The popular Ford Mustang was unchecked (except for the Barracuda) in the new pony car market until the Chevy Camaro came along in 1967. It, too, would be a success, selling 285,000 units in its first year. The convertible was fewer in numbers if you can call 25,000 copies “few”. This example looks like a barn find that may only need minor mechanical work and a paint job. Located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, it’s available here on eBay where the bidding stands at $15,600 with no reserve. Thanks to Russell Glantz for sharing this lead with us!
As early as the Spring of 1965, reports were circulating that GM was developing a competitor to the Mustang and its code-name was “Panther”. By the Fall of 1966, the car was in production and its platform would support not only the Pontiac Firebird but also the redesign of the Chevy II/Nova in 1968. The first generation of the Camaro (1967-69) could be had from mild to wild, with both six-cylinder and big-block V8 engines. The seller’s car may be a basic convertible, with a 327 (?) under the hood paired with a Powerglide automatic transmission.
The seller believes this drop-top to be scarce in numbers, one of 750 produced that was blue-on-blue-blue in color (but one of those blues is now white i.e., the convertible top which needs replacing). The paint is tired and there’s some surface rust in a few places, but the body and frame overall may be in good condition.
We’re told the car runs well due in part to a new gas tank. But the brake lines need to be replaced and those parts will come with the car. It wears new tires at each point and the interior looks good except for the cracked dashboard. It has hints of being a factory air-conditioned car, but we’re not sure if the compressor is still there. A new pair of chrome bumpers will also accompany the transaction. This comes across as a car that you could easily drive while continuing to work on and improve.
looks like it has a later engine (hints of light blue), alternator on the passenger side where the ac compressor should be, wrong air cleaner. I would want to see some undercarriage photos buying a car out of the rust belt. ??? seems like a lot for full resto project on non original
That thing has major rust issues lurking underneath, needing new brake lines is a sign of that plus what you can spot in the photos. Lack of front fender engine badges makes me think this was a six-cylinder car originally that someone converted to a V8 with a mid-late 70s motor. Engine has faded blue paint and a ported vacuum switch on the thermostat housing.
Yes, I doubt the engine is a 327 since it appears to be painted GM Corporate Blue indicating a later model engine. That color began in 1977.
Also, I wonder how he came up with the statistic that this car is one of 750 made in blue on blue. GM does not keep records of color combinations like that.
Looks like a car that someone could get running and beat around in before a restoration is done
Yes it’s nice for what it is if it stays at that price – I’m concern as I look at the rockers in the door open picture – it is from that part of the states.
Take a good look underneath. Our ’69 was totally rotten underneath, the ends of the front and rear subframes which were welded to the unibody rusted out and there was nothing left of the unibody to reweld the subframes to. The interior was perfect, and the engine was OK but really needed new gears and a new chain on the timing set up, rot at bottom of rear window, rot in the rockers and over the wheels. Salvaged the interior and the Positraction differential, and some glass, the rest got crushed. It was a wonderful car for its day.