The 1969 Chevy Camaro was the third and last year of the first generation of the pony car. They built a bundle of them (243,000) in part due to a 15-month production run as the all-new 1970s were delayed in getting to market. This Camaro was fairly ordinary from the beginning with a 307 cubic inch V8 and 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. Both of these are now gone as is the rear suspension – replaced with a C4 Corvette’s IRS (independent rear suspension)! So, as it sits, it could be a one-of-kind Camaro project!
As the story goes, the seller’s father bought this Chevy intact in 1990. By chance, he ran up on the Corvette IRS at a repair shop and had it installed in this Camaro. Whether that was part of a master plan isn’t known, but it sounds like an opportunity not to be missed. No mention is made of the hardware that was removed to pull this off, so if you decided the IRS (not the one that takes your money) isn’t for you, you’d probably have to source another 1969 Camaro for parts.
The seller mentions the gas tank is out of the vehicle as is the rear seat (which is in good shape). However, modifications made by the IRS may or may not mean those two items can go back in without some adjustments. The engine and transmission were pulled sometime in the last 30 years and are not included in the sale. But the seller has a new 350 and a TH-350 you could purchase separately.
Considering its age and dormancy, this Camaro is in good shape overall. Yes, the Glacier Blue older repaint is faded (it wasn’t well done, to begin with) and there is a bit of rust here and there, but nothing you’d probably shy away from if a restomod is what you have in mind, The interior may be the best part, though the steering wheel will need to be replaced. The seller also has an entire front suspension kit to help with that and comes with disc brakes (also at extra cost).
The seller found the build sheet at some point, but it was so badly deteriorated that you can’t read anything. But since no claim of this being an SS or RS is made and the car has been modified, does it matter much? If this project floats your boat, it’s in Los Alamitos, California, and is available here on eBay where just one bid of $9,500 has been cast (thus the reserve is unmet).
As the car sits, it offers all kinds of interesting possibilities as to where to take it. But I wonder how do you set a fair price when there are so few comparable cars to use as a benchmark?
I can’t wait to see the comments on this car.
Ok Ill start….. I sure hope that Corvette IRS can hold up to all that power from that 307 and a Powerglide!!!
I’m sorry, just kidding. Actually this looks like a great Camaro to get started with, and the Corvette rear is a good upgrade. I agree with Russ, the interior looks pretty good other than the steering wheel. It looks pretty solid.
The fuel tank is out of the car probably because it no longer fits, thanks to the new suspension. I guess you could remove the rear seat and mount it there, redneck style.
Just put a fuel cell in the trunk.
I would go with an LS engine in this car…
Get a fold down rear seat and a rear roll bar
Find aftermarket hidden headlights…
Then drive it 😉
I always remove a rear mounted fuel tank when I’m doing any welding near it. If the original doesn’t fit you can make a custom tank that will. Remember, any modification will lead to other mods to accommodate. I think the C4 rear suspension is worth the trouble.
It is certainly an upgrade
Might make an interesting autocross vehicle perhaps
I think the IRS would put it in E modified; a tough and expensive class.
Rear install looks like a clean installation. If bought at a reasonable price this looks like a good project. Any project you can start and finish without gobs of rust repair is a great project in my mind, and my mind remembers a lot of rust repair over the years.
From a performance standpoint, the IRS won’t net much on a lightly modified street car, but it should provide a nicer ride on deteriorating roads while we wait for Government infrastructure funds to be siphoned off by corrupt politi… uh…er, I mean…until the roads get fixed.
I would put a Coyote in her.
Drove a ’69 Z28 in ’74, 302 450hp! This one interesting. I would drop an crate ss 396 375hp in it to get the juices flowing!
Sold for a high bid of $12,400.
Steve R