For this round of “Would You Rather?”, I decided to straight to the options list instead of the cars themselves. One Ford, one Chevrolet. They must have been built between 1970 and 1979, and must be a V8, manual-transmission car for sale under $10,000 (at press time) off of eBay. And I wasn’t taking the high road, for those excited that 1970-74 cars would be making the list. No big-block Chevelles, no Boss Mustangs here. You know that I’m not that nice. Both of these cars have a price under $7,000 and have their upsides and downsides.
Chevrolet: 1974 Camaro Z28 Clone
Hard to believe that someone would clone a Malaise-era Camaro Z28, isn’t it? Believe it, because out of the three versions of the second-generation Camaro, the 1974-77 version is both the least desirable and hardest to find…partially due to the Z28 option being unavailable in 1975 and 1976. The 1974 is also a one-year-only body, since it has the Federal bumpers on the small back window body. The vinyl roof is clean, if not desirable, and the car looks the part, but there are tells that this started life as a base or Type LT Camaro. The biggest giveaway is the dash: a real Z28 would have the 160mph speedometer and a full gauge package, where this car has the 120mph speedometer and idiot lights. Still, they handle well enough stock, and with the paint done, all that’s left is some upgrading. Under the hood the Camaro looks like a dead-stocker. Hopefully some tweaks have been done to the engine, otherwise this is one pretty dog.
Ford: 1979 Mustang Pace Car
I was really hoping for a Maverick or a Mustang II, but a worked-over Fox Pace Car should suit nicely as well. Whereas the Camaro is prettier but a bit of a stocker, this Mustang has the screamer under the hood in the form of a warmed over 351 Windsor, a T-5 and a full five-lug swap. The 8.8 is packing a 3.70 gear, so this Mustang has the entertainment value. Inside later-model Fox seats were blended with the 1979’s interior for a tasteful upgrade, but overall the interior is in need of at least a good cleaning. A raised hood with “Cobra Killer” badges shows some optimism. It’s not perfection visually, but would you care as you’re breaking loose in Second?
So which would you go for: the near-resto Camaro with the railroad ties or the Four-Eye Fox that’s a little rough but will punch above it’s weight? Let us know below!
Well this is a no-brainer for me!
I saw a Fox-body Mustang last year on parked outside a house near where I live for £3000! It was lowered, had mags and a subtle body kit – but the bank robbery went wrong so I couldn’t buy it and that’s why I’m writing this in Durham Gaol!
Ho hum…….
Camaro, in a heartbeat, though I’d take that stupid decknell off the hood.
decknell, huh?
“otherwise this is one pretty dog.” Ummm, I think it is one UGLY dog. The big nasty bumpers, the ugly vinyl roof, the stupid looking Z-28 graphics???? The mustang wins this one hands down. No contest. I think the Stang looks way better, and it should stomp that Camaro into the ground in any kind of race.
The Camaro, we have seen how clean a fox-body can look but we’ve seen maybe 2 examples of how to make these Camaros look cool. I wanna take the road less traveled and make something that I wont be able to park next to a similar car at a meet.
I’d take the Camaro, especially with those cool graphics and small back window. The Mustang would probably be faster but you’d draw a bigger crowd with the Z.
Being a Ford guy, I’d take the Camaro. Would I have done it like that? No. Ditch the vinyl top, graphics and add the 3-piece rear spoiler and it would be much cooler looking. Fox Mustangs are great cars but they’re so plentiful they’re almost invisible.
Would have picked the Fox body until I saw the interior.
I’ve never really been able to warm up to the fox body’s looks (esp the GT, must have been where Pontiac got inspiration for body cladding). Really these cars just don’t work for me aesthetically though they certainly have serious performance potential. Prob more performance potential than a 2nd gen F body but at some point you have to look at it so for me the Camaro (though the earlier or later 2nd gen would be better) wins hands down.
while I realize the Camaro is a “representation, IIRC from when my buddy Bobby Bobco had a ’74Z28, they came standard with the 3 piece rear spoiler and a Z28 tag on the tail panel. This car looks lame without those ornaments
His also had side pipes, love da 70s
Camaro hands down! Just as it is too.
What a “me too” Muttstang? Take the Camaro in a heartbeat!
I would take the Four Eyed Mustang.
You’re thinking of a 150 speedo and only 70 1/2 got those. I’m pretty positive those still get the 130. Anyways, they’re ookay i guess. I’d take the camaro, put a 3 piece spoiler, and swap a 2.2 second gen nose on it. also ditch the decals.
The headline says “It’s not Camaro vs, Mustang…” yet the cars in the article are a Camaro AND a Mustang. What am I missing?