Few car enthusiasts can resist the lure of a restored Chevrolet Camaro.
 The Z28 is one of the most recognizable names in Chevrolet history |
From the late 1960s through 2003 Chevrolet engineers provided four generations of these performance cars destined to become classics. Camaros were (and continue to be) a blast to drive anywhere-from the grocery store to the drag strip.
Restoring a Camaro requires knowledge, some mechanical ability, time, effort, and lots of patience.
A good way to start is to get advice from other Camaro enthusiasts and club members.
Manuals and restoration handbooks provide original specifications and step-by-step instructions. One long-time car restorer, Jim Richardson, provides these tips to help minimize problems:
- Buy the right car- consider your budget, the car's condition, and your skills
- Decide how the restored car will be used- for driving pleasure or investment
- Set up a shop- at least a well-lighted and ventilated two-car garage space
- Do a little at a time- break the project up into sub-projects
- Do the mechanical first- don't let surprises under the hood undo paint, trim, and interior work
- Take lots of pictures- a good way to remember details and share the experience
 This 1968 SS396 still turns heads today |
Whether for investment or pleasure, time spent restoring a Camaro is time well spent. There is nothing like driving down the street in a car you restored. It's fun and satisfying, well worth all the work and unforeseen things that happened during the restoration. It could also be a wise investment. A Camaro that sold for $2800 in 1967 sells for eight to ten times that amount today
Restoring automobiles is a hobby that will 'take you places.' For many enthusiasts that place might be to find a Camaro and start a restoration project.
 Typical V8 engine compartment layout |
Article by: St. Louis Public Library staff
