Sell a 1969 SS/RS and buy a ZL1?

[joeybsyc]

Originally Posted by drummer5679

yeah just like the markets for 32 fords dried up in 72 because the "next gen kids" didn't know what they were. Oh wait.

Exactly... 69 Camaros will ALWAYS be desired. I remember even as far back as the early 80's 1969 Camaros were already being restored and reproduction parts were being made by the dozens... Nearly 30 years later they are STILL the cars everyone wants. It'll still be the same story 30 years from now. You'd regret it, and wouldn't get nearly enough money for it to buy a new ZL1 anyhow, so you'd still be in debt AND not have your '69.

[Infurno]

Originally Posted by mkorgan

Yes, it is an original and you are correct, they did not come with A/C. I had a factory 72 A/C system added (it gets hot in Florida in the summer car show season) when I restored her 15 years ago, changed the grill to a 72 (I did not like the original one) and changed the seats to the high back of the 71. The motor is original "looking" but goes out at 438hp and obviously there has been some suspension updates, etc.

My point is that you really should not slam a Gen1-4 Camaro just because it does not perform up to a ZL1 standard. There are totally different animals. My Z/28 gets MUCH more attention than my ZL1 because the novice car guy thinks the ZL1 is just another new Camaro with fancy rims and hood. Younger crowd like the ZL1 far more than the Z/28.

Finally, buy what you will actually enjoy. Don't buy it to fit in to a club. Don't buy it to be faster than someone else. Buy or keep the one that when no one else is around it still makes you happy just to sit in, drive, and enjoy.

I agree! Gen1-4 Camaros are completely different than the today's ZL1. But your best piece of advise is "buy what you actually enjoy".

My 68 RS/SS 396 sat in the garage 90% of the time. It wasn't the kind of car that I could drive every day. It was completely restored, but it still required a lot of maintenance. To keep it licensed and insured meant that I had to de-tuned it to pass emissions, then put everything back to spec. The lifters had to be adjusted periodically, the headers had to be tighened regularly. Not hard, just a pain.....but it was a blast to drive on the road or at the track!

I enjoy my ZL1 more because it is a turn-key, daily driver, grocery getter, road-racer! I loved the 68, but I love the ZL1 more!

[Infurno]

Originally Posted by joeybsyc

Exactly... 69 Camaros will ALWAYS be desired. I remember even as far back as the early 80's 1969 Camaros were already being restored and reproduction parts were being made by the dozens... Nearly 30 years later they are STILL the cars everyone wants. It'll still be the same story 30 years from now. You'd regret it, and wouldn't get nearly enough money for it to buy a new ZL1 anyhow, so you'd still be in debt AND not have your '69.

Unless you are one of the the Barter Brothers!

[Oz ZL-1]

Originally Posted by Timmy11

Hmmmm - I have had the '69 since '09 and have put maybe 300 miles on it. It is a beautiful car. I just don't drive it enough.

I do need to get out and drive a ZL1. Do any of the dealers have a ZL1 that one could test drive in the spring? I would love to drive one at Summit Point!

I am leaning towards trying to get all the rent out of the '69 this summer and then hopefully finding a slightly used ZL1 in the fall. I live near Carlisle so I might take it there for the Spring show or the GM in June.

Right now I feel like a would get more enjoyment out of a ZL1. There is no way I can swing keeping the '69 and buying a ZL1. I will have 2 in college in 2014.

You probably won't get as much value for the 69 as you might think - with it not being original matching motor s/n, etc. I loved my 69 SS but had to part with it long ago. :(

DON'T test drive the ZL1, THEN you will be hooked and forced to make a decision.

[Timmy11]

"DON'T test drive the ZL1, THEN you will be hooked and forced to make a decision. "

Now that worries me.

[Oz ZL-1]

OK, so you WILL want one of your own... adrenalin assisted purchase!! Be careful what you ask for.

[Timmy11]

I am afraid that I will love driving the ZL1 so much that I will be tempted for fire sale the '69. We can't have that happen.

BTW - How much more is insurance on a ZL1 over say just a new Camaro SS? My '69 is on antique insurance and it is cheap.

[Infurno]

My monthly insurance was raised slightly (less than $10/month) after I traded my 2010 2SS for my 2013 ZL1.

[Camaro Fred]

I own the first car I ever bought (1973 RS/LT 4 speed Camaro) and a 2012 ZL1. From my own personal experience I can say you need to keep the '69. Sure the ZL1 is really nice, but it is not a classic and is really no comparison to the '69 (particularly yours). Don't sell, the ZL1 will fade away, the '69 will live eternally.

[ragzl1]

If the 69 has "been in the family" for a long time, then I would hold on to it. You eliminate the problem with purchasing an older car with a problem (you know the history of the car). I would start saving your pennies to make a down payment the newest rocket ship "camaro" available.

If you have only had the car for a short time, then I would sell it and use it for the down payment on a new one.

Just my 2 pennies.

John

[DuskSS]

Are you kidding? Keep the classic.
It will be far more valuable and coveted.

I would NEVER sell a 67-69 camaro if I had one.
One of my all time dream cars.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

[JWR046]

Yeah funny most of us like the classics and the new. I like both and would love to have a 69 camaro or C2 vette(67 being my favorite). I really enjoy the raw feel of the older cars... oh wait... I really like the refined power and feel of the Zl1. Two different beasts.

Now seeing the new C7... I must say my sights are on that. Can't wait for the Z07. But then the 6th Gen camaro will be out and hopefully a new ZL1.

You cannot go wrong with whatever you decide as everyone has a preference.Choices are sometimes hard.

[Timmy11]

This is a really hard decision.

I love the classic looks and feel of the '69.

I think that I would love the refined power and comfort of a ZL1.

I have a '63 beetle that has been in the family for 30+ years. I modified it so it has some power now but nothing like the '69 Camaro. It is a great cruiser and I take it too a few shows a year. It has won a couple people's choice awards and best of show, but I drive it. The '69 doesn't get out much. I have only had the ’69 since 2009. I started restoring the beetle shortly after. If filled my need to a classic until the bug was completed.

My wife isn't much of a car show person and I find that I don't enjoy them like I used to. You spend an hour looking at all the cars there and then have to sit in the sun for hours until awards.

We both love to travel. Having a ZL1 to travel the back roads of PA, take to Quarter Aces or Beaver Springs Drag strip occasionally or down to Summit Point might make better sense at this point in my life than having a much desired ’69 RS/SS sitting in my garage. I do know that what I get for the ‘69 will not cover the cost of a slightly used ZL1 but it will be a big down payment on one.

So….I still on the fence and looking at all my options.

Here is another picture of the ’69.

[DuskSS]

/argh! man that's hot..
yeh I could not part with that for just another ZL1..