If there’s one thing that makes a car guy feel old, it’s finding out a car you drove in high school is now considered to be a “historic” or “antique” vehicle. What am I talking about here? My first car was a 1984 Firebird. It was faded red with a six-cylinder and an automatic; I bought it for $500 in 1997. It stands out in my mind because we had the Bird-Turd towed to my house where we started it for the first time. After we turned the ignition, exhaust gasses pushed a mouse out the tail pipe.

Ah, memories of days gone by. That car was slow, at best, and hideous. Whoever had it before me even took a red marker to the interior light, so it had this sexy red glow to it at night. I didn’t drive it long because the transmission went, and I opted for a 1988 Pontiac Trans-Am with a tuned-port 305 mated up to an auto trans.

If there is one car I regret selling, it’s that one. I found out later on just how rare it was with its digital dash display and black/chrome honeycomb wheels. I bought it for $2,000, and sold it for the same. Wish I still had it, because that particular car today, in the same pristine condition, is a $10,000 car.

You may not realize it, but these cars are prefect for a restomod project. A lot of them were dirt slow when they were made (including both of mine), and not a lot of work can be done to make them go really fast with that bone-stock engine. After all, the 305 was a real turd. In fact, some would argue that the 305 is better as a boat anchor.

Welcome to the Lame Duck Third-Gen F-Body. These cars are still relatively abundant. And though they are really starting to increase in price, they can still be found for between $1,500-3,000. At some point in the near future, I suspect that they’ll be difficult to find, and have much higher price tags.

Now, however, is a great time to purchase this lame-duck car, in hopes to turn it into something spectacular like you see in the photos. The build options are endless because these cars are incredibly easy to juice up. Easy engine upgrades, power adders, and the like, make these Lame Duck Camaros and Firebirds to be a force to be reckoned with.

The only issue you may run in to, is the rear end. The stock GM rears for third generation f-bodies are weak. However, they’re still strong enough for what you may need it for. Unless you’re building a monster with 430+ lb. Ft of torque, with multiple hard launches, you should be fine.

The best bet for a budget build, is a solid car with a trip to the junkyard. Chevy 350s are still prominent in the yards and can be found for a decent price. When you’re looking, check the Chevrolet pickups (with the Vortec engine), big-bodied cars (like the Caprice), and any other 3rd and 4th generation F-bodies. Some of them came with 350s in them. A few years ago, I pulled an LT1 out of a big-bodied car for $500.

Of course, there are other options as well, or you could even embark on a 305 pipe dream, and build up the engine your car came with. Not what I’d do, personally, but it is an option.

The third generation f-body cars are still out there, just waiting to be plucked from whatever current doom they await, to help bring a smile on your face with the addition of a few go-fast goodies. With some love, these Lame Duck Camaros and Firebirds are excellent restomods and sleepers. Do you own one? What have you done to it? Let us know in the comments.