[Palutz]

Found this on YouTube on the history of the ZL1 … I think the 69 Camaro has to be the dream car for us Camaro enthusiasts.

https://youtu.be/5lelx4jma_k

[LT4Greg]

Yep I remember them when they came out in 1969 and wish I had one!

[USAFS197]

I know I'm not your typical car enthusiast but, the only way I'd ever take an older Camaro, is if it were a resto-mod. If folks want to keep it a pure vehicle, keep it away from me. Lol. 110% I will make it a resto-mod. Really, that's the way I feel about classics in general. I like them to a limited degree but, if it were in my hands, absolutely no way would I keep it original.

[radz28]

Originally Posted by USAFS197

I know I'm not your typical car enthusiast but, the only way I'd ever take an older Camaro, is if it were a resto-mod. If folks want to keep it a pure vehicle, keep it away from me. Lol. 110% I will make it a resto-mod. Really, that's the way I feel about classics in general. I like them to a limited degree but, if it were in my hands, absolutely no way would I keep it original.

+1

All that stuff drove like garbage compared to nowadays. I LOVE that era, too. But - to get anywhere near the power we have now, required literal race gas, and it was a PITA to start in the cold, and you'd have to lash the valves all the time. Purity is fine, but oil changes are as fun as they used to be for me, and as much as I'd like to pretend those cars were the bombdiggity - I'd be lying to myself.

The closest I'd get to touching one of those cars would be it would have to have EFI, probably would go mansmission, a full chassis/frame conversion (e.g. Roadster Shop-type), with power windows and AC. I probably wouldn't want my current power on account of traction, but after I pay for all of that, I'd end up paying what I have now. I could accept an argument that my car doesn't have the personality of an original/resto-mod, but I could swap tires and literally drive on most any paved road anytime of the year. It wouldn't be half the car I have now, but original ZL1s were not made for the street anyways.

[Revalot]

The reason some guy's stay orginal is because they were high school age when these cars cane out, there parents or them could not afford those cars. So they buy them to bring back memories and far fill those child hood wishes, I graduated in 1988 only a few rich kids had the camaro Iroc's or a 5.0 I would love to have a Iroc-Z even if it's really a low hp piece of history. Now my 72 chevelle is heading the protouring direction etc. I see kids all the time, and the 1st comment is your ZL1/1LE is my dream car. They will have it some day, maybe not mine, but someone's.

[ZLRob]

I agree with you guys line of thinking here. I would never own a vintage car unless it was a full resto mod vehicle that has been overhauled from top to bottom, that includes a full replacement of the engine/ transmission combo (LS/LT motor with an appropriate transmission mated to it) because the tech of yesteryear simply doesn't hold a candle to the capabilities of modern tech. It's just simple fact that today's modern chassis/ suspension/ and engine designs are done in such a way where when done correctly take the most advantage of the vehicles aerodynamic, speed, and durability capabilities.

Do I love seeing old schools with multiple barrel carbs, or cog style old school blowers with the flaps protruding above the hood? Hell yeah I do, but they are from a different era which require a special level of care that are not as end user friendly as modern day stuff.

This is all just my opinion, but I have messed with vintage stuff before and in my opinion it's a serious pain in the ass to deal with.

[sactownbwoy]

Originally Posted by Revalot

The reason some guy's stay orginal is because they were high school age when these cars cane out, there parents or them could not afford those cars. So they buy them to bring back memories and far fill those child hood wishes, I graduated in 1988 only a few rich kids had the camaro Iroc's or a 5.0 I would love to have a Iroc-Z even if it's really a low hp piece of history. Now my 72 chevelle is heading the protouring direction etc. I see kids all the time, and the 1st comment is your ZL1/1LE is my dream car. They will have it some day, maybe not mine, but someone's.

Some of my older cousins had the 5.0s when I was growing up. My younger brother recently had one, took it to Germany with him and back (he's in the Air Force). He got rid of it because it was too much to try to maintain it as original.


I would totally go with a resto-mod if I got an older car. I like the body styles and that is about all. I would want all the modern mechanical goodies.

[Revalot]

Here's some trivia for you guys, Did you know that ZL1 option was a corvette thing 1st ?

[KSZLE]

Originally Posted by Revalot

Here's some trivia for you guys, Did you know that ZL1 option was a corvette thing 1st ?

two built. I would rather have an L-88.

[LT4Greg]

Yeah me too! Those L88 Corvettes were beasts!

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by USAFS197

I know I'm not your typical car enthusiast but, the only way I'd ever take an older Camaro, is if it were a resto-mod. If folks want to keep it a pure vehicle, keep it away from me. Lol. 110% I will make it a resto-mod. Really, that's the way I feel about classics in general. I like them to a limited degree but, if it were in my hands, absolutely no way would I keep it original.

I'm there with you 99%. I tell people if I were to restore a classic car it would be a resto-mod - classic body/interior, modern powertrain. Something like the '66 Stingray with with an LT5 below. However, should I ever have the rare opportunity to afford and buy a 1969 Camaro ZL1, that car would absolutely stay as original as possible.

[ariZona28]

To each his own but I for one am SICK of the restomod fad. It was kinda cool at first but now that shit is getting old. Take a cool old car, throw in a modern performance engine, dress up the interior like an Italian leather sofa and then throw on some oversized ugly wheels with skinny rubber band tires. If I have an old car for a hobby toy I want it to still retain the cantankerous personality traits that made it so unique. It's very rewarding to trouble shoot and turn wrenches old school style. I have both old and new muscle and they all are extremely fun but in different ways. As to the aforementioned ZL1,probably one of THE COOLEST muscle cars ever built!

[pauly1119]

Originally Posted by USAFS197

I know I'm not your typical car enthusiast but, the only way I'd ever take an older Camaro, is if it were a resto-mod. If folks want to keep it a pure vehicle, keep it away from me. Lol. 110% I will make it a resto-mod. Really, that's the way I feel about classics in general. I like them to a limited degree but, if it were in my hands, absolutely no way would I keep it original.

I have owned a 67 and 69 Camaro and absolutely agree. I 100 percent know where the purist passion comes from because I had it years back to keep these cars original. I’ve had several classic cars over the years but I’m 100 percent done with them. I like cold air, comfortable seats, dependable, fast performance cars and todays modern cars have it all. I agree if I had a ton of extra cash I would get one that has all the modern amenities and that’s the only way.

[radz28]

If I recall, ZL-1s had different heads, pistons, rods, cams, and were pretty much different engines than L88s. The exhaust ports were round on ZL-1s, the rods had bigger bolts, and some other details I don't quite recall. I have an old busted-up Hot Rod from when they were introduced that features ZL-1. It was a BEAST.