Who doesn’t love a first generation Chevrolet Camaro? Even some the Ford guys out there have a secret appreciation for these cars. This 1969 example is in original condition and is now a rather rare car to see, though any survivor condition Camaro is rare. With some signs of age, this Camaro is a one owner car but by today’s standards has an unusual drivetrain. In solid shape, this Camaro is currently bid up to $15,900. Find it here on eBay out of Aurora, Indiana.
So some of you are likely scratching your head wondering what is unusual about this drivetrain. There were plenty of inline 6 Camaros made, why would this one be any different? Well the truth is it isn’t, but by today’s standards, how many inline 6 powered Camaros have you seen recently? Most of the 6 cylinder cars have been converted to a V8, so to see an inline 6 car seems sort of strange, in a way. The 250 cubic inch inline 6 is not listed as running, but sounds like it is a runner, or very close to. There is an even amount of surface rust throughout the engine bay, but there is no apparent rot. We are sure that you have likely already pondered an appropriate engine swap for this Camaro. So for those of you interested in flexing this Camaro’s muscle, it is a manual transmission car.
Looking inside of this Camaro reveals a lovely green interior that we like, but may not be appreciated by all. Overall the interior in this Camaro is flawless. The seats look fantastic and the carpet looks great as well. Examining the interior makes the 77,000 mile number seem quite feasible. This Camaro looks good from the outside as well, though there are some obvious flaws. The rear quarters are starting to show their age with some bubbling and even a small amount of rot. The front fenders have some developing rot at the bottoms as well. The dash area where the windshield sits is starting to develop some rust, and there is a small rust area on the driver side by the vinyl top. Looking underneath of this Camaro reveals a very solid underbody. There aren’t many original condition Camaros left, but this one could go either way. Full on restoration, or possible preservation but likely a short lived one. Though we appreciate this Camaro’s originality, we can certainly see someone dropping in an engine of their choice.
The green on green color scheme is pleasant, and the overall originality is just plain cool. What would you do with this Camaro? Restore it, preserve it, or restomod it?
Get it running and don’t change a thing.
Why, why, why do people have the need to swap out engines on an all original car? THE only correct answer here is to preserve the original engine! (shakes head)
Many may disagree but I’d restore it stock. I started this path many moons ago with a ’67 Firebird 326 HO that I acquired from the original owner. It had been sitting in an underground parade un touched sixteen years before medical reasons forced him to sell. Every piece of paper from insurance renewals to even gas receipts with full log books came with the complete unmolested car. It was rough but all there. Silver glaze on red interior. I had it running (and driving, but with a fuel can piped from the roof to the carb) within a weekend. I had it for two years waiting to start and finally caved to an unsolicited offer and sold the car. The new owner had it finished a year later to a very nice standard. In red with a 400. I cried then and still do every time I think about how he took a beautiful fully documented rather rare car and in my opinion made it into just another five liter mustang (in my mind). Anyway, there’s my rant.
Organic material rots, not metal. Love the fact it’s six and manual transmission.
m15?
As a Ford guy, I’d just like to point out that my appreciation for these cars is not at all secret! Who doesn’t like an old Camaro?
So obvious…leave it be! Could warm up the Six a bit… Bet it runs great.! As the previous gent mentioned… Why ruin it?
I’d pay more for this Camaro in its current unique unrestored condition, than I would pay after it was restored. I would try to resist the temptation of swapping out the motor for more horses.
I also would leave it with the orig. set-up. Years ago I might have done the v-8 swap, but now these are becoming the rare ones. As a gearhead-I have to say don’t do it to this one. I would love to see this car at a show as-is,just running as a orig. driver. LEAVE IT AS-IS, They are only original once. Take a beat-up something else and make that a prostreet or tribute. Good price for this one .Heck even the shift is on the floor!, not column . Fun.
Nice! I have seen them with a 3 on the tree in the past. Nice that this one is on the floor.
This is the same color scheme as my ’69 Chevelle SS396.
That alone makes me like this car. I’m also in the camp of leaving the 6….
I guess I’m odd man out… I say goose it! They were meant to run. Look at the novice strip on the hood.
Why change a rare car, I love big v8’s but if I want one I’ll buy a original v8 car. This one needs to have any issues repaired mechanical and body then just drive it.
I had a 1968 Camaro with a 6 cylinder that was surprisingly peppy, reliable and fun to drive. It got me through 4 years of college with minimal repairs for a 15 year old car. Dollar for dollar, it was the best value of any car I’ve owned in nearly 40 years of owning cars. New England winters took their toll on the body but the drivetrain was indestructible.
As aneeded owner of a 68 Camaro with a 250 all I can say as I watch this auction is “GO BABY GO!”
I bought mine in similar condition 3 years ago for 15.5k. Since put in about 5k more and now she’s a real driver.
With just bolt-ons (that can easily be un-bolted-on) you can get around 225-250 hp. Add in a cam and some head work (which wouldn’t be seen should you un-bolt-on) and you can get 275 hp.
Mine? No headwork yet. That’s coming in about a month when I pull the engine for a little TLC, some forged bits, built 2004r swap, and inspection of the 7 main bearings (anyone ever tell you how stout these are?) in preparation for an eventual turbo install.
I bought it thinking small block or LS swap. Glad I didn’t. I really throw people off when I pop the hood and she does run like a 327 or 2 bbl 350 now. With the turbo charger, efi, and other goodies I should hit 350hp without much effort.
Long story short: if you buy it don’t discount the L6. She’s a good girl.
I’m thinking like you, add a turbo. There certainly is enough room for the set-up. The only oldish Camaro I like is the ’69, which is pretty much a one year only design in and out. But green? I never liked green cars. I’m fond of all the pony cars to some extent, having been born in 1950 I was in my teen years when they came out.
Leave it alone! Too many nice drivers are being bought up by those with more money than sense and are being built only to be display pieces or trailer queens. Thank you Barrett Jackson and Mecum. Source some period correct bolt on engine goodies and install without molestation making sure like Gbauer says That they could be un- bolted on. Last thing ,buy some fender badges or rearrange the numbers. 502 would look good. You don’t usually lift the hood while driving.
Love the fact that the consensus seems to be enjoy the Six! Remember the early Corvette…side drafts! (Had same carbs on an old Ford Y-block – Carter? The boat was a ’60 Tollycraft )
But then stock carburetion would be fine. Those engines were built as economy motors. As the previous guy stated…head work…a cam that offers good mid-range torque… Wonder what diff gears they used? Probably too low. Getting off the line is a short trip. But then… maybe leave the 3:9 or whatever and add overdrive?
There are many good reasons mentioned here for restoring this to stock or as built condition. I would do the engine swap to a late model small block with electronic ign and fuel injection for the added power and drive ability, but keep all the stock stuff so it could be put back if a future owner chose to do so.
It’d be a shame to waiver from its as delivered condition, IE: making a “restomod” out of it, best bet in my opinion would be a “sympathetic restoration” , fix the rusty fenders, 1/4’s even if once “Opened up” its evident that the iron moths have progressed further then originally thought and just drive it !
Sold for $16,600.00. 28 bids.
I had a 69 brand new in 69,327 4 speed loved it! Did the six cylinders have 3 speed trans
I had a 68 Camaro that ran .had a 350 dropped in it got 7 tickets in 1 summer.and I know everybody wants to put real fast motors in old Camaro but as you get older you have a real deep appreciation for the fact that this car came with a 6 cylinder and it’s still a first generation Camaro why not enjoy it for what it is..I would drive it all around and never worry about tickets
They’re only original once. Leave it as is & enjoy it’s uniqueness.