ok need opinions and advice. Ive got a chance to pickup another car (with luck this wont go like the TransAm)

Its a 1978 Chevy Camaro Rally Sport. Its got a 383 stroker in it with a cam (dont know what cam though), Holly double pumper carb (with a single in the trunk of spare parts) tranny was rebuilt three years ago, its a 4 speed. It def needs paint, some trim, and all the interior fabric. With that said it runs and the guy im looking to buy it from lives up the street, is a teacher at a tech school and has said that any work it needs he will do with me on the weekends.

Now what questions would you guys ask, what would you want to know about the car, and does anyone have experiance with this car ?

thanks guy!

Do it. I love second gen Camaro's.

Make sure there is no rot on the unibody other then that as long as it runs and no rot it's all about $$$

+++++++1111111111

Rot would be the only turn off i could see (but personally wouldnt turn me away).... other than that, i guess it depends on what really needs to get done, what you want to do with it.

Drivetrain wise it sounds decent. Any specs on the motor? How much is he asking?

do it! 2nd gens are cool!

Do It! 4 speed FTW!!!

Not a fan of the later 2nd gens. PICS!?

As stated, depends how bad the shell is, and how much work you want to do.

ill go check those things out today guys and snap some pics. he has full specs for the motor from when it was blue printed and built (which makes me happy) I dont plan on doing much more for now then getting it running. As time goes on id like to do a nice clean restore on it. Paints almost all gone but it must have looked pretty cool when it was new.

As it sits now . . . .

What it could look kinda like :

Or in blue :

she def needs a lot of work bud and as far as that engine goes, I would take someone out there that knows what they are doing, squirt some oil into it, the distributor, etc....make sure the engine at least turns over freely as well. That thing looks like it has been sitting a loooooong time.

oh the guy im buying it from is my neighbor. He teaches at a tech school. Hes already told me he will wok with me on the motor and get it running before it even leaves his driveway. If there are any problems he lives 4 doors away And yes it does need alot of work but ive been all over it and everything is solid.

The problem with buying a car from 'someone that teaches at a tech school'. is like the plumber with the leaky faucet in his own house, if you know what I mean.

oh hell ya ricks got more unfinished projects then anyone i know. its insane. however he does have the skills to help me if i ask him is the point.

that's alot of rust and looks like it has been sitting for a long time plan on replacing every brake and gas line within a couple drives. also really check under it.

it was registered and on the road at the end of 2007. Im def going to do all brake and gas lines though. prob need to work on the clutch lines as well.

if by clutch lines? you mean cable or pressure plate etc I don't belive those have hydraulic clutches

hehe guess im gonna be learning alot im going to see if i can get it out of there and clean it up, maybe get it up on a lift and really look under it.

3 years is a long time to sit trust me I know. I've had to do a lot of work to mine just because it was sitting. That body looks rough and I can only imagine what the under side looks like. That engine also looks like it hadnt moved in a while.

Looks like a mouse might have been in there too... EEEEK

ok all said, what would you guys figure would be a fair price on that car given the work it will need and how long it has sat ?

500

DO IT! old cars rock!

anyone have anymore numbers to throw in ?

MAYBE a grand, and that's with a guaranteed offer of work from the owner.

You are going to put a TON a money into that car to get it road worthy and decent to drive again. This is not one of those projects you buy for $500 and put $2,000 into it and it all set. The car needs paint, weatherstripping, tires, brake lines, fuel lines, possibily a new gas tank, interior carpet, headliner, radio, possibly other interior parts, complete brake overhaul, etc. I could go on and on with the little things too like fixing the wiring that the mice may have chewed through. Just please go over this car really good and figure out what it needs and make a list and then go window shopping. I bet that car needs over $7,000 to be a great running daily driver. Projects like that will nickel and dime you to death.

$7K? Oh............ That's it?

Then again.. Spend $10K all at once for something 'done', or $10K over a few years. Pick your poison.

Story of my life...

trust me guys i understand its a ton of money to get it looking nice and running perfect, but my immediate goal is to make it drive. Ill strip it out, hell just run it with the seats and a steering wheel for awhile. If I can get it for $500 do you think its a good base for a project ? not a DD but a long term project ?

Yah, if the body is pretty solid.

I agree, but only if it's solid.

One other thing to keep in mind. This is a 78, how many places besides Classic Industries and the other resto places will have parts for one of those? It's not like those things are common anymore. I think whoever said 7k is pretty optimistic.

That said, if you have the space, time, money and drive, go for it. It really could be a cool ass car when done.

If its SOLID and cheap like 500-800 then sure. Go under and start poking with a screwdriver!

Classic Industries and Year One is all you need.

:toots horn: the yard near my house has 5 or 6 of these and trans ams. hard parts are easy to get.

ya ive already found 3 or 4 guys on CL parting these cars out. Ill def do the screwdriver thing. any areas in particular to check ?

Entire floor boards, anywhere it looks like crap. People hate when you do it sometimes but my buddy had a car that had "surface rust" but when we did the test the screwdriver was finding its way through very easily. See if the engine fires as well. I can give you some tips for that too

Ehhhhhhh have the previous owner fire it up. Let him see if it spins freely. It's his ass (and $) if it doesn't.

If this is going to be a long term project them make it somewhat different. Put a duramax in it.

id buy it for $500 even if it was rotted. the clutch pedal assy. is worth about 3-400 on the Nova Forums....

hmm good to know . . . . .

i look for 2 out of 3 from a car when I buy it. body, engine, interior. this has 0 of 3...meaning it needs paint/body work, needs engine work (doesn't run), and interior is a do-over. this guy can't find the time to do it for himself, he isn't gonna find time to help you do much. this car is a parts car the way it sits at best. i like 2nd gen camaros, but you better think long and hard about offering even $500 for it. my bet is that to get this car on the road is $1000-1500. i bet the frame is rusted all over it. my advice is look around for a similar year car for $2500 that maybe doesn't have cancer all over it inside and out.

1978 camaro worcester, ma