The Camaro Club (UK)

Just a quick hello from Kathmandu and a brief introduction.
My first American car was a 1976 Camaro LT which I bought in Germany back in about 86 I think it was. It was the 350 ci of course, black with a blue "starsky strip"! All my pals were buying Golf GTIs or Volvo estates depending on their marital status, so I made quite a statement in the car-park!
After that I had a few other GM products a bit more suited to family life. But later I bought a really great 1987 Z28 freshly imported from the States. It was a great car, and never missed a beat (unlike the LT!). I traded it in to buy a 61 Thunderbird, and although I gre to love the TBird, I always really regretted selling that silver Z28. A few more cars came and went and then I had a troublesome 86 TransAm with a manual gearbox. Again, plenty of problems. After that I couldn't resist a black and gold turbo T/A which had been converted to be a convertible in the States. It was in great condition and again was one of those cars i should never have sold. A number of those with much greater expertise than me kept telling me how troublesome that motor would be and that it was only a matter of time, and how I should get a 6.6 fitted. Well, i couldn't afford to go down that route and STUPIDLY I let these people convince me that I was going to have problems which i wouldnt be able to afford to put right. They were talking in general terms about the 4.9 Turbo, not specifically about my car, but I allowed myself to lose enjoyment of the car for fear of unaffordable problems, and so I sold it at a knock-down price. So stupid of me as it had never given me ANY problems. I really kick myself for that decision. I saw it for sale a few months later for 2 1/2 times what I sold it for. My last "proper" American car was a great red on red 64 Malibu SS - now THAT I should DEFINITELY not have sold....hey ho..there's a pattern emerging!

Now I'm into that age where I don't want to look like a middle-aged, balding guy who is trying to look like a kid again, but nevertheless I hanker after a really nice Camaro/T-A once more. I guess if I ever get another then I want something really nice and special.

I spent the last 3 years in Albania and am now in Nepal and will be here for another 2 1/2 years. I can't resist looking at the ads and thinking "I could buy something now if I had someone reliable over there to look after it in de-humidified storage, and perhaps I could use it when i come back over for holidays", but actually I am a believer in cars being used rather than stored. BUT, if ever anything cropped up that was irresistible, something really special....!!...preferably a First Gen or very early 2nd Gen....!!!! But am I the only one who spends a fortune getting his cars just right, only to then sell them at giveaway prices?! Or maybe I should subscribe to a good F-body mag (recommendations?) and plan what I REALLY want, if and when I eventually get back to living in UK.

Regards from Kathmandu,

Mark

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Mark Vickers
Kathmandu, Nepal
Told my wife I was over old American cars, but.....!!!
Not much chance in Nepal.

Hey, welcome aboard Mark. After all of the problematic cars you experienced it's good to see that you've kept a positive attitude about owning an American car again.

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Too much power...not enough hands!!

Hi Mark, welcome to the club.

I too sometimes get nervous that a repair is going to cost me a second mortgage but then I remember 2 things. You only live once and you might aswell buy/drive whatever car makes you happy while you can enjoy it and secondly, I'll get my hands dirty rather then pay over-the-top labour costs for crappy service and poor workmanship. If you have the tools and the space it's not a real problem anymore because there is so much information online to help - we're never alone.

What were you doing in Albania and now Nepal ? Mercenary ?

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1993 Chevrolet Camaro - Buck

Thanks for the welcome!

The one lesson that I never learnt, although every time I buy another car I tell myself that "this time I HAVE", is that time after time after time I have invested so much time, effort and money into a car only to then get cold feet and sell it at a huge loss, only to start the same circle all over again with another car. I guess there are probably 3 or 4 cars that I wish I had never sold. if only I had kept focussed on enjoying them rather than worrying about what I couldn't afford to do, or what problem might be round the corner, and been prepared to spend just that little bit more, I would have saved thousands, had an immaculate car which i really enjoyed, and a lot less headaches!

Next time I really want to own something special that would keep my interest long-term.

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Mark Vickers
Kathmandu, Nepal
Told my wife I was over old American cars, but.....!!!
Not much chance in Nepal.

Welcome to the club Mark
When you find the right car you wont want to sell it. Although they do occasionally go wrong the enjoyment of driving them always outweighs the problems