The new found popularity of 2nd-gen F-Bodies...

[CamaroPat]

What do you guys think of the explosion in popularity that 2nd-gen (1970-81) Camaros and Firebirds are currently experiencing? Will they become common and run of the mill like 1st-gen Camaros? Will this spike in demand drive the price higher than is justified? Is increased popularity of any car still beneficial for our hobby and this industry in general? What do you guys think?

[skatinjay27]

Originally Posted by CamaroPat

What do you guys think of the explosion in popularity that 2nd-gen (1970-81) Camaros and Firebirds are currently experiencing? Will they become common and run of the mill like 1st-gen Camaros? Will this spike in demand drive the price higher than is justified? Is increased popularity of any car still beneficial for our hobby and this industry in general? What do you guys think?

1970-73s are becoming more popular and "could" brush the popularity #s of 1st gens but i really doubt 74-81s will...

[Spiffav8]

There will always be some interest in every gen and from time to time we will see a spike in one era or another. It just depends on which generation is building the car.

I do agree with Aj on the 2nd gens in that 70-73 will rule that generation of Camaro.

[fleetus macmullitz]

I'm looking for a '69 Camaro to build, but IMO a real '70-73 Trans-Am is badder than any original Camaro and even most modded Camaros.

What else is there to do on those cars besides wheels and tires?

Pontiac simply nailed it.

[Ummgawa]

I'll have to take some folk to task on the 74 Camaro. Very unique in that it had the the 70-73 rear window treatment and a lot of one off stuff like true dual exaust and a corvette engine(L-82) in the Z-28.

[takid455]

2nd gens have been on the rise for some time now. I used to pick up runners for 500, now garbage is 1500. I will state that the 70-73 body style is in demand as with the 77/78 style not far behind. the later years way surpass the early years in production, so their prices will be lower. this is for the firebirds. I am not too informed on the sister f body.

[Desert68]

Originally Posted by Ummgawa

I'll have to take some folk to task on the 74 Camaro. Very unique in that it had the the 70-73 rear window treatment and a lot of one off stuff like true dual exaust and a corvette engine(L-82) in the Z-28.

And the '74 Firebird as well. Clean front ends, same rear window as the earlier ones. The Formulas have clean lines.

[COYBILT]

Originally Posted by WaterCooledNelds

I'm looking for a '69 Camaro to build, but IMO a real '70-73 Trans-Am is badder than any original Camaro and even most modded Camaros.

What else is there to do on those cars besides wheels and tires?

Pontiac simply nailed it.

I love the camaro's, but the 70-73 trans am was just a beautiful car. I have always wanted one since I was a young boy.

I can see the second gens taking off, well they sorta have any way. To give you a example, I could have picked up a 1972 trans am for 3500 8 years ago. The car looked like it was only 12 years old cosmeticly. It boasted a 455/4 speed and 8 track. I couldn't touch one of these trans am's, so original and virgin like this one now for less then 10-15 grand easy. I miss that car and wish I could have bought it I would still have it if that were the case.

I will say this though, after driving one of the late 70's trans am's I am glad I bought my 65 GTO.
The second gens have a lot of plastic and extremely heavy doors.

[fleetus macmullitz]

Originally Posted by pontiac65

I will say this though, after driving one of the late 70's trans am's I am glad I bought my 65 GTO. The second gens have a lot of plastic and extremely heavy doors.

Agreed.

I had a '74 455 T/A and hated how heavy the doors were on that thing.

[CamaroPat]

You guys are hitting the nail on the head. A few years back I thought the doors were so heavy just because of the size. I've been around some earlier F-bodies and what a difference! I'm going to replace the hinges on my '81 this summer and it looks like somebody already has. If my doors weren't in such good shape, I'd replace them. I have yet to see a '74-'81 F-body with original doors and hinges that don't sag. On the subject of fiberglass and urethane, fiberglass noses and rear bumper covers are available, you just have to look a bit. The rear bumpers (in fiberglass) seem to always include the tail panel and I don't know what effect that will have on structural integrity. My paint looks great everywhere but on the bumpers and where one fender was hit. The nose probably won't look perfect no matter what I do to counteract the sagging (filler I guess?) and there isn't a flex agent on the market that'll keep the paint intact for any lengthy amount of time.