Not all buyers shopping for a new Chevy Camaro in 1969 were looking for a muscle car. About 14% of them (or 1 in 7) were equipped with an inline-six engine rather than a V8. The seller’s car is one of them and it’s been in some faction of the same family since new. After being in storage for 38 years, it’s been nursed back to life and is looking for a new home. Hailing from Powell, Ohio, this somewhat survivor is available here on eBay where a single bid of $29,000 has been cast.
This Camaro was basic when new: 250 cubic inch inline-6, “3-on-the-tree” manual transmission, and an AM radio. As the story goes, the seller’s nephew’s mother-in-law bought the pony car in Lincoln. Nebraska. He/she acquired it from her, making it a two-owner Chevy after 56 years and 46,000 miles. From 1982 to 2020 it resided in a family member’s machine shed when a leaky skylight goofed the original paint on the roof. Before she quit driving it, the original owner got into a fender-bender that required new rear quarter panels and touch-up paint. The front grille also needed replacement due to yet another boo-boo.
The Chevy is not numbers-matching because a 230 I-6 is under the hood thanks to a bent rod due to some tomfoolery. This one runs well and the broken 6-banger will also come with the sale. The trunk contains the original spare tire and jack. Newly installed parts are the clutch (the tranny is now floor-shifted), tires, shock absorbers, fuel pump, muffler, brakes, and battery.
Minimal work will likely be needed with the interior as the seats look quite good. The dashpad is said to be repairable, and all sorts of documents have been kept over the past five decades. Due to its odd nature today (not an SS, RS or Z28), we hope this car will keep most of its originality. But would you restore a six-cylinder vintage Camaro that will cost you close to 30 grand just to acquire?
Now, you’re talking! Cars like this catch my attention. Nice and easy to maintain, reliable and will go the distance. I wouldn’t kick this one off my driveway. It sure does get some funny looks from people when they find that it’s got a six-banger under the hood. I had a ’69 Chevelle 300 2-door with a 230 six-cylinder and an AM radio. That was it! To this day I kick my backside around the block for selling it.
There was a school teacher in my home town who bought a ’69 Firebird with the Pontiac OHC-six. I think she got an automatic with it. She drove the wheels off it and it came back for more, except when she tried to plow through a snowbank. Those timing belts don’t like snow. I wouldn’t have minded having that car but she was a package deal; she came with the car. She wasn’t bad looking; she just had a motor-mouth that had you reaching for earmuffs after ten minutes…
I had one of these. Bought it from a friend after a piston broke. My dad and I had built a 283 for my brother’s 57 Chevy, but ended up installing it in my Camaro. Sold it to a guy from Texas in 1976. Wish I had kept it. It was fun to drive and very fast. Like this one, but think the price is a bit steep.
How about 3 on the floor?
A 292 six and a Trimec 5 speed would do the job.
The 292 is taller than the 230 & 250. Would not clear the hood.
I am a sucker for originality per previous posts. I really like this, as I had a 69 Frost Green convertible that I never got around to restoring. That said, there is a lot to like, however it is missing(not installed) original engine, and the transmission as well. Missing a lot, but there is also a lot to like. I personally think $30k is too much. $20k seems more realistic. GLWTS.
Non matching I6 means LS swap to me.
I like it …
Oh boy, a numbers matching broken 250. Such fun. Get a 396 and be done with it. We all know that is what’s going to happen. Except for a blown 427, nothing could be better.
Rare or not it’s overpriced. The repairs from the accident in 1975 weren’t done particularly well, the seams below the bumper between the lower portion of the quarter panel and taillight panel have been filled. The rust on the passenger side door jamb and issue with the roof hurt it originality too. At some point do you leave the flaws or restore it? Either way, there are better deals out there for someone willing to put in the effort.
Steve R
I agree with Steve R
I’m feeling like the close up shots are there to hide a problem next to the picture subject. Why just a close up pic of the spare? So it’s a bias ply white wall. My dad’s 1969 250cid 3 at the knee completely rusted out under the spare in the trunk. What is the close up pic above the heater core supposed to show? The next pic is a shot of the firewall? It looks like it, too was replaced.
I like the car (at $12k) but am leery of the background story.
To much for a car that’s been banged up.
Just for a goof, I would put a Corvette air cleaner sticker on it under the hood with the 427/435hp decal. Just to watch people’s heads explode.
I like all of these ads that claim originality but then go into a motor & transmission replacement or something different.
Ain’t original anymore.
Someone else mentioned the poor body repairs too.
That said, I’m all for the 6cyl. 3 ON THE TREE transmission. The restomods, SSs, high performance cars all start to look the same after awhile at shows.
“Somewhat survivor”?? Not even close. And very overpriced too.
and rusty…..way overpriced
Looks like the owner cast the first bid….