| When buying an GM second-generation FBody car, | | | | region. Educate yourself on the model and year you |
| from 1970 - 1981 there are a few items to look at for | | | | are looking at to be sure when you see an actual car |
| authenticity, general condition and things to be | | | | for sale, you can spot a fake or possible someone |
| expected. This guide is meant to help a buyer identify | | | | trying to be deceiving. |
| the right car for them, not to over-pay and to help spot | | | | Rust in these cars is common in a few places, look in |
| common problems which might assist in the decision | | | | these areas and if the rust is acceptable to you, then |
| making process. This is not a guide to buying a fully | | | | you know that much more. Under the trunk lid, near the |
| restored car or collector item. | | | | hinges water will pool up and rust. The bottom of the |
| Many Camaro and Firebirds on the used market are | | | | doors, where water/salt and snow are kicked up from |
| heavily modified and often are made to look like a | | | | the tires is a common rust area. Behind the rear tires, |
| higher model then they actually are: plain Camaro | | | | again water, salt and snow. Under the rear window |
| dressed up like an RS, or Z28 or a Firebird with Trans | | | | chrome trim, at the very bottom, look here or pear |
| Am or Formula parts. First look at the VIN of the car, | | | | under the chrome. If water has gotten in the car, it will |
| and find an online decoder, that will tell you the model | | | | smell and the lowest point is behind the driver and |
| regardless of how the car looks. Do not buy car | | | | passenger seats, water will puddle up and rust. |
| based on an owner story or that it looks like a specific | | | | Sagging doors is a common problem and should be |
| or rare model. Engine size can also be determined by | | | | expected as well as broken door handles. These are |
| the VIN. This will only indicate the engine originally | | | | normal and need to be addressed by all owners. Worn |
| installed in the car, not necessarily what is in the car | | | | window felt on the window guides will cause the door |
| now. | | | | glass to have vertical scratches in it, also common and |
| A few quick points, big block Chevy engines have the | | | | to be expected. |
| small water host that connects the intake manifold to | | | | Hacked up wiring harness. For some reason either |
| the water pump, small blocks do not. The physical size | | | | radio installs, poorly placed speakers under the dash, or |
| of the valve covers is noticeably different. The engine | | | | some equipment removed from the engine |
| stamped ID on the front of the block can be decoded | | | | compartment will leave the harness in bad shape. Just |
| to show the CID. Pontiac blocks, on the side of the | | | | be aware of this and ensure all key systems are |
| block in front of the drivers side motor mount is the | | | | functioning when you inspect the car. Things such as |
| CID. This number is actually cast into the block, such as | | | | lights, wipers, horn, turn-signals, etc. |
| 350, 400, 455. Oldsmobile motors in the Trans Ams | | | | Obvious items for concern or that will make you look |
| and Firebirds have an oil fill pipe directly in the front part | | | | closer are drivetrain items usually. Again, know the |
| of the intake manifold. This is at least 6-8 inches tall. | | | | model information is key to making a good buying |
| This is easy to spot. | | | | decision. Some things to look for: HEI ignitions in the |
| Common engine oversites or miss-understandings. | | | | wrong year cars, 4 speed cars that are now |
| Later 70's cars had smaller engines to comply with | | | | automatics, non-posi rear-end in a Trans Am, |
| emissions requirements, an FBody car with a large | | | | miss-matched decals on a Camaro or Firebird for the |
| motor in the late seventies stock is not very common. | | | | year of the car. Interior parts or styles that are not |
| These are mostly found in the Firebird and Trans Am, | | | | correct for the year. These can all be indicators of a |
| with the Olds 403 delivered and sold in California, and | | | | non-original car, valuable original parts missing, accident |
| the Pontiac 400 sold out of state. For engines that | | | | damage, fire or someone trying to make the car |
| have been swapped, be sure emissions equipment is | | | | something it isn't. |
| still on the engine if that is required in your state or | | | | |