It can sometimes prove easy for a seller to represent a classic as something it isn’t. That isn’t the case with this 1969 Camaro, as the supplied information confirms it as a genuine RS/SS 396. Somebody has commenced its restoration, but it will be left to the buyer to address its few remaining rust issues and return the car to its former glory. Located in Michigan City, Indiana, you will find the SS listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has raced past the reserve to hit $12,200. I have to say thank you to Barn Finder Larry D, who has used his well-developed classic radar to spot this SS for us.
The history of this Camaro is unclear, although it looks like a restoration project that has stalled. The seller indicates that it has spent its life in the south and that a previous owner installed genuine GM rear quarter panels and a tail pan years ago. The buyer faces some further rust repairs, but these aren’t extensive. The worst is in the front floors, and the new owner will probably opt to replace the pans rather than fashion patches. There are also some pinholes in the trunk pan center that require investigation. Beyond those flaws, the news appears positive. The Camaro wears a coating of surface corrosion in places. Given its current state, I would be tempted to dismantle the car for a rotisserie restoration to achieve a high standard of finish. The rockers are clean, and the rust-prone cowl area shows no evidence of problems. Once the buyer has massaged the panels and addressed the rust, the car would look stunning with a fresh coat of its original Cortez Silver.
The Cowl Tag confirms that this Camaro is a genuine SS 396. It isn’t clear which version of the big-block called this engine bay home, but it would have churned out at least 325hp. With a four-speed manual transmission sending the power to a 12-bolt rear end, a sub-15-second ¼-mile ET would have been there for the taking. Unfortunately, this car is not numbers-matching, which is disappointing. That will have a negative impact on its potential value, but it isn’t all bad news. The seller indicates that the date code on the existing 396 confirms that it is of 1969-vintage. That should allow the buyer the option of performing a faithful refurbishment. The condition of the big-block is unclear, so the buyer should probably factor the cost of a rebuild into their project budget as a precaution. However, if an inspection reveals the engine is in good health, it may require nothing more than a cosmetic refresh.
Another aspect of this SS requiring plenty of TLC is its interior. The Tag indicates that it rolled off the line trimmed in standard Black vinyl, but it looks pretty dirty and tired. Before splashing any cash on a retrim, a wise buyer may elect to treat everything to a deep clean. This could reveal many salvageable parts that could reduce the overall cost of the restoration. Trim kits for these classics are pretty affordable, so if the buyer seeks perfection, spending around $2,000 on that aspect of this Camaro should help them achieve that goal.
It is unfortunate that this 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 isn’t numbers-matching because that will impact its potential value. However, the date-correct 396 under the hood allows the buyer scope to create a faithful refurbishment. Once complete, it should easily command a value of $40,000 if the new owner completes their work to a high standard. There have been twenty-two bids submitted, suggesting that a few people like what they see. Given its lack of significant rust, is this a classic that you would consider parking in your workshop?
I would venture to say there are many more of these cars that do not have their original drivetrains than do. In the 80’s, I bought numerous first gen Camaros for a few hundred bucks with blown engines or transmissions. A quick trip to the junk yard for a $200 engine, may have come from a bus or a truck, we didn’t really care. Just whatever it took to get the car back on the road & then sell it a few months later & make a few bucks. Who would have ever thought that a Mustang or Chevelle or Camaro would be worth what they bring now. And don’t even start with what a rust bucket Mopar brings…
Or how many original engines (like mine) got pulled and used as a core for a rebuilt one? Didn’t think twice about it.
About the only color not seen on the car is the original silver. It looks pretty good at a glance, and there are a few good parts to work with, but make no mistake, this baby’s gonna need just about everything. $40k would be on the low side for this cowl tag finished to a ‘high standard’, the way the market is right now.
I beg to differ, but the cowl tag does not tell you if it is a real SS. The only definite way to know is from the original paperwork or window sticker.
True for a Van Nuys built car, but Norwood assembled car will have a X66 code for a SS 396 or X55 for a SS 350.
Most engines blew up in these cars. I was in high school 50 years ago and we were replacing engines in 69 Chevelles and taking the original as a core to the junkyard. Matching numbers is a grossly overused term and most sellers are full of BS and they know it. At least this guy comes clean. Another boring 69 Camaro. Blah.