i'm not usually one to make one of these "how rare is it" posts but i think i might have gotten ahold of an oddball...not really a "super-rare, sought after car" but just one that slipped through the cracks as an "oddball". it's an '88 RS with a 305 TBI. yea, i know, sounds typical...but looking on the front page it says no '88 RS' recieved a V8...and they were only available in limited numbers in Florida, California and Texas. i'm not sure where this one came from, i have to do some more research as i just bought it. it shows most "RS" actually being "Sport Coupes" with GFX as some came in '88 only...but this one is a BONAFIED RS...not a Sport Coupe...kinda odd huh?

Josh

 

does the VIN match the cars engine?

 

yea, it all matches...i actually pick UP the car today, but i have looked at the VIN and at the car in person, looks pretty original to me...

Josh

 

ok, i'm an idiot. here's what happened. when i made that post, i had only seen pics of the car. well, this car has mismatched ground effects, as well as some other body parts. it has (you'll love this) 91-92 RS GFX on the right center of the car, '88 SC GFX on the rest. so it IS a sport coupe, and a good project! sorry 'bout that guys!

Josh

 

sounds cool...post some pics

 

here are a few BEFORE pics. i stress before because it looks pretty ghetto right now. i have to take off that silly rub strip first thing and then i have my work cut out for me. i'm scared i might have found a big spot of bondo right in front of the gas hole. i mean, that can be fixed but i hope it's not bondo...i have to find a magnet or pull the interior trim panels to tell the tale...



ths is the spot i'm concerned about...i'm almost positive it's bondo...


this shot shows the exhaust tips too...the one part i really like about the car...


there are a few shots, i will add more as i get 'em
Josh

 

Looks like something is messed up on the rear quarter, like you said. The Iroc rims look good on the car.

 

yea, the IROC rims set it off i think. it's one of the redeeming qualities it has right now. the tires are also almost new and nice 245/50/16s. it needs a full interior resto and some body work and a paintjob...oh, and a transmission right now, lol...yea, it's a project, but i can get it back to good. the engine is ROCK solid, and other than that one area, the body seems pretty solid. i really think it's bondo in the rear quarter, i'll know in a day or so...

Josh

 

Reading your first post, you were positive this was a "bonified" RS, you then state that all numbers were matching and that the car was all original. Based on this info, I hope you didn't pay much for the car, if anything! A full interior resto will cost about $1000, new paint will cost about $2000, rebuilding or replacing the tranny, maybe $1500, maybe $500 in bodywork, totals $5000. This doesn't include any engine or suspension repairs that will be needed. I'll add another $1500 for all that. These prices are VERY conservative. For $6500, you could've bought one that is complete and in decent condition with lower miles and ready to go today. Good luck.

 

this is F-Body number 6...i have tackled all this before. i wish i had $7,000 to pay all at once like some people might, but i'm in the Army, i don't make that kind of money. i'm a mechanic, so i can fix everything it needs done. i know, i made a mistake on it being a "bonafied" RS, but we're human, we make mistakes...i jumped the gun making the post, i hadn't seen it in person...it was a mistake i won't make again...would really like not to be flamed seeing as it really didn't hurt anyone. sure, i'll put a lot of money into this Camaro, but when i'm done i can promise ya i'll have a greater sense of appreciation and pride than i would have just buying a Camaro that everything has been done on. i have owned both, beater F-Bodies and NICE F-Bodies...i liked the nice ones alright...but it was kinda boring never really having anything to do on them...i like knowing what i have because i built it. i'm sorry if you don't see it the same way...

Josh

oh, and about the numbers...they DO match...the VIN doesn't tell you if it's an RS or not

 

I was summarizing your multiple posts regarding matching numbers, all original and a BONAFIFED RS. The rims, exhaust, GFX, taillights and paint tell you that it's not all original. I undrestand you jumped the gun, but it seems there was alot about this car that you didn't know before buying it. Sounds very risky to me.

Regarding the $7k in repairs, to each his own. If you like fixing things, then great. I just don't understand how people can spend $10k over a couple years fixing things up but can't afford that same $10k over the same couple years by making payments. For the $6500 I mentioned, you could get an IROC-Z with a 350 in better shape and probably require alot less work up front. That's what I was referring to. And you can enjoy it the day you get it home! Good luck with fixing the car. You have your work cut out for you.

 

i totally agree...but the issue with that is, i couldn't FIND a nice IROC with
L98 that someone would finance to me. this, as it was, was $200...which wasn't a bad price. i know i have my work cut out for me, but i'm prepared for the trip. you talk about paying 10k in payments VS. 7k in work...well, that's where the saying "built, not bought" comes from. i prefer to build mine...but i understand where you're coming from

Josh

 

haha that spot looks pretty mickeymoused...probably should go to a junkyard and cut out a replacement patch for that tank filler. trying to pull it out might be hard cuz of the shape of the hole will make the flat plate of steel stronger and harder to pull. and by the look of your passenger door it looks like your got some wavyness too. deff an awesome project for learning and showing off skilz.

and about those numbers...take your VIN to a dealership and have them print off your RPO codes...they had a program on here to look it up but it got deleted. the RPO code will tell you if its a Z28, IROC-Z or an RS

 

i already ran the RPOs...it's a Sport Coupe...but thanks for the help...

Josh