The Chevy Camaro was in its third year in 1969 and firmly in second place (sales) behind the Ford Mustang in the “pony car” market. Production was a record 243,000 Camaros as the build cycle was increased by three months waiting for the all-new 1970 Camaros to be ready for the assembly line. This example is rare in that it has the LM1 350 cubic inch V8 engine that went into just four percent of the cars (or about 1 in every 25 built). Largely original, this ’69 LM1 Camaro is numbers matching and in beautiful condition with low miles. Located in Gig Harbor, Washington, this sweetheart is available here on eBay where the latest bid is $35,300, the reserve is unmet, and the “pass-go” price is $55,000.
This seller has gone to a great deal of trouble to document this car. The only things missing are a photo of the cowl tag and a copy of the build sheet if there is one. The LM1 350 was an upgrade to the L48 350 in that a 4-barrel carburetor was included rather than a 2-barrel. The HP rating was 255 and we’re told the engine, transmission, and rear end in this car are all original. That includes the TH-350 automatic and 12-bolt rear end. In some circles, the LM1 Camaro is thought of as a prelude to the SS without that car’s trim (can you say “sleeper”?).
A lot of extras are included with this Chevy, including factory air conditioning (which needs a recharge), power steering, and power brakes. The tires are new, and they are period-correct Firestones. The car sports Glacier Blue paint (which has been redone) and a Dover White metal roof rather than vinyl. The interior is finished in Medium Blue and looks about as good as it must have when the car was built in December 1968.
We’re told the vehicle has moved around a bit. First delivered in Los Angeles, California, it spent many years in New Mexico where the climate enabled the car to remain rust-free. All the sheet metal on this Camaro is said to be from the day the automobile was assembled. The car has been treated with kid gloves and the odometer reading averages just 1,100 miles with every turn of the calendar. The seller provides a video to help showcase the blue beauty.
Just a correction on the engine RPO expalnation in the eBay auction. The LM1 was an upgrade from the base 327 2bbl. Later – in that 5th month of production, the L65 350 2bbl replaced the LM1 option. The L48 was always a 4bbl, and standard in the SS. The main differences? Heads and distributor. And, the L48 had dual exhaust standard, the LM1 did not.
Total LM1 production was around 12,400 of the 243,000 total, so a rare ’69 Camaro, indeed.
The words “rare” and “Camaro” in the same sentence just don’t add up.
Too many rare Camaros
A ’69 RS camaro with either the 230 or 250 6 cyl would be rare (but not desirable), since i never seen one, & i bet you haven’t either, even tho Chevy could have made tons of em like that. I think few people & maybe even salesmen knew you could get that combo on 1st gens.
There is one in Jacksonville, IL, can’t remember the owner’s name but it was a 3 speed on the column and appeared at many cruise in in the 80’s and 90’s.
Have you ever seen a 71 Mach 1 with a 300 six and a 4 speed?
A friend in high school (1970-80) had a 69 RS with AC and the 255 hp 350. Later in college, I worked with a guy who had a 69 Camaro with a 300 hp 350. It wasn’t an SS; just a regular Camaro with the 300 hp engine.
“friend in high school (1970-80)” – seems like a LOT of time to spend in high school.
Just sayin’…
I caught that before I even finished reading that sentence. Just a bit of fun, people.
The fact that it took you 10 years to complete high School is more rare than this car. Hahaha
My first Camaro was an LM1. I bought it from original owner used in 1972. My friends and I could never figure out the option. My was hugger orange with a 4 speed (Muncie not Sag) had a 12 bolt open rear end, 4 bbl and single exhaust. It was low mileage and pristine. With full on youthful exuberance I put headers, dual exhaust, mag wheels, tach, gauges and all the day 2 stuff on it. Drove the heck out of it. Later added a 396 and flat black cowl hood. I wish I knew then what I had, I probably would not have done anything different but sure wish I had the car today as I bought it. It was a rare jewel.
Good one. Genius!!!!!
“I’ve been going to this high school for seven and a half years. I’m no dummy.” Charles De Mar, 1985.
That column shifter has to be almost as rare as the engine.
Nah – column shift is a lot more rare on 2nd gen F-bodies(especially on T/A’s!!).
On a ’69 camaro i would certainly have ordered the VERY cool horseshoe shifter & console, instead of/before i ordered a vinyl roof or delux interior or rear antenna or chrome pedal dressup or even a v8!!!
The console & shifter tho could be installed on this car, if so desired by new owner.
I just noticed the, IMO, ridiculous extra cost underhood insulation, yet, again, no console. I sure would want to HEAR any strange noises coming from under the hood if something was wrong!
With more than 50 separate distinct options available(try that today), any crazy combination was possible, like a ’69 RS with 230 6 cyl, 4 wheel disc brakes!, hood insulation, & no radio. lol
Deluxe door panels and wood grain but no hounstooth?
In 1969 there were two different extra cost custom interior options for F bodies. One was the houndstooth and the other was what you see here. Both used the same custom door panels and the wood grain
I had one of these but didn’t know what it was. Bought it from the original owner in 1972. It was hugger orange 350 4bbl with 4 speed (Muncie not Sag) 12 bolt open rear end. My friends and I could never figure out the option. With youthful exuberance I put headers, dual exhaust, tach and gauges and of course mag wheels. Perfect day 2 look. If I knew what I had then I probably would have done the same thing, but I sure wish I had it today like I bought it.
WOW, talk about rare cars!!!!! L35 big block-3%, L34 big block-1%, and L78-2%. This LM1 is about the same rarity, 4%, as 396 cars. It is listed much too cheap. 1969 Z28 production was 8%, making this car much rarer and much more valuable than a Z28. This car is one of 12,000 built. I see no rarity about those numbers, but I guess I am learning the new definition of ”rare”. I do have a one of one 70 Chevelle. Mine is the only one I have ever seen with the specific vin number that is on mine. One of one, now that’s rare, kids.
$55,000 and they can’t bother to charge the air?
The rarest thing about it is the paint. Only 1.8% were two-tone and I believe there were 6 color combinations.
How can you tell from the vin if its a LM1 car?
The word “RARE” is so overused here. Absolutely NONE of these cars are all that rare. We see a few hundred “rare” cars a day on here alone. I used to think that. But if you look for any of them. The interwebs is overflowing with “rare” cars.
Rare is used to cry for insane prices.