Back in the '70's, almost no one upgraded new Camaros!

[77rs]

Originally Posted by clg_98ta

You were getting reamed on insurance... mine was closer to $250/yr.

Insurance in N. J. was a killer. 18 years old, $2.85 per hour in construction and my camaro sport coupe-not z-28- was only around 160? hp. Insurance on a '77 Z-28 would have been around $`1200. in '77. Ah, New Jersey car insurance in the '70's!

[77rs]

Originally Posted by shrinkdoc

Maybe not in your town. In my area in the lates 60s to around 1980 everyone was modding with wheels, headers, bigger carbs, cams dual point distributers etc. some did minor mods, some went all out.

Everyone knows southerners love their cars- especially in the '50's-'70's. Back around '78,. I was doing construction work on a Pep Boys in Va. A guy pulls in with an everyday car- '64 Impala SS 300hp, 4-speed, factory tach,. dead stock. I wanted to buy it from the guy right there! You never saw early '60's 4 speed cars used as everyday vehicles around here in N.J.

[shrinkdoc]

Originally Posted by 77rs

Everyone knows southerners love their cars- especially in the '50's-'70's. Back around '78,. I was doing construction work on a Pep Boys in Va. A guy pulls in with an everyday car- '64 Impala SS 300hp, 4-speed, factory tach,. dead stock. I wanted to buy it from the guy right there! You never saw early '60's 4 speed cars used as everyday vehicles around here in N.J.

Why was that so uncommon in 1978? Lots of 60s cars were still on the road in 1978.

[TSSUNAMI]

It's all so much more accessable nowadays. As mentioned before, one can order anything under the sun, and find a reputable shop to install/tune etc right on this site.

Locally, aside from the Upstate C5 gatherings, most of the 5th gens I see are very close to stock if not COMPLETLY stock. I even have two friends not in Upstate C5 who don't frequent these forums regularly. Both have stock Vehicles.

My point being: This site, and sites like it, car shows etc, are gateways. We see what one member does here, and think to ourselves.... that looks badass! I want that! Or we read a DIY and think " hell, I can do that too." It's a sick and expensive cycle.

Wouldn't trade it for the world though.


The net is a very large fishbowl, and I bet that most folks not affiliated with Camaro5.com are completely satisfied with their stock 5th gens.

[Synyster]

I could never bring myself to leave a vehicle stock... it's an addiction lol

[cab2g]

back in the 70's people were too busy replacing dead alternators and rusted out mufflers to put on any mods...

[Angrybird 12]

not my Camaro but a cheap little car I bought new in 76 and what it looked like 5 years later.
Hood Scoop with true cold air induction, mag wheels, white lettered tires, Sunroof, altered grill and taillights, Custom side stripes and hood stripes for a 1.4 liter 4 banger with a 4 speed tranny it kept up with traffic pretty good in its day.. All work was done by me in my driveway. Behind it you will see a 76 Chevelle I had at the time. wow that thing would go, all the way up to 85 MPH flat out with a 105HP 305 V8...

[77rs]

Originally Posted by cab2g

back in the 70's people were too busy replacing dead alternators and rusted out mufflers to put on any mods...

I picked mufflers from Pep Boys trash, used foil muffler bandages ( couldn't rev the car since it would blow out) borrowed wheels and tires from a '55 chev. a friend had -put a half dozen washers on each stud so the rims wouldn't hit the steeringh parts, and milked it to the inspection station to pass with good tires, unzipped the clouded-up ragtop window, and passed inspection. Hurst air shocks, magnesium cragar mags-leftover discontinued ones- and 2nd hand rear tires from an owner of a gas station all on a '64 impala convertible, 283 3-speed, for $100.00!

[L36L72LS3]

I'm living both dreams of then and now....

[Redliner1960]

I think this qualifies as modded.... on my limited budget of the time!

[77rs]

Originally Posted by cab2g

back in the 70's people were too busy replacing dead alternators and rusted out mufflers to put on any mods...

Every teen knew how to mix bondo also! I think rusted out 1/4 panels were standard after a few years.

[nitrorcr1787]

Originally Posted by 77rs

We were lucky enough to have enough to pay the car insurance! I don't remember anyone adding to their new Camaros. My insurance in the '70's was over $1000. per year- 1/5th the price of a new Camaro with a few options! Biggest things were speakers, floormats, rear window louvers and mudguards- no-one could put chrome Cragar SS'S on a new car! $45.00 each! ouch.

????? The first things I put on my 77 Z/28 Zoom Clutch, Hooker Headers, Cragar S/S rims, Edelbrock air cleaner, M/T valve covers, and window louvers, Hi-Jackers in the rear.

[OLD ZEDER]

Guess I was one of the few in 1972 z28 Mohave Gold, Black stripes, L88 glass hood & air cleaner diaphram for cowl induction, Lakewood track bars, Headers with Thrush mufflers, Mallory Duel point dizzy & coil, American 200s aluminum wheels and some big fat rear tires, Mr Gasket T-Handle on shifter, & Stewart Warner tack on the column two was better then one.

My restomod has more but the look is the same on the outside just more goodies hiden inside.

But I do like my 2011 Camaro also just no mods at this time.

[shrinkdoc]

Originally Posted by 77rs

The guys with the '67 chevelles, '55-'57 chevs and early camaros were the ones that were really set up around here.

I remember people hot rodding anything with wheels and 2 doors. In the early 60s the theme was long and low, the rear deck were sitting low with fender skirts and side pipes, then the late 60s and 70s the rears were jacked up with the fattest tires you could get on them. I wasnt old enough to drive then but I was one of those kids in the back seat drooling out the window looking at a hot rodded 57chevy sitting next to us at a light.