There are plenty of enthusiasts who long to tackle a project build but lack the welding skills to tackle a classic with rust issues. This 1969 Camaro RS/SS could provide them with the perfect solution because any rust problems have been addressed. It needs a buyer with an eye for detail to finish the work that the seller has started. If that sounds like it could be your perfect project, you will find the Camaro located in Miami, Florida, and listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has made it to $15,500, but I’m not surprised to find that the reserve hasn’t been met.

The Camaro is currently finished in a guide coat. Because there is no evidence of its original Fathom Green paint, the buyer can choose whatever color takes their fancy to apply to this classic. The panels are laser-straight, with no signs of any dings or dents. Preparing the steel for paint won’t take a lot of work, and it appears that the buyer will be working with a better body than average. All of the panel gaps are tight and consistent, and I believe that they are a cut above what Chevrolet would have produced originally. The owner says that the doors open and close like new, while the same is true for the hood and trunk. There are many trim and chrome pieces that will need to be refitted when the paint is complete, but the owner is including front and rear bumpers, front and rear spoilers, an RS grille, and all of the glass. The American Racing wheels and the Mickey Thompson tires are new and are included in the sale.

One of the most impressive aspects of this Camaro is the floors because these are claimed to be original. Their condition would suggest that the Camaro has led a sheltered existence because so many of these have significant issues in this area. These look clean and solid, and it seems like they have been appropriately treated and prepared to maximize the chances that they remain that way.

The trunk pan is another great rust-trap in a 1st Generation Camaro, but the story is similar to the floors. This is all original GM steel, with no history of damage or repairs. One of the great attractions of a project car in this state is that it gives the buyer an excellent opportunity to inspect every aspect of the body to ensure that everything is above board. If the supplied photos are an accurate representation, then the news here is looking very positive.

If there is a down-side to this Camaro project, it is the fact that it is not numbers-matching. It is a genuine SS396, but the original V8 is long gone. The 396 that is in residence is date-correct, but it does have a slight question mark hanging over it. The owner has never heard it run, and the person he purchased it from said that it was in good health. He also claimed that it has only clocked 25,000 miles, but the lack of peripheral equipment like the carburetor means that confirming its health will not be the work of a single morning. The engine’s presentation is not that great, and I would be inclined to pull the 396, inspect it, and then detail it within an inch of its life. With the rest of the car holding so much promise of becoming a show-stopper, it would be wrong to let the side down by having the engine bay looking anything but perfect. Also included are a TH-400 automatic transmission and a 12-bolt rear end. There is another option available to potential buyers. The seller has separately listed a 6.2-liter LT4 V8 and a brand new 6-speed Tremec Supermagnum transmission. The engine came from a 2019 Camaro ZL-1 and has a documented 10,800 miles under its belt. The seller is open to putting together the engine/transmission and the Camaro as a package deal. It is an intriguing prospect because that LT4 would be pumping out 640hp. That would give the Camaro performance that would match its good looks.

The interior has been pulled from the Camaro so that the body could be whipped into shape. If the bucket seats are any indication, most of the trim should be in good condition. As well as the seats, there is a dash cluster that includes a tachometer, a console that features the factory gauges, a dash pad, and a new carpet set. The owner doesn’t indicate whether a headliner, sail panels, kick panels, or door trims are included. However, these are readily available and very affordable, so if they are missing, it is not the end of the world.

With this 1969 Camaro RS/SS in its current state, the buyer will have a world of possibilities laid out before them. They could choose to complete this as a faithful restoration, ditching the American Racing wheels for something more appropriate and applying a new coat of Fathom Green paint to the faultless panels. The fact that it is not numbers-matching means that they might also choose to tackle this as a custom build, and the engine/transmission option that the seller dangles in front of us is a tempting proposition. I’m not sure which way I would jump on that. What about you?