When Chevrolet restyled the first-generation Camaro for its final year, 1969, they did so beautifully. The more muscular rear quarter panels pumped up the cool factor for sure. In fact, “1969 Camaro” answers the question “What is your dream car?” more often than any other response in my experience. This particular 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Rally Sport in Florence, South Carolina seeks a new owner here on eBay with bidding closing in on the $18,000 Buy It Now price.
The RS (Rally Sport) package includes the sinister-looking hidden headlights, and this car came with the ultra-rare Vigilite system that used fiber-optics routed from the front turn signals to hood-mounted indicators. The latter told you the bulbs were working and told other drivers when you intended to turn or change lanes. Check out this informative page at AutomotiveMilePosts for more information on this fascinating option that adorned fewer than 1500 Camaros in model year 1969.
The tidy black interior nicely compliments the Olympic Gold paint. Originally equipped with a Parchment vinyl top, this would have been one classy Camaro. Nothing says “High School” like this trio of gauges zip-tied to the steering column, a perfect compliment for the rear air-shocks. What, no traction bars?
We’ll take the lack of details in the listing as evidence that this RS did not leave the factory with this (or perhaps any) 396 cubic inch V8. The seller notes that it “will smoke the tires very easily,” presumably even if said tires are not dry-rotten. Hopefully, the four-wheel drum brakes are well-adjusted or slowing this angry beast after an attack of horsepower could prove harrowing. Personally, I’d have to leave this motor (and most of the rest of the car) alone if it’s running well, but I’d seriously consider a disc brake conversion. What would be top your shopping list for this big block RS?
Nothing foolish here, one of the most badaxx cars in ’69. Wiki claims the 396 was available in 1st gen Camaros. I’m sure someone will fill us in. I hope it stays as is, and not some modern motor( with a big piece of plastic on top, can’t even see the motor). In 1969, the 396 meant business and THIS was what it was all about.
Definitely not original. All 396 Camaros. 1967-1969, came with a 12 bolt rear, not the 10 bolt shown in the pictures.
What, no 4th gauge strapped to the column? Kills the deal for me.
Paint it, put the vinyl top back on, get rid of those wheels for stock wheels, add disc brakes and maybe lower the rear end a bit. Freshen up whatever needs it as regards the interior and enjoy. This Camaro is not going to be cheap but it’s a solid one to start with so after going over the mechanicals you can drive it and do what needs to be done over time.
Go all out and convert to power front disc brakes. Don’t see any booster on these drums.
First car I have seen here with rusty keys.
No wonder. It looks like they are on the bathroom floor.
Those aren’t “rusty” keys. The brass is showing thru. The chrome plating has worn off.
Officer: Do you know how fast you were going son?
Driver: Nope, too many other gauges in the way.
‘What would be top your shopping list for this big block RS?’ A new air filter and a stud and wing nut to keep it on the carb. That and maybe hook up the linkage.
What’s this turn signal thing???
Hagar,
Near the top front 1/3rd of the fender are chrome turnsignal markers that light up towards the driver.
I had a 67 Caddy that had those little indicators for the rear lghts on the back pkg shelf, not sure if they were true “Fiber Optic” but certainly some clear plastic in a sheathing to transmit the light form the bulbs, pretty cool stuff back then
Back in my Tech School days, I had an RS396/4 speed in great shape. White with a blue gut, full instruments & a Z/28 hood. Hot-rodded it, blew it up racing, & was hard-pressed to get a couple grand for it that way. Now I see what that car (and many others I had in my youth) would bring today, & I get sick. Hey, who knew? At the time, it was just another dime-a-dozen 69 Camaro.
Yeah, and I have just another 1991 rs that has ran some bad luck lately. Come to find out the high end value is nearly half of what it costed new. Thanks to cash to clunkers and the run till dead life style America. My car is worth more than what I paid, or will again after fixed. So please keep on doing what you are doing America. When I am much older like you sir, she will still be sting in my garage, with good mileage just now hit 85000 original. I’m only the second owner. Still remember the day my aunt brought her home new.
I like the late-70’s early-80’s vibe. It sort of feels like the 396 might be a recent addition, installed to drive the price higher.
It has a lot of rust, someone would be wise to inspect it in person before purchase.
Steve R
I thought the 396 was only available in the SS models, not the garden-variety Rally Sport.
the description clearly stated this was a transplant
You are correct, outside of the COPO 427’s, in that the base RS was not available with a BB
The heater core is for a small block/or 6, the BB had a specific one where the hoses came out of the center
Correct. Had to check the “SS” box to get a BBC. At least the option included power disc front brakes, a 12 bolt rear end, much heavier suspension and chassis, various badges and the fake 8-stack thingies on the hood. Early, you could even get a nasty 4.56 or 4.88 gear as an option. By the time Iordered my 69 Nova, 396/375, AT, the deepest I could order was a 3.36. The days of ordering just what you wanted, not what the dealers or manufacturers wanted, are sadly long gone.
Rally sport was a trim package that could be ordered on any Camaro and yes a 396 SS could be also an Rally Sport.
fabulous, I have so much to learn about American cars but really into 60’s Camaro’s. would love this.
The mullet seed has been sown.
Do you Want to drive and enjoy the car or look at to damn retarded Gauges….
I’d want to install FACTORY deluxe gauges for sure………or at least mount the secondary gauges on the BOTTOM of the dash!…….geez! I’d DEFINATELY install POWER front disc brakes. I’d also want to do a 4 or 5 speed manual swap at some point! Lot’s of rust to contend with, not sure it’s worth $14k in it’s current condition. I’d rather find one with less rust and with a bad or NO motor/trans to drive the price lower.
You want the gauges in eye view in front of you. Not under the dash. Not on the console.
Seems like a weird spot for hood pins
There were factory punched holes in radiator support there so lot of guys used them for hood pins.
My Jr year high school in 1979, I had a pristine ’69 RS Convertible with front discs, power top, deluxe interior with the molded door panels, console, woodgrain, Cortez Silver/Black, 307, TH350.. bought it for $2250.. drove it for a year.. I’d learned how to drive stick.. and and began to despise it’s automatic.. sold it for about the same…. Great lookers.. but handle like crap… most every car after, that I’ve owned has been foreign… with a Buick GS thrown in, and my Mustang BULLITT.. which I got rid of again. Cuz they are Heavy cars that handle like crap.. Now drive a 124 Spider as my daily. and a ’68 Austin Healey Sprite for even more fun.. looking for an MGB to add too.. they may be not as fast, but they’re 100x more FUN than any American Land Barge I’ve owned……. LOVE THEM…
Well go read about them.
Not a bad deal for a 69 Camaro big block, even if it is not the original engine.
RS option; always like the hide away headlights.
Also has the deluxe interior with the nicer door panels and wood grain.
Not crazy about the gold factory color on a Camaro, but so what.
10 bolt rear looks like it needs the seals replaced?
A running 69 (most popular 1st generation year) is a good deal under the 18k mark. Car has been bid to 14.k (didn’t see a buy it now price?)
Great car perfect. Oldie but goodie. Would not change anything. Wish i could have it . Sgt. Gonzalez
Yep disc brakes, body work, and wheels. I wouldn’t even badge it up
This is not an original big block car. Look at the heater hoses exiting the firewall. They are too close to the valve cover. Big block cars had the hoses exiting the firewall further away to clear the valve covers. Frame mounts would lower and move the motor slightly to the passenger side to clear the brake booster, further moving the motor to wear it would interfere with the small block heater hoses to the point most folks would just bypass the heater core.
Don’t get me wrong, at this price I would love to get it, if I were younger. Just wanted to point out to those wanting an original BB Camaro
Another detail, if a Camaro was a Super Sport and the RS option was ordered, the SS badges would be showing.
All this car really needs is a 12 bolt rear differential.
That is not an original big block car if you look at the heater core location.. the hose lines are on the inner side if it was a big block car the heater hoses would be towards fender outward to allow more room also no power brake unit ???
Fun Day 2 Car!
and, beside the obvious heater hoses and non big block heater box, all 396 cars were Super Sport models which power disc brakes (and other things) were manditory. However it does appear to be a true RS car so it has something going for it at least beside being just a stripper ’69 camaro.
Article HERE @ Barn finds states drum brakes. A good project with a big block to go through. Vinyl top. Nice RS car, with visible rust issues. NOT an $18k + project.
Don’t you just love how 12 people have to repeat what was said in the first 5 comments. We know it’s not an original big block car.
Guilty, but it’s still a cool car and 69’see in this condition bring bucks.
Ended: Apr 03, 2018 , 5:00AM
Winning bid:US $15,600.00
[ 36 bids ]