New Generation Muscle Cars
 

As some of us younger guys start to come of age the cars that were cheap muscle in our high school years are now starting to become popular.

Right out of high school I had a 1979 Z-28. Mine was a one owner car with less than 60k miles on it in 1992. It was a rare factory black car, tan deluxe interior and 4 speed. I loved that car and decided to go looking for another like it.

I ran across this very fine car. 2nd owner 1978 Z-28 factory 4 speed T-Top car. Only 80k miles on it, barely any body issues at all and the underside is absolutely mint. Will need a full interior and exterior overhaul but it is getting harder to find these cars unmolested.

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

thats a beautiful Z car. ive always loved them. this looks like a great project. its getting really hard to find an unmolested 4 speed Z like this.... ive looked around NY and didnt find too many.

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

I've had a few of those Z/28's.... I don't think I ever paid more than $800 for a pretty decent one.... though its been a good 15+ years since I've had one though.. I have noticed that in recent years that prices have gone up quite a bit as they are getting harder to find.... as most were beat into the ground.

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

Very cool Z! Good luck with the project [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]


You NY’ers have got to stop coming down to PA and taking our rust free cars!
(There sure as hell are not many of them!!)

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

Where did you pick that up from.That looks like my neighborhood. I remember one of those around here with those 69 emblems on it.

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

Nice find. i remember back in hgh school (graduated in 1980), all the rich kids had brand new 78, 79, and 80 Z/28s. I was stuck driving an old 1970 Superbird. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

I am looking for one of those '78s in Code 63 Camel Metallic, 4-speed of course...nice cars - nice find!

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GTO_DON</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Where did you pick that up from.That looks like my neighborhood. I remember one of those around here with those 69 emblems on it. </div></div>

I located the car in south jersey - the nephew had acquired the car from his uncle who owned it since 1985. The car spent all its years in Thornton, PA so it is possible that this was one that you saw. Not many with those incorrect old school Z fender emblems.

The car was garaged its whole life - I would say it probably has never seen road salt or snow either. It has the usual minor cancer marks but nothing severe and nothing requiring more than a little torch work and tiny patch panels.

These cars are really starting to disappear. Not so long ago they were cheap undesireable cars but that tide has turned. There are some out there but not many factory 4 speed t-top cars.

Trying to decide what to do with it. I have half a mind to strip it down and do a full factory restore on it. On the other hand, I am thinking to strip down, cosmetically restore to stock but drop the entire drivetrain for a built LS3 and 6 speed so I can run it and enjoy it. We have done many old school meets new technology builds but have not done any on a 2nd gen yet. If I went that route I would have to keep the car and enjoy it as it would cost more to build than the market would bring on it.

I have to get out and rip that back seat out. Dying to see if that virgin build sheet is tucked in there. Not much about the car to learn from it but just something about finding that sheet of paper that has not seen daylight in 33 years that gets you psyched.

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

Here's my often posted highschool parking lot photo....

The rich kid's side:

http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...yLot1980-2.jpg

Us poor folk parked on the opposite side: [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]

http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...yLot1980-1.jpg

...and a few hooligan friends hanging out after class started. That Z11 was my first car I bought when I was 14. Check out what's up on the hill - a black with white stripe Z/28 RS that our janitor drove. Over 4 years we watched that car literally dissolve from all the salt that was stored in the shed where it was parked. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/cry.gif[/img]

http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...April1980a.jpg

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

Steve,

Funny how you were probably deemed the outcast and poor kid driving that old junker mopar with that big stupid wing on the back. If only they knew [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

I was always sort of an outcast too. In high school I drove a '74 Nova SS Hatch. Very nice black on black car and back then we still rode air shocks to jack up the rear. I was running Keystone classics with the really wide rears and normal fronts. In my high school years the &quot;it&quot; kids were starting to drive imports. We had the spolied pricks driving Supras, CRX and others like it. A few rich kids also have the Trans Am GTAs, Grand Nationals, Irocs or Mustang GTs. I was the poor kid and therefore I drove what I could buy and what I could fix.

Love that picture Steve. Wish I had some but as a true poor kid I wasnt running around with a camera.

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

LOL. That camera was a twenty year old Pentax that my dad gave me when I was 13 years old. I still have it! I spent most of my time as the official evidence gatherer and documenter of all thing devious back then.

http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/t...April1980d.jpg

One of these days one of those guys is gonna run for president and I'll have some great blackmail material. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

Great thinking I a m with you on the recoding of
devious things a must for non Nurds
PJ

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

Great find. I've always liked the styling of the 1978-81 Camaros. I hung on to my 1978 Z28 I bought new in July, 1978. It currently has 87,000 miles and is all original except for mechanical items that have been replaced, console box, and headliner. I added an IROC style front air dam within the first six months I had it. Hope yours turns out just like you want it to.

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

sure looks like Washington township area in South Jersey.. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: talwell</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GTO_DON</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Where did you pick that up from.That looks like my neighborhood. I remember one of those around here with those 69 emblems on it. </div></div>

I located the car in south jersey - the nephew had acquired the car from his uncle who owned it since 1985. The car spent all its years in Thornton, PA so it is possible that this was one that you saw. Not many with those incorrect old school Z fender emblems.

The car was garaged its whole life - I would say it probably has never seen road salt or snow either. It has the usual minor cancer marks but nothing severe and nothing requiring more than a little torch work and tiny patch panels.

These cars are really starting to disappear. Not so long ago they were cheap undesireable cars but that tide has turned. There are some out there but not many factory 4 speed t-top cars.

Trying to decide what to do with it. I have half a mind to strip it down and do a full factory restore on it. On the other hand, I am thinking to strip down, cosmetically restore to stock but drop the entire drivetrain for a built LS3 and 6 speed so I can run it and enjoy it. We have done many old school meets new technology builds but have not done any on a 2nd gen yet. If I went that route I would have to keep the car and enjoy it as it would cost more to build than the market would bring on it.

I have to get out and rip that back seat out. Dying to see if that virgin build sheet is tucked in there. Not much about the car to learn from it but just something about finding that sheet of paper that has not seen daylight in 33 years that gets you psyched. </div></div>

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

If I only had every one (35) of those 1977-1981 Camaro and Trans Ams that I parted out between 1995-2000 I would bea rich man now.

-Matt

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flyingn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">sure looks like Washington township area in South Jersey.. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]
</div></div>

Pictures were taken in Woodbridge, NJ. I live in Staten Island but we have properties in north jersey where my brother took the car to.

I purchased the car in Merchantville, NJ but it did spent its entire life in PA.

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> One of these days one of those guys is gonna run for president and I'll have some great blackmail material. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img] </div></div>


Better come up with something worse than that if you want them to compete with the other cadidates. If his opponents posted these photos I would certainly vote for him!

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

Merchantville has a HUGE car show every year that attracts thousands of people and 600 cars.. Its 5 minutes from me..


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: talwell</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flyingn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">sure looks like Washington township area in South Jersey.. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]
</div></div>

Pictures were taken in Woodbridge, NJ. I live in Staten Island but we have properties in north jersey where my brother took the car to.

I purchased the car in Merchantville, NJ but it did spent its entire life in PA. </div></div>

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

<span style="font-size: 11pt">Love it Todd!</span> [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

They will always remind me of high school! I went on my first date in one. I definitely liked the car more than the guy! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img] He had almost no personality and ALL he listened to was J. Geils! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/crazy.gif[/img] Don't get me wrong...I like J. Geils, but he opened his cassette tape case and EVERY cassette in there was from the J. Geils Band! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img] Their song &quot;Centerfold&quot; will always remind me of my high school days too...but not that guy [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img], as it came out after I went out with him. Those of you who were in high school about that time will probably remember this video [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img] [video:youtube]http://vevo.ly/en3kwJ[/video]


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SS427</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> One of these days one of those guys is gonna run for president and I'll have some great


blackmail material. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img] </div></div>


Better come up with something worse than that if you want them to compete with the other cadidates. If his opponents posted these photos I would certainly vote for him! </div></div>

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

Reminds me of Jeff Spicolli thrashing and wrecking that silver Z28 on Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Nice find!

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

These second gen Camaros will be the next wave of popular muscle cars. Time to start grabbing them up and stop parting them out [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

Maybe we all romanticize out highschool years, but I beleive the next wave of collectible cars is when HP made a comback circa 1987 when EFI finally was able to control emissions and perform reliably in affordable cars.

I graduated in 1993, but the GN, 5.0 and Iroc cars were some of the best competion my old Muscle car could find on any given summer evening.

Looking under the hood of a 1979 Camaro seemed like a black haze of vacuum hoses with a little light blue paint peakign out.

The TPI intake took back the engine compartment and looked pretty sexy for the time.

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

My first car was a '76 Camaro Rally Sport, two tone blue with a weak-kneed 305 two barrel, which was slow as molasses in January. But, it looked cool (except for the primer) and I loved it.

My next car was a '78 silver on red Trans Am that was a little faster, but still not all that fast (I think it had like 2.73's in it so off the line it didn't have much).

So, obviously, these cars hold a special place in my heart and I'd love to get a second gen again. And pxtx, I agree that the IROCs, GTAs, and GNs will also appreciate sometime as well. All good stuff.

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pxtx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I graduated in 1993, but the GN, 5.0 and Iroc cars were some of the best competion my old Muscle car could find on any given summer evening.
</div></div>

I graduated a few years earlier than that (1988) but agree completely. We still have our 1987 Turbo Regal that Dad bought brand new (traded an 86 Monte SS for it) and at the time it was - with few exceptions - the ass kicking machine in town. My brother and I (and Dad too) each have many fun memories of that car in High School and College.....the really cool thing was that for many years it was Dad's daily driver and all 3 of us beat the snot out of that thing and it has survived remarkably well.

Jake

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fast67VelleN2O</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If I only had every one (35) of those 1977-1981 Camaro and Trans Ams that I parted out between 1995-2000 I would bea rich man now.

-Matt </div></div>

That's how it always works, though, isn't it?

I junked a decent 82 Cease Fire T/A several years ago. Really wish I had that cold air hood back. Wish I had the Cross Fire set-up and air cleaner hat back, too.

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: old5.0</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
That's how it always works, though, isn't it?

I junked a decent 82 Cease Fire T/A several years ago. Really wish I had that cold air hood back. Wish I had the Cross Fire set-up and air cleaner hat back, too. </div></div>

Speaking of a 1982 Cross Fire - another of my first cars was a 1982 Z-28 Cross Fire. Being a back yard mechanic with no money and no resources I could never get the injectors lined up right to get it running properly. I pulled the Cross Fire complete motor and dropped in a 383 stroker pushing about 300hp. Back in the early 90's 300hp was decent - fast forward 20 years my wifes grocery getter SUV has more than 350hp.

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

Circa 1987. The Z was bought a few years later by Brian &amp; Joe. Original Burnished Brown, Green Deluxe, Rosewood, no console car. Had a CE block. Yes, we thought we were badasses at the time. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif[/img]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/...e03cd8e2ae.jpg

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

<span style="font-size: 11pt">COOL pic Dan!</span> [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

there pretty tough to find around here rust or the roundy round race guys got them over the last 15 yrs and parted them out for race cars.

My first car was a '78 Marina blue, black int, 305, 4spd Camaro Coupe...14x6, 15x10 Cragars, posi-traction tires...air shocks...chrome traction bars...man life was great.

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

The yellow RS/SS was my first. 350/4 speed, black deluxe. Bought it for $2000 in '87. I probably had the car for about a month in that pic.

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My friend Cindy's first car...she still has it! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif[/img]

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...689a47-1-1.jpg

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

HELLO LES HERE I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF RESTOREING A BLACK ON BLACK 1979 Z28 4SP. CAR WAS TO MAUI MOTORS TO A MARINE SGT I FOUND THE HIS MILTARY I.D CARD BEHIND THE DOOR PANNEL I HAVE THE BUILD SHEET FROM BEHIND THE SEAT. WORKING MAKING A SECOND DAY LOOK. GOING CRAGER 5 SPOKES LAKEWOOD YELLOW SLAPPER BARS. CHROME REAR END COVER. I DID PUT THE ORGINAL 350 NUMBERS MATCHING ON A STAND AND HAVE ADDED A 383 STROKER 450 HP CENTER FORECE CLUTCH HUSRT SHIFTER.AND CAR HAS A/C. HAD THE SUB FRAME POWDER COATED ETC ETC I WILL HAVE MORE INTO THAN WHAT IT WILL BE WORHT, BUT I HAD BRIGHT BLUE WITH DELUX INT IN HIGH SCHOOL WITH ALL THE OPTIONS BUT T TOPS, WAS AN AUTO CAR 4 SP,S MUCH HARDER TO FINDS GOOD LUCH WITH THE PROJECT. I WILL POST SOME PIC'S SOON

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

Heres a pic of my 81 Zee. 4 spd car with 22,000 original miles. Original tires too!

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WOW! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif[/img] Is that ever NICE Don! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

Here is another project we are building now. 1969 Camaro LS2 pushing about 500hp, 6 speed, 4 wheel discs, coilovers, modern gauges and Rushfurth wheels.

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

We have done many 69's - but I actually cant wait to do this 78. Looking forward to pulling off the t-tops and taking myself back to 1992 all over again. Unfortunately my friend that I sold my 1979 Z-28 to was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2001 so we cannot live it all over together.

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

And here is a few pictures of my coupe that is currently held hostage by the body shop in Woodstock. That is going to change soon and then we can get moving on installing the 1200+ hp tiwn turbo LSx 408 &amp; 6 speed drivetrain in it. Chris Alston subframe, Ford 9&quot; rear, quadra-links, mini tubs and 4 wheel discs.

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

I have an '81 Camaro with a Z/28 hood sitting in my backyard. I bought it 4 years ago from the local Toyota dealership for $300.... it was a trade-in that they wholesaled to me(I'm a dealer). Someone had removed all the smog stuff and the computer.... so it wasn't even close to passing a Califormia smog inspection.... Its kind of a shame becuase its a stick car with a perfect body and ran and drove great. I ended up pulling the rebuilt 305 and put it into an '86 TPI Z28(another story)... I also pulled most of the interior and put it into a '78 Trans Am(another story)..... I don't have the heart to scrap it..... but there really isn't anything I can do with the car.... so it just sits in the yard under a tree...

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

Drop one of the new E-Rod LS based motors and a 6 speed in it. From what I understand the E-Rod motors are compliant with Cali emissions standards for both visual and probe testing. In NY we have plug in only inspection for ODBII cars after 1996 and even my 2010 Camaro with over 700hp and running long tubes and no cats still blows right through inspection.

Worst case, save the car as the demand for them is coming...my brokers just sold a 13k mile Bandit Trans Am for over $75k.

Re: New Generation Muscle Cars
 

As much as I like the Older &quot;DAY2&quot; style cars-I have a soft spot for the new generation muscle cars-Back in the days when Iroc-Z's-5.0 mustang's-Buick Turbo regals-Ford Supercoupes-SHO's-Pontiac GTA's-Monte SS..I can go on for days,But I know this board Gets it.I owned mostly all the cool cars of my era,Cool Import's and Rare ones too-like a 1LE iroc z, SSP 5.0 mustang trunk, Rare 2 tone Buick turbo regal limited and the list goes on-My 1979 Z28 is the only car I had sellers remorse about-it was a 350 4 speed ttop car-that I swapped a mean 454 in it,No car on the street could touch it-These cars deserve regonition,I hope the 3rd gen fbody's catch up too=They are FUN cars-it seems like only 1 st gen camaro's get noticed..http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/a...oor/img043.jpg