# Could I Turn a 1974 Camaro Into a 1969 Camaro? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 8, 2010, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-turn-a-1974-camaro-into-a-1969-camaro/535351 "2010-04-08T00:19:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2010, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-turn-a-1974-camaro-into-a-1969-camaro/535351/1 "2010-04-08T00:19:29Z")
I always liked the look of the 1969 Chevy Camaro. I would love to have one, but they are going for $20,000 and up. My question: are the 1970’s models built on the same platform? If this is so, could I just switch the body panels (to the earlier style)? I don’t understand why Chevy changed the styling in 1970-I hate the look of the 1970’s front end. Or should I just buy a used 2010 Camaro? ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2010, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-turn-a-1974-camaro-into-a-1969-camaro/535351/2 "2010-04-08T00:47:38Z")
You can do whatever you want to. If you want to make your Camaro look like the Batmobile your only obstacle is money and time. However, if you try to sell your 1974 Camaro as a 1969 Camaro you are guilty of fraud, and most people in the market for those sorts of cars (pricey as they are) will sniff that fraud out very quickly. It’s not just the body style that changes, features are added and subtracted from year to year and a student of the model would know it right away. The VIN would give it away as well, as the model year is encoded on it. Personally, I think that if your Camaro is in good shape you should sell it as stock and roll it over to get yourself the 1969 Camaro you really want. Once you start messing with it (unless it’s a full-up restoration) its value is considerably reduced. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2010, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-turn-a-1974-camaro-into-a-1969-camaro/535351/3 "2010-04-08T00:48:10Z")
You probably could (heck, there’s people who build new ones from scratch using reproduction parts), but it’s probably not going to just be a matter of unbolting the old and bolting on the new. It might be doable if you’re handy with a welder, but otherwise you’ll probably spend close to what you’d pay for a genuine one, and you’ll end up with a car that’s not worth much more than a '74 Camaro (or possibly even less). ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2010, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-turn-a-1974-camaro-into-a-1969-camaro/535351/4 "2010-04-08T01:58:33Z")
Why do I hear a Johnny Cash song playing in my head? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2010, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-turn-a-1974-camaro-into-a-1969-camaro/535351/5 "2010-04-08T02:31:38Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Why do I hear a Johnny Cash song playing in my head? Because it was either that or the Dead Milkmen? ---
**Author:** ![ironbender](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ba8739/32.png) [@ironbender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ironbender)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2010, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-turn-a-1974-camaro-into-a-1969-camaro/535351/6 "2010-04-08T02:44:14Z")
No different platforms. All '70-'81 Camaros are known as the second generation. The '70-'73 were very good looking cars, better looking than the '67-'69, IMHO. It was not until '74, when the goverment stepped in, that the car started to get somewhat ugly. The 5 mph bumpers were just grafted onto the car. '67 and '68’s look kind like the '69, and they are the same platform. ---
**Author:** ![zwede](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ac91a4/32.png) [@zwede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwede)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2010, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-turn-a-1974-camaro-into-a-1969-camaro/535351/7 "2010-04-08T14:58:06Z")
I disagree with previous posters. It is not possible for the simple reason that both the 1st generation (67-69) as well as the 2nd generation (70-81) Camaro are unit-body from the firewall and back. So the entire body from the firewall and back is a one-piece shell. There is no frame except the front section holding the engine and front suspension. Therefore it is not possible to bolt 69 Camaro fenders/doors etc onto a 70-81 car. You would have to replace the entire shell at which point it would be a 69 Camaro, not a converted car anymore. The front subframes are also radically different. For instance, the 1st gen had rear steer (steering linkage behind wheels), 2nd gen was front steer. So steering boxes are different as is the steering column and suspension. Now you could convert a 74 Camaro to the 70-73 style, although it would be quite expensive. The front sheet metal is bolt on, but the entire taillight panel and quarter panels are different and are all welded. But it is possible with enough time & money. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-turn-a-1974-camaro-into-a-1969-camaro/535351/8 "2010-04-08T21:05:52Z")
What is possible, and a great idea, is to find a 4th generation Camaro donor car, buy new '69 Camaro body panels which are all available, and build a ‘new’ '69 with a modern LS1 engine and 4th generation running gear and interior. Resto Rides in Utah has been doing this for a few years, don’t know if they still are. Article here: [http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/tech/chassis/completebuilds/0606ch\_2002\_chevy\_camaro\_body\_kit\_install/index.html](http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/tech/chassis/completebuilds/0606ch_2002_chevy_camaro_body_kit_install/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-turn-a-1974-camaro-into-a-1969-camaro/535351/9 "2010-04-09T16:15:27Z")
I agree with **zwede**. Different unibodies = impractical to convert. ---
**Author:** ![SanDiegoTim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-turn-a-1974-camaro-into-a-1969-camaro/535351/10 "2010-04-10T00:16:47Z")
Yes, very impractical for a myriad of reasons. Far too many to list. Unfortunately you’ve got good/expensive taste in classic cars. The '69 Camaros are very popular. Actually any Camaro '72 and older commands good money. However, if you are longing for a nostalgic ride, many nice cars are available in the $10K range. If you live in “smog” state like California you need to be careful. Lastly, if you plan on using a classic for daily transportation…don’t. They require constant attention. As you noted, you might be better off with a new Camaro or Mustang. Both are great cars and reasonably priced as well. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-turn-a-1974-camaro-into-a-1969-camaro/535351/11 "2010-04-10T00:30:53Z")
I had a '74 Camaro. Damn heavy. Damn fast. Damn cool. I liked the sweptback headlight openings (as opposed to the MIG jet intake style) and the wrap around rear window. The bumpers were not as cool as the '71 my friend had. I had a '74 Duster, too. 340. Ran thru rear tires faster than I did girlfriends. What was the thread about again? ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-turn-a-1974-camaro-into-a-1969-camaro/535351/12 "2010-04-10T00:39:35Z")
> **[1974 Camaro data - Statistics, facts, decoding, figures & reference...](https://www.nastyz28.com/camaro/camaro74.php)** > > 1974 Camaro Statistics, facts, decoding, figures & reference information for the 1974 Camaro. cool site ---
**Author:** ![zwede](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ac91a4/32.png) [@zwede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwede)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-turn-a-1974-camaro-into-a-1969-camaro/535351/13 "2010-04-10T01:35:33Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > I had a '74 Camaro. > > Damn heavy. Damn fast. Damn cool. I liked the sweptback headlight openings (as opposed to the MIG jet intake style) and the wrap around rear window. Wrap around window wasn’t introduced until 1975… My first car was a '75 Camaro. They’re good cars. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-turn-a-1974-camaro-into-a-1969-camaro/535351/14 "2010-04-10T02:30:14Z")
Yeah, I mis-hind-sighted that bit incorrectly. Been a long time since I owned that car. Still a cool car. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-turn-a-1974-camaro-into-a-1969-camaro/535351/15 "2010-04-10T05:49:34Z")
Former owner of '73 and '76 Camaros\* here. They were totally different from the '69s. I don’t think there is any way short of massive bucks to convert one of them to a '69. \*Both totalled by unlicensed, uninsured, assholes. Grrrr. My '73 was awesome. 350 four-barrel, headers, glass-packs - loud as shit when I punched it. It could smoke the tires through two of the three gears in the auto transmission. The '76 was a 305 two-barrel, and a huge disappointment. How can you not beat 20 mpg with something like this? ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-turn-a-1974-camaro-into-a-1969-camaro/535351/16 "2010-04-10T05:58:19Z")
Former owner of '73 and '76 Camaros\* here. They were totally different from the '69s. I don’t think there is any way short of massive bucks to convert one of them to a '69. \*Both totalled by unlicensed, uninsured, assholes. Grrrr. My '73 was awesome. 350 four-barrel, headers, glass-packs - loud as shit when I punched it. It could smoke the tires through two of the three gears in the auto transmission. The '76 was a 305 two-barrel, and a huge disappointment. How can you not beat 20 mpg with something like this? ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-turn-a-1974-camaro-into-a-1969-camaro/535351/17 "2010-04-10T05:59:21Z")
frakking hamsters!