Alright, first off, this isn't a thirdgen question, but it is a Camaro-related question. My dad had a 1978 Camaro up until we moved out of state. We left the car to a man whom we were helping out, also mainly because we couldn't drive all 4 of our vehicles up here. We also left him my mom's 74 Dodge Dart too (never to be seen again, but that's another story). The intention was for him to restore them because he knew his way around cars. What a ****ing mistake.

Somehow he got arrested, leaving the car uncared for. The car did however have shelter; only it was in the garage of the man's sister's house -- being held "ransom" by her landlord due to unpaid rent. Damn hicks...back to the Camaro - my dad personally flew down and paid the landlord to get his '78 outta there, and left it at a friend's house. It wasn't picked up for 6 months -- left out in the elements and high grass where it sat. The underbody rusted, animals found ways into it and made their homes in it. Made the car that was already in "so-so" condition a lot worse. This classic got royally ****ed, and we didn't have the means to do anything about it at the time.

Back in Sept 2002, we had the car taken to Missouri to be held at a friend's house for safekeeping. We haven't seen the car in almost 3 years; the only condition that we know the car to be in is what we've heard from our friend: "I'd have to pay a junkyard a $50 depositing fee. They wouldn't give me a dime."

It'd cost $500-1000 to get the car from Missouri to Utah. From there, we'd have to dump another $3000+ to get it restored.

So, in all of this story my question is: Would it be worth it, and keep this car for it's sentimental value and my dad's sanity, or would it be just as well to part the car out and get it over with?

The car has a 305 in it, with an auto transmission. The engine has around 177,000+ miles on it, which was running "like a champ" a little while ago, but now it won't start. The body I have no clue about except for the floor pan - rusted out and in dire need of replacement. The interior's trashed to hell. Tranny's still good I believe, and no, a tranny / engine swap into a new body isn't an option.

I'm sorry about the long post -- opinions appreciated, thanks.

 

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It's just a plain Camaro, not a Z28 or even a Type LT (luxury model replaced by the Berlinetta). Pretty much the bottom of the line that year. It's not worth much to anyone, and certainly isn't in the league of a "classic" or "collectible".

I'd say you'd be better off parting with it, unless you have alot of money you're willing to dump into sentiment. That kind of car, even in perfect condition, isn't worth more than a couple of thousand dollars on the market, so from that point of view, you're money ahead to just cut your losses and move on. You could buy another one just like it where you now live for probably less than that one's moving cost alone, and not have to spend $3000 just to clean it up.

Of course, now that you know you'll never have to see the 74 Dart again, you could consider that as the bright side of the situation.

 

Yeah, we'll probably part it out - at least make some money off of it, instead of dumping money into a lost cause. Thanks for posting -- just needed to hear it from someone else, I guess.

 

Alright, first off, this isn't a thirdgen question....

Enough said. You might want to re-read the USER AGREEMENT. I've conveniently posted it on this board.