Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases.

Blank Canvas Project: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro

Update 4/1/20 – This Camaro project has been relisted here on eBay with no reserve. It has new photos and a different seller but is still in Illinois…

From 2/15/20 – The idea of molesting a numbers-matching classic to create the car of their dreams can be an off-putting idea for some people. However, that is not the case with this 1969 Camaro. With no engine or transmission to consider, this is a car that represents a truly blank canvas that could allow someone to bring their dream to life. Whether it is a Z28 or SS396 clone, or whether a Restomod is more to their taste, this is a car that could allow this to happen without all of those nasty guilt issues. The Camaro is located in Woodridge, Illinois, and is listed for sale here on eBay. This is a car that has generated some strong interest, and this has pushed the bidding along to $6,100. At that price the reserve has been met, meaning that someone out there is getting close to having the chance to create their dream Camaro.

It’s a 1st Generation Camaro, so there should be no real surprise to learn that there is some rust that will need to be attended to before the car can be returned to its best. As you can see, there was rust in the floors, but this has been cut out, and replacement floors are included in the sale. Having said that, it appears that whoever cut out the original floors must have been using a particularly old can-opener, because that’s all looking pretty rough. Thankfully, there is scope to undertake some judicious trimming to make a far neater job of this before the new floors are welded into place. The firewall is said to be solid, so hopefully, that means that the cowl is also good. The lower rear quarter panels look to be surprisingly solid, but there is rust present in both rockers and the lower front fenders. As far as the external trim and chrome are concerned, there will be a few items that will need to be replaced at some point during the restoration. Interestingly, the Camaro didn’t start life wearing its current Metallic Blue paint. There is evidence that it may have worn a number of different shades throughout its life, but it actually rolled off the line finished in Frost Green Metallic with a Midnight Green vinyl top.

The blank canvas theme continues when we look around inside the Camaro. Originally, the interior featured Custom Gold upholstery, but what remains in the way of upholstery isn’t Gold. Not that there’s much there, because there are no seats included in the sale, while the remaining trim has either been dyed or replaced at some point. The dash is complete and is in surprisingly good condition. Otherwise, an entire interior trim kit could find its way onto the shopping list. Of course, the next owner might want to put a more modern or a custom spin on the interior, so starting from scratch would be no bad thing.

The Camaro started its life fitted with a V8 engine and a 4-speed manual transmission, but both of these items are a distant memory. This is why I consider this car to be a truly blank canvas. The next owner doesn’t have to worry about potentially being given grief for molesting a numbers-matching classic. What eventually gets slotted into the engine bay is an open question, and is only limited by imagination…and budget. Rather intriguingly, the owner says that there are some parts for the Camaro in the trunk. However, he doesn’t elaborate on what these parts are, so there might be a pleasant surprise or two awaiting the buyer of this car.

I love a good project, and I especially like them when the imagination can be left to run free. There are so many possibilities with this car that it could really make your head spin. If you bought it, what path would you follow?

Comments

  1. Avatar Nevadahalfrack Member

    For someone with a lot of experience in sheet metal work, interior refab, paintwork, mechanical abilities, a burning need for a ‘60’s Camaro and no lack of budget/time/patience, this will be their recreation.

    Like 17
  2. Avatar Superdessucke

    These cars are more difficult to sort out than people give them credit for. I know. I owned one that needed restoration.

    Like 10
  3. Avatar Troy s

    Lots of neat 1st Gen Camaro’s, call em day 2, steet/strip, whatever, my ideal choice is odd as I never saw it in person (too young, like three), the “wanted” advertisement Camaro from Baldwin/Motion. The 427 powered street racer with no front bumper, L88 hood scoop, torque thrust’s, decked out in black. The man who actually owned it was an editor for High performance Cars magazine… nearly six grand in ’69 was healthy money, ran 12’s and was scary fast according get to him. Was actually stolen within a month or two.
    Build it anyway you want, mild to wild.

    Like 3
  4. Avatar jerry z

    Love that floor repair! That is just brutal to look at, never mind someone actually butchered it that badly.

    I would take it, but not for that price.

    Like 4
  5. Avatar SMDA

    Like I said about the Delorean, how about a modern high performance electric motor? That would be faster and far more reliable then anything traditional you could put into it. How long before we see these? I myself can’t wait. Wouldn’t it be a hoot at a drag strip and squash any and all comers with an electric?!!!

    Like 2
    • Avatar Steve R

      There a couple of Tesla Model 3’s that run brackets at the local track, they are fast, but not that fast. They are a couple of tenths slower, about 2 car lengths, than newer Mustang GT’s. Their main advantage is they are easy to drive and they repeat. Even a Model S with Tesla’s performance program will lose to any number of 100% stock performance cars. The performance numbers the Model 3 puts up emphasizes how badly most other electric cars are designed or engineered.

      A couple of years ago there was an organization that ran a class for only electric cars. All of the participants had purpose built race cars, including a couple of dragsters. The performance of the cars participating was nothing that you wouldn’t see in any of the regular classes running that weekend.

      Steve R

      Like 3
      • Avatar SMDA

        Interesting. Ever see Leno race his own mother driving a Tesla sedan while he drove a modern car, a Camaro if I recall correctly, he got toasted by a LOL. Watch the U Tube video.

        Like 1
      • Avatar Steve R

        It must have been an early prototype, his mother passed away in 1993.

        I didn’t see any video descriptions on YouTube referencing Jay Leno racng a Tesla .

        Steve R

        Like 4
      • Avatar SMDA

        Okay, not his Mom or a Camaro, though a worthy opponent.

        http://nosleepatall.com/jay-leno-cobra-gets-taken-out-by-granny-in-tesla/

        Like 1
      • Avatar RTS

        For what it’s worth, the Tesla Model S P100D – 2.3 seconds 0-60, seems pretty quick. The “stock performance cars” you are referring to that are quicker?

        Like 2
    • Avatar Kman

      It’s Hollywood, believe nothing. Sheeze.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Mikey8

    Nope. Not worth that with all the parts missing and amount of metal work it needs. Someone’s been watching Mecums or Barrett’s too much

    Like 5
  7. Avatar Del

    Ran when Parted Out.

    Shell left.

    Suckers apply by auction only

    Like 4
  8. Avatar 38ChevyCoupeGuy

    Well, best wishes to the new owner,I hope he/she has skills and are not just handing over blank checks. I for one, have never been able to hand over a blank check,always have built it myself,which I think is 99 percent of the fun of doing these cars or any car or truck for that matter myself. At least it was born with the 3rd pedal,what I refer to as the fun pedal. Hope the new caretaker leaves it and gives it plenty of use doing holeshots at the local stoplights. 😁

    Like 1
  9. Avatar grant

    So, someone bought this and moved it to Illinois and is now moving it on? There’s a reason for that.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar George Mattar

    I agree with Mikey8. Too many auction watchers these days. Cars are way over priced. This is a decent car if you pay $1,500 and own a body shop. I work in a body shop. The cost to restore this pile of trash far exceeds its worth. Most people have no idea what quality work costs. And guess what AMD metal is junk. We have to cut that trash to fit. And the supply of NOS metal, well going away with each passing day.

    Like 2
    • Avatar dave Member

      Is there any reputable supplier out there?

      Like 0
  11. Avatar 38ChevyCoupeGuy

    Again? Already? Look before you buy folks 🐻

    Like 0

Leave A Comment

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.