Well, it's been a while since I've had a fun car to play around with and wrench on and the thought has really been calling me lately. My son is 12 now and even though I was never really a hardcore wrench, it might be nice to have some small project for him to help me with and use to teach him. I think I am waxing nostalgic because third gen F-bodies have really,really been calling me now that GMC Syclones have moved out of my price range. I'm particularly hung up on '87-'90 Firebird Formulas though 3rd gen prices are climbing now too for a nice one.
Not that any of these will still be for sale when I am ready to buy in a couple of months but from this sampling, what would you lean toward if you were me?
A) 1988 Formula LB9 TPI 305, 5-speed. Super clean, all original and 40k miles for $13k. Hard top. Plus: original and super clean, rear disc brakes. Minus: original and super clean. I'm sure I would want to mod it but might be hesitant to do so.
B) 1989 Formula 305, auto. Very clean, original w/ 50k miles but with 430 rwhp 383 stroker for $11k. T-Top. Plus: Very clean and already has a stroker motor. Minus: Rear drum brakes. Needs to be imported from Canada.
C) 1990 Formula L03 TBI 305, auto. Clean inside and out w/ 105k miles and L03 switched to carb for $9k. T-Top. Plus: cheaper and not original so candidate for LS swap. Minus: Rear drum brakes. Not as clean as the other Formulas on this list.
D) 1987 Firebird Formula L03 TBI 305, auto. Very clean, original w/ 55k miles for $11k. Hard top. Plus: Very clean and original. Minus: Very clean and original. Rear drum brakes. Would be buying sight unseen and having shipped.
E) 1986 Camaro. Clean but not spotless w/ 280k on body for $12k. 2 owner car, current owner has had it since 1996. LQ9 (100k miles) swap w/ LS1 intake, hot cam and TKO-600 5 speed. Hard top. Plus: clean but not original, already LS swapped. Appears to have used high end swap parts. Minus: Probably buying sight unseen and having shipped. That or taking a flight to check it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=9eSEC-BeK4w
For the Formulas, A-C are red, D is black. Even though I really want a formula, I am a bit fascinated by the Camaro since it is already LS swapped. The guy did it all himself and seemed to do a nice job and used a lot of high LS conversion parts, though the engine itself is a high mileage junkyard motor. I am leaning towards A or B if they are still available when I am ready. At the end of the day, availability may help me decide. I am still a couple of months away from being ready to buy so who knows what of these will be sold or what else comes on the market. I guess the question isn't so much about these specific cars but more about original vs. modded to various levels because whatever I buy is going to be clean and hopefully rust free.
What do you think?
Edit 1: Forgot to mention: A and D are from reputable classic car dealers. C is from a used car dealership. B and E are from private sellers.
Edit 2: Added asking price of car E.
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