Did you have a first gen back in the day?

[Danial]

I was too poor to own a car in high school (late 70s) but everyone else seemed to have a Camaro, Nova, Firebird, Mopar or something of the kind.

What's hilarious (in a "yeah, ha ha" sort of way) is that I am too poor to own a 60s Camaro now. I am so thankful that GM brought the best Camaro style back with modern tech. I bought mine from a car lot and it didn't break the bank and we all know the superior features of these cars over the 60s version.

[FasNuf]

My thoughts too. Always wanted a 69 but with all the modern engine and suspension. I basically have that in my Gen 5.

[mikeman]

I think it depends on how old you are. Some 1st gens were already becoming collectible in the late '70's and early '80's especially the big block SS models and Z28's. If you are an old baby boomer, you might remember owning one back in the day. By the time the generation after arrived (X'ers?), they were already too collectible to own for just a daily driver hot rod.

[Spocktwin]

My father gave me his '69 SS when I turned 18 (1978) I kept it through college and rebuilt it from the ground up in the mid 80's. I got an offer to trade it for a 427 jet drive boat and cash. I did it. When my Dad found out what i did he said I would regret that day for the rest of my life. Dad you were not only wise but but a prophet. I love my 5th gen and they will get this one out of my cold dead hands.

[0stones0]

I had a 74 Nova SS. My brother, on the other hand, owned 3 Camaros. A 69, 70, and 74, if I remember correctly. 69 was an RS and the last 2 were Z28’s. Only has the pics of them now....sigh.

[X77-69z28]

I still have mine. I bought my 69 Z in 78 for 3k, which was a lot of money for a 22 year old college dropout making 10k a year!

[MeanV8]

I wanted one but never was at the right place in my life to get it.

Dan

[Vegas Bound]

My first car. 1967 RS Camaro. Purchased in 1977. It was originally Ermine White, had a straight six, powerglide and 2.73 10 bolt. Power nothing. 4 wheel drum brakes.



But my family owned a garage and that lasted just a few months. Dropped a badass 4 bolt 350 (408), TH350 and 4.88 12 bolt in it and painted it a custom metallic red.


I completed ruined that car. Should have left it bone stock. But I was young and dumb. Live and learn.

[CamaroBarb]

68 Camaro was my 1st car in 71, quite a car. Someone I know put a 440 magnum in a 68 Camaro, 480 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm nothing could touch it not even the cop cars. Back then there was some radical cop cars running around.

I heard later the 440 Camaro went air borne cops chasing him and crashed badly.

[fz4k98]

When I was 17 I bought a 67 camaro that came from the factory with a 6 cyl and 3 speed column shift. When I bought it there was a 283 in it. I lost my license from too many tickets and in my infinite 17 year old wisdom decided to put a big block and 4 speed in it while waiting to get my license back.
It was a beater and I enjoyed it for about 3 years.

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

Originally Posted by X77-69z28

I still have mine. I bought my 69 Z in 78 for 3k, which was a lot of money for a 22 year old college dropout making 10k a year!

These are the kinds of stories I personally love to hear. I think it’s pretty damn cool you’ve hung on to it all these years. I’m only 31 so I never had even a remote chance to afford a decent 1st gen but I will keep my 5th until I’m old I grey. In the other side of my life I’m into the 67-72 Chevy trucks and I love hearing from the original owners of those trucks who bought them new and still have them. Fascinating.

[Danial]

Originally Posted by mikeman

I think it depends on how old you are. Some 1st gens were already becoming collectible in the late '70's and early '80's especially the big block SS models and Z28's. If you are an old baby boomer, you might remember owning one back in the day. By the time the generation after arrived (X'ers?), they were already too collectible to own for just a daily driver hot rod.

I grew up in the 70s. Every kid I knew in high school had a Camaro or Firebird or some other muscle car or truck (lots of trucks too, in Oregon). No one considered them even remotely "collectible". The running joke was if a kid paid more than $1000 for his car he paid way too much. For two summers in a row, a guy tried selling his 58 Vette on the street corner near the school for $3K. No joke.

[Danial]

Originally Posted by Aqua Blue RS/SS

These are the kinds of stories I personally love to hear. I think it’s pretty damn cool you’ve hung on to it all these years. I’m only 31 so I never had even a remote chance to afford a decent 1st gen but I will keep my 5th until I’m old I grey. In the other side of my life I’m into the 67-72 Chevy trucks and I love hearing from the original owners of those trucks who bought them new and still have them. Fascinating.

I do too. I have a lady friend my age (56) who still has the 67 Camaro her dad bought her for her 16th birthday. Runs good but otherwise needs a lot of help. But still very cool.

[pyroguy]

They were far too collectable in 2001 when I started driving. One day I'll own one, but not yet.