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History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
Came across this in my morning Craigslist crawl, figured I'd share it to break the monotony of retarded Iroc threads.
108,638 miles? or 10,863.8 miles? 1991 T/A Convertible, appliance White with skidmark brown interior, slushbox, but hey! Look at those front GFX! Nice clear turn signal lenses, good paint... Plenty of small nagging issues, but the price tag isn't repelling at 15k asking, assuming it's 11k miles... Anyway, just tired of all the Iroc threads, sue me.
Anyone notice that Firebirds aren't appreciating at the same rate as Camaros, more specifically, IROC-Zs?
Irocs and 1LEs seem to be the 'it' cars. Personally, I think the birds are neater cars. I'd rather have a WS6 anything than an Iroc, but I get why the big stupid decals get the attention.
Drew, you need to quit your day job and hire out your services to write sales descriptions. You've missed your calling. I have an 85 Z28 to sell, I'll be contacting you for assistance in getting it sold.
Maybe... There's just a lot of little things that make the Firebirds a bit more attractive. The body styling is more refined, and so is the interior. The seats are more comfortable, the backlit gauges aren't trapped in the 60's like the 82-89 Camaro, the Firebird dash doesn't have nearly as many fakey torx screws... It just makes for a cleaner car, at least as long as the car isn't trashed. Seems even well kept Camaros are a bit clunky in comparison.
Edit: Beware the C&C t-tops on that white/black GTA.
Interesting points. Most folks give the edge to the IROC on exterior. I’ll say equal here. Def agree on cheap torx screws although like the charcoal canister that’s kinda part of the charm. For the loaded Pontiac interiors though; all the digital doodads do just increase breakage risk though, no?
Regardless, I need more garage and more scratch so as to properly compare : )
Well if we want to get technical the Turbo T/A has been commanding high prices for quite some time now, long before the IROC started appreciated value what the TTA was bringing. Of coarse there's the Firehawks as well bringing more than TTA too. I like camaro and firebird equally other than the camaro instrument clusters, the firebird gauges were better and more reliably accurate.
Well if we want to get technical the Turbo T/A has been commanding high prices for quite some time now, long before the IROC started appreciated value what the TTA was bringing. Of coarse there's the Firehawks as well bringing more than TTA too. I like camaro and firebird equally other than the camaro instrument clusters, the firebird gauges were better and more reliably accurate.
True. But it seems to me that TTA prices have plateaued and IROC prices are still going up.
I think it's a lot harder to find an affordable TTA than an affordable Iroc. The people spending the big bucks on Irocs are fools.
Of course, there aren't that many TTAs around. But it seems their prices have stabilized, where IROCs are still going up.
I'll tell you something, mint IROCs are a bargain. A smart shopper can still get the cream of the crop for under 20K. Cheap when compared to '60's and '70's cars, which can barely be driven comfortably in modern traffic. In the next couple of years IROC-Zs will make appearances at MCACN, both as low mile originals and restored. When some of the guys in those circles get exposed to a few mint IROCs and realize that a primo example can be gotten for less than the chrome bill on their last restoration - well then, you're going to see something happening.
I think it's a lot harder to find an affordable TTA than an affordable Iroc. The people spending the big bucks on Irocs are fools.
I have to agree with you on this statement. I have bought 5 Irocs in the last 25 years and still own 4 of them. (all one owner cars)I paid top dollar at the time for them because they were what I wanted then, but I've waited a long time for them to be worth what I paid for them at the time they were purchased.
The only 2 Firebirds I bought during this time were a one owner red 1988 GTA Notchback 350 with every option, leather, digital dash, I mean everything, and 57,000 miles which I still have today.
Also a one owner red 1992 Formula 305 hardtop coupe with around 57,000 miles which I sold and now regret selling because the person who bought it and was suppose to keep it forever and not just flip it for a couple thousand more did just that.
I got both cars for around $5,000 each at the time. They were a steal compared to any IROC at the time and even today.
I'd be looking for deals on Firebirds when the market is low on them and wait on the purchase of an IROC till prices cool off. Good things come to those who wait. I remember when you couldn't hardly sell an IROC for anything close to what you had into it or what it was worth.
The first Camaro I bought new was a 1967, 396 SS, RS for around $3,000 which if I had to do again I would have never sold. That is giving away my age which I've never posted, this is from my own real experiences. So take it for what it is worth.
Last edited by yo soy el warg; 05-04-2018 at 12:55 AM.
No I mean a 396 with the Z28 package and RS package with the hidden headlights, and 12 bolt rear end, and first year front disk brakes, red on red with the 4 speed it was 300 plus HP and they made very few of them because I've only seen 2 since then. I had a rally green Camaro with the 302 in 1969 with duel fours if that is what your thinking about.
Last edited by yo soy el warg; 05-04-2018 at 09:00 AM.
No I mean a 396 with the Z28 package and RS package with the hidden headlights, and 12" rear end, and first year front disk brakes, red on red with the 4 speed. I had a rally green Camaro with the 302 in 1969 with duel fours if that is what your thinking about.
The only car with a Z/28 package in 1967 were the 602 Z/28s with the special performance 302. Maybe you mean Z27?
The only car with a Z/28 package in 1967 were the 602 Z/28s with the special performance 302. Maybe you mean Z27?
It was a SS, RS package with the 396 that I ordered in 1967 thought it was a 1968 model year, but it had to be a 1967 because it came with the wing window which the 1968 didn't have so it was a 1967 396, I think the engine was the L78 and it cost me 4-500 extra for that engine and the M21 transmission close ratio was a couple of hundred bucks extra, but worth it. I don't know what the Z27 package is I've never heard of it? That was 50 years ago it might have been available then?
Last edited by yo soy el warg; 05-04-2018 at 12:47 AM.
Yeah...the main threat to any big time appreciation thesis besides ladders, fires and recessions to my mind is the inevitable federal anti-carbon regime. If by 2037 a 10 mile Chevelle 454, IROC-Z 5.7 G92 and anything else with a non-hybrid or electric mill becomes an undriveable gorgeous paper weight I’m not sure what Barrett Jackson would look like.
Hard to claim you're having fun in a stock 305 3rd gen that just soaked you for $20K. Especially when a $12K 6.0L LS 3rd gen rips your ***.
Idk, most of my fun recently is had in the garage, fixing issues that give me a sense of accomplishment. Then there is the thrill of the chase, searching for the next part I need, and finding it. Christmas Morning a couple times a week as the Postal Carrier, or Santa in the Brown Truck drops off fresh gifts to be unwrapped... I love the smell of new car parts in the morning.
Thanks for pointing that out scooter. What I meant to say was a 12 bolt rear end which was the heavy duty posi set-up. If I could have ordered it with a truck rear end I would have done that too, stronger is better.
Idk, most of my fun recently is had in the garage, fixing issues that give me a sense of accomplishment. Then there is the thrill of the chase, searching for the next part I need, and finding it. Christmas Morning a couple times a week as the Postal Carrier, or Santa in the Brown Truck drops off fresh gifts to be unwrapped... I love the smell of new car parts in the morning.
I feel the same way. I almost think I have more fun building a vehicle than I do actually driving it.
Originally Posted by yo soy el warg
Thanks for pointing that out scooter. What I meant to say was a 12 bolt rear end which was the heavy duty posi set-up. If I could have ordered it with a truck rear end I would have done that too, stronger is better.
lol, yeah I knew what you meant, it was just funny.
I am looking for a 68-72 Chevy Longhorn pickup, it has a 133" wheelbase, which is 6" more than a regular longbed. I found an ad on Craigslist where the guy specified it "LONGER WHEEL BASE OF 133 FEET". In caps like that
Idk, most of my fun recently is had in the garage, fixing issues that give me a sense of accomplishment. Then there is the thrill of the chase, searching for the next part I need, and finding it. Christmas Morning a couple times a week as the Postal Carrier, or Santa in the Brown Truck drops off fresh gifts to be unwrapped... I love the smell of new car parts in the morning.
Originally Posted by scooter
I feel the same way. I almost think I have more fun building a vehicle than I do actually driving it.
I guess my favorite part is when I first get it home, give it a good wash and see what's what. On most 3rd gens, my first small project is trying to pop the stuck hood latch, and then cleaning and lubing it so I don't have trouble with that again. It's also amazing the things that need tightening with a philips screwdriver by just walking around the car and snooping.
I guess my favorite part is when I first get it home, give it a good wash and see what's what. On most 3rd gens, my first small project is trying to pop the stuck hood latch, and then cleaning and lubing it so I don't have trouble with that again. It's also amazing the things that need tightening with a philips screwdriver by just walking around the car and snooping.
Ooh but that's a deadly sin... A new to you car is the ultimate indulgence in new car parts addiction. A part you can hide on a shelf, a new car, well that takes up a valuable parking space. But yeah, I totally understand. It's the honeymoon period. Before you walk by it, exchanging glances, and it chews you out for not being attentive enough... Or mocks you for any perceived shortcoming.
The anticipation of finding one, that night before you go to first look at it, you can't sleep. Getting up early, hooking up the trailer, having the address already loaded into your GPS. Pulling up in front of the house and seeing it in the garage with a car cover on it, walking up to it for the first time!
I used to say that going to look at cars was like going on a blind date. You have information ahead of time but you don't know how much of it is true. You have to go anyways, and sometimes, once in a while you find one you want to bring home.
You occasionally find one you just want to **** with, and that's okay too.
Ooh but that's a deadly sin... A new to you car is the ultimate indulgence in new car parts addiction. A part you can hide on a shelf, a new car, well that takes up a valuable parking space. But yeah, I totally understand. It's the honeymoon period. Before you walk by it, exchanging glances, and it chews you out for not being attentive enough... Or mocks you for any perceived shortcoming.
Exactly! The period before the aggravation and disappointment.
So, never have a field find delivered to your driveway, while you're at work but your wife is at home!
This is the pic my wife texted me a few years ago when that happened, with a not so nice message attached. Yup, she was pissed. I probably should have prepared her in advance.
1979, Saxon Yellow, 304, 4 speed, AMX. Parked under a tree in North Dakota for 20 years. Didn't run, no brakes, filled with critters, 4 flat tires. I suspect an off road excursion parked it, since the left front corner and right rear corners were crunched, with scratches looking like they came from driving through a barbed wire fence. I found the original owner on FB, but he never responded to my messages.
Oh yeah, I thought it'd be a cool project!
The smell of that car will be with me forever!!!!!!!!
Over the next few months I got it cleaned up and running, (sort of) and then I came to my senses and I put in on eBay.
An AMC collector bought it with plans for a full resto. I got the whole field/barn find thing out of my system with that car.
Oh BTW, one good thing that came out of that car was, I started a campaign to reproduce the front spoiler on the AMC Forum. And they were reproduced! My car had a new owner by then, though.
Oh, one more good thing! There was a guy selling an original cat back exhaust from an '89 IROC in the same town as the AMX. Shipping it would be a bear, and I didn't have the time to go and get it either. So I paid for the exhaust on Paypal, (actually the car as well), with the condition that the seller go to where the AMX was and put the IROC exhaust in the hatch.
Ingenious way of handling shipping for those hard to ship parts Charlie!
I've bought a lot of cars and I'm trying real hard to remember if I've ever had a field find - I don't think I have. I've bought multiple out of body shops including this 68 Firebird and a pair of green Judges. (Judges were actually in the clean room behind where all the body work got done.)
The Firebird was given to the shop owner in exchange for the work he hadn't been paid for. The Judges were a case where the owner had a change in priorities and decided he was done with cars. I didn't waste any time when I learned what he wanted for them!
Maybe... There's just a lot of little things that make the Firebirds a bit more attractive. The body styling is more refined, and so is the interior. The seats are more comfortable, the backlit gauges aren't trapped in the 60's like the 82-89 Camaro, the Firebird dash doesn't have nearly as many fakey torx screws... It just makes for a cleaner car, at least as long as the car isn't trashed. Seems even well kept Camaros are a bit clunky in comparison.
Edit: Beware the C&C t-tops on that white/black GTA.
So “buyer’s season” has begun and this thing still hasn’t gone. Freshly restored 1989 GTA. Only 220 built with the black cloth interior. New paint, tires, brakes, door, t top, and hatch rubbers, fuel pump, battery, a/c compressor, alternator, wires, plugs, rear hatch motor, headlight motors, upholstery, Bluetooth radio and more. 350 tuned port injection, automatic. Fully loaded with t-tops, factory dual exhaust (only 1,100 produced) WS6,power seat, and more.
Still toying with the idea of driving out and if all is well making an offer as a cocaine white ‘89 GTA with those gorgeous gold crosslace wheels would be a pretty awesome 5.7L twin to switch back and forth with off the ‘89 black ‘roc. Also got the N10 I feel like I missed out on with my original purchase lol. Basically he’s at $8K USD for 90K miles in janqui terms but f’d his back and has room to negotiate as wants it gone. But I recalled here Drew your “beware the C&C”...why? Just the extra PITA factor when fixing seals and whatnot?
Well... Some people prefer C&C tops, but they're aftermarket. If you're used to seeing and working with stock GM tops, they seem a bit off. Hard to say how they'd effect the value, personally I'd rather have a factory T-top car, but most probably wouldn't care. Price seems a bit high given the mileage, but it looks decent.
So “buyer’s season” has begun and this thing still hasn’t gone. Freshly restored 1989 GTA. Only 220 built with the black cloth interior. New paint, tires, brakes, door, t top, and hatch rubbers, fuel pump, battery, a/c compressor, alternator, wires, plugs, rear hatch motor, headlight motors, upholstery, Bluetooth radio and more. 350 tuned port injection, automatic. Fully loaded with t-tops, factory dual exhaust (only 1,100 produced) WS6,power seat, and more.
Still toying with the idea of driving out and if all is well making an offer as a cocaine white ‘89 GTA with those gorgeous gold crosslace wheels would be a pretty awesome 5.7L twin to switch back and forth with off the ‘89 black ‘roc. Also got the N10 I feel like I missed out on with my original purchase lol. Basically he’s at $8K USD for 90K miles in janqui terms but f’d his back and has room to negotiate as wants it gone. But I recalled here Drew your “beware the C&C”...why? Just the extra PITA factor when fixing seals and whatnot?
thats not a bad looking car , id still try and beat him up a little more .. ive always liked the white gta's ,especially the 87-90 that dont have that funky front end that the 91-92's have ..
05-02-2018, 07:41 AM
