496 Big-Block: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro

In all of my decades of involvement in the classic car scene, I don’t remember hearing anybody say, “I wish my car had less power.” Often, owners will go searching for more power, but in the case of a car like this 1969 Camaro, they only need to explore as far as the area under their right foot. The owner of this classic has dumped its original drivetrain, and the engine bay is now occupied by a 496ci big-block that churns out an incredible 610hp. He has reached the home stretch on this build but has run out of enthusiasm. Therefore, he has listed this Camaro for sale here on eBay. It is located in Flagler Beach, Florida, and the seller has set a BIN of $45,000. There is also the option available to make an offer.

It seems that this Camaro has been the subject of many changes during its life. The Trim Tag indicates that it rolled off the production line wearing Fathom Green paint, but it appears somebody has performed a color change to Cortez Silver at some point. It holds a respectable shine, but the owner is candid that it is not perfect. It presents well, and the buyer may decide to use the car unchanged in the short term. However, I suspect that they may treat the car to a repaint in the future. The panels are straight, with no significant defects and tight and consistent gaps. The best news in a case like this is that this vehicle appears to be completely rust-free. The exterior looks clean, and the owner has stripped the underside, coated it with POR 15, and then a further undercoat to seal the deal. The floors and frame rails look as clean as you could ever hope to find, while the exterior trim and glass appear flawless. The car rolls on a fresh set of Rally wheels wrapped in new tires.

I’ve kept you waiting long enough, so now let’s delve below the skin and find what makes this Camaro so special. It appears that it left the showroom floor with a 350ci V8 under the hood. That would have provided enough power to satisfy most owners, but not this one. The owner gave that motor the flick, and its space is now occupied by a 496ci big-block that churns out an incredible 610hp. That figure is not one that the owner has plucked from thin air because he includes the dyno sheets as verification. All of that power needs to find its way to the road, and it does so via a five-speed Tremec manual transmission. It wasn’t merely the engine and transmission that came in for attention in this build. The rear suspension features new leaf springs, while the front end has been rebuilt using tubular upper and lower control arms. Add a Flowmaster exhaust, a McLeod clutch, and a complete rewire to this equation, and the buyer will have little to do. The owner states that the clutch does slip, and the fuel pump isn’t big enough, so these items will require attention. Since he completed the build, he has only clocked three miles behind the wheel. The Camaro has been sitting for about a year, but he starts it once a month to keep the fluids flowing. It seems that returning this classic to its rightful place on our roads may not be a complex undertaking.

Opening the doors reveals that the owner has splashed some cash on the interior of this Camaro. New items include a console with factory gauges, a dash pad, and vintage air conditioning. The supplied photos tend to suggest that this classic may have also received a new carpet set. The remaining trim appears to be original, and its condition is impressive. There is no evidence of wear or physical damage, while the dash and tilt wheel are excellent. The only item that appears to be missing is the factory radio, but sourcing one should not be difficult. This is another area of this Camaro that will require little to present at its best.

When you consider what this 1969 Camaro has to offer, the word “brutal” immediately springs to mind. It seems that this seller has left no stone unturned in his quest for ultimate power. Its exterior provides no actual hints as to what lies beneath the surface. It seems that it would take little work to complete this project and return this muscular classic to its rightful place on our roads. Since the owner has already spent $40,000 on this project, it looks like a pretty respectable buy. But is it respectable enough for you to consider pursuing it further?