New to this site

[NEPA Joe B]

Hello All,
The short version, my name is Joe and I am from NE PA and new to this site.  Unfortunately I am not a camaro owner at the moment.  I have been researching and trying to educate myself on buying one for the past two years.  When I started this quest all I wanted was a 69 camaro, didn't care what drivetrain but it had to be hugger orange.  The more I looked around i zeroed in on the z28.  From there, I then realized I wanted a numbers matching vehicle.  I have also grown to like other colors specifically lemans blue with black stripes, but white will work, black, and garnet with black stripes.  I also don't have the time, patience, or most importantly skill for a project, so I'm looking for a completed project I can put in the garage and drive in the summer. I hope to pull the trigger on one this summer or latest next summer.  I have tons of questions, but wanted to try and keep this intro as short as possible (I know to late!).  So I will start with a couple.  Where, what, or which sites are good or better for finding this vehicle.  I already follow hemmings, and classic auto trader, and similar sights.  And, it looks like the basic numbers matching cars are around 60 to 80k, which is in my budget, but are these realistic numbers??
Any questions, comments, personal experiences, stories are much appreciated.  Please say whats on your mind, as I don't offend easily.

Thank you in advance!!
Joe B

[x66 714]

Welcome aboard Joe. In the car world these days, numbers matching doesn't always mean it has the components it left the factory with. That phrase can also mean they found components that might be close to what it was built with. If they say it's "born with" than it may have the components it left the factory with....Joe

[GMAD_Van Nuys]

Joe - Welcome to the site!  I've always thought it would be best to buy a car from someone who has owned it for a long time and has accumulated documentation to support the claims made about the vehicle.  I don't expect someone to have the original invoice, but when I see cars being sold without any paperwork and nothing but photos, I lose interest.  Good luck as I finally did get a Z28, but I bought it new in 1998 and still have it! - Mark

[z28z11]

Joe,

Welcome to the CRG.

My advice is to look locally - you'll be surprised at what you can find. All of mine came from no more than an hour to 1-1/2 hours easy drive from my house, even an original LS5 56K mile '70 SS Chevelle not 10 miles from my front door. Car shows, cruise ins, swap meets, Facebook Marketplace (don't laugh), eBay: the opportunities are endless. Even Craig's List - stay committed to the chase, be patient - it will show up. Join a club, put the word out among friends and family. Good things come to he who waits, and works towards the goal. Auctions are great to watch, don't always insure you get what you think you are buying (plus prices are usually inflated).

When you find what you're looking for, ask questions on the forum if you have enough time. You'll find the opinions flow freely along with good information. Good luck - let us know how what you land -

Regards,
Steve

[firstgenaddict]

 75- 80 should get you a very nice example of a 69 L78 or Z28 in good colors with EVERYTHING or near everything correct NOT reproduction correct, original restored parts correct. Minus maybe a restoration battery and perhaps correct tires.
Hold out for one with original body panels, a nice original interior, and for the trifecta... paperwork.
60-good colors maybe missing a few items.

[z28z11]

Joe,

Check this out - just popped up in 1969 Orphans section. Original block is on Craigslist in Washington, the car is for sale on Bring a Trailer.

Nice price, you could have a real Z with matching engine for about half of what you indicated your range is.

Just thinking -

Steve

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=15375.0

[msbrunner@ucdavis.edu]

The engine was for sale back in 2017 but might still be able to track it down. Either way it marks that BaT car as a real Z, which will probably go for a decent price.

[bobs69z]

    I owned a lot of nice Camaro's, but never a numbers matching or born with engine.  A few years back i started my search for an original Z.  I made up my mind after checking on EBay and a few other sites not to buy from any of them.  Sure, they are out there, but lots of fakes.  My advise, do your research and ask lots of questions.  The guys on here are great and very knowledgeable.  With your budget you should have no problem.  Good luck and keep us posted....Bob

[KevinW]

I found a born with engine project Camaro back in 2000 (not a Z ), I hope to get the 327 back in its home this spring.  It will feel good to get it back to original.  They are still out there.

[z28z11]

1 day left and still affordable.

The engine was for sale on Craigs List in 2017, still in the same area as the car is now (Seattle). Real shame the car didn't surface about the same time, or the owner did not see the auction. There is a number listed on the old thread, maybe it could still happen. It would make a lot of Hugger Orange fanatics on the site happy (the rest of us too).

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1969-chevrolet-camaro-z-28-27/

Regards,
Steve

[camaronut]

For god's sake, don't buy a black 69 Camaro.  Lol....

[usa1ti]

Totally Agree... Hold out for a Evening Orchid.... 

For god's sake, don't buy a black 69 Camaro.  Lol....

[maroman]

Gotta keep picking at that scab. And I have seen it and love it. 

[X66]

Joe welcome aboard and good luck on your search. The 69 is my favorite year Camaro. I have had mine for many years sitting and waiting for me to get around to fixing it so I don’t blame you for wanting a running and driving hot rod. They’re out there. Be patient and spend a lot of time on this site as these guys are the most knowledgeable Camaro experts around.

[x55cam]

Hey Joe,  welcome and happy hunting. The best advice I can give you is to never buy these 1st gens without seeing one in person, that is, unless you can entrust someone to look for you if the car is not nearby. It took me months and I was so tempted to buy sight unseen. There is so many hidden issues with these cars, I'm sure many here, like myself,  can give you real horror stories. My 1st 69 was purchased in March of 1976 in the northeast and it already starting to become a rust bucket. Just be patient and try to find ones near you.  Try to avoid dealers...many have no clue about the car. They just want top $$.