69 Camaro Project in Portugal, Europe

Hi,

I have $4000 to start a 69 Camaro Project. I am from Portugal in Europe so the car has to be shipped here and I have $1000 to do that.

What I need is some help and info from you guys because I know really little about Camaros but I like them alot and I really want to have one here in Portugal.

So here are the questions:

1. For $4000 what can I get? I would like to have a 69 SS Big Block so in what shape would it probably be for that price?
2. What are the essential parts besides the body that it should have when I buy it so I can restore it here in Portugal?
3. Please feel free to give me any other information or tips.


Hope you can help me!


Nuno, from Portugal.

Oh dear...... uh, welcome to AF.

Well, I hate to break this to you, but the big block '69 Camaro is, these days priced WAY out of this budget range. For the $3000 you have available (less shipping) all you will get is a rough 6 cyl or small block V8 car. An SS, Z-28 or convertible is way out of the question for the money.

Any rough Camaro will cost more to restore (especially in Europe where all the parts will require overseas shipping) than it will be worth. This means you will likely spend more money to fix a rough one than it would cost to buy a really good one.
Unless you LOVE working on rusty, dented car projects, you are better off to save your money and buy one which requires much less work. The problem here is obviously it will be much more money than what you have available.

The only advantage with starting with a Camaro is there are many, many reproduction parts, including entire, complete bodies available for it.
This is in recognition of their great popularity, and, hence, their value, even when they are in rough, poor condition.

I did read that it is theoretically possible to get nearly every part for a Camaro new on the aftermarket. Obviously, building a car this way would be more expensive that buying the best original Camaro available.

I see... and you're right...

I'll have to wait a little bit longer then to get more money for this thing.


Thanks anyway!