If you are the type of enthusiast who prefers to see original classics preserved but has also harbored a desire to create the custom build of your dreams, this 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible is worth a look. It retains its original factory steel and is rock-solid. However, with no engine and limited interior trim, it is a genuine blank canvas for those willing to let their imagination off the leash. The seller has listed this promising project here on eBay in Morganville, New Jersey. They set their BIN at $25,000 with the option to make an offer.

The history of the Camaro is unclear, but it is fair to say that time has been relatively kind to it. The existing Bronze paint isn’t original, with the Cowl Tag confirming that it emerged from the factory resplendent in Butternut Yellow with a Black power top. It is unclear when the change occurred, but I suspect somebody added the hood during what appears to be a stalled build. The hood is the only non-original steel, with the Camaro having no known history of rust repairs or accident damage. We would typically begin talking about the dreaded tin worm at this point, but it can be summed up fairly easily; There is none. The photos show evidence of minor dry surface corrosion in a few spots, but there is no evidence of steel penetration. Media-blasting the floors and underside would probably be a wise approach, but this build will not require the services of a grinder or welder. The sale doesn’t include the bumpers or grille, and the Camaro will need a new top.

This Camaro is a zero-emission vehicle, courtesy of the fact that the engine bay is empty. It originally housed a small-block, although its capacity is unclear. However, the deal includes a rebuilt two-speed Powerglide and a 10-bolt rear end, which might serve as a starting point. The beauty of this classic is that with no engine to hinder the imagination, the world will be the buyer’s oyster when choosing what to slot under the hood. They could follow the faithful path, bolt in a big-block, or pursue the restomod path. Helping their cause is the ready availability of components off the shelf, regardless of which option they choose. Mild or wild, it is purely a matter of taste.

The blank canvas theme continues when we focus on this Camaro’s interior. Trimmed in Black vinyl, it is missing the front seats. Otherwise, it is largely complete. The door trims, back seat, dash, and pad, look remarkably good. They could be used as part of a driver-grade build, although the buyer could push out the boat by performing a complete retrim. Once again, they don’t need to be constrained by convention, because while trim kits for a faithful result are easy to find, the lure of custom upholstery may prove irresistible.

Chevrolet sold 243,085 Camaros in 1969, with only 16,515 buyers selecting the Convertible variant. The seller’s price for this project candidate isn’t cheap but deserves some context. The buyer will probably elect to media-blast the shell to eliminate any existing surface corrosion, but they won’t face hours of hard labor cutting and welding to eliminate penetrating rust. Some may see a faithful refurbishment as the most appropriate path, while others may find the prospect of shoehorning a big-block under the hood irresistible. The only limiting factors will be budget and imagination. If you have healthy amounts of both, is this a build you would consider?