CodeRedR51
Premium
- 55,324
- United States
Interested in a 1979 Camaro
- Thread starter Shant J.
- 57 comments
- 6,757 views
- 4,440
- zr1chris
- zr1chris
All I can find in your area is this http://www.autotraderclassics.com/classic-car/1977-Chevrolet-Camaro-409716.xhtml?conversationId=8690
Its not a Z28 but it is pretty clean.
Edit: Here is one more (74 but basically the same style) http://www.lemonfree.com/d0603db8ae52a4def8758d7aae03cfdc.html-1
Its not a Z28 but it is pretty clean.
Edit: Here is one more (74 but basically the same style) http://www.lemonfree.com/d0603db8ae52a4def8758d7aae03cfdc.html-1
Last edited:
- 678
- BrutherSuperior
A 1979 <insert whatever> while living in California is a bad-bad idea. Why? Smog inspections will absolutely haunt you.
It would be less expensive to swap in a smog-legal crate engine + cats than it would be to sink the thousands of dollars into a smog-choked wimpy 350. Whatever car you find will either be quite expensive or it will not pass California's emissions requirements. Pick one...
If it's the latter, well, it's going to get put on rollers and sniffed just like the other cars. Those cats, the miles of vacuum hose, mysterious crumbling canisters, wonky ignition, and who the hell knows what else would have had a hard time passing emissions if the car was brand new...forget it 32 years later.
Chances are the car you'd buy will have an inoperable/missing air pump, clogged or disintegrated catalytic converters, bad ignition, worn rings/valve guides, and will leak fluids from everywhere. Hey, it's old and it's to be expected. What isn't expected is the expense you'll incur to get this thing up to snuff. And even then it probably won't be much fun getting walked by eco-cars.
The engines & transmissions of that era are awful. A 5.3L truck motor, harness, computer, exhaust manifolds + cats, and transmission will run you about $1k...figure another $6-700 to install it professionally.
How much would new cats, new carb, new vacuum lines, engine overhaul, headwork, and fixing all the pissing fluids cost you? My guess, not much less.
It's a neat car but if you want to own one register it in another state.
If you're looking for vintage cars, you want a 1974 or older model. They're emissions exempt.
It would be less expensive to swap in a smog-legal crate engine + cats than it would be to sink the thousands of dollars into a smog-choked wimpy 350. Whatever car you find will either be quite expensive or it will not pass California's emissions requirements. Pick one...
If it's the latter, well, it's going to get put on rollers and sniffed just like the other cars. Those cats, the miles of vacuum hose, mysterious crumbling canisters, wonky ignition, and who the hell knows what else would have had a hard time passing emissions if the car was brand new...forget it 32 years later.
Chances are the car you'd buy will have an inoperable/missing air pump, clogged or disintegrated catalytic converters, bad ignition, worn rings/valve guides, and will leak fluids from everywhere. Hey, it's old and it's to be expected. What isn't expected is the expense you'll incur to get this thing up to snuff. And even then it probably won't be much fun getting walked by eco-cars.
The engines & transmissions of that era are awful. A 5.3L truck motor, harness, computer, exhaust manifolds + cats, and transmission will run you about $1k...figure another $6-700 to install it professionally.
How much would new cats, new carb, new vacuum lines, engine overhaul, headwork, and fixing all the pissing fluids cost you? My guess, not much less.
It's a neat car but if you want to own one register it in another state.
If you're looking for vintage cars, you want a 1974 or older model. They're emissions exempt.
- 132
- "Hidden Valley", CA
- MEJ1990TM1
Where do you come up with the transmissions of that era are awful? I ran a 2.64 Super T in my Chevelle for quite a while. That is the most common of the Super T's offered in those Camaros. There was also a 2.43, 2.88, and 3.42/3.44 Super T. And where is it stated that the engine that is in the car will automatically need a rebuild, carb replaced, head work, and the like? I drove my Chevelle quite a few miles before the old hard as rock rear main decided to start leaking. I put rings, bearings, gaskets, and seals in that engine for less than $200. Including getting the block hot tanked. Wonky ignition? Those GM HEI distributors are excellent distributors. I'm running the Mallory replacement and GM cap/coil in my '71 right now.
I think that is a bit pessimistic to think the entire car will need a complete rebuild.
I think that is a bit pessimistic to think the entire car will need a complete rebuild.
- 434
- JurupaValley,Ca
- marluxiaXI11
I'm a fan of the early second gen camaro's
- 2,568
- we're waiting for the PS4
- fishtailrook1 (?)
now this is something new, someone under the age of 70 that wants to leave a car as it came from the factory. this also usually means it'll be driven like it's owned by a little old lady. besides, ANY 70's or 80's (and even most 90's) in any shape other than beat to death or scrapyard material is damn near an Oxymoron!
whoever the boob is who recommended a 70-73 'Mo: that's Barret-Jackson 60k dollar collector material.
I know Chevy's of the 70's are rather thin in the sheet metal department, but come on, this is a California Car, which means it's not exactly soaked in salt brine 9 months of the year like up here in the NE
besides, i want one of these, and any car in cali is going to automatically have California emissions. some people DO know there way around early emissions equipment, you know.
whoever the boob is who recommended a 70-73 'Mo: that's Barret-Jackson 60k dollar collector material.
I know Chevy's of the 70's are rather thin in the sheet metal department, but come on, this is a California Car, which means it's not exactly soaked in salt brine 9 months of the year like up here in the NE
besides, i want one of these, and any car in cali is going to automatically have California emissions. some people DO know there way around early emissions equipment, you know.
Cano
Premium
- 20,758
- Cephiro
I think this is the first time I’ve ever read in a forum that someone wants to keep one of these stock on purpose. Weird.
I’ve always liked how these late-70s Camaros look, in my opinion they’ve always been way underrated at least in the looks department –mechanically it is more than justified-, specially the Z28, which looks downright sporty. Will be interesting to see if you ever find one, and what becomes of it.
I’ve always liked how these late-70s Camaros look, in my opinion they’ve always been way underrated at least in the looks department –mechanically it is more than justified-, specially the Z28, which looks downright sporty. Will be interesting to see if you ever find one, and what becomes of it.
- 4,543
- Bay Area, CA
- Zenith113
You're sure?
This. You'll have a lot more fun and a lot less frustration if you go for a pre-'74 car. But hey, if you're set on a '79 then it's perfectly understandable. You just need to be ready for some headaches.
- 3,008
- You're crazy if you think
- I can afford either of these.
That means you shouldn't want to deall with all the crap emissions stuff. Do a resto-rod and you'll enjoy the car more, IMHO
- 2,568
- we're waiting for the PS4
- fishtailrook1 (?)
Zenith: up here, yes. positive.
Mustang: think about how much the thing will be worth in another 20 years when there isn't a single pre 2000 car in existance that isn't in the hands of a collector. also think about there only being ONE car in existance from the smog era in concurs form at all. at least the thing's Post-Leaded Gas.
i must be getting old when I wanna see stuff that was on the road when I was 6 left in Concours form.
Mustang: think about how much the thing will be worth in another 20 years when there isn't a single pre 2000 car in existance that isn't in the hands of a collector. also think about there only being ONE car in existance from the smog era in concurs form at all. at least the thing's Post-Leaded Gas.
i must be getting old when I wanna see stuff that was on the road when I was 6 left in Concours form.
- 678
- BrutherSuperior
- 132
- "Hidden Valley", CA
- MEJ1990TM1
None of them, but that is not to say I have never had to deal with working on a car that had to pass smog. I had an '89 Cressida for a while.
- 434
- JurupaValley,Ca
- marluxiaXI11
<===since my Camaro is from 74 we took out all the smog equipment
- 10,620
- gtp_jimprower
- 1,295
- Nuvolari91
I think we've found this forum's James May, folks. Which is fine by me, I think I like him best out of all the Top Gear presenters.
I think of myself as being more like Hammond, to be honest.
- 2,568
- we're waiting for the PS4
- fishtailrook1 (?)
they DO have "survivors", you know. and no, that what Lenonidae@MTF wants to do. grab vintage European imports, de-americanize them, and sell them back to europe for a fortune. and I just might help him do it, if I can take American imports, de-europeanize them, and give them back to the states for a fortune. I mean, for God's sake someone up in Finland has an Edsel Villager wagon[/i] for sale up there!
besides, any car that's worth money doesn't get driven anymore.
two words....
Oh...Cock!
