I have a question for you to ponder. If an owner lists a modified classic with an extraordinarily low odometer reading, at what point during the modification process does the odometer reading become irrelevant? That is the question posed by this 1969 Chevrolet Camaro. It presents nicely, retaining most of its original paint and all of its factory sheetmetal. The seller states that it has a genuine 11,000 miles showing on the clock, but with all of its original mechanical components replaced to unleash more power and performance, the reading might be a moot point. Regardless of your view, you will find the Camaro listed here on Craigslist in Prescott, Arizona. The seller set their price at $69,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting this confusing classic.
The 1969 model year marked the end of the line for Chevrolet’s First Generation Camaro, and it had done enough to justify the development of a replacement that hit showroom floors for the 1970 model year. General Motors had Ford’s Mustang in its sights when it launched the Camaro and its Pontiac Firebird cousin. The Ford was an unprecedented success, but as sales volumes fell during the late 1960s, the Camaro gave the Mustang a run for its money. This was particularly true in 1969 when Chevrolet sold 243,085 Camaros against 299,824 Mustangs. Admittedly, the gap was a sizeable 56,739 vehicles, but when you consider that the difference was 251,215 in 1967, it is fair to say that the Camaro had made its mark in the pony car war. The seller states that most of this Camaro’s LeMans Blue paint is original without specifying what areas may have received a touch-up. It shines nicely, with no major flaws or problems. The panels are straight, and the underside shots confirm that this classic is rust-free. The glass is original and clear, and the trim is in acceptable condition for a high-end survivor. Aftermarket additions include the 15″ Rally wheels, the front spoiler, and the LED headlamps.
I suspect that I might win a few friends when I say that the first thing that I spotted on this Camaro that I didn’t like was the wheel. Of course, that is personal taste, but I can think of plenty of options that would look more at home inside this classic. As with the panels and paint, the seller claims that most of the interior trim is original. The Blue vinyl shows no evidence of significant wear, and the dash and painted surfaces are in good order. The seller replaced the dashpad to accommodate the aftermarket vintage air conditioning. They also fitted under-dash gauges, a console, and a retro-style stereo.
Now we need to draw a deep breath and get down to what makes this Camaro’s odometer reading questionable. The seller states that it rolled off the line powered by a 307ci V8 that produced 200hp and 300 ft/lbs of torque. It also featured an automatic transmission that would have provided reasonable performance and an effortless driving experience. Its previous owners were meticulous about their record-keeping, meaning that there is documentation confirming that this car has covered a genuine 11,050 miles. So far, so good. Now I’ll throw a spanner in the works. The original engine is gone, as are the transmission, rear end, brakes, and many suspension components. That means that this Camaro isn’t even on nodding terms with a numbers-matching status. The engine bay houses a 383ci Crate Motor that is confirmed to generate 440hp and 486 ft/lbs of torque. A rebuilt Turbo 350 transmission with an upgraded torque converter sends the power to a new 3.73 Posi rear end. The brakes now feature power-assisted front discs, and the spent gases exit via headers and a custom Pypes 2½” polished stainless exhaust with a Race Pro muffler. That is a tasty package that will produce astounding performance, and although the Camaro only sees limited use, the activity is to ensure it is a turnkey proposition for the buyer once they hand over their cash.
I am no stranger to placing my neck on the line, and I am willing to do so with this 1969 Chevrolet Camaro. Yes, it presents well for its age, and the mechanical upgrades will undoubtedly provide massive performance improvements. However, I believe that those changes render the odometer reading irrelevant. It is only relevant to the body and most of the interior components, and that doesn’t justify classing it as low-mile in my book. You may disagree, and I respect your opinion if you do. The fact that the reading is fully documented makes it a great shame that one of its previous owners made wholesale mechanical changes. I believe it will find a new home, but do you think it will do so on the strength of its mileage, or because it will provide outstanding performance?
I’m with Adam on this one. If you’re looking for a documented low mileage SURVIVOR, then this isn’t that; (IMO) it is a resto-mod. So, buy it for the performance. Very nicely done, though (excepting the steering wheel & pedals). GLWTS!! :-)
I’d buy it for the upgrades just because I could drive it and enjoy what it is. If you notice those round things hanging on all 4 corners they are for moving the car from one place to another, not just to hold the car up sitting a garage. I like it, can you tell?
Since it’s a standard Camaro, the mods are ok. And yes the steering wheel has to go.
It’s kind of bonkers that someone would take a 1969 11,000 mile Camaro with only 9,645 miles and make all these changes. Makes no sense (if it is truly documented with that mileage). They totally destroyed the OG value – but, I guess the heart wants what the heart wants….
…..actually, considering the amount of multiple 6-figure restomods that crossed the block at Barrett-Jackson last month – maybe it’s not sacrilege, and a really good idea, Lol.
But this car is not a six figure restomod. Those cars have modern suspension with coil overs, rack and pinion, 4 link 9″ Ford rears, four wheel Wilwood discs, modern powertrains with a 700R4 or 4L80E transmission, custom interior, digital gauges, and lots of other upgrades and mods. This was a nice (supposedly) low miles car that has received an engine swap and rebuilt stock suspension. There’s nothing restomod about this car, it’s just a modified Camaro like thousands of others out there when it may have been a nice, uniquely original example before the modifications were done.
The heart better have a deep pocket book. And you’re right. A person would have to be out of his mind to mod a genuinely low mileage ’69 Camaro, no matter what version it was. I’m thinking it has 11k miles ..AFTER the mods.
Still a whole lot of money, any way you want to look at it. For my $70k , & coming from a 69 RS/SS owner, I think I’d lay my money on a brand new Stingray. To each their own i guess. Good luck with the sale. Now if it only was an SS/RS
One month of insurance on a brand new Corvette will probably be more than the annual insurance premium on this car!
That’s true even on the older ones. I saw a really nice 90’s C4 sitting behind a local convenience store a couple weeks back and asked the guy at the counter if it was his and he said the deli guy owned it but he was going to get rid of it because his insurance was over $400 a month.
With a 307 and no fancy trim package it was never going to be worth much even with low mileage, so hopping it up with good parts could only increase the value for the majority of potential’69 Camaro buyers. Don’t know if $69k is the right number but maybe…
They spent all that time and money to upgrade the drivetrain, yet left the stupid automatic on the steering column. Maybe that says something about their steering wheel choice…
He wanted that very generous aftmkt center armrest.
Can anyone explain why the car is expressed as having been built with a 307 V8 originally but there are 350 indicators on the front fender? Seems contrary to what should have been there.
This is a nice car, but it’s not a SS or RS. It’s a basic Camaro with some
performance upgrades. Definitely not worth the asking price.
And John Muller, to your question on the 307/350 badging. I’m guessing the owner wanted to bring it more in line with what’s really under the hood, a stroked 350, rather than giving a total reveal with 383 badges.
And yes, the steering wheel is bad and so is the column shifter.
Seeing the Volo front license plate probably explains the high asking price being that place, as most classic car dealers, are grossly overpriced. The current owner more than likely got taken to the cleaners on this Camaro and is trying to recoup their money. Being a no longer original base Camaro with a column shift for seventy thousand federal reserve notes, good luck with that…
awful lot of mods done for an 11k mile car. this car emanates a fishy smell from it. buyer beware
6 owners and 11K miles in 56 years. Right. Different motor wheels etc. Yeah everyone does that to a low mileage classic.
Nothing wrong with this one, 55 years old and it looks like this. Beautiful car. Base or not who cares, there’s an awful lot of Kool stuff on it and done with care and conviction.
I want to know where people are hiding these that come up in Prescott or nearby. I’ve lived here my whole life and only once have I seen a car on Barn Finds from Prescott in real life. Never on the streets or car shows. I’m not saying it’s bogus, it just has me stumped how virtually none (except a white 64 Chrysler 300 featured here last year) ever see the light of day or the streets. Just wild.
An original 11k Camaro would be really nice to have. Probably not 70K though. Perhaps someone bought it for a good price because it really didn’t need anything. Low miles, good paint, glass, interior. Probably good mechanicals, brakes, bushings etc. They gave it new reliability and power.
Which brings us to the question. The documented 11k matters because it describes all the associated parts of the car that aren’t worn out. This gives it a higher value. The you add new parts, which probably helped a bit on the performance side, but removed some of the chrisma of an all original 11k car.
Is it a 69K car? Someone thinks so. I don’t. Is it a beautiful 45k car? All day long if you want to keep explaining why it has all the new stuff with only 11k miles.
Nice car at around 45k
Are those not monoleaf springs on the back? Adequate for this v8?
Column shift automatic, say it ain’t so.
Nice car but why mess with a survivor when there are few of these cars around with those credentials. For my own edification, what’s OG value ?