Build Your Dream: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Project

Have you long harbored the desire to build the Camaro of your dreams? Many people do, but they find the prospect of molesting an original, numbers-matching survivor to clash with their belief that cars of that caliber should be protected and preserved. That’s where this 1969 Camaro fits into the equation and could offer you the chance to undertake such a build with a clear conscience. It is little more than a roller at present, but it is in surprising physical condition. It has already attracted forty bids since the owner listed it for sale here on eBay. The Camaro is located in Lexington, Oklahoma, where the price has rocketed to $15,200 in this No Reserve auction.

One of the most significant challenges that enthusiasts will face when considering a project of this type is to locate a vehicle that is not riddled with rust. For readers serious about such a project, this Camaro would seem to be the ideal candidate. It appears that someone may have been planning a similar project because the Camaro seems to now wear some new hanging panels like doors and a nose cone. The rest of the panels are as clean as you could ever hope to find, with no apparent dings or dents and no rust. That theme continues when we delve below the surface. The seller says that the subframes are as-new and that he believes that a previous owner may have restored these. With the floors also appearing perfect, this Camaro looks like it will be the ideal foundation for a project build. The buyer will still need to spend some money because it will need some fundamental preparation before a new coat of the color of their choice can be applied across the vehicle. It isn’t clear how much of the glass is present, but the owner includes new bumpers, wheel well trims, moldings, and many other parts in the sale.

Apart from the column and wheel, the Camaro’s interior is like Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard because when we got there, the cupboard was bare. While the supplied photos show a healthy collection of parts, the only interior item that I can spot is a shiny new complete air conditioning system. The owner doesn’t mention trim or hardware like seat frames or dash components, so the buyer may need to brace themselves to spend some money to get the interior back into shape. Trim kits are easy to find if the appropriate hardware is present, although the buyer may have other ideas if the aim is for something genuinely special. They may choose to forego the idea of vinyl trim in favor of cloth, although leather would add a touch of luxury. It is an aspect of the project that deserves careful consideration because it is the area of the Camaro that represents the interface between the vehicle and its occupants. If people are going to travel in this classic, the experience deserves to be an enjoyable and comfortable one. After all, enjoyment is what the classic car experience is supposed to be all about.

Lifting the hood reveals that this is the environmentally friendly version of the Camaro that produces no emissions and uses no fuel. The owner states that the car rolled out of the dealership featuring a six-cylinder engine and a manual transmission. The original owner also opted for power front disc brakes. The basics of the braking system remain intact, as do the pedals. Otherwise, this Camaro is a roller. That opens an intriguing set of possibilities for potential buyers to consider. There’s no doubt that a fresh six could be slotted into the engine bay if a faithful restoration is the goal. Otherwise, the world will be the next owner’s oyster. It would make an ideal candidate for a Z28 clone build, or a warm small-block would look right at home nestled between the front fenders. For more attitude, a big-block could be perfect, although there is also the option to pursue a restomod build that would capture the character and charm of a classic pony car with a drivetrain that is civilized and refined. The reality is that the buyer will only be limited by their imagination.

We’ve seen a few blank canvas project cars over the last decade here at Barn Finds, but this 1969 Camaro could be one of the better ones. The buyer won’t face a bill of thousands of dollars to address rust problems before they can delve into the finer details of their build. They also won’t face the potential criticism that can come from some purists when they see an original classic modified in any way. It is a Camaro with many strong points, and it will be interesting to see which would be the most popular path our readers would follow. So, over to you.