The 1970 Camaro: Collectible in it's own right?

[camaro73lt]

Folks, I found a survivor 1970 Camaro coupe in original condition, minus the normal wear tear. Original paint, sheet metal, 307 engine and 350 trans. Nothing special about this car. IMO, the 1970 represents a unique 2nd Gen model as it has many one year only features such as the interior, grill, etc... Plus the fact it is the first year of our beloved Camaro model. Anyway, where I am going with this is I am looking for advice and comments on the car's potential value down the road. The future looks bright to me but.. the car will need considerable refurbishing to bring it back to like-new condition. How difficult will it be to get those subtle 1970 parts? The interior needs replacing, engine is completely intact. Even spare and jack in the trunk. Any ideas on the cars value? Paint is heavily cracked but original. Needs rechome. Solid running condition showing 75k (or is it 175k?). No gauges. Console shifter. Original radio. Thanks for the advice and comments.

 

[hucks 70]

its hard to tell without a pic ,it all depaends if you are building it to keep or resale .if you going to do a project for yourself you usally dont get your money out of it ,if it was a z or a ss it would be a diff story.mines a standard coupe but i built it the way i wanted .not much is stock anymore .thats just my op/ good luck .lets see some pics .

 

[tom3]

If the stock body panels are usable the car could be made into something that could make you some money I believe. Parts for the early models are still affordable and available and interest is increasing from what I see. If there is serious rust I'd have to think long and hard before digging into it.

 

[owners2]

Post a pic.

 

[flowjoe]

Once upon a time folks were confronted with the same dilemma regarding 1st gen Camaros. no one wanted a restored, base coupe. They were immediately turned into drag cars, hot rods or clones. Base cars got no respect. Now, those base model cars are indeed rare (read uncommon and not necessarily as valuable as a high performance model) and bring a smile to many of the marque's fans.

They are something of a time capsule (just ask Rick H - White81Z). Survivor cars have an unique spot in our hobby, if your car is truly a survivor - even as a base coupe - you may want to preserve it for that reason alone. Any restoration destroys it's survivor status.

On the flip side, you will not be devaluing the car to hot rod it and have fun....but there is no going back.

I think early 2nd gen cars will follow the 1st gen pattern. Eventually people will be glad to see a non SS or Z/28 (genuine or cloned) and they will become the "rare" and unusual car.

So, I would say if you can enjoy the car as equipped (survivor or restored) I would take the long view and preserve it as a base model 70 camaro

 

[72BIGBLOCK]

Once upon a time folks were confronted with the same dilemma regarding 1st gen Camaros. no one wanted a restored, base coupe. They were immediately turned into drag cars, hot rods or clones. Base cars got no respect. Now, those base model cars are indeed rare (read uncommon and not necessarily as valuable as a high performance model) and bring a smile to many of the marque's fans.

They are something of a time capsule (just ask Rick H - White81Z). Survivor cars have an unique spot in our hobby, if your car is truly a survivor - even as a base coupe - you may want to preserve it for that reason alone. Any restoration destroys it's survivor status.

On the flip side, you will not be devaluing the car to hot rod it and have fun....but there is no going back.

I think early 2nd gen cars will follow the 1st gen pattern. Eventually people will be glad to see a non SS or Z/28 (genuine or cloned) and they will become the "rare" and unusual car.

So, I would say if you can enjoy the car as equipped (survivor or restored) I would take the long view and preserve it as a base model 70 camaro

right on flow..i cant remember the last time i saw a base camaro 1970 ..i see z and ss all day long

 

[White81Z]

I agree that base model Camaros have a special place in this hobby. Sure everyone wants a Z/28, SS or other performance model BUT how many of them are truely factory intact? Not many because they were hammered on from the beginning.
Most base models escaped the beatings and when found have most, if not all of the factory pieces and parts. That alone is unique.
If you can find an unmolested 1970 Camaro no matter what the model I would snatch it up. Especially if it's a 1970 because of the one year only parts. BTW the grill is not a one year only. It was the same in 1971.

As for my base model car if I decide to keep it I plan on restoring it. Why? because I can and how many do you actually see? In hindsight if I had known what my Z/28 would cost to restore I would have put the money into the base coupe first because it is a complete car.

Post up pictures of this survivor so we all can enjoy.

Rick H.

 

[camaro73lt]

Thanks for everyone's feedback. Hopefully, the deal will work out.

I have attached a few pics - (not that great) of the car.

That's the original paint and interior. Engine is just as stock and untouched.

Strange options: no PS or PB but has AC. Engine is 307 w/350 trans.

 

[Bikefixr]

My 2c worth....I think the base coupes make excellent resto-mod material. It's not a Z, SS or RS. So by modifying it, you're not diminishing the pool of the more rare models. I hope you don't give in to the temptation of 'cloning' it into something else. If you aren't going to resto-mod it, then restore it. I LOVE seeing the restored base coupes. You just don;t see that many, and because they don't get the bigger $, I appreciate the time, $ and effort that someone put into the resto just for the sake of saving the car. At a big local show last year the best car I saw was a 6cy base '69 Camaro Coupe. Great car, and he did it because it WASN'T a Z. Save it.

 

[White81Z]

Nice car. Classic Copper with deluxe saddle interior. The car looks familiar and I believe I have seen this car for sale somewhere.

Keep the car original. Good luck.

Rick H.