Welding Skills Needed: 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS
And now for another installment of “What in the Sam Hill happened?” this time to a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro convertible. Said to be a true Rally Sport model, the seller suggests, “The car is a pretty big project, needing all of the welding sheet metal replaced…“. Well, that’s an honest start, let’s see what it’s really going to take to return this Camaro to the pony car status that Chevrolet originally envisioned. Located in Gulf Shores, Alabama, this freshman year Camaro is available, here on eBay for $6,100 with the reserve not yet met.
Actually, finding a first-gen Camaro in this deplorable condition is not so unusual. They were produced in significant numbers (220K in ’67), were highly susceptible to rust, often poorly modified, and then recklessly driven – not that I’m making that claim regarding this particular car – but those things happened. Decoding the trim tag has proven to be a confusing exercise but from what I can gather:
711-Z = Gold custom bucket seats
G-1 = Granada Gold paint with a white top
E = All tinted glass
2LGS = L: four-speed manual; G: center console; S: rear antenna
3SL = S: Interior decor; L: Rally Sport
4 = Nothing
5Y = Deluxe seatbelts
What’s missing is option 4 which should read “P” and would indicate a 295 gross HP 350 CI V8. According to Chevy-Camaro.com, if this number 4 slot on the trim tag is blank, as this one is, that means that this car was originally powered by either a six-cylinder engine or a 327 CI V8. The seller doesn’t suggest that this Camaro was a Super Sport but he does state that it possessed a 350 CI engine. But for that to have happened, this convertible would have had to have been an SS model as the first-year 350 motor was only available in SS trim.
So that engine issue adds some confusion and it’s a safe bet that this Chevy is just an RS trimmed model (no SS) with a 327 CI V8 and a four-speed manual transmission. It’s moot now as neither is still with the car.
The body speaks for itself, it’s pretty well ruined with bent and rusted body panels and lots of missing parts. The fabric folding top is gone, though the frame is still present, and any outside time that this car served, sans roof, just contributed to its deplorable condition.
Further evidence of the seller’s assessment is realized inside where significant rust-through with the floors is evident. Beyond that, it looks like it’s completely gutted except for the steering wheel, ignition switch, and heater control head.
This assemble-it-your-self project comes with a lot of new metal, including: “New Quarters, wheelhouses, and deck. lid, rear panel, full floor, full trunk pan, fenders, inner fenders, radiator support, header panel, valance, upper dash panel, and tons of other parts to go with the car. I have some seats, side glass, dash stuff, etc” One thing not included in the “stuff” category is a powertrain so that will need to be added to the list. The seller concludes with, “There are several good custom metal companies that can assist if you are a novice at welding“. That pretty much sums up what the next owner will be undertaking, one way or another, right?
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Comments
All in a day’s work.
In such bad shape that pictures don’t do it justice. Regardless of the number of parts included, the time and effort for this shell just would not be worth it. Send the carcass to the crusher so Campbell’s can make some more soup cans, sell the “good” parts separately.
This pile of scrap metal needs more than a welder, it needs a crusher. Better off buying the new parts cheap and start with another donor body.
I once put a 67 stang together that needed everything but still had more than this with interior and drive train. I tossed the engine that was a “nom” and a boat anchor from no hp mid 70s.
I found a 289 rebuilt and had the auto rebuilt prior to install.
The doors actually shut when done a alignment was decent.
But i had been welding for ten years prior to project.
This can be a labor of love with much sweat equity. A loss to the farm out work folks.
Fyi: the six grand is dead on for price with parts. (A lil high but livable)
FYI . My pony was asking 1500 and i gave $500 in early 2000 for a rustang. Mustang parts are 1/3 of GM and about 1/10th of Mopar parts.
Good luck with sale and hope your misses gets better soon.
Agree with DA, this one’s a tough sell to restore, even if you were handy with the MIG welder and spanners….
If this car had an outstanding provenance (like it was owned by Jimi Hendrix), one might want to take a punt….but…..its just too far gone, and not rare.
I find it sad that a lot of people are saying to junk this one. I agree it’s rough and the asking price is a bit too much, but this isn’t the 90s anymore. The parts included also aren’t dirt cheap (ask me how I know). But so many people would rather just crush it and be done instead of bringing this back to life. Who cares if it a rare car or not? This isn’t something that will ever be produces again (yes you can but the skeleton for 18 grand) but where’s the pride in building things with your own hands? I hope that whoever gets this enjoys all the hard work they will inevitably have to put into it.
Good Lord man, it´s a Camaro, a dime a dozen then – a dime a dozen today. One must suffer from a particular type of madness to see anything besides a junkyard when viewing this eye sore. The crusher is too good for it.
A dime a dozen? That’s not what I’ve been seeing in the market.
Anton Malar could take that on
Every No and the I get stuff from ikea… hmmm
Emmett I whole hardly agree with you! I have been on this site for a long time trying to change the normal mindset regarding the restoration of these once in a life time cars. I have started to see some change, or i do see the point. However, most on here only see what they choose to see, which is truly very little regarding these vintage muscle cars….THEY JUST DO NOT GET IT…they will complain about how much a restored muscle car costs, then turn around and complain how much a shell of a car is going for…or pick it too death…..Most of these people want to complain versus actually saving and restoring the greatest muscle cars ever produced on this planet….these cars are time capsules, respect them, save them, or just keep your opinions to yourself, the rest of us are tired of hearing them!!!!!
Geez, gosh, I am so sorry to have disturbed your little world with my opinion. ¨The greatest muscle cars ever produced¨ – bla bla, bla. Take off your blinders, engage your brain and look at this heap of garbage. Of course, that´s my opinion.
Gerard, yes you did disturb my reality, unlike the non reality you live in. Keep staying in that non existence you consider a reality, appreciate your non reality opinion though…NOT!
600+ labor hours to bring it back.
Yep, and when you’re done, it’s not going to be worth $60K +
Steve, I have no issues with getting my money back. This is a long term investment. Shallow mindsets think of the short game, I look beyond the horizon. Take care.
Well worth it Butch….I have been their and done that! I have a 68 Chevelle SS 138 car and a 70 Chevelle SS….both came in about the same shape….beautiful cars…and well worth all the time, money and labor….
Danny. Ask yourself why it is I know how many labor hours goes into project of this depth ;)
Current project, a 142 yr old 1/2 stripped, horse drawn steam engine that was buried for 51 years.
You think muscle car people are fanatical about saving rusty relics?
Go to a Steam Engine show and you’ll see finished examples of projects worse than the one I’m undertaking chugging away. And thats with almost zero aftermarket support.
I’m happy to say when I was in the salvage business I saved a lotta cars few saw potential in and got them into the skilled hands of restorer’s who brought them back again.
The poor wife had a stroke when she saw that car, sorry its to far gone to throw more money at it.
Comments from people who most likely have never had the money to buy even this. Or the talent to fix it. Who have paid people to do their brakes, watch too much tv car shows. People who fix junk like this have vision and patience.we do it because we like it,pride. You crybabies stick to sitting on the sidelines or go work in your garden. Both to me are a waste of time. But hey, it’s your vision.
Ok, it’s going to be a lot work but, not so impossible if you want a muscle car/ pony car and don’t have the money to buy one in prestige conduction, this is the only way to go. I have taked on projects like this in the past and sure it’s hard but when you are really into a car project, you’ll climb mount Everest to complete it and when your done you can say “look what l have done ( or look what we did if your son or daughter is helping)! You have a car you wanted and you build it yourself and that feels better than saying I wrote a check for my dream car.
Family project! A lifetime of memories for all. My kids were with me on most of my Model A Ford adventures. They still share fond memories 30+ years later.
Sure, replace all that’s needed because it needs everything and then feel good that you now own a Chinese made Camaro replica !
Don, the majority of these car parts can be purchased American made… I know first hand after rebuilding a 68 Chevelle SS , 70 Chevelle SS…you just did to look…you may pay more for American quality, but well worth it,,,,,AND YOU WILL STILL HAVE AN AMERICAN MADE QUALITY CAR!
I bought a wrecked 1968 Camaro Convert . when I was a young ( stupid ) man. I had no skills to repair, but that didn’t stop me either ….. Never again !! I can remember actually getting stuck under the dash that had to be replaced while installing the new wiring harness , thank God the seats were also out or I would still be there !!!!!!!!!!!!
$6100 and it hasn’t hit the reserve?
What am I missing
Jay, no negative applied here, but you are missing the foresight of long term investment!
People who carve on junk like this aren’t first timers. We usually have parts or know where to get parts from other disturbed people. We trade abilities or time to others to get what we need. We are the original recyclers. Packrats. I could put this back using a minimum of Chinese parts. Tear apart any newer vehicle and see what globalization is.
Jay, no negative applied here, but you are missing the foresight and vision to look towards investment tomorrow instead of today. The market has shifted, however too many people are still in yesteryears with their thinking. The strange thing is, they continue the same old mind set about these vintage cars even when told to their face they need to change their approach towards this market…. take or leave it, that is the reality. Take care.
Bring to meade ks I’ll fix you up . 408 adams meade ks. Six Twenty Fab
The welding is the easy part, the fitting is the hard part, just sayin…..
So yeah this car needs everything. The seller is being honest and providing all the sheet metal your going to need. This car has 4 areas.
25% Body Work
25% Drive Train
25% Interior
25% Convertible Top
Just to break it down. I try not to buy anything that needs more than 2 out of 4 areas requiring attention. Sometimes I get lucky sometimes I don’t. This would be more than I was willing to take on. I am not a welder. However if you are, you could knock this thing out and get it painted back to original without a lot of extra work. Then sell it like that to a Drive train guy, or interior guy.
Imagine if you could get 4 guys with each area of expertise and form a crew that would each do their parts. You all put 10 or 15K in a pot and buy the stuff you need to get it back up to snuff. Then sell it and split the profit.
But no, People wanna bicker to much and not much gets done. I miss the days when a couple of 6 packs would get stuff done.
and the seller wants money? seriously?
Yes Gregory, please join the rest of us in the current reality. I am sure you would want money also. The 20th Century is over.
As a fabricator and body man with 45+ years in the business I would not spend the money and time on this car, it would be a six figure build and not anything a novice should try, sell the parts and move on.
Buchb, with all do respect, the market you are operating within regarding horse drawn steam engines, has no upside regarding financial gains, or limited in scope. However, I do respect you saving and preserving history for future generations, that is where the love, respect of your of your venue does pay off! Once again, the muscle car venue has moved to a higher platform financially, and people need to look around and see what may be available currently (regardless), because those very same cars they consider pieces of junk, will no longer exist for purchase in the very near future! ALL WILL BE GONE!
To begin with, car has a lot of rust, but the seller has already purchased the necessary replacement body parts. Those body panels aren’t cheap. Depending on where the reserve is would make it a worthwhile purchase. Too high a reserve and he might as well junk it and sell the body parts to someone else.
No engine but lotsa rust. I think 6100 is supposed to read 61.00. This is a prime example of a basket case.