Here is my situation. I have a 69 Vette. Don't want to part with it at all. I have a 80 Z/28 that is a really really nice car but not stock. (zz430 w/ a 700R4)
I have power toured the Camaro car 3 times and I have had a lot of fun in it.
Last weekend at Bloomington I ran into a C4 (95) that had about 28K on it. Clean straight car, but motor was yanked and a built LT1 out of a Camaro was slipped into it. It's supercharged and it dynoed at 428 at the rear wheeles on 9 lb of boost. Car is built for up to 19 pounds and in the area of 800-900 HP.
There is 31K in receipts with the car and the build was done less than 4K ago in 2004. I can get the car for under 20K. To do it I would probably have to let the Camaro go.
I think this car would be a lot of fun and it looks like (and I spoke to the engine builder to get the scoop on the car) it has never been raced. It was just street driven. Probably hard, but thats what it was built for.

So if I off the camaro...I don't know how bad I would really miss it. I like the car, but there are other 80 Z's out there. The thing that holds me up is that Camaro is getting more desirable and I get a lot of compliments on the car when I take it out. It is appreciating as I sit on it.
The C4 is not something I expect to make any dough on and I know when/if I go to sell, it might be a hard sell since it's supercharged.

I want something to drive, have fun with and not worry about so much. Especially for doing things like the power tour. The next 2 years are going to be in my back yard. That's 6000 miles that I would have to either put on the Camaro or the 69 Vette.

What would you guys do? I am so torn after seeing this car.
It is such a nice sleeper...and I really like the body on the later C4's better than any of the C5's. Not to mention the price seems really right from everyone who has seen the car including the guys who did a lot of work on it. Car even has ice cold A/C and looks bone stock other than C6 rims and wildwood brakes in the front.
here are the basics on the motor:
355 Cu LT1 4 bolt, 9:1 comp
Callies Crank
Lunati connecting rods
JE pistons
ported and polished LT1 heads
226/234 hydraulic roller cam
58 mm throttle body
42 lbs/hr injectors
adj. regulator
ATI procharger PISC Intercooled Supercharger
3200 stall Precision Ind. Vigilante Torque Converter
26000 GVW trans cooler
Stage 2 rebuild on a 4l60E trans
TPIS Ceramic coated Headers with custom Random Technology high flow cats & X pipe
Borla Stainless Steel cat black exhaust
Z06 rims with Goodyear F1 supercar tires
6 piston Wildwoods W/slotted and drilled rotors in front

Theres a bunch of other crap but thats the basics.

Car is fast as hell. Runs VERY strong.
I am so torn on it. I just thought this might make a nice power tour car and then I'm not worried about driving a 30-40 year old car on the tours...plus I can daily drive it if I wanted to.


Opinions guys???

Thanks!

 

I just sold my 81 4sp 350 Z and bought a 75 Trans AM

Tough decision. I had to wait a while before the TA came along or else I wouldn't have sold the Z.

I would not let go of the Z28. Price appreciation for F bodied cars are really swinging high now. Why? Because the body styles are flippin Gorgeous.

The 80 Z was super cool with Air Induction. and the "last" Quintessential Muscle car that could be ordered with a 350 4BBL 4Sp. and with 3.08 Posi.

C4's Na. Computer contolled, and not as cool as the Camaro.

Keep the Z28 man!

 

$20-ish for a modded '95 doesn't sound like a good choice, Kurt, unless you are willing going in to take the big hit financially...

 

I know this. It's like any car if you want HP, you will lose your azz in what you sink into it. I had him down to 18K and that was without me opening my mouth yet. This was just him trying to spin it that day.
The hard part is the Camaro. And after reading the first post by Augustus I think he is right. It may be a car i wish I did not let go one day. But it's not a numbers matching car but it is done very nice.


What else can I buy and not be the one taking the massive hit. I don't want another car I can't "drive"
I mean I drive my cars but this car I can pound on a bit and not really care. We take a hit on every daily driver we buy. 18K is not all that bad for a car I can slap the snot out of once in a while and not be all that worried. With only 28K on it, I just figured I would keep it. I know it's not a desirable car...but i do like the body on the 95's a lot.

Every time I get in my 69 I feel like I have to "be good" and not take it over 4K. Plus...this is about what a decent C4 is pulling with under 30K. I can also get the original 20K motor with it if I want it.

By the way...we should have said hello at BG. I was there.
Did you see the Corvette pinball set up inside with all the Coke machines and stuff?
That was my stuff (games only) The pop machines/gas pumps were a friends. The Pinball sold pretty quick. I knew it would.

ok...you guys are starting to quickly talk me out of it...or at least out of getting rid of the Camaro.
But I still like this Vette...

 

You have a 69 Vette and an 80 Z. Best of both worlds.

Those Z,s where abused beyond comprehension. If you have a decent example. Matching #'s or not. You'll always get good money for it, and I know prices aren't slowing down for 80 Z's

Only two model years 80 and 81 with the Air Induction.
That was the car to have in 1980. Nothing else compared!

Yes the 95 has alot of work done to it. Big deal. He'll never get his money back he put in it.

The Z can seat 4, and haul your kids in it too to the car shows.

My kid still asks me where is the Black Camaro.

I have now A 73 Vette, a 75 Trans Am, 1974 Porsche 935, and 78 Alfa Spider.

Keep your diveristy. I love Vette's but I think you'll appreciate jumping from different rides as you do now.

Oh! One more thing.... Keep the Z!!! and the 69 Vette!!! LOL
Cheers

 

After reading your post, it sounds like you've already made a decision with your head, heart and wallet. The camaro is just a good memory at this point. Get the C4 vette. Thats what you really want to be driving now. It ain't about just memories and investments. Good luck with your decision.....and the vette. Jim

 

If you aren't adverse to the hit you'll take on the '95, then why not? Especially seeing that you can get the original motor... you didnt say that the first time. That changes a lot for me. And as you say, $18k isnt that much.

As far as the Camaro... they are cool, and it would be best to keep everything, but it's not like a car like that can't be replaced.

I saw the pinball set up... it was next to another pinball machine in one of the rows close to the food section, right? Seems I saw a "sold" tag on the Corvette machine pretty early.

I also was looking for you in Springfield during the HR Power Tour... I didnt go into the Fairgrounds but I was cruising around the perimeter in the '58 with all the cars... didnt see a red '69.

 

The 95 sounds like a pain in the ***!

 

I would stick with the Camaro and the 69 Vette.

 

Wish I never got rid of my Camaro ... albeit a 72 ... Can't be replaced now for less than a small fortune.

 

[QUOTE=NHvette;1560753807]Wish I never got rid of my Camaro ... albeit a 72 ... Can't be replaced now for less than a small fortune.



That is a sweet Camaro. I love the split bumpers.

Thanks for all the comments guys. Keep em comming. I have until Friday before the guy who owns it gets back in town.
Yeah I think I may be kicking myself later if I let the Camaro go. Yeah the 95 COULD be a pain in the A**. But I talked to the motor builder, and he seems to really know his stuff. The most boost the car has ran has been 9 pounds. The motor was built for up to 18lbs but the guy who owned it to begin with ran (not the current owner) lost his job at some point and ran out of cash when it came time for a serious fuel pump that could supply the higher pressure. So they ended up putting a booster pump in it capable of 12 lbs. So as the builder put it "we never really finished the car the way we wanted to" He told me No matter how hard it's been driven, The motor should be fine and he even offered to give it a go over for free if the seller would let me drive it there (and he said no problem)
I think I would be more concerned about the trans to be honest.
But either way I may just swing it without dumping the Camaro. If it seems to do well in summer heat, I may just power tour the car once or twice to see how I like it.
I get mixed opinions on where the C4's are going. Some say they will start creeping up, others disagree. I like the later C4 bodies a lot. I think it's a sharp looking car. I know there not the best thing to get in and out of but that really don't bother me. I do remember the manual cars being really cramped in the foot area, but this is an automatic. I can't imagine not getting my money back out of it in time especially if I have the matching motor. But I could be way wrong. I know nothing about C4's and the market. I did not pay attention too closely at the auction because I was not really looking for one. I know the market in general is soft...but does anyone know what a 28K nice stock C4 is at average right now? I can't believe they are so damn cheap. This car just looks like it might be a lot of fun. It has 4K under it's belt since the motor swap and I think if it were to be having a crapload of problems, the builder would have seen the car back. He seemed pretty up front and did give me a lot of info I would have never gotten from the current owner.
I think I will be keeping the Camaro either way. I know I won't lose on that car in time. You don't see a lot of REALLY nice 80,81's out there.

I need to stay away from BG....that place is friggin dangerous.

And yes..the vette pinball did sell early, and the pinball next to it was a brand new Spiderman. (just released)

 

Personally, I would get the c4.

 

ahhhh...someone who sees what I see. Is it the best investment as far as buying a Vette??? NO...and I know that....but damn to beat the snot out of that thing for a while would be a blast.
The guy who built it already told me he would give me 20 if I bought it, so I know I could make a quick 2K on the car if I wanted too. But I know once I drive it and have high 400's at the rear wheels under my pants...I would want to part with it...unless I get a couple tickets...then we might be thinking differently. But seriouslly...I am pretty good on the raod. I live in the country so to lay down some occasional rubber around here is no big deal. It's not like i'm letting it loose at every stop light with rush hour traffic all around me.

I am going to at least take the car to the motor builder and have a closer look at it and see what he thinks.

 

I agree, keep the Z-28. Seems like a lot of money for a C-4, for less then the price he is asking, you can buy a nice C-4 and put in upgrades and still have money left over to put gas in all three!

 

Check it out, test drive it a bunch of times.
Is the 69 & 80 Z paid off?
Do you have a lot of debt?
If not get a nice low interest loan from a local credit union for the 18k, try to talk him down to 16k and make the monthly payments.
Then you can sell it down the road. Save up some $ so when you go to sell it you can cover the small hit you will take on the value of the car.
Thats what I would do if I had the money or lack of debt. The 69 & 80z are investments now, just like a bond or bank account, hang onto them and let them appreciate.

Why would the engine builder buy it from you for 20k later when he could get it for 18k now? thats wierd.

 

I would go with the '95...

sounds like its got the power you are looking for... People say the car is too high... not really... look at the 572's, its atleast 11k for the 620HP and like 13k for the 720HP and people are putting them in thier muscle cars because they want a fast car! Sounds like your situation, you want a fast street car and with it comes the extra cost!

Remember... what seperates men and boys is the cost of their toys!

 

Lie!!! & buy the 95!!!

You heard me.... Lie!!!!



put your least favorite car in storage & LIE to the wife & tell her you sold it



I'm not kidding.... both cars are excellent investments & you'd be a fool to sell while the value of your cars is rising!!!

 

Because the owner of the car now is not the guy who the engine builder built it for. It's been sold since then. The guy who owns it now handed me all the paperwork on the car and who did the motor work. I called the builder. He only knew the owner they did the work for.
He has no clue who owns the car now....and the guy they did the work for stiffed them for 3K (lost his job) so they wont be getting him to pick up his phone to find out who he sold it to.

 

I buzzed the C4 section last night and a nice under 30K C4 looks like it's in the 15 to 20 range. At least thats what I saw until I could not keep my eyes open anymore. I have to snoop around there a bit more later tonight.
Like I said...the car is straight..and has low miles. Most likely some hard miles, but it was not an 18 year old kid driving it. I know if I built a car with 600 plus horse...I would be using it. Thats what the thing is for. Why have a motor with all the HP and pussyfoot the thing?

 

I agree. The motor build was around 7K not including the supercharger, and there was a LOT in recipts. Brand new Z06 rims, tires, trans build, Supercharger, Wildwood brakes,gauges,headers,Exhaust with cats and on and on. I have 31K in recips in my hand. Granted some of that is labor and I have not added up all the "parts" put in the car but I know it's over 15K. There was a lot of nice stuff thrown at the car.

I will not be getting rid of the 69 no matter what. Chances are I won't be parting with the Z28 either...

I'm going to run the car around and see what I think...
Stay tuned...