The primary goal for this project is to create a unique and special ride that I can drive the hell out of (safely) and enjoy frequently.  A car that is different than what everybody else has on the road and something that might actually go up in value over time instead of down like many.  Most importantly, I want to build it myself and have something that I can one day pass on to my future children and create some sort of legacy.  Also, I just love building things so I thought it would be a great hobby and a chance to learn some new skills(body work, electrical, welding, etc).  Going into such a large project, I considered the following:

1.  At the start of the project, I was single, no children, and worked only 40 hours a week so I had the spare time
2.  I had built several engines and worked on cars in high school and college, worked at an auto parts store, did quite a few custom stereo installs, etc.  So I had the automotive background and learning capacity.
3.  I have a big 2 car garage
4.  I have enough savings and a good income to tackle the financial requirements

When I thought about the car I wanted to build, I knew it had to be the following:

1.  A '69 Camaro.  It's just always been my favorite car since I was in high school.  It also has to have the RS front end.
2.  A big block.  I had 2 Trans Am's when I was in high school and college and they both had big blocks and I just love the low-end torque and the easy power.
3.  An all-around performance vehicle with some modern features.  Great power, handling, breaking, etc.
4.  A unique vehicle with my own personal touches.  Good looking but not over-stated or too flashy.
5.  Good but moderate stereo system.
6.  Very 'drivable'.  Definitely not a trailer queen or garage decoration.
            a.  The exhaust should not be so loud that I can't hear the stereo or talk to the passengers
            b.  The engine should not have so much horsepower that it's unfriendly or exceptionally gas guzzling, but still enough
                 horsepower to haul ass
            c.  Good gearing for highway driving
            d.  Paint and body costs that aren't so rediculously expensive that I'm too nervous to drive it
            e.  Built with high-strength, quality components so it can take hard driving and possible future power-adders

My initial estimates were that it would take me about a year to finish it and it would cost around $45K to $50K.  As you'll read in other sections of this website, those estimates weren't very accurate(at all!).  That's fairly common for car projects so I don't feel too bad about it.