GM F-Bodies – 1982-2002 – Can’t Miss Investments

April 6, 2009 · Posted in Uncategorized 

Can’t Miss Investments – Even in this Economy

GM F-Bodies 1982-2002 

As I recently stated during a seminar, and I continue to stress, we are in a buyer’s market. Given the market conditions, there are several cars that I forecast as “can’t miss investments.” These are vehicles which have hit their rock bottom price and have a tremendous opportunity to appreciate.  In this article I have chosen to look at the 3rd and 4th generation GM F-Bodies, better known as Camaros and Firebirds.

1982-1992 Chevrolet Camaro & Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am (a/k/a 3rd Generation F-Bodies)

These cars reached their bargain basement price structure during the first part of this century, good solid, low-mileage, well kept, examples trade anywhere from $3,000.00 to $8,000.00, with exceptional cars trading for much more.  While the 350cu optioned vehicles are always popular, the only way to get a 5spd manual transmission with a V8 engine was to order one of the 305cu engine offerings. 

·         Camaros poised to appreciate:

o   1982 Camaro Indianapolis 500 Pace Car replica

o   1983-1986 RPO L69 High Output 305cu 4bbl 190hp (especially rare, at least in decent condition is the 1983 variety, considering its late introduction)

o   1985-1990 IROC Camaros

o   1987-1992 convertibles

o   1989-1992 1LE Camaros (basically showroom ready SCCA prepared racers usually very sparsely equipped)

§  Of particular desirability is a 1992 1LE Camaro optioned with luxury or appearance options, such as a deluxe leather interior or the RPO Z03 Heritage Package – Extremely Rare

o   1991-1992 B4C Camaros (similar to the 1LE option but titled “service special” developed especially as pursuit vehicles for law enforcement.)

·         Firebirds poised to appreciate:

o   1982-1992 Trans Am (in general)

o   1982-1984 Recaro Edition Trans Am

o   1983 Trans Am Daytona 500 pace car replica

o   1984 15th Anniversary Edition Trans Am

o   1983-1986 RPL L69 High Output 305cu 4bbl 190hp

o   1989 Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary Edition – Indianapolis 500 pace car replica

§  Hardtop cars are especially desirable given their rarity

o   1989-1992 1LE Trans Am (no 1LE GTAs were produced)

o   1991-1992 Firebird/Trans Am/GTA Convertibles

§  Especially desirable when equipped with 5spd manual transmission

o   1991-1992 Firebird Firehawk

A detractor from the collection of these vehicles is an adequate supply of good quality examples are quickly disappearing.  With the recent spike in scrap prices, many of these cars failed to survive the high scrap prices. (Note: I witnessed scrap prices as high as $15.00 per every 100 pounds – read $300/ton.)  Another detractor is that GM has all but cut off this generation from its service parts support and has therefore shifted the burden of parts supplying to the aftermarket industry, although good New Old Stock (NOS) parts can still be found.  The viability of the automotive restoration parts suppliers in today’s economy remains to be seen.

Solid, well kept examples of the above referenced Camaros/Firebirds, will enjoy a marked appreciation, much like we are currently seeing with the second generation (1970-1981) Camaros and what we have already seen in the first generation Camaros (1967-1969) Camaros.

 1993-2002 Chevrolet Camaro & Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am (a/k/a 4th Generation F-Bodies)

 The 4th Generation of the General Motor’s F-body has been holding its own since the demise of the F-body in 2002.  As I type this article the first 5th generation Camaros are hitting the dealerships.  This changes everything, the demand of the 1993-2002 F-Bodies will shrink as potential buyers will be able to quench their thirst with the purchase of a new, more powerful 2010 model.  While it may seem that we are about to see a decline in the value of the 4th generation F-Bodies, the reality is that this generation has been out of production for nearly a decade, but from a performance standpoint, remains nearly as powerful and agile as its modern peers and successor.  Furthermore, from a nostalgic standpoint, with the discontinuance of the Pontiac motor division, the last rear wheel drive Pontiacs (1993-2002 Firebird/Trans Am) will be sought after by collectors.  

Convertibles are always a good buy (no convertibles for 1993), but look for the 1998-2002 Camaro SS and Trans Ams to lead the appreciation charge.  New for 1998 was the introduction of the LS1 all aluminum 5.7L engine that was introduced a year earlier in the Corvette C5.  Some late 2002 LS1 powered Camaros and Trans Ams were actually built with the stronger LS6 engine blocks, watch for these as they are a desirable oddity.  The V8 models will of course always be more desirable than the V6 models however, some appearance packages and the RS package was only available on V6 models.

·         Camaros poised to appreciate:

o   1993 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car

o   1993-1999 1LE Camaros & 2001-2002 SLP 1LE Camaros (1LE option was no longer offered by General Motors after 1999 but in 2001 SLP stepped up and offered a modification to bring the 1LE package back)

o   1993-2002 B4C Camaros (similar to the 1LE option but titled “service special” developed especially as pursuit vehicles for law enforcement.)

o   1994-2002 convertibles especially with V8 engines

o   1996-2002 SLP modified vehicles

o   1996-2002 Camaro SS

o   1997 30th Anniversary Edition Camaro (white with Hugger orange stripes & orange hounds tooth interior – reminiscent of the 1969 Indianapolis 500 pace car replica)

o   1997 Chevrolet Camaro SLP Modified with Corvette LT4 engine

o   2002 35th Anniversary Edition Camaro

o   Dealer Modified Camaros such as:

§  Berger, Tom Henry, etc.

o   2002 GMMG, Inc. modified ZL1 Camaros – only 69 produced in commemoration of the 1969 Camaro ZL1

·         Firebird/Trans Ams poised to appreciate:

o   1993-1999 1LE Firebirds

o   1993-2002 Firebird Firehawk

o   1994 25th Anniversary Edition Trans Am

o   1994-2002 convertibles especially with V8 engines

§  Especially desirable are the 1997-2002 WS6 “Ram Air” convertibles

o   1999 30th Anniversary Edition Trans Am

o   2002 35th Anniversary “Collector’s Edition” Trans Am

o   1996-2000 Formula with “Ram Air” cold air induction system (RPO WS6)

o   1996-2002 Trans Am with “Ram Air” cold air induction system (RPO WS6)

As the aforementioned cars come to market over the next several years, I believe you will see several great buys at auction and throughout car corrals.  Look for the cars that are listed above, but don’t limit your search to just those cars.  A clean V8, otherwise standard issue Camaro/Firebird is a good investment, but look for the cars listed above to appreciate at a higher rate than the standard issue V8 examples.  Nonetheless, investment in a 1982-2002 General Motors F-Body will provide you with a drivable interest-bearing savings account.

 

 

 

 

Bid with knowledge. Buy with confidence.

This article was written by Bryan W. Shook, Esquire the founder of Vintage Automotive. Attorney Bryan W. Shook is a devoted automotive enthusiast, but is also an experience litigator who devotes a large portion of his law practice to helping other collectors and hobbyists understand today’s market.  Attorney Bryan Shook is available throughout the United States for consultation, advice, and information. If you’d like more information about this topic or would like to speak with Attorney Bryan W. Shook please email him at BShook@shooklegal.com.

 

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