This 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS is a genuine barn find. It’s a sad, sorry sight, but it appears that this classic started life with a big-block under the hood. Returning it to its former glory will not be for the faint-hearted, with extensive rust issues for the new owner to contemplate before they pick up their tools for the first time. The seller has listed the Camaro here on eBay in Morgantown, West Virginia. The bidding sits at $335 in a No Reserve auction.
Following its 1967 release, Chevrolet’s First Generation Camaro saw sales increase during its three-year production run. The vehicle evolved during that period, with the pony car receiving its most significant cosmetic upgrade for the 1969 model year. This Camaro rolled off the Norwood line that year, ordered by its first owner in Daytona Yellow with a Black vinyl top. It would have made quite a statement in its prime, but time hasn’t been kind to it. The previous owner discovered the vehicle in a barn, a spot it had occupied for approximately forty years. It retains what appears to be the original paint and vinyl, but describing the Camaro as tired would be a masterly understatement. The seller doesn’t sugar-coat the problems, admitting that the vehicle is beset with major rust issues. The floors, rails, and trunk pan are almost non-existent, with the subframe also described as pretty bad. The lower exterior extremities show additional rust, and many panels have dings and dents. Most of the exterior trim is damaged, but the glass appears okay. Therefore, any planned restoration will involve entirely dismantling the vehicle.
The Camaro no longer features a motor and transmission, but it does retain its 12-bolt rear end. When it emerged from hiding, it appeared that a previous owner had installed a small-block V8 and a two-speed Powerglide. However, there are signs that neither component was numbers-matching. Expert analysis seems to confirm that this Camaro is an SS, ordered by its first owner with a 396ci V8 and a four-speed manual transmission. This belief extends beyond the exterior badges, with various components beneath the surface suggesting that the big-block was either the L34 or L35 variant. That would have placed at least 325hp and 410 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal, though those figures rise to 350hp and 415 ft/lbs if it is the L34 version. The loss of the original components will allow the builder to choose their path. Sourcing a period-correct big-block and a four-speed would be possible, but they may opt for the restomod path to combine the Camaro’s inherent character with a more user-friendly driving experience.
Virtually every classic featured on Barn Finds has at least one positive attribute, and this Camaro’s could be its interior. It isn’t pristine, but it appears complete. Surprisingly, given the cosmetic and rust issues elsewhere, it appears most components may be suitable for use in a driver-grade build after a deep clean. The front seats are free from obvious rips, and the remaining Black vinyl trim shows promise. The console looks respectable, but the builder may spend the cash on a woodgrain kit to address a couple of shortcomings. The dash looks okay, and I think the pad might be crack-free.
This 1969 Camaro SS poses the eternal question: how bad does a classic have to become before most people deem it beyond salvation? It has extensive rust, and while replacement steel is readily available, it would take hundreds of hours of cutting and welding before anyone would consider the bodyshell structurally sound. The buyer also faces the cost of sourcing an appropriate motor and transmission if they plan a faithful restoration. Therefore, it will be fascinating to gauge your opinions. Do you believe this Camaroo SS is a viable project candidate, or have its days of torturing the tarmac ended?
The rust got so bad, even the engine and transmission rusted away.. As of this typing, the bid is only $335. I’m sure there’s a Camaro fanatic who’ll pony up a high 4 figures for what’s left of this car..
Lawn art… Maybe put a bird bath in the motor compartment, and a big bird feeder inside with the windows down?
PS The 69 white charger listed here sold for 15k… If anyone was wondering…
What a turd. Parts car at best
You’re almost better off at this point with a Dynacorn body given all the work it’s going to take to get a workable shell. And I think the market is going in the wrong direction for this to be worth it in any case.
Are you referring to the market in general or cars like this 1969 Camaro? There is a large segment of the “market” that is collapsing, mainly 1930’s through 1950’s and early-1960’s cars without strong followings, such as many if not most orphan makes, most 4 doors, generic luxury oriented cars, or any car where the main selling point is that it will get attention at a coffee and cars.
Real muscle cars are generally still going well, there will be typical fluctuations, but not a collapse. Their collapse is still decades away, there are also cars that are ascending, 1980’s and early-1990’s 5.0 Mustangs, 1970’s-1990’s Bronco’s and full size 2dr Blazers, standard cab short bed fleetside pickups, many 1970’s to 1980’s performance oriented imports especially Japanese, including pickups. There are more.
Steve R
I mean the muscle car hobby generally as the primary buyer pool is aging out.
At first glance I wondered why there was a center console in the engine bay, then I realized the floors were just rotted out. :-)
Someone will buy this because they listen to their heart instead of their brain, which is what happens to everyone in this hobby at one time or another. I hope the new owner makes a silk purse with this sow’s ear.
Bidding sits at $790 and that still might be high.
Your not paying for the car. You are paying for a vin and firewall plate, or transfer of the firewall with the above included to a new shell..along with whatever can be salvaged from the car. In a year, this will be a brand new pristine SS.
A year?!!!:)
Parts are getting out of sight. Not worth the time or money. Probably one of the reasons people are losing interest. And also so many things are no longer available for old cars.
Looks like it spent 40 years in an abandon Chicken house with dirt floors . That stuff is acid . So Sad……
1 pic shows a motor 1 shows no motor. 500.00 parts car
That poor Camaro is rough. It’s a shame too because from the heater box it does appear that it was originally an SS 396 4 speed car. It had to be a nice car when new with the Endura front bumper, Daytona Yellow exterior with a black vinyl top and standard black interior. If the original engine was still with it it might be worth trying to restore it, but with the original engine gone it’s hard to justify the time and money needed to resurrect this old Camaro.
Even though it has a big block heater box/core, I wouldn’t put too much weight on it for verification purposes. In the mid-1980’s several friends installed big block heater box/cores on their small blocks to gain clearance when installing tall valve covers. The local Camaro restoration supplier stocked all of the parts necessary, they were still available from the dealer and was reasonably priced.
Steve R
the camaro is a doable project if one was going to do a pro touring build and use something like a Art Morrison or Roadster Shop chassis, because you have to cut away the floors, trunk and have no use for the front sub-frame and suspension. Still a major project, but doable.
Bidding up to $1600.00 yes I bet it was a nice car when new.
This looks like a project for Dalton of Pole Barn Garage. He has taken on projects much worst than this.
How does anyone let a car get this bad?
In order for this car to be a parts car, it would need some usable parts. This car doesn’t have many that are. If it has a 12-bolt posi, that could help. Maybe the rear spoiler and trunk lid. Chrome parts are a toss-up since it is unknown if the chrome is pitted or not. What else? If the seats are correct for a 69 Camaro, that would be great. They would bring $500 easily, so maybe a $1000 car, but it looks like it is at least a $1600 car, according to bids.
$3000 so far (SMH), it must have $4000 in the trunk. Even on my best day, I wouldn’t take on this project.
Bidding is up to $3k now. At least the seller is very honest in his write up. I agree, you’re buying a cowl & VIN plate. If you’re going to attempt it, be better off sourcing a new body & telling people it’s been re-bodied. (But we know that won’t happen.)
What a shame to let this happen barely a parts car here! Hard pass move on nothing to see here.
Sold on 5/4/2026 for a high bid of $6,100, there were 51 bids from 13 bidders.
Steve R