Steel '69 Crate Camaro

[GOAT72]

I'm posting in this forum among us "non-Chevy" dudes, because there was a post about this in the regular Chevy discussion threads with a somewhat apethetic response.

Anywayzzz...
This month's HOT ROD magazine has a cover story about full-bodied/framed '69 Camaro 'verts that you can purchase for about $12K?

I've only skimmed the article, but it looks like they'll be fabricating '67 'Stangs next.

Will this depreciate the value of the Camaro? I mean, even though they're aftermarket shells, won't this create a glut of '69 Bowtie F-bodies?
What about car shows?
In 5 years will there be long lines of RS or SS Camaro clones at the car shows?
I think the '69 Z/28 was one of the coolest cars ever made. I'd hate to see this model year Camaro become "ho-hum".


What do you think?

Mac

[BARN FIND]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm posting in this forum among us "non-Chevy" dudes, because there was a post about this in the regular Chevy discussion threads with a somewhat apethetic response.

Anywayzzz...
This month's HOT ROD magazine has a cover story about full-bodied/framed '69 Camaro 'verts that you can purchase for about $12K?

I've only skimmed the article, but it looks like they'll be fabricating '67 'Stangs next.

Will this depreciate the value of the Camaro? I mean, even though they're aftermarket shells, won't this create a glut of '69 Bowtie F-bodies?
What about car shows?
In 5 years will there be long lines of RS or SS Camaro clones at the car shows?
I think the '69 Z/28 was one of the coolest cars ever made. I'd hate to see this model year Camaro become "ho-hum".


What do you think?

Mac

[/ QUOTE ]

(HO-HUM)...that is something that a 69 Camaro could never be!!!

[supercomp 8.90]

the kits didnt seem to bother real 60s cobras, they are still worth big bucs.

[Canucklehead]

It's just going to create a big glut of people trying to pass them off as real!!

[DaJudge]

I think you will see more custom cars out there. You know people who own all original big dollar Camaros that really don't drive them will now be able to build killer Camaros that they are not afraid to drive. Drop in a crate motor a Jericho trans and a stout rear and you have a great driver or show car. I will agree some people will try to rebody and create fakes but with the knowledgeable people in the hobby it will be really hard to get everything just right. What I believe will happen is that heavily documented cars with all the right paperwork will become even more valuable and cars with no docs will be hurt the most. Just my two cents.

[427TJ]

People who value original cars, especially Z's and SS's, will pay top-dollar for originals. People who just want a nice driver car, an eye-popping street machine, or "Power Cruiser" will pay top-dollar for well-built (Steilow, for example) cars no matter what the origin of the car is. We're already seeing collectors paying large amounts for LS-6 clones, etc., knowing that the car is not an original LS-6. That yellow '69 Z/28 that sold at B-J this year for what, $112K?, was surrounded by questions as to its originality. Still, some guy with big bucks (and a matching yellow jacket) dropped 112K on the car, on TV, and he probably has had fun with the car since buying it. This is one of those permanent back-and-forth discussions that can never be resolved--some guys will demand originals and others won't care either way. Money flows like water and it goes wherever it wants to. It's more an issue of honesty. There will definately be "clones" built from these new bodies, we all know it, and it's up to all of us to watch out for the guys who will try to pass these new cars off as originals. But, many will fall through the cracks and it's not too far-fetched to imagine a day when we won't be able to tell the fakes from the originals. Iced tea-stained "paperwork" such as buildsheets, etc., new Protect-O-Plates, new trim tags, dealer window stickers downloaded from the Internet--it's already here. Couple that with a new '69 Camaro body and all the new parts and the money will flow. I've already predicted that Hemi Cuda convertible clones will grow in numbers once new bodies are produced, even though all but one of the originals has been accounted for. Collectors and enthusiasts who can't get or afford an original will no doubt gladly pay for very well built clones using new bodies.

When I saw the new Hot Rod and read the article on the new '69 convert bodies, my first thought was "cool!" I immediately 'built' one in my head: a "COPO" convertible. LeMans Blue or Dusk Blue, white/black interior, Bill Mitchell "Hardcore" 509-inch Rat dressed as a factory engine, M-22, 12-bolt 3:73 Posi, 15-inch Rallys with Firestone Oval 70s, discs all around, D80, rosewood, slightly lowered. Okay, maybe a new ZL-1 block with Dart aluminum heads. Nope, it wouldn't be a "real" car but it sure sounds like fun to me and it's not a Faberge egg that can never be taken out in the sunshine and DRIVEN---HARD.

[Hylton]

That's what I like best about the crate cars - I am going to build one heck of a torque twister and won't worry about damaging a classic muscle car. My cars always end up being full resto's because I want them to be as delivered from the factory. Finally! I can get a car that can be painted whatever color and have whatever options and drivetrain.

[StealthBird]

I'm curious, wouldn't these "Crate-a-maros" have to be titled as a kit car? There's no way it could be titled as a legit Camaro, could they? Yes, I know, ethics will go out the window on a few of these, and VIN tags will be transferred, but I would think when someone applies for a title on a 35 year old car that never existed before, they would not be able to get a title stating it was actually a 69 Camaro because it would not have a VIN.

"Is this a real Yenko Camaro?"
-No, it's a clone. Reproduction stripes.

"Is this a real 427 engine?"
- No, it's a crate 502.

"Are those the original wheels and tires?"
- No, repro wheels, repro tires

"Umm...is this a real Camaro?"
- No, it's a kit car.

"Wow, this is a real classic!"

[ANDY M]

Demand creates supply. The market wouldn't exist without it. Since just about any part can be repoped, why not make it a kit. Unless someone tries to creat a salvage title, the kit maker has the burden on how it's sold, not titled.

[BARN FIND]

Four rivets and presto...it's a 1969 Camaro with the title to prove it (yes I know there are some "secret vin #"). OKAY four rivets and a set of number stamps. <font color="red"> </font>