548ci Big-Block! 1969 Chevrolet Camaro

When buyers ordered their new Camaro in 1969, they could choose engine options that ranged from the meek and mild to the potent and wild. However, about the only version that would come close to our feature car would be those equipped with the ZL-1 motor. To secure one of those basically required the buyer to not only know that they existed, but they had to be prepared to hand over an additional $4,000 beyond the base Camaro’s sticker price of $2,700. Today, those cars change hands for prices well into six-figure territory, but you won’t need to find that sort of cash to secure this custom Camaro. With a fire-breathing big-block under the hood, this Camaro should offer its next owner power to burn. The seller had planned on performing a frame-off refurbishment, but as often happens, it is a task that stalled before it could start. Therefore, he has listed the Camaro for sale here on eBay. It is located in Scottsville, New York, and spirited bidding has pushed the action to $17,400 in this No Reserve auction.

The owner purchased the Camaro from a neighbor in its current state, and he intended to drive it for a few months before stripping it for a refurbishment. However, that work has not been started. It wore its current gray primer when he purchased the car, but it appears that it was due for a color change. The Trim Tag indicates that it rolled off the line wearing LeMans Blue paint, but there is evidence in a couple of shots that the car was destined to eventually be refinished in what appears to be Garnet Red. This work hasn’t proceeded far beyond painting the door frames, so if the color isn’t to the buyer’s taste, changing it again would not be difficult. At the end of the day, this Camaro is a long way from being 100% original. So, applying the factory blue is by no means essential. When we start to dig below the primer, the news appears to be pretty positive. The panels look relatively straight, although sometimes this can be hard to state categorically when looking at cars of this type in photos. Rust is not an issue that will cause concern. The seller believes that a previous owner fitted new genuine rear quarter panels at some point, and these are solid. There are a couple of minor repairs in the floors, but these, along with the trunk pan, frame, and cowl, look as solid as a rock. The frame has been tied, and when we start to consider the monster that occupies the engine bay, that is probably good if the car is to cope with the power and torque on offer. I don’t doubt that the Camaro would benefit from a frame-off refurbishment, but its overall condition would make a simple repaint seem a viable option.

One aspect of this Camaro that might not require a lot of attention or expenditure is the interior. Everything is in excellent condition when you look beyond the aftermarket wheel, the collection of gauges, and the five-point racing harnesses. The upholstered surfaces show no evidence of wear or damage, while the same appears true of the carpet, dash pad, and headliner. The original radio has gone, but with the changes that have already occurred, that leaves scope for the buyer to slot in the stereo of their choice if they don’t want to listen to the tune emanating from under the hood. In reality, apart from the missing radio and the odd-colored wheel boss, any other work will consume more time than money if it is to present at its best.

I’ve left you hanging long enough, so now is the moment when we can consider what is hiding under the hood of this Camaro. It isn’t clear what originally called this space home, but whatever it was, it ain’t there anymore! What we find is a 548ci Full Roller big-block V8 Crate Motor. The owner doesn’t indicate what sort of power it produces, but I would estimate that the figure would be somewhere around “a lot!” Bolted to the V8 is a Turbo 400 transmission, which sends the power to an 8½” 10-bolt rear end that features 4.10 gears and a Brute Strength Carrier. Helping to apply that power to the pavement are wider wheels and tires and rear traction bars. The owner states that the entire drivetrain has less than 1,000 miles under its belt. He uses the words “scary fast” when describing the driving experience, and I can see no reason to doubt that. He supplies this Facebook video of the big-block running, and it sounds incredible. He advises people to wind up the volume when they watch the clip, and now that I’ve done that, I can see why he recommends it. This is an engine that you don’t just hear, but one that you can feel right to the pit of your stomach. If it sounds half as good up close, it should b enough to make the toughest enthusiast go weak at the knees.

Even with the wheels and tires that this 1969 Camaro currently wears, I suspect it might struggle to apply the power from its 548ci big-block to the road. However, if it does hook up, it has the potential to rotate the earth on its axis. If the buyer performs a cosmetic refurbishment, it seems that this process could be relatively straightforward and affordable. Then, it should have the good looks to match its performance credentials. It might not sport the spotless originality that would tick the boxes for many purists, but its bidding history suggests that many people like what they see. I hope that one of our readers is the winning bidder because I would love to know whether it can deliver on the promise that it shows. Are you tempted to make a tilt at this classic?