Need advice about which classic car to buy

[Leaferburger]

I need your wisdom and expertise please. My older son will begin to drive in about 2 years. At that point I want to buy a classic American car. I am considering, in order of the body styles I prefer:

67-69 Firebird convertible
68-73 Corvette convertible
67-69 Camaro convertible

What I am hoping to find out from you are some practical considerations about these models. Thanks in advance for your help.

[Oldcar_Mechanic]

Go with the one that excites you the most.

You don't say if you are looking to find a completed car that is a turn key or something to fix up.

They all have a good following. Go with your gut.

Ron

[Leaferburger]

Thanks for your input. I am looking to buy a fully restored turn key car. The Corvette excites me a bit more but the Firebird seems a bit more practical for a car I plan to drive on a daily basis.

[barry2952]

Having owned a 3 year-old Firebird in '71 I can tell you that they are rust buckets. Watch out for shoddy workmanship in rear wheel wells and floor pans.

While cars of that nature are great in a straight line, they turn for crap. The brakes are nothing like modern cars, either.

Frankly, with antiquated systems like those cars had I sure wouldn't put my kid behind the wheel of one until he has a lot more experience under his belt.

Get him a beater to learn on, instead of a prized restored car.

Just my $ .02

[Leaferburger]

Thanks for the input about turning and braking. That's the kind of input I am looking for. For clarification the classic car would be for me to drive. I plan to give my son the 2000 Jeep that I am currently driving once he is 16.

[barry2952]

There are a lot of things you can do to a 1st generation Firebird to make it drive nice. Radial tires with a new bushing kit for the front end works wonders. Be cautious though, these were essentially a unibody car with a sub-frame to carry the motor and front suspension. As a unibody, they are prone to structural rust.

The differences between the '67 and '68 Firebirds are quite small. The '67 has a badge on the bumper, no side markers, different antenna location and it has the highly desirable vent windows that were eliminated for '68.

If you have some money, look for a convertible. It's by far the most fun factor and has a much better potential for appreciation.

Remember, the only one that wins in a restoration is the next owner. Buy one completely and well done.

[Leaferburger]

The Corvette models I listed?

[barry2952]

Growing up in the Detroit area there's nothing special about them. They're everywhere. I call them belly-button cars.

Early Camaros and Firebirds are much rarer cars at gatherings.

Just my $ .02

[Oldcar_Mechanic]

Convertibles had more rust through then any of them. Make sure you look these over very well.

There's nothing on a classic that is like todays cars so there's nothing to discuss there. I have a 69 Olds Cutlass with 4 wheel drum brakes, NO power that stops as good as anything on the road. The engineering of today is far better then it was years ago but, it's all part of the fun of owning one.

Buuy what puts a smile on YOUR face. Drive it like you stole it and live the fun life. You only go around once, make yourself happy.

Ron