Project or Parts? 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS/RS Convertible
Some classics pose the eternal question of whether their future is as a project or a parts car. Such is the case with this 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS/RS Convertible. It is a sad and sorry sight, which is always disappointing when you begin to appreciate what it would have looked like when it left the showroom floor. Why not take a close look and decide what you believe the future holds for this classic?
Chevrolet introduced the Camaro as its entry into the pony car market for the 1967 model year. Ford stole a march on the company with the Mustang, but the Camaro proved a worthy adversary that would form an integral part of the model range for decades. Our feature SS/RS rolled off the line during the first year. The seller indicates it is rusty and requires a total restoration, demonstrating that they are a master of understatement. The faded Marina Blue paint is the least of its problems because the lower body steel has dissolved like a soluble aspirin. Several companies produce high-quality reproduction items to address these issues, but I suspect that if someone takes on this project, the money they spend will put the steel supplier’s kids through college! The floors also look pretty bad, but the ray of light with this classic could be the cowl. The supplied images aren’t great, but they seem to suggest that this prone area is sound. The top frame is present, and the glass seems okay. However, the distinctive RS grille and headlamp covers are damaged, and much of the remaining trim is destined for the bin.
The entry-level engine for the 1967 Camaro SS was the 350ci V8, although with 295hp and 380 ft/lbs of torque on tap, it represented a fairly impressive entry point. The first owner teamed this Convertible’s small-block with a four-speed manual transmission, producing a package that could comfortably turn a sub-15-second ¼-mile ET off the showroom floor. The seller indicates that this car’s V8 isn’t original, although they believe the transmission is. The engine’s health is unknown, with the seller not indicating whether they have checked to see if it turns. Therefore, anyone considering returning this Camaro to its former glory should factor a mechanical refresh into their restoration budget.
It seems to have been all gloom and doom so far, and things only improve marginally when we focus on this Convertible’s interior. The first owner selected Bright Blue Custom trim, which would have combined perfectly with the exterior paint shade. To say it has seen better days is sugarcoating the situation because there aren’t many interior components that are suitable for reuse. The upholstered surfaces and plastic seem beyond salvation, while the gauges are so cloudy it is impossible to determine whether they are okay. However, the first owner elected to equip the Camaro with a console and associated sports gauges, which are desirable items, regardless of what the future holds for this classic.
I have spent considerable time scrutinizing the seller’s photos, and am no closer to deciding whether this 1967 Camaro SS/RS Convertible is a project candidate or a parts car. The seller listed it here on eBay in Janesville, California. Eight bids have pushed the price to $6,250, which is below the reserve. That leaves me with three questions for our readers to answer, and gauging your responses will be fascinating. First, do you view this Camaro as a project or a parts car? Second, what do you feel would be a fair price? And lastly, is this a potential project that you would consider pursuing? I wish you luck if you do.
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Comments
As a former owner of one of these, this is heartbreaking. If someone had only rolled this into a dry covered building when she stopped running, you’d be looking at a mechanical rebuild, interior, some trim pieces and a respray. This is gonna take $65K plus along with the price it gets bid to. Pictured is the 67 RS/SS 4spd I purchased in 1980 for $1,800 and sold in 87 for $2,700.
Sweet Chevrolet Cooter. You ever run it down a 1/4 mile ⏱️ ?
Yes, but just street racing. It had the L79 327/350 rebuilt with bigger cam, rockcrusher Muncie and .411 rear. Came outta the hole like a beast. I had to run log chain motor mounts, never lost a race.
I’ve been involved in vintage cars since 1975, but have little knowledge of Camaro values. I appreciate your math. Presuming a buyer is going to pay $7,000. for this car as is, another $1,000 to transport, and $65K to restore — that makes the investment at around $73,000.+ What will a nicely restored 67 Camaro SS/RS be worth in 5 years? If the answer is $80,000 – $100,000 that’s one thing. But if under $75,000. you have your answer.
65K to restore is what it would cost those who’s only restoration skill is writing checks, in the proper hands if sure it could be done for one third of that. Furthermore they’re much more enjoyable when you throw the OE restoration plans out the window.
Someone will simply remove the vin tag and put it on a lesser Camaro with a solid body. Poof! A cheaper restoration! I’ve seen it done, and I don’t agree with it, but if a classic Renoir can be faked, so can a Chevy.
Heart breaking.
$1500 car at best.
I would suggest that if this car has the 12 bolt rear it should have and the trans is ok, those items alone would make $1500 a steal. Console with gauges, convertible specific rear seat frames, manual trans pedals, who knows what else. I’d buy a dozen at that price.
Same here. I’ve parted out cars with desirable options for more than I paid for the same year/make/model project I was working on. You are right, a 67 12 bolt and a working Muncie should get you to $1,500.
Steve R
So $6500 (at least) to make $1500? Look, I get it, this was an extremely desirable car at one time, in a galaxy far fat away. But the bottom line now is, no matter how darkly tinted someone’s rose colored glasses are, this is worth what you might get for the gearbox, rear end, and any other knick knacks you can salvage. Hell, if cancer hadn’t invaded every Inch of this thing, I would buy it.
Its already over priced and still hasn’t hit the reserve to me its a parts car if get lucky it might have some of the harder to find parts otherwise its begging to be crushed
Appears to be a bottomless pit…to me.
Nothing more from me.
I will never understand it, leaving something like this to the elements.
Pitiful
I completely agree. At one point, this was a pretty desirable automobile. Even just covering it up with a tarp, while a terrible idea, would have helped. I just don’t see how a car like this would end up in this condition.
If your worried about putting $$ into a car and not making your $$ back when selling It then your in the wrong hobby. This isn’t real estate. Its very easy to dump 30k into a car worth 20k. I build cars for the love and enjoyment. I’ve never planned on making $$ or looked at it as a investment.
I completely disagree. If you are putting money (particularly big money) into a car with no expectation of it being worth more than you’re spending, you are essentially throwing money away. Now I know that there are folks out there that possess more money than they need, but the average Joe simply can’t afford to burn money for a passion project.
Old cars are basically throwing money away. Unless you bought a brand new car 80 years ago and just stored it then sold it for considerably more. Besides that its all a gamble and all subjective. Real estate is a guarantee usually. Cars not so much. I know some people who do all their own work (same as me) but they actually keep track of hours worked on a project and they actually calculate how much invested. I always laugh at that. Unless its a buisness and your charging a customer then your own time is kind of irrelevant.
You are correct, Luke. Not every vintage car is restored with the idea of making a profit, or breaking even. Sometimes you just do it for the fun of it and love of the car. Especially if you’re planning on keeping it for a while.
1) Project
2) $9k-$10k
3) Nope. No time, space but most of all no welding skills. 🙁. Could learn but it still would not pass the wife approval. She said only one toy at a time.
Married 46 years, I have 285 cars and trucks in the driveway! Very understanding wife. Most of the time I figure if I can’t make money if I have to sell it, don’t buy it. Not always though.
That must be one huge driveway !
Yes worth the restoration, but done that and it’s a long road, not for me.
That car looks like the one that Darren Stevens drove in the TV show Bewitched? Or at least it could be with a little work
This car is a rough one but let us not forget the convertible ss camaro will have a big value, guess the big question is how much money will you pour into it to have a decent car because it is a money pit if the person buying this is not ready to spend thousands stay away from it. Many people have bought cars that were pretty rough and envisioned themselves cruising down the road in an all cherried out car- this usually turns out to be a pipe dream, but we cant forget that it is a highly desirable model??
Car is worth Ten grand or less. Definite yes to its restoration.
Car is worth Ten grand or less. Definite yes to its restoration.
If you own a shop and have a love for it, she can be salvaged, but for a checkbook restorer such as I, your gonna be upside down real quick here, needs everything
I have restored convertibles with similar eastcoast rust pattern to this. I would be astounded if the under side of the dash and the cowl are not real rusty. Very difficult to repair nicely. The bids right now are max value in my opinion. Its not a parts car so buy it ,fix it, drive it and don’t think you will be recovering your investment.