Topic: Yo Bethke and other muscle car enthusiasts

[JMM]

Any idea how a fully restored 69 Camaro RS goes for nowadays? My sis (original owner, my stepdad got her one when she graduated high school in 69) and brother in law are letting me bring it to Mexico in Aug when I return to take care of business. I already redid the subframe to perfection, the chrome was replated, the brake system is all new, I rebuilt the Muncie 4 spd tranny at school years ago, Hurst shifter, all I need to do is get it painted to perfection (no wrecks or dents ever) I also have to decide whether to go with the 327 engine like it had (original was stolen at school when I was learning auto tech), or go with a 383 stroker that is 400 h.p. I will be paying big bucks for the engine as I want aluminum as the iron was just too much weight up front when you did a tight turn at high speeds. The Mexicans here excel at interior work, and I can buy the original pattern kits from a company in Cali. Since it sat for years not being driven I will also have to order new floorboards and have the old ones cut out and have the new ones welded in and smoothed out before I install the new carpet kit.

NADA does not list antiques, so I'm curious as to the value, I do not want overspend beyond the value, but that is the strange thing, it goes up each year, and one person will pay way over value when they have GOT to have it. It will never be for sale though, after it is restored and I have my fun in it, I will give it back to family where it will retain one owner status. It is gold with the black interior and black and white checkerboard cloth seats.  

BTW, I also have some camel hump heads (iron, performance) for a 350 engine if anyone knows any buyers, I can get the numbers from my brother in law. I'm going all aluminum this time.  

[James_Smith]

Easiest way I find to check for values is to look at Ebay and Collector Car Trader and see how much they're going for. Last time I checked, an average condition '69 RS was going for a shade over $20k. A mint, unblemished and un-hotrodded RS wil probably be worth more than that however.

[JMM]

Thanks James! I'm not an e-bay person, heck, I did not even know they sold cars! This baby still has all original everything (hubcaps included) except for the engine, but oh well, who wants a low powered 327 when you can throw in a 3k high performance 383? They do have aluminum high performance 327's as well. My sis and bro in law still have the Saginaw 3 speed, but he was smart enough to buy a new Muncie 4 speed back in the day.   It had a two barrel carb, then he put a Quadrajet 4 barrel on it, but it was old, so I think an Edelbrock 4 barrel 650 cfm will do nice!    

[James_Smith]

Quote:
Thanks James! I'm not an e-bay person, heck, I did not even know they sold cars! This baby still has all original everything (hubcaps included) except for the engine, but oh well, who wants a low powered 327 when you can throw in a 3k high performance 383? They do have aluminum high performance 327's as well. My sis and bro in law still have the Saginaw 3 speed, but he was smart enough to buy a new Muncie 4 speed back in the day.   It had a two barrel carb, then he put a Quadrajet 4 barrel on it, but it was old, so I think an Edelbrock 4 barrel 650 cfm will do nice!    

The 383 plan sounds good. You say that you want to get the weight down a bit - guess this means you won't consider a 454ci big block then!  

Whatever you do, make sure the gearbox is tough enough to take the power of the motor. I know zip about Muncie 'boxes unfortunately.

[TB613]

 

Quote:
 Whatever you do, make sure the gearbox is tough enough to take the power of the motor. I know zip about Muncie 'boxes unfortunately.

Considering the vintage of the car and transmission it is probably the "Rock Crusher" which will handle more horsepower than he is likely to throw at it.  

[JMM]

If we did throw a big block engine in it, the mounts and other parts would have to be changed, and I already put enough work into the subframe and chassis years ago (I sandblasted it then treated it with a "stop rust" solution from DuPont, then primed it good and sanded it down, then ordered OEM black spray paint from a classic car company in Cali). The rear axle is done and on the car, the front wheels and brake system is done. All I have to do is get it to a good metalworker to repair the trunk area near the weatherstrip where it was eaten away over the years, then take out the interior to be redone, and while that is going on have that baby sanded down and primed and sealed, then have a killer paint job (Gold, like original) done then get it back to the house. The rest is easy, install the tranny and get the driveshaft hooked up (in college I was in such a hurry I forgot to mark the u-joints vs the driveshaft  ) so I may have to play with that as if it is not done like it was originally it affects driveshaft balance (can we say severe vibration?). Then install that brand new shiny engine and we already have a performance intake. I know nothing about carbs (I studied fuel injectors at school, and even have a cleaning kit that does just about EVERY vehicle on the road in my toolbox in Austin), but I'm sure some Mexican tech knows his stuff and will install and adjust it for me.

I'm drooling for the 383 myself, but it is 3k, I can afford it but it is the family's car, that side of the family inherited big bucks when my stepdad (I loved him so much, he was a good man even though he was a quiet country type), so I may ask him to pay half if we go the 383 option.

BTW, regarding the big blocks, my stepdad's brother sold cars for a Chevy dealer in Georgetown, Texas (30-40 minutes north of Austin) and my stepdad test drove many Camaros and got to keep each one for a few days just to really test them out. He had the Camaro with the aluminum (prototype) 427 engine! I regret that he did not buy as that was a special option for the Corvettes and Camaros back in the late 60's, and the cars cost more than a fully loaded Caddy at the time because of that motor. There were only a few hundred built with that option. He did not buy that one because it was going to be my sister's graduation gift, and he was afraid that she would wrap herself around a tree (back then in Texas drinking and driving was pretty much allowed). The value of those Vettes and Camaros with that aluminum 427 engine? You cannot price them, the sky is the limit. The company I ordered parts from (I believe it's Classic Industries in Cali) has various models on their showroom floor at the store, none are for sale, but I talked to a guy there whenever I had questions about what I needed to do or parts that I needed, and we talked about those cars, he told me they have one and people have offered more than a MILLION dollars for it! I love classic cars, they had "personality," but a million dollars is a million dollars!    

[JMM]

Any idea how a fully restored 69 Camaro RS goes for nowadays? My sis (original owner, my stepdad got her one when she graduated high school in 69) and brother in law are letting me bring it to Mexico in Aug when I return to take care of business. I already redid the subframe to perfection, the chrome was replated, the brake system is all new, I rebuilt the Muncie 4 spd tranny at school years ago, Hurst shifter, all I need to do is get it painted to perfection (no wrecks or dents ever) I also have to decide whether to go with the 327 engine like it had (original was stolen at school when I was learning auto tech), or go with a 383 stroker that is 400 h.p. I will be paying big bucks for the engine as I want aluminum as the iron was just too much weight up front when you did a tight turn at high speeds. The Mexicans here excel at interior work, and I can buy the original pattern kits from a company in Cali. Since it sat for years not being driven I will also have to order new floorboards and have the old ones cut out and have the new ones welded in and smoothed out before I install the new carpet kit.

NADA does not list antiques, so I'm curious as to the value, I do not want overspend beyond the value, but that is the strange thing, it goes up each year, and one person will pay way over value when they have GOT to have it. It will never be for sale though, after it is restored and I have my fun in it, I will give it back to family where it will retain one owner status. It is gold with the black interior and black and white checkerboard cloth seats.  

BTW, I also have some camel hump heads (iron, performance) for a 350 engine if anyone knows any buyers, I can get the numbers from my brother in law. I'm going all aluminum this time.  

[James_Smith]

Easiest way I find to check for values is to look at Ebay and Collector Car Trader and see how much they're going for. Last time I checked, an average condition '69 RS was going for a shade over $20k. A mint, unblemished and un-hotrodded RS wil probably be worth more than that however.

[JMM]

Thanks James! I'm not an e-bay person, heck, I did not even know they sold cars! This baby still has all original everything (hubcaps included) except for the engine, but oh well, who wants a low powered 327 when you can throw in a 3k high performance 383? They do have aluminum high performance 327's as well. My sis and bro in law still have the Saginaw 3 speed, but he was smart enough to buy a new Muncie 4 speed back in the day.   It had a two barrel carb, then he put a Quadrajet 4 barrel on it, but it was old, so I think an Edelbrock 4 barrel 650 cfm will do nice!    

[James_Smith]

Quote:
Thanks James! I'm not an e-bay person, heck, I did not even know they sold cars! This baby still has all original everything (hubcaps included) except for the engine, but oh well, who wants a low powered 327 when you can throw in a 3k high performance 383? They do have aluminum high performance 327's as well. My sis and bro in law still have the Saginaw 3 speed, but he was smart enough to buy a new Muncie 4 speed back in the day.   It had a two barrel carb, then he put a Quadrajet 4 barrel on it, but it was old, so I think an Edelbrock 4 barrel 650 cfm will do nice!    

The 383 plan sounds good. You say that you want to get the weight down a bit - guess this means you won't consider a 454ci big block then!  

Whatever you do, make sure the gearbox is tough enough to take the power of the motor. I know zip about Muncie 'boxes unfortunately.

[TB613]

 

Quote:
 Whatever you do, make sure the gearbox is tough enough to take the power of the motor. I know zip about Muncie 'boxes unfortunately.

Considering the vintage of the car and transmission it is probably the "Rock Crusher" which will handle more horsepower than he is likely to throw at it.  

[JMM]

If we did throw a big block engine in it, the mounts and other parts would have to be changed, and I already put enough work into the subframe and chassis years ago (I sandblasted it then treated it with a "stop rust" solution from DuPont, then primed it good and sanded it down, then ordered OEM black spray paint from a classic car company in Cali). The rear axle is done and on the car, the front wheels and brake system is done. All I have to do is get it to a good metalworker to repair the trunk area near the weatherstrip where it was eaten away over the years, then take out the interior to be redone, and while that is going on have that baby sanded down and primed and sealed, then have a killer paint job (Gold, like original) done then get it back to the house. The rest is easy, install the tranny and get the driveshaft hooked up (in college I was in such a hurry I forgot to mark the u-joints vs the driveshaft  ) so I may have to play with that as if it is not done like it was originally it affects driveshaft balance (can we say severe vibration?). Then install that brand new shiny engine and we already have a performance intake. I know nothing about carbs (I studied fuel injectors at school, and even have a cleaning kit that does just about EVERY vehicle on the road in my toolbox in Austin), but I'm sure some Mexican tech knows his stuff and will install and adjust it for me.

I'm drooling for the 383 myself, but it is 3k, I can afford it but it is the family's car, that side of the family inherited big bucks when my stepdad (I loved him so much, he was a good man even though he was a quiet country type), so I may ask him to pay half if we go the 383 option.

BTW, regarding the big blocks, my stepdad's brother sold cars for a Chevy dealer in Georgetown, Texas (30-40 minutes north of Austin) and my stepdad test drove many Camaros and got to keep each one for a few days just to really test them out. He had the Camaro with the aluminum (prototype) 427 engine! I regret that he did not buy as that was a special option for the Corvettes and Camaros back in the late 60's, and the cars cost more than a fully loaded Caddy at the time because of that motor. There were only a few hundred built with that option. He did not buy that one because it was going to be my sister's graduation gift, and he was afraid that she would wrap herself around a tree (back then in Texas drinking and driving was pretty much allowed). The value of those Vettes and Camaros with that aluminum 427 engine? You cannot price them, the sky is the limit. The company I ordered parts from (I believe it's Classic Industries in Cali) has various models on their showroom floor at the store, none are for sale, but I talked to a guy there whenever I had questions about what I needed to do or parts that I needed, and we talked about those cars, he told me they have one and people have offered more than a MILLION dollars for it! I love classic cars, they had "personality," but a million dollars is a million dollars!    

[JMM]

Any idea how a fully restored 69 Camaro RS goes for nowadays? My sis (original owner, my stepdad got her one when she graduated high school in 69) and brother in law are letting me bring it to Mexico in Aug when I return to take care of business. I already redid the subframe to perfection, the chrome was replated, the brake system is all new, I rebuilt the Muncie 4 spd tranny at school years ago, Hurst shifter, all I need to do is get it painted to perfection (no wrecks or dents ever) I also have to decide whether to go with the 327 engine like it had (original was stolen at school when I was learning auto tech), or go with a 383 stroker that is 400 h.p. I will be paying big bucks for the engine as I want aluminum as the iron was just too much weight up front when you did a tight turn at high speeds. The Mexicans here excel at interior work, and I can buy the original pattern kits from a company in Cali. Since it sat for years not being driven I will also have to order new floorboards and have the old ones cut out and have the new ones welded in and smoothed out before I install the new carpet kit.

NADA does not list antiques, so I'm curious as to the value, I do not want overspend beyond the value, but that is the strange thing, it goes up each year, and one person will pay way over value when they have GOT to have it. It will never be for sale though, after it is restored and I have my fun in it, I will give it back to family where it will retain one owner status. It is gold with the black interior and black and white checkerboard cloth seats.  

BTW, I also have some camel hump heads (iron, performance) for a 350 engine if anyone knows any buyers, I can get the numbers from my brother in law. I'm going all aluminum this time.  

[James_Smith]

Easiest way I find to check for values is to look at Ebay and Collector Car Trader and see how much they're going for. Last time I checked, an average condition '69 RS was going for a shade over $20k. A mint, unblemished and un-hotrodded RS wil probably be worth more than that however.

[JMM]

Thanks James! I'm not an e-bay person, heck, I did not even know they sold cars! This baby still has all original everything (hubcaps included) except for the engine, but oh well, who wants a low powered 327 when you can throw in a 3k high performance 383? They do have aluminum high performance 327's as well. My sis and bro in law still have the Saginaw 3 speed, but he was smart enough to buy a new Muncie 4 speed back in the day.   It had a two barrel carb, then he put a Quadrajet 4 barrel on it, but it was old, so I think an Edelbrock 4 barrel 650 cfm will do nice!    

[James_Smith]

Quote:
Thanks James! I'm not an e-bay person, heck, I did not even know they sold cars! This baby still has all original everything (hubcaps included) except for the engine, but oh well, who wants a low powered 327 when you can throw in a 3k high performance 383? They do have aluminum high performance 327's as well. My sis and bro in law still have the Saginaw 3 speed, but he was smart enough to buy a new Muncie 4 speed back in the day.   It had a two barrel carb, then he put a Quadrajet 4 barrel on it, but it was old, so I think an Edelbrock 4 barrel 650 cfm will do nice!    

The 383 plan sounds good. You say that you want to get the weight down a bit - guess this means you won't consider a 454ci big block then!  

Whatever you do, make sure the gearbox is tough enough to take the power of the motor. I know zip about Muncie 'boxes unfortunately.

[TB613]

 

Quote:
 Whatever you do, make sure the gearbox is tough enough to take the power of the motor. I know zip about Muncie 'boxes unfortunately.

Considering the vintage of the car and transmission it is probably the "Rock Crusher" which will handle more horsepower than he is likely to throw at it.  

[JMM]

If we did throw a big block engine in it, the mounts and other parts would have to be changed, and I already put enough work into the subframe and chassis years ago (I sandblasted it then treated it with a "stop rust" solution from DuPont, then primed it good and sanded it down, then ordered OEM black spray paint from a classic car company in Cali). The rear axle is done and on the car, the front wheels and brake system is done. All I have to do is get it to a good metalworker to repair the trunk area near the weatherstrip where it was eaten away over the years, then take out the interior to be redone, and while that is going on have that baby sanded down and primed and sealed, then have a killer paint job (Gold, like original) done then get it back to the house. The rest is easy, install the tranny and get the driveshaft hooked up (in college I was in such a hurry I forgot to mark the u-joints vs the driveshaft  ) so I may have to play with that as if it is not done like it was originally it affects driveshaft balance (can we say severe vibration?). Then install that brand new shiny engine and we already have a performance intake. I know nothing about carbs (I studied fuel injectors at school, and even have a cleaning kit that does just about EVERY vehicle on the road in my toolbox in Austin), but I'm sure some Mexican tech knows his stuff and will install and adjust it for me.

I'm drooling for the 383 myself, but it is 3k, I can afford it but it is the family's car, that side of the family inherited big bucks when my stepdad (I loved him so much, he was a good man even though he was a quiet country type), so I may ask him to pay half if we go the 383 option.

BTW, regarding the big blocks, my stepdad's brother sold cars for a Chevy dealer in Georgetown, Texas (30-40 minutes north of Austin) and my stepdad test drove many Camaros and got to keep each one for a few days just to really test them out. He had the Camaro with the aluminum (prototype) 427 engine! I regret that he did not buy as that was a special option for the Corvettes and Camaros back in the late 60's, and the cars cost more than a fully loaded Caddy at the time because of that motor. There were only a few hundred built with that option. He did not buy that one because it was going to be my sister's graduation gift, and he was afraid that she would wrap herself around a tree (back then in Texas drinking and driving was pretty much allowed). The value of those Vettes and Camaros with that aluminum 427 engine? You cannot price them, the sky is the limit. The company I ordered parts from (I believe it's Classic Industries in Cali) has various models on their showroom floor at the store, none are for sale, but I talked to a guy there whenever I had questions about what I needed to do or parts that I needed, and we talked about those cars, he told me they have one and people have offered more than a MILLION dollars for it! I love classic cars, they had "personality," but a million dollars is a million dollars!