When does a rebuild change to a re-bodied Car?

[tyoneal]

Hello:

I know we spoke about this a bit a while back, but I wanted to get some additional input regarding this subject.

I've got a decent project car to work with, but recently I found a Z/28 for sale that needed to be completely rebuilt. (My project car actually ran, but was rusted a bit everywhere so a new set of skins will be needed for starters)

The Z/28 unfortunitely had sat outside for a number of years up north and basically needed a lot more work than the original car.

I plan on putting a new front and rear subframe under either car as to take advantage of the great technology now available.

There are clean titles on both of them. The Z/28 had fought a battle with rust valiantly, but had lost for the most part. The frame rails were in bad shape as well as all of the suspension and interior. The best parts of the car was the firewall, "A" pillar, most of the door jams and part of the roof. A bit of the internal bracing was usable as well.

The car that ran had had many parts of several 69 Camaro's swapped out, but was in considerably better shape.

I'm not sure if using a donor car for a rebuild would be a legitimate way to rebuild it, or if it would be considered a rebodied car.

I have many friends who rebuild Model A and T Fords. It is not uncommon for them to be in terrible shape. Swap meets, hand building parts and donor cars are often used to "Make" a complete car without having to go to a fiberglass body. Floors are replaced etc. You probably know the drill.

If the frame and body are capable of being legally titled, it is done so. Generally the number is on the frame of these cars. However, to make a good street rod, much of the frame is replaced and boxed.

Please give me some thoughts on this subject. I ABSOLUTELY don't want to break any laws, (I live in Texas if it makes a difference), But I also want to have an authentic Camaro, a HotRod Z/28 if possible. If I go to sell it, I want to be able to have a real car and not a "Rebodied" car.

In either case, a Dynacorn body is NOT an option and will not be used.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards,

tyoneal

[Derek69SS]

IMHO, if the original tags are still attached to the original firewall, the car is what it is... if the tags are swapped onto another firewall, it's a re-body. So, if you cut the firewall off the Z and weld it onto another car, I'd consider that a Z.

This gets complicated when a car is severely damaged in the front, and the firewall is caved in, but the rest of the body is saveable.

[tyoneal]

Derik:

Thanks for the feedback.

Is there anyone else that has specific or strong feelings on this subject that can share their thoughts?

What value would a Z/28 Body have over a standard bodied car for a protouring project?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks in advance.

Best Regards,

tyoneal

[67PTCAMARO]

If a car is done pro-touring why would I care if it is a Z28 or not. People change everything in the car to make it pro-touring and still brag about being it is a SS or Z28 or whatever. That was a Z28 35 years ago. Build a plain Jane Camaro pro-touring style and have your handling car pro-touring style what factory did it 35 years ago and called it Z28.
Thats my opinion. If I want a Z28 I would keep it original, if I want a good handling car I would pro-tour it and cal it that way.

[fladoans]

I bought a running plain jane camaro last year and am going the pro touring route. I bought it because the cowl tag was a true X11, but it was never an SS. I took the cowl tag off to smooth the firewall, and it will be put back on and noted as such. I also had to replace the dash, but I cut out the VIN plate and welded it to the new dash. I have replaced almost every piece of sheetmetal on the car.

But I do not consider this car rebodied! I have done what almost everyone else who has a 36 year old car has done and that is replace rusted sheetmetal. Maybe some replace it over time, I just replaced it all at once. But it's still not rebodied - it's restored!

[tyoneal]

My thoughts on it were:

I will badge it as a Z/28 after the full Pro-touring upgrades have been done to it.

Since the drivetrain and suspension was gone many years ago, upgrading it is no big deal. However, if it wasn't a Z/28 at one time, I would not want to mark it as such. Technically at worst it's still a NOM Z/28, right, or would that imply a DZ 302 Engine etc. inside it? It's got to be better than a "clone, memorial or commemerative etc.

There were only 22,XXX Z/28 body's made in 1969. If I had a choice between two cars equally equiped, I would ALWAYS choose the Z/28 Body over any other type.

Wouldn't you'all?

So if I have this right, as long as the dash VIN and the firewall ID are on the original Firewall, then you aren't creating something that could be considered deceptive.

I just don't want to start an expensive project and once finished have a bad cloud on me or my car.

Anyone else?

Thanks,

Ty O'Neal

My project Car will be called, "Fever".