Matching Number Project: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS
There are barn finds and then there are real barn finds, those actually found in a barn, like this 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS. Said to be unmodified and complete with its matching number engine, this Chevy has called Shawsville, Virginia home for many years. Lots of new parts are included in the sale and it’s all available, here on craigslist for $27,500. Thanks go to T.J. for this discovery.
As with so many cars of this era, a ’69 Camaro is no stranger to rust. Parked in ’96 this Rally Sport (RS) equipped model has had its front fenders replaced but rust, according to the seller, remains an issue specifically in the “Quarters, outer wheelhouses, trunk drop off’s, center trunk pan, outside rocker LH about 18″s long, driver side floor pans, metal dash“. But the listing of replacement parts is extensive, a fairly easy collection of items to acquire these days. Owing to the ’69 Camaros 243K production volume, virtually anything, including a complete body, can be sourced from various vendors.
The original matching number engine is a 300-gross HP, 350 CI V8 known as RPO L48. It’s joined to a Turbo-Hydramatic 350 three-speed automatic transmission and a twelve-bolt rear axle. How’s it run and drive? Not too well, the carburetor and driveshaft are both missing. The carb should be a Rochester Quadrajet and replacements are commonplace. The mileage listing is 86K but whether or not that is the genuine accumulation is unknown just as the engine’s internal condition is unknown too.
The interior is “disorderly” but may serve as a reasonable basis for a redo. The green vinyl bucket seats actually show pretty well but the carpet will likely need to be replaced and perhaps the dash pad as well (it looks like it’s covered over with something). Among the missing is the driver’s side door panel. There is a center console too though the rear ashtray-lid portion has a problem. The only noted mod is an add-on tachometer.
A ’69 Camaro, in native form, is still a very popular car. Throw in the SS performance package and the RS appearance project and the desirability rises. This example may be complete in terms of having the totality of parts (original and new) needed for reassembly but it’s going to take a huge amount of effort – especially considering the aforementioned required rust repair. While financially the numbers may work, though you know there will be missing parts and potential expensive powertrain matters, this one is going to be a challenge. It may be a bigger challenge finding someone who’s up for it, right?
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Comments
I see a red misaligned fender , then black fenders. Weird.
Whole front clip was RED when they pulled it out.
Someone will buy this, sink $50,000 into it and then never drive it. Stupid.
Rust bucket junk. Amazing what some people think their scrap iron is worth. Only a fool would spend anything near that price. Owner better get real and hope they can get $5000. Remember folks, a fool and his money soon part company.
He probably bought it from the previous owner’s family for cheap. Shouldn’t the back panel be black?
Only on SS396. SS350 was body color.
The rear panel was only “black”, if it had a
396. SS-350’s had body colored rear panel.
Dream on …. pricing is ridiculous and the pictures are not credible!
What’s not credible about the pictures?
Lotta parts out there for these cars but hat means you will need a lot of money too. That’s not even counting the purchase price.
Yes its a 69 Camaro RS/SS. But its a basket case rustbucket small block automatic in Frost Green and matching interior. Blah. Oh, and the seller wants 27,500 bucks for this project. No thanks. By the time you are done buying parts, rebuilding the drivetrain and suspension, restoring the interior, and painting it, you will have more in it than its worth.
That’s right Kriegshauser but I see it all the time someone will throw 50 60k at a car drive it for a couple of years sell it for 30k but that the classic car world step up or step back