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Stalled Project: 1973 Chevrolet Camaro

My first true cool car was a 1973 Camaro. Unfortunately, it was all I could afford in 1980 and $900 didn’t buy much, so the car had lots of problems. This 1973 Camaro is for sale on Facebook Marketplace for $5,250 in Georgetown, Texas and appears to be a stalled ground-up restoration. It looks like a lot of the difficult work has already been done, so it might just be worth finishing.

This iconic body has been media blasted but comes with no drivetrain or interior. There are a number of interior parts promised that come with the car. The car has a new cowl, floor pans, trunk floor, rear panel and drivers fender plus 4 doors, 3 trunk lids, 2 hoods.

Chevrolet sold 96,751 Camaros in 1973 which was an impressive number compared to the previous strike-shortened year of 1972. The 1973 front end changed modestly to incorporate the mandated 5-mph impact-absorbing front bumper system.

Due to emissions standards, horsepower was down in 1973.  This car has SS badging, however, I believe that the Super Sport package was dropped for 1973 along with the big block 396 cubic inch V8. The largest displacement engine was a 245 horsepower 350 cubic inch V8. This paled in size compared to the Pontiac Trans Am that offered two different 455 cubic inch engines in 1973 (the 250 hp Y code 455 and 290 hp Super Duty 455).

This project still has a long way to go but the foundation is all there to build a modified or stock Camaro. So, which would it be for you?

Comments

  1. Avatar Gaspumpchas

    You could make a 72 out of this, pre smog, pre bumper. Get yer own mill and tranny.. Put split bumpers etc back on it. If you have a rust bucket and need a fresh start this might be the way to go. Of course you would need to look at it real close and see if it was done properly, Primer hides a load of sins. Good luck, might be right up your alley!!
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 4
  2. Avatar jerry z

    I’d put a split bumper front end on the car. Nice clean slate to start making your own version of the ultimate Camaro!

    Like 2
  3. Avatar show73 Member

    Yes, the SS was dropped for the Type LT in 73. It is wearing a 70-71 grill.

    Like 3
  4. Avatar Classic Steel

    A future LS swap with a six speed manual .

    I would definitely make a split bumper out of this future beast …

    I would go Either jet black or hugger orange with black interior ,deep tinted windows , rear spoiler and old school cragars or black wide metal rims with dog dishes

    Like 5
    • Avatar Grandpa Lou

      No, I think the SS should stand for “Saucy Six!” That would be the best and most reliable engine for it, plus a conversation starter at all the shows. Heck, stir the pot a little, pop in Dodge Slant Six! Of course make it a 2bbl Super Six. see, the SS works even better there!

      Like 3
      • Avatar Arthell64

        I had a duster with a slant six and it was the crappiest no power engine I have ever owned. I installed a stock 318 and it greatly improved the Plymouth. I couldn’t even give the slant six away to the scrap yard it went.

        Like 3
      • Avatar Grandpa Lou

        @Arth1164, Power? Why the need for power? Are you a super hero? Every SS I have ever owned drove itself to the junkyard, and was only going there because the car around it rusted away. Best engine, ever!

        Like 3
  5. Avatar Little_Cars

    1973’s had bigger squares in the egg crate grille.

    My dad’s first new car as I was growing up (he’d had a few before me, not too many after this). His “new” 1973 was fraught with problems from the get-go. Boring dark green with a dark green gut, wheelcovers, no options but air, PS and PB. 350 engine. It was in the shop so often his salesman let him borrow his loaded LT with houndstooth interior and rally wheels…much better looking dressed out like that. Dad’s Camaro’s crankshaft went through the main bearing so the car was disposed of after this diagnosis by the dealership. His next car was a used 69 Firebird, OHC 6 and three speed. Loved that car.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Keruth

      Ya, I had one of those new, boat anchor 307 slush box, more of a Kelly green metallic over the green interior. Blew mufflers every time I lifted off the pedal, three of them under warranty ,IIRC.
      As soon as it was off warranty, Dad pulled an older 327 dizzy out and pinched off the air pump lines at the headers.
      Would finally get out of it’s own way, mileage went up, and I could bury the speedo w/o needing to be going downhill with a tail wind, LOL!
      And the bumpers didn’t change till ’75 I think.

      Like 1
      • Avatar JoeNYWF64

        The bumpers & front & rear end totally changed for ’74 model year camaro.
        Yet, if THIS front end met 5mph standards with a bigger bumper & beefier brackets, i guess chevy could have retained it thru ’81 & just add a bigger bumper to the same 4 round tailite rear for ’74 & later. Then again, driving an ’81 that pretty much looked like a ’70 mite tell the world your new ’81 car is 11 years old & you are broke. lol

        Like 0
  6. Avatar TimM

    Nice way to start off!! Straight body, no rust!!! Just need to be sure moldings and glass with the interior is there so it doesn’t nickel and dime you to death!!!!

    Like 0

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