when it's done" will almost always result in more money invested than what the car is worth.
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69Z28-RS

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Re: '.. You can't lose restoring one.. 32 Ford of today...'
« Reply #16 on: August 11, 2016, 01:21:55 PM »
I have owned several 32 Fords and lost money on all of them. I don't think you can properly restore any plain 67-9 Camaro and not lose money. I think only the top tier cars are worth more than resto cost.

That's an interesting perspective and I tend to agree.

But it's not always about money. Some guys spend their money on boats, airplanes, traveling the world, etc. There aren't many cheap hobbies.

Personally doing a lot of the work can help keep costs down. Dropping a car off at a shop and saying "call me when it's done" will almost always result in more money invested than what the car is worth.

Absolutely Bryon!  but delete the 'almost'.. :)    If I couldn't do the work myself, and enjoy doing it, then I would not have cars probably for two reasons:  1)  too few $$, and 2) What would be the point???

PS.  30-40 yrs ago, a nice *restored* 32 Ford was worth more than it is today!  The $value of older 'restored' cars have fallen as the generation that grew up desiring them got too old (or died off)...  The only 32 Fords worth any $$ today are the heavily customized street rods...
09C 69Z28-RS, 72 B 720 cowl console rosewood tint
69 Corvette, '60 Corvette, '72 Corvette
90 ZR1 red/red #246, 90 ZR1 white/gray #2466
72 El Camino, '55-'56-'57 Nomads, '55-'57 B/A Sedan

BULLITT65

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Re: '.. You can't lose restoring one.. 32 Ford of today...'
« Reply #17 on: August 11, 2016, 02:28:33 PM »
I think you may be living in the past Gary.  :D
Actually from what I have seen, the 32 Fords worth the most now are not heavily customized street rods. The henry ford steel 40's and 50's built Hotrods with vintage parts go for the crazy money (currently) A old patina built 32 seems to fetch the most.

I have seen older gents sell there customized hot rod, for nearly a loss, to purchase more of a rat rod type build.

Just what I have witnessed.  :)
1969 garnet red Z/28 46k mile unrestored X77
-Looking for 3192477 (front) spiral shocks 3192851 (rear)
-Looking for an original LOF soft ray windshield
-Looking for original Delco side post negative battery cable part # 6297651AV

 

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