396 Four-Speed! 1969 RS SS Camaro Convertible

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If you ordered up the ultimate 1969 Camaro, it might look a lot like this one. Located in Platteville, Wisconsin, this 1969 Chevrolet Camaro boasts a numbers-matching 350 HP 396 (block), the SS and RS packages, a four-speed manual transmission, and it’s a convertible. Compared to some ’60s color schemes, the blue with black and white houndstooth interior looks great today. The listing here on eBay has enticed at least one of 10 bidders to bump the value of this disassembled masterpiece above $10,000.

A rebuilt front subframe awaits reunion with the body. The seller planned to use a fresh Dynacorn body, saying the original shown here is “toast.” In fact, the dash and firewall stampings and VIN tag have been cut out, and the new owner may face a similar dilemma:  repair or replace?

You have to respect a seller who makes their lead picture the engine pad showing the body-matching VIN and engine code stamps. The “JF” suffix denotes the 350HP 396 cid (6.5L) L34 V8 and manual transmission.  Thanks to camaros.org for some details. The factory gearbox is gone, but the original engine is a big plus.

A host of parts come with the sale, including many GM replacement pieces. With bidding below the cost of the Dynacorn convertible, it would be tempting to salvage the factory body if you had more time than money. I might cast a bid myself if I didn’t have a project car already. If the end-result uses a replacement body, would you consider it a 1969 Camaro?

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Steve R

    Dynacorn bodies are not exact duplicates, they are not suitable for restorations. There could be legal consequences if a “restorer“ were to transfer the VIN to one of those bodies and say the car as original. Any potential buyer should factor in the cost to repair the current body, no matter how badly rusted, into their offer.

    It’s too bad the car would up in this condition, it would have been beautiful and fun to drive when new.

    Steve R

    Like 9
  2. Blue Alfa

    You can’t save a cracked block. I’m curious why the current owner hasn’t torn apart the 396, the most valuable piece to this build, and had it inspected. Until it’s known if the engine can be saved and rebuilt, I wouldn’t touch this. Too much of a gamble.

    Clearly there was a reason this beauty was taken off the road and allowed to deteriorate to this condition.

    Like 2
    • Paolo

      No mention of damaged block or did I miss that? You certainly can fix a cracked block depending on the location and amount of damage.

      Like 1
  3. 8banger daveMember

    I concur with the above statement.

    Like 6
  4. George Mattar

    I despise rebodied cars. It should be illegal. My close friend has a 70 Corvette he is restoring. It sat outside 40 years. He took off the windshield chrome. Total wasted birdcage around the windshield. The metal VIN tag on the A pillar was trashed. It literally fell apart. Now he can get a repo trim tag, but not a VIN. So now he has to have state police issue a state VIN. I bet plenty of this goes on as these cars bring much more money than I ever thought they would. Good luck to the buyer here.

    Like 0
  5. DayDreamBeliever DayDreamBeliever

    Some people should never start a restoration of a car. Good intentions don’t get the job done, and often don’t last past the teardown phase.

    I look at the car sitting in that strong-looking support frame and think: “I’ve seen FAR worse brought back. FAR worse.” So, calling it “toast” was pretty pessimistic. I’m thinking that the body should be restored, and the ID plates reattached/reinstalled with documentation of all phases.

    A Huge project, but doable for someone who knows these cars. And potentially fiscally ok as well. Depends on the buy-in, and the skills of the restorer.

    Like 2
  6. JimmyJ

    Steve R I’ve been reading all of your posts and you sure seem to know what you’re talking about . Keep it up I find them interesting and informative👍

    Like 3
    • Steve R

      Thank you, that is a very nice thing to say.

      Steve R

      Like 2
  7. Stan Marks

    This car, if you want to call it that, should have gone straight to the junk pile. Although, there are some parts, to use, for another build.

    Like 0
    • Jerry G

      Why would you say that ? It is absolutely not worthy of a junk pile with a proper restorer, provided the big block is rebuildable

      Like 0
  8. Bigbird

    Not for the beginner to restore. Collector cars are like building a house, figure the cost to build, then double it (maybe triple). Getting the body back in shape to paint is a time consuming and huge job. Now machine shops (good ones) are getting hard to find. Lead time to check your motor out can be months out. I try and do all the work I can….good luck on this one.

    Like 0
  9. Comet

    The dash and firewall stampings have been cut out? Hmmm, I’m no Sherlock Holmes, but me thinks someone was in the early process of building an illegal “clone.”

    Like 1
  10. Stan Marks

    jmo

    Like 0
  11. Gaspumpchas

    Listing ended due to error??

    Like 1
    • DayDreamBeliever DayDreamBeliever

      Sure.

      Highest (canceled) bid was $10,400

      Someone made an offer too good to resist.

      Like 1
  12. Paolo

    I’ve seen much worse rebuilt. Body is toast? It’s bad rust but looks quite savable. Certainly a better project that that 454 SS Chevelle that has been haunting Barn Finds for months.

    Like 1
  13. A Schab

    No such thing as houndstooth in a convertible unless it’s a pace car.

    Like 0

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