ws6gta89

My 1989 GTA is 1 of 8470 made in the U.S. there was 952 made in Canada and 1555 tta but mine is 1 of 622 in gunmetal gray that makes me feel fuzy all over

ajmclean

i dont think future collectables will be based on power or performance,
because if u look for power u can easily get it in most modern cars,
15 years from now any one can buy a fast corvette but only few lucky
people will own a unique sexy 3d gen convertible.

okfoz

THat my friend is why I got a Formula 350 Vert

A) - it is a Vert
B) - it has all the performance goodies
C) - Except for the Firehawk & TTA it has the hottest engine.

I figured I could not lose.

John

Back when the LT1 was introduced in 1992 & 1993, there were several people who argued that the TPI was still better, From 90 to 93 the 1/4 mile times were not significantly better. From what I have read, A TPI system with Vortec Style heads, which is similar to the LT1 heads, should out perform an LT1 car.

John

Purple 92 SS

interesting info on the tpi/lt1 i'd be curious to try it one day..


for me, i think they will value up over time, and as long as you dont have a v6 the power issue wont be too big of a deal. I personally build the car for me though, no one else so im the only one who cares what its got or doesnt got..

ShowNGo92

That's great and think.......................not all of those are still around. Every year our cars become more rare as more and more are junked, trashed or parted out. That's why this site is so great. It is nice to see so many 3rd gens being well kept, modded, loved, etc. I can tell you from going to shows alot that there are not a bunch of 3rd gens on the streets as nice as the ones on this site.

okfoz

When I started showing cars in 1989 I remember that there were hardly any 2nd gen firebirds and camaros at shows. I remember this because I parked next to a 78 SE Trans Am at one show and I remember thinking to myself that it was unusual to see such a new car.

Now it seems that 2nd gens are beginning to become more popular, and the 3rd gens too are poping up at shows on occasion. Other than the Trans Am nationals I really do not see a lot of 4th gens yet.

The reason for that is I think as we get older these cars will become more popular, especially as the older cars get snatched up by collectors, people will start collecting 3rd gens. Matter of fact I just got an e-mail today from someone who wants a 3rd gen Formula 350 convertible. People are out there seeking these cars, albiet not many at this point, but as cars get parted out and crushed, totaled etc then they are destined to go up in value just from the supply and demand standpoint.

John

blkiroc87

I've got an 87 iroc convertible also. I show it in the summer months. The car is near showroom condition. Most people dont realize that these cars are 20 years old now, mostly because theres still a lot on the road, not convertibles though. I really think that these cars will come into there own down the road! But to me its priceless! I just like to look at it. 3rd gens are the best body style camaros ever..

bjf1992

OKFOZ hit it right on the head!! The amount of money anything is worth is based on supply and demand! If there are more people looking than cars to be had the price will be high. Period. I think it is fair to say there aren't that many ragtops running around. Time will tell if people will start wanting to buy whats left or not. My guess is they will. These were the "cool" cars to have when my generation was in starting to drive. I am now reaching my early/mid 30's and we are now to a point in life "hopefully" where we can buy one just for the hell of it! If enough people get the bug like I did this year. Prices will go up. Have to wait and see.

89ROCDROPTOP

Hello all, I'm new to this site and can say I have been looking thru this site and like it alot. This is the first one I've seen with a section for convertibles all to itself. I also grew up in the 80's and grown to love the 80's muscle cars. I always wanted an 89 GTA conv.,and a GN. I never found a GTA conv., but now have an 89 IROC conv., and a T-Type. I fell in love with the 3rd gen GTA & Camaro convertibles and swore to get one "some day". Last year that "some day" came around, and no matter what the value does, I was determined to get one. If other people that grew up in that same era think like I did/do, these cars will hold some value, because they are desired. I am proud to own my 3rd gen, no matter where the value goes.

Iroctopless

Cool! That's my ride in the bottom right corner!


Some say these may not reach $30K+. Well, I had mine appraised 3 years ago for over $21,000.00. The original cost from the dealer was $20,180.00. So that's not that bad. I also understand that there's a difference between appraised value and what you could get for it through a private sale, but it does give some actual $$$ perspective. That reminds me I need to do it again. Good to keep them current, more so for insurance purposes than for selling. I hopefully will not part from mine for a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng time!

PS; have you checked out the Kelly's Blue Book on one of these. A loaded low mileage minty vert like mine is listed at only . . .
What have they been smoking!!!!!! I challenge anyone to find an excellent condition low mileage loaded '89 IrocZ vert for that!!!!

ajmclean

ya ur iroc is a very nice example of a great looking red vert

rideon1200

I have said it before and I will say it again. When I was in high school in 1981, the student parking lot was full of 69-70 Camaros. Roadrunners, GTO's, lemans, I had a V8 vega. We thought nothing of it. Everyone had a 10-12 year old car. Noone thought about collecting them, it was transportation. I had a chance to buy a Cuda for 800.00 and thought I was getting ripped off. I have noticed a spike lately in the price of these cars, it will come.

okfoz

I know a lot of people go into the DMV and report a lower purchase price than was paid. This may be part of this low buck trend that we see with KBB, Edmunds & the like not reporting accurate values. I think some of us like to shoot ourselvs in the foot just to save a buck. Honestly it will correct itself eventually, but that is to be seen.


JOhn

327_TPI_77_Maro

iTrader: (8)

Third gens are still the cheapeast of the cheap as far as muscle cars go. It takes an outstanding specimen to even get over $5,000 (hard tops/T roof, I don't know about convertibles, I assume they are worth a little more but they are still not like classic cars where a rust bucket can bring over $10k if its a desirable model). I think their value will go up a lot but it's going to take a lot of years for that to happen. There aren't too many V8 sports cars that you can get in excellent condition for $2000 or $3000 like you can third gens. If you have 2 or 3 grand in your pocket you have your pick of a lot of really solid third gens. They were extremely common and there are still tons of them around. Maybe 25 years from now they will be a lot more valuable due to the recent activity crushing lots of cars because scrap prices are up.

okfoz

THat has to do with your area more than anything... $5000 will buy many 3rd gens, thats for sure, but most of these cars are trashed, unfortuantely even the cars that are not driven a whole lot do not age really well unless they are meticulously maintined. On the flip side go to Autotrader.com

I found With Camaro & Formula as search criteria:
60 Cars over $10,000
14 - $9000 to $9999
33 - $8000 to $8999
31 - $7000 to $7999

Camaro- $59,000 High to $250 Low, Average - $6,020
Firebird - $44,995 High to $195 Low, Average - $5,753

327_TPI_77_Maro

iTrader: (8)

What people ask for cars and what they actually sell for are very, very different things. It's not just my area, look at the classified section on this board to get a realistic picture of what people are getting for cars. There are a lot of really decent cars under 5k, with new paint and performance upgrades. I've also seen really low mileage survivor cars with 30k mileage and all original everything, fantastic condition, around 3k-5k

okfoz

You are indeed correct, and I am not going to argue that What people ask and what they sell for are two different things. I have never purchased a car at asking value. However...

When people start asking rediculous amounts, no matter how out of line, no matter if they sell or not it drives up the values of the car, its all psychological. THere is a psychological condition that happens where a charity will spell out suggested donations, they will be simple numbers, like $10, $20, $50 & $200... What happens is very few people will actually choose $200, what they want is the $50 donation, and most people go for it, don't ask me why its how we think... It has to do with the $50 looks like a bargain in comparison to the $200. If you were to take the same numbers and make it $10, $20, $35, $50, all bets are off, most people will take the $35.00 or less...

In the same way, when we see cars being advertised at $20,000, or $50,000 in some cases, we can point to our car for sale and clearly state, look at what other people are asking, your getting a great deal at $10,000, when I just bought the car for $5000 two years ago...

Heck I paid $8000 for my 89 Formula 350 Convertible, In some ways I think, gee I overpaid, then other times I know I got a good deal... but for the first time ever its a car that I really wanted, it only has 36,000 miles, there are only 5 others that have lower miles of the 42 ever made... I did pretty well in my mind, especially when I watch "American Muscle Car" on Speed they say, "Only a lucky 3000 got one of these special cars."

JOhn

NriderRv

Hello, I have an 89 Firebird with 60,000 mi on a new 350 corvette engine, and a brand new transmission, $1,000 stereo (Rockford Fosgate), flow master dual exhaust, perfect interior, total milage 210,000, new radiator, replaced headlights, and trunk actuators, and much more. Black on Black with near flawless paintjob, people call me the night rider lol, I have the night rider light, but it's installed inside the car on the bass box in the back. Also has a skull & cross bones on the hood. I've spent nearly $3,000 getting it to pass smog in the last few years. Was wondering if I should hang onto it for value, or sell it? I originally paid $7,500 for it several years ago, and since then, done all mod's above. What would it be worth now, what will it be worth, should I keep it, is anyone interested?

gcgarner

Welcome to the boards! I know this is the convertible board, and I'm assuming your car is not a convertible, but I will try to answer your question as long as nobody minds ...

I would keep it. You have way more in it than anybody would be willing to pay for it at this point. Sounds like you have a nice car that you've put a lot of work into. Keep it and enjoy it. One day it will be worth a lot more than it is now IMO.

Just read back over this thread and came across this by okfoz. Very good point. Psychology is the driving force behind the entire collector car mindset.

I was taught long ago when I opened my photography studio to always have a "whopper" and to always show my clients the whopper first and then sell down. What this means is, I have a 40x50 custom portrait on canvas, and the price is several thousand dollars. Then, my 30x40 portrait on regular photographic paper for $935 sounds like a great deal.

If we started doing this with our cars, it might not be a bad thing. I think we should start listing our cars on ebay and AutoTrader for $20k and up. This will definitely increase the perceived value of thirdgens, and if they sell ... who cares? We just got $20k for our thirdgens!!

yevgenievich

iTrader: (4)

sorry to do it but i just had no money for tax and paycheck was a week away.
what would you think of 89 T/A hardtop with 305 TPI power windows, locks, hatch, mirrors, 2.7 limited slip and 700r4?i bought it because i like third gens and i was planing on keeping it as long as i can, but would it actually stop dropping in value about now?
i might just try that, lol

okfoz

I was just offered $12,000 for my 89 Formula 350 Vert... Check book in hand I know the guy was good for the money and the car is far from being a show car... YES these cars are increasing in value.

327_TPI_77_Maro

iTrader: (8)

Offers are nice but sale prices are better.

okfoz

Put it this way, he offered me 12 on saturday night. On sunday he flashed his checkbook again and said the offer was still open. I know I could drive it to SC and he would pay me today. I did not sell... As far as I am concerned the offer is as good as a sale, that means he was willing to pay that ammount for the car... I did not counter offer as I am not interested at this time.

John

73hotbird

According to Pontiac there were no 350 convertables made. They only put the 305 in ALL convertables thru the 1992 run. What gives, did you swape the engine. And if not do you have abuild sheet or ant other doc. that show it was a true 350 that came with the car?

avro206

His car is exactly what he claims...no engine swaps. Prior to 91 all convertible were done out house by ASC. Hence you could get what you wanted. I am pretty sure you could order it from the dealer.

92YELLOWVERT

From MY understanding you are correct. There were no 350 verts made thru 1992.

gcgarner

Here we go again ...

YES, Okfoz's Formy 350 vert is a LEGIT Formy 350 vert. One of the very few. I bet the VIN shows a hard-top or t-top, right, Okfoz? But the vert conversion was done by ASC ... and I'm pretty sure there were some GTA verts w/ 350s done the same way, right?

92YELLOWVERT

That would be very cool if it is legit! I'm not saying anyone is lying and, If it's true there surely wasn't very many produced with the 350 in it. I tried doing some research but couldn't find anything specific. Might be worth holding on to.


And on the original topic......lol I think if you have a unique third gen it WILL and IS increasing in value. I was offered $7,500 for my car last year and the blue book says about $3500....(? Yeah right) If it's a more common car I don't think the value will go up for many, many years.

okfoz

The car is a legitimate Formula 350, and it is obviously a Convertilbe.

As we all know from 1987-1992 ASC made convertibles for Chevrolet, and in 1991 & 1992 they also made the convertibles for Pontiac. Interestinly from the info I have ASC also made the F-body convertibles throu 1999. AND ASC made the WS6 cars from 1998 & UP.

With that said Pontiac did not offically offer a convertible until 1991. The problem I believe lies within the added weight of the convertible over the hard top cars. Much like the Firebird was NA in the US with T-tops and a 350 in 1987 & 1988 The convertible would probably have been virtually impossible to put into a Firebird and have a V8 with any kind of performance without the car dipping below the 22.5 mpg magic number dictated by the EPA. Once you go below this number the Govt places a $1000+ fine or "Gas Guzzler" tax on the car. I would imagine that there would be a lot of upset Pontiac customers that could not get a Trans Am convertible but you could get a V6 convertible, or a Convertilbe for a V6 car was only $4000 but a V8 convertible was an extra $1000. IN the end I believe Pontiac decided that it was in thier best intrest not to offer the car until they did a styling change and could make the car more efficent.

Since the cars are so similar it would not have been a stretch to make a Firebird Convertible and change a few little details to make it stick out. In the end ASC offered DEALERS to have a car made, then drop shipped to Pioneer Pontiac in Detroit and then converted side by side a "Factory" Camaro. The difference is an ASC Camaro Convertible would have gone from the Assembly plant, to ASC to be converted and then back to the factory to be delivered. THe Firebird convertibles would have gone from the Assembly plant to ASC and then directly to the purchasing dealer. The ONLY step is GM would have had the car shipped where the dealer was responsible for shipping.

From ASC Firebird convertible production figures:
1987 a total of 173
1988 a total of 104
1989 a total of 330
1990 Zero
1991 & 1992 Production cars only

Since 1989 was really the only years in question you could get a T-top 350 car from Pontiac and have it delivered in the US that would be the only year that you could get a Convertible Firebird with a 350.
42 were Formula 350's
139 were GTA or Trans Am with a 350
2 or 3 were TTA convertibles ( one just sold for $44,000 )
My Dealer order log shows a total of 369 convertibles were ordered. 324 were delivered, ASC states 330. Of all of the numbers I have in my posession I have not deciphered 15 of them and with the difference of 6 that makes 21 that I really do not have the VIN for.

In all of the sales on ebay and other things I have seen the 1989 350 verts sell for more than an equal 1991 or 1992 vert. I imagine there are exceptions. Someoen told me that a Formula 350 vert sold on ebay a few weeks or months ago for $12,000. Although they are not "official" its what alot of people would prefer.

Pontiac may have not officially offered the cars. ASC states they made the cars for GM in the literature I just acquired from ASC. so go fig.

In any case they are VERY saught after and they are VERY rare. My estimation is they may be more valuable than the Offical convertibles, much like dealer modified cars like Yenko, Mecham etc. I doubt that it will have any bearing on the values.

To add to the confusion apparently back in the day when the cars were being serviced, ALL work was done by dealerships. More interesting is all of the parts I have inspected so far have a GM part number on them. From the little clips, the subframe connectors, the trunk lid etc...

JOhn

88IROConv

I've had two offers of $20k on mine. One guy was persistent with his checkbook out saying this is exactly what he wanted and couldn't find one anywhere.

92YELLOWVERT

Wow. That's some very interesting info. I personally could never understand why they put a 305 V8 instead of the 350 in these cars. I wish mine had the 350 in it. Your car will surely go up in value quicker than most.

If someone offered me $20,000 for my car I would drive it to them today!...lol Actually if anyone is interested my car IS for sale.

88IROConv

Well I always say if they offer me that now what will they offer me in the future. I'd like to put mine on eBay just to see what the highest bid would be but not actually sell it.

david068513

iTrader: (2)

I am doing that right now with my 92 z hardtop lol

IROCZ28KevinZ

iTrader: (2)

Like many here, I believe that these cars will go up in value with time. Verts, IROCs, TransAms, GTAs, Firehawks, 1LEs, and 25th ann. heritage cars are the ones I think are worth looking out for. It's crazy when you think about what can happen to the right old car with time. My dad was telling me that at some point in the 70s or 80s, my mom wanted to trade her 1968 Camaro coupe (base model; 250 6 cyl, powerglide 2spd, and a center console, one of the few options it had lol) for some Dodge car (may hve been an Aspen or something? dunno) and the dealer offered them about $3100 for it, which was MORE than she paid for it new. The salesman then told my dad that he was collecting these cars because they will one day go up in value. Stupid decision on his part, cuz my parents kept it and fixed it up and still have it to this day! it will be mine someday btw. And now look at it; NADA values her car at almost $20k, and it has been appraised for around the same amount. And that is for a base model coupe!

Also parts are going to be worth more in the coming years as those who have these cars restore theirs. Original GM parts will be worth more obviously, especially to those who want their car all GM and not repro. My dad got a new hood, new fenders, and new quarters at a GM dealer in the 70s for mere dollars. Imagine what those could sell for now, being OEM GM stuff that hasn't been available for YEARS? He still has a full set of chrome trim for that car, still in the GM packaging, never opened, in the garage. Imagine what that stuff is worth? Imagine what a good set of taillights or a dash pad or a shifter plate will be worth in the coming years if no one reproduces them. I have seen mint dash pads sell for $150 on up! So maybe collecting some parts right now might not be a half bad idea too. Just my 2 cents

okfoz

My personal opinion on the Collectability from most to least: Highest to lowest dollar amount.
TTA Convertibles (3 of them)
Firehawks
TTAs
1LE cars
350 Convertibles (even though they were not Official people want them)
305 LB9/M5 verts
305 LB9/A4 Verts
350 cars with t-tops
350 cars without T-tops
305 LB9/M5 cars
305 LB9/A4 cars
305 L69 cars
305 LU5 (Cross fire cars )
305 L03 & LG4 cars
v6 cars
I4 cars

Its hard to speculate, but from History and what the value of horsepower and then the desiarabilty factor for the models will really dictate a lot. only time will tell. But I do know that it seems that anything with TPI sells for more than anthing with a 4BBL or the CFI cars, unfortunately its the way it is.

John

327_TPI_77_Maro

iTrader: (8)

That list sounds about right. I try to forget that the 4/6 cyl 3rd gens exist.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

Okfoz, you left LO3 equipped verts off your list. Or are you lumping them with the coupes, (making them slighly more desirable than a V6)? IMO a revision is needed.

Lon

327_TPI_77_Maro

iTrader: (8)

Maybe they would go here?

TTA Convertibles (3 of them)
Firehawks
TTAs
1LE cars
350 Convertibles (even though they were not Official people want them)
305 LB9/M5 verts
305 LB9/A4 Verts
305 LO3 verts
350 cars with t-tops
350 cars without T-tops
305 LB9/M5 cars
305 LB9/A4 cars
305 L69 cars
305 LU5 (Cross fire cars )
305 L03 & LG4 cars
v6 cars
I4 cars

Did LO3 verts come in stick too?

okfoz

the LO3 vert is a limbo car I really fo not see where it would fit in my opinion. I would think they would be in the range around the 350 hard top or T-top cars some where. Generally and historically speaking a Convertible is usually worth twice that of its Hard top counterpart. I would think it would be better than a hard top or T-top LB9 definately but against a 350 personally I would have a hard time deciding.

Honestly Lon it was an oversight on the list...

TTA Convertibles (3 of them)
Firehawks
TTAs
1LE cars
350 Convertibles (even though they were not Official people want them)
305 LB9/M5 verts
305 LB9/A4 Verts
350 cars with t-tops
350 cars without T-tops
305 LO3 Convertibles
305 LB9/M5 cars
305 LB9/A4 cars
305 V6 Convertible
305 L69 cars
305 LU5 (Cross fire cars )
305 L03 & LG4 cars
v6 cars
I4 cars

Honestly this is probaby the order I would chose. The cars way up aon top are easy for me to determine as are the cars on the bottom. The cars in the middle get a little fuzzy because I am not sure what I would do if in a situation where I could buy 2 identical condition cars for example a LO3 Convertible vs a 350 Hard top for the same price... I would really have to think about it before making a decision.

Don't take this wrong, the list is more about MY personal preference, I would imagine some people out there would take a vert all day long over a 350 so its really a matter of taste and opinion. THe above list is how I view the cars. IE I had an opportunity to bu a 91 V6Firebird vert for cheap it was a Bank Repo but it was in ok shape I passed because it was a V6.

Same thing goes for the L69 cars, its not that there is anything wrong with them but I really never want another 4BBL car again... Once again its my opinion, and I would think a lot of people would agree... Only history will tell... Heck Gas could be so outrageous that the I4 cars sell for more...

Yes AFAIK you could get a M5 LO3 vert.

JOhn

gcgarner

I am going to say that, if history is any indicator, the third-gen V6 cars will never be of any value at all ... even the verts ... unless someone drops a V8 in them. If you had your choice of a mid-late '60s Camaro or Mustang 6 cyl. vert or a hard-top with a beefy V8, which would you choose? I don't know a single soul who would say the 6 cyl. vert.

A V6 thirdgen is like a vegetarian hamburger. Only hippies and weirdos would choose that over real beef.

P.S. I'm glad to see that someone else thinks "unofficial" 350 verts will be worth more than the 305 verts. I just picked up a L98 yesterday!!!

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

Wohoo, I've alredy jumped one spot by converting from a A4 to M5. I'll jump another 4 spots once I drop in the L98 engine! lol Just pointing out that the LO3 (in both A4 & M5) verts were missing from your desirable/collectible list.

Lon

327_TPI_77_Maro

iTrader: (8)

gcgarner, I agree with you. The funny thing is that the horribly underpowered I4 and V6's didn't really get any better gas mileage than the V8s. A 305 w/ the OD and lockup 700R4 got great gas mileage. Why anyone would ever subject themselves to a 3500 lb sports car with a 130 or less hp engine in it, I will never understand. But that's not really what this post is about, so sorry for getting it off track.

okfoz

Lon,
I hope I am not ruffling any feathers, it was not my intention to really upset anyone, honestly I still am not sure exactly where they fall into the mix.

Heck I really do not know what would happen to a car that was converted from a LO3 to a L98, or any other engine for that matter. I think if the car was done "right" to where everything from a L98 car was transplanted into a LO3 car thats one thing but to simply change the engine and say its worth more is a shot in the dark. If the car was a V6 then by all means I would think any V8 would be better than the original engine.

The problem is when you talk to a collector, what are they looking for in a car, what kind of things do they consider to be a Good thing. Questions I often hear:
1) Are those original miles?
2) Is the paint & interior Original?
3) Numbers Matching?
4) Any accidents?
5) Was the car molested, raced etc?
6) Is the car a "Survivor?"

Heck in 20 years there will be NO 3rd gen that probably did not requre some sort of attention to the paint or interior, So really how valid are some of those questions?

I really do NOT know what will hold value over the long haul, All I do know is from what history has told us from the cars in the 50's, 60's & early 70's. THere is plenty of interest in our cars, especially cars from 1985 & up to where I speculate that they will eventually be collectibile, I know right now that they are going up in value for sure unless they are really rough. EVERY car that I have purchased since 1997 has increased in value, my 1987 will never return what I have into it but in many ways its the car I learned on and it was and is worth every penny for the experience. I hope to lend that experience to my 1989 so that it is correct and not diminished in value.

John.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

Actually collectability of my car has never entered into the equation for why I own it. A collector would scream blody murder at some of the modifications I've made to my car. One of which (the addition of red lenses in the doors that light up when the doors are opened) caused me to destroy the ASC label on the drivers side. That one caused me some puase, but what could I do? I'd already installed a lens on the passenger side in that location before I realized the ASC label on the drivers side was in jeapordy with that modification.

Lon

okfoz

Lon,
In so many ways I am with you. My 87 will never be worth anything 1 it has too many miles 2 it was an LG4... I do with it as I like... My 89 Vert I bought because when I learned of the cars I thought it would be neat to own because its a Formula... So When it went up for sale I thought hard about it and I am glad I got it in the end. I really am not interested in selling and the perk of ownership is a plus.

No matter what the collectiblity of whatever you have good or bad does not matter until you go to sell in the end.

JOhn

Purple 92 SS

I pretty much agree with you guys on the list and valuation.. my 92 was v6 and is no more. It is the car i learned on all the time though, and thus it too is priceless to me. I also agree that the L03 verts would be worth less then the lb9's.... Here's how i'd put my camaro list

Z28/Iroc 350 verts
z28/iroc 305 m5 verts
z28/iroc 305 auto verts
RS l03 m5 verts
RS l03 auto verts
v6 verts - all

I'm not too good with the firebird side of things so ill leave it at that.

Half me wonders if the verts will in fact be doulbe of a top'ed car regardless of motor. Only time will tell here i suppose. In another 20-30 years, when guys our age are much older, we'll probably be experieinceing the same thing thats going on now with the 60's cars.. and thats when we'll find out what is really the value of things.

Iroctopless

There's a lot of cars from the 60's of different makes (even some verts) that are still bargains. Being old doesn't guarantee big $$$. Even in great original condition. What is hot in the market is always changing. They seem to target very specific models and makes. Will later generations of Camaro's experience large increases in value because they ride on the coat tails of our 1st generation brethren? How much influence will the name Camaro have on later generations? All interesting questions.

There sure aren't very many #'s matching 3rd gen originals that are in great shape. These are the one that collectors seem to be drawn too.

After all, a car is original only once.

pinky93

iTrader: (2)

I have to admit, I graduated in 1985 and I cannot think of another car that I ever wanted worse than an IROC. I absolutely COULD NOT afford one and drooled until 1988 when my wife and I bought a brand new one. I actually prefer to think of it as my first screwing by a car dealer.

I wanted it so bad, I paid them what they asked for it!! I remember there was a Grand National on the lot too and it just didn't do it for me. It was red with the 350 and T-Tops. I think we put about 11,000 miles on it and we sold it because we couldn't afford the payment and had our first child. Car seats didn't fit too well in the back seat!!!

Anyway, it has been a long time since then and I have been through quite a few F-Body's. 1973 Firebird, 1969 Firebird, and just sold my 2002 SS Camaro and bought the 89 IROC. Most of my friends think I am crazy, but as beautiful as the 02 SS was, I liked the IROC's better. Now that SS was sick fast with only bolt ons, but this IROC has the 350 and I have purchased a ProCharger for it. I haven't installed it yet because I have actually been worried about just what this post is about. I think that once I start this, the car will be modified a long way from OEM. It only has 58,000 miles on it and is in EXCELLENT shape. By the way, I found it in Deland, Florida for $8,000. It was a one owner that the guy traded in for a Porsche. Damn did I forget how these TPI engines run out of breath above 4,000 RPM!!

What do you guys think?
----------
By the way, you can see pictures of it here....
http://www.cardomain.com/id/Rickster02

jimdutro

iTrader: (1)

When I was in high school (1963) `55, `56, `57 Chevys were going for $150 in good shape all day long. In 1969 I had a chance to buy a 59 Corvette for $150 but I was into Mopars so I did not buy it. At the time I was driving a `69 Hemi Road Runner which I later sold for less than a grand. A friend of mine wanted to trade his `69 427, 4 sp. Corvette for my `71 440 6 pack Charger but no sale, his car was too hard for me to get in and out of and the Charger was faster. In years past it was hard to know what would bring the big money down the road and now I think most of us know what to look for. If you have the room to store and the money, look for low production runs and things like 1LE, G92, all of the desirable options available. Some day the right Iroc, Z28, RS etc. will be worth big money to someone. When the economy takes a dump and people are selling their toys to pay their mortgage, that`s the time to buy.

i_love_thirdgen

iTrader: (3)

Jimdutro...my dad tells me of those days all the time(sadly as I was born in 1988 I never got to expereince them)

and to elabrate on your 55,56,57 chevys going for $150 in good shape
2 years ago we payed $7,000 for a below average 57 chevy bel air 2 door hardtop
and believe it or not WE GOT A ****ING DEAL!!!!