Did you have a first gen back in the day?

[mikeman]

Originally Posted by Danial

I grew up in the 70s. Every kid I knew in high school had a Camaro or Firebird or some other muscle car or truck (lots of trucks too, in Oregon). No one considered them even remotely "collectible". The running joke was if a kid paid more than $1000 for his car he paid way too much. For two summers in a row, a guy tried selling his 58 Vette on the street corner near the school for $3K. No joke.

I grew up in the early to mid '80's. I don't remember too many 1st gens in the high school parking lot. Well, not any SS big block convertibles or Z28's. The '69 Z28 was one of the first 1st gens to gain wide spread collector status during this time. Values were starting to increase on the low mileage originals.

The SS big block convertible, especially the Pace Cars, were also gaining interest and starting to become collectible. I knew a guy during this time that waited a few years to acquire an original lady owned '69 SS 350 pace car convertible. She didn't want to sell it, but he kept bugging her. He wanted to lightly restore it and then make money on it someday. He eventually did by selling it to a Japanese collector about a dozen years later for some good money.

[b4wheeler]

My first car(all mine, not shared) was a 1968 Camaro. That was my baby and when it was stolen, and never returned, I have always been on a hunt for another.

My father and I put a lot of time and energy into her. I built the engine and drag raced her on the weekends and drove her to work and everywhere I went.

My Dad stepped in and had the entire body replaced and repainted for me. All original GM parts, original paint and factory correct vinyl top.

I dont have pics of her, but I have seen a few like her.

When the new Camaros came out and had those tail lights, I knew I had to have one.

And look at me now.
(68 is not mine, but mine was identical)

[InFiD3ViL]

I have had my share of Camaros and F-Bodys, but nothing older than a 3rd gen unfortunately.

[sscamaro]

In 1971 when I was 37 years old I bought a 1969 SS396 coupe from a guy at work. It had 9800 miles on it and I payed $2000 for it. It had the L34 (350hp) engine in it. Only 2018 were built with this engine in it in 1969. Close ratio 4 speed, 355 posi rear, cowl induction hood and Rally wheels. I had it for 34 years and never modified it. In 2005 I gave it to my son with the stipulation he would not sell it. It had 75K miles on it when I gave it to him. Today it is still an unrestored original car. When I gave it to my son it was worth $50K. Here are some pictures of it in 1993. The last picture is of my 4 Camaros in front of my garage. One of each generation.











One of each generation, 1 thru 4.

[Danial]

[QUOTE=sscamaro;10648487]In 1971 when I was 37 years old I bought a 1969 SS396 coupe from a guy at work. It had 9800 miles on it and I payed $2000 for it. It had the L34 (350hp) engine in it. Only 2018 were built with this engine in it in 1969. Close ratio 4 speed, 355 posi rear, cowl induction hood and Rally wheels. I had it for 34 years and never modified it. In 2005 I gave it to my son with the stipulation he would not sell it. It had 75K miles on it when I gave it to him. Today it is still an unrestored original car. When I gave it to my son it was worth $50K. Here are some pictures of it in 1993. The last picture is of my 4 Camaros in front of my garage. One of each generation.

That, my friend, wins the internet tonight. Very cool.

[Ashn4it]

Yes my first was a 1967 SS/RS which was unfortunately stolen :(
I had a few corvettes afterwards but once the 5th gen was unveiled I knew I had to have one!
With that said the first Gens are still my favorite!

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

Originally Posted by sscamaro

In 1971 when I was 37 years old I bought a 1969 SS396 coupe from a guy at work. It had 9800 miles on it and I payed $2000 for it. It had the L34 (350hp) engine in it. Only 2018 were built with this engine in it in 1969. Close ratio 4 speed, 355 posi rear, cowl induction hood and Rally wheels. I had it for 34 years and never modified it. In 2005 I gave it to my son with the stipulation he would not sell it. It had 75K miles on it when I gave it to him. Today it is still an unrestored original car. When I gave it to my son it was worth $50K. Here are some pictures of it in 1993. The last picture is of my 4 Camaros in front of my garage. One of each generation.











One of each generation, 1 thru 4.

Thanks for sharing! That is an awesome car and an awesome story! I love it.

[lemontwist]

i'm just chiming in.i was 16 in 1985 and the high school parking lot was a car show by today's standards.almost every muscle car was represented quite a few 1st gens they were not big money yet. that being said i would put my 5th gen up against any of them.back then a high 12's low 13's car was getting 10 mi to the gallon.and with a few mods we are in the 11's a car that ran 11's in the 80's was not that streetable.
i was always a fan of the 70. i had a yellow 87 type LT less than 700 LT's made (1 year only option) and a 95 formula hard top tan interior t56 again around 700 made with tan guts actual break down of t top,trans am,V6 and formula's auto's and manuals would put that number way down as far as exact numbers.

[mikeman]

Originally Posted by sscamaro

In 1971 when I was 37 years old I bought a 1969 SS396 coupe from a guy at work. It had 9800 miles on it and I payed $2000 for it. It had the L34 (350hp) engine in it. Only 2018 were built with this engine in it in 1969. Close ratio 4 speed, 355 posi rear, cowl induction hood and Rally wheels. I had it for 34 years and never modified it. In 2005 I gave it to my son with the stipulation he would not sell it. It had 75K miles on it when I gave it to him. Today it is still an unrestored original car. When I gave it to my son it was worth $50K. Here are some pictures of it in 1993. The last picture is of my 4 Camaros in front of my garage. One of each generation.











One of each generation, 1 thru 4.

If you were 37 years old in 1971, that would make you 85 years old today. You are 85 years old?

You have to be the oldest member on Camaro5. Wow!

[Greencamaro1234]

I will see if I can find a pic of my first car,even though it was 2nd gen,a 1974 z28.yellow with black stripes,and the last year.and that was high school,and even though in that time period which my senior year 1979,all my class mates had everything from mustangs,to GTO,nova was very popular and several chevelles,and corvettes and several camaro,and I would have to say mine got the most looks.

[sscamaro]

Originally Posted by mikeman

If you were 37 years old in 1971, that would make you 85 years old today. You are 85 years old?

You have to be the oldest member on Camaro5. Wow!

I'll be 85 in two weeks. Here is a picture of my 2010 SS/RS. All the additional parts were done in my garage by me and a friend.

[mikeman]

Originally Posted by sscamaro

I'll be 85 in two weeks. Here is a picture of my 2010 SS/RS. All the additional parts were done in my garage by me and a friend.

That is AWESOME! Here you got people a quarter of your age complaining about how difficult it is to install headers or even change their own oil.

Much respect to you sir and the beautiful cars that you own.

[d kings z28]

Used to sell 67 68 69 parts and cars had over 6 69 z28s, 65 years old sold them all. now 2014 Zl1, 2014 Z28 both white.

[silversleeper]

SScamaro thanks for sharing. Many of us enjoy seeing the pictures and back story. I applaud your choices in choosing to mod the 2010 and what options you chose on that, and leaving the 69 stock. Good call. Wonder how many others would rather have those cars than a single Lambo or Ferrari.


To the OP topic, lots of us liked the 1st gens but couldn't afford them. As an example back when SScamaro got his used car the minimum wage was $1.60 an hour, and the car was $2000 (with a good friend discount price). New, they were $3500 to $5000 depending on options. That's about 2500 minimum wage hours to buy one new. Or 1250hrs to get a used one at $2k. That's about 8mo of salary if you had zero other expenses, ...or a few years savings or parents buying it for you or having a much better paying job.

In the early 80s when they started being collectible you were looking at about $4000 and up for a decent car, and minimum wage of $3.25 an hour. That's still about 1250hrs and the car was now more used.
Cars back then only lasted 100k miles before the engine and trans needed an overhaul. Point being you couldn't hardly afford one working min wage and later they didn't get that much more cheap relative to your min wage, and they needed more repairs which you didn't have the $$ for.
It was more practicle to get a less coveted Nova, Impala, El Camino or Chevelle, or a used 2nd gen or later 3rd gen for overall cost of ownership and reliability. One thing could be said for DIY, older cars were easy to access/replace parts with a couple bolts and nothing else to remove to get to it, and cheap rebuilt parts at every corner shop.
Now a decent 1st is $20k plus, and $50k plus for a model of more interest, SS396, Z28 etc. Thats 2000 to 5000hrs at the common Mcdonalds $10 wages.

As cool as the 1st's are it gets tough to decide buy one now too; a 2020 Camaro LT1, used 6th gen SS or ZL1, 5th ZL1, are all available low mi in that price range with overall performance and comfort that was unimaginable back then.