If you are a person who is hunting for a solid 1969 Camaro project car, then this particular car might be worth some serious consideration. With little to no rust to contend with, it is a car that has the potential to be a real stand-out once restored. It is located in Houston, Texas, and is listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has now risen to $13,200, but the reserve hasn’t been met.
When it comes to good news on the rust front, the Camaro is loaded with good news, because it sure doesn’t look like it is loaded with rust. Up until 2017, the Camaro had called Arizona home, which is no bad thing. After a short stint in a garage in Tennessee, the car then found its way to Texas in 2018. That sort of life is conducive to a car of this vintage remaining rock solid, and that appears to be the case. An added bonus is the fact that the car still wears its original Hugger Orange paint, which has to be one of the most iconic colors to ever grace a Camaro of this era. The majority of the external trim and chrome looks quite good, but the next owner will have to dig into their wallet for the cost of a new windshield. The wheels that are currently fitted to the Camaro might not be original, but they will be remaining on the car for the next owner.
If you’re going to buy a car that has spent so many years in Arizona, there is almost certainly going to be a price to pay, and the interior is where this is usually the case. I’d love to say that this car is the exception to that rule, but unfortunately, it isn’t. However, the UV impact has actually been surprisingly minimal. The shopping list isn’t enormous and will consist of new covers for the front seats, a carpet set, a new headliner, and a new dash pad. The remaining interior trim, the rear seat, the dash, and the console all look to be quite good. You would have to also admit that Hugger orange paint and black interior trim is always going to be a winner.
It’s when we delve into the Camaro’s innards that things become a touch confusing. The owner initially says that the car was originally built with a 350-2bbl engine, then turns and states that it was a 327. What we know is that the original engine is now gone, and this one is set to go in its place. Judging by the writing on the valve cover, this engine was from a ’69 Bel Air, but I’m not sure what size it is. However, the automatic transmission and rear end are both original, so I guess that this is a pretty reasonable start. Interestingly, the original owner not only ordered the Camaro with what would have been a premium color in 1969, but he chose to equip the car with power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning. I guess that the latter makes perfect sense for a car in Arizona.
When compared to a lot of the project Camaros that come across the desks here at Barn Finds, this one makes a refreshing change. It is a solid car, and it appears that the next owner is not going to be faced with the prospect of working the grinder and welder overtime. It might not be an RS, an SS, or a Z28, but it certainly offers the prospect of being a nice car once it has been restored. It is a car that shows a lot of promise, and it would be pretty good if one of our readers finished up owning this one.
Rare to see a 69 camaro this solid. Good color for a 69 camaro.
Confusing is right on the engine things Adam. Pretty sure the 1969 350 in the Camaro only came with a 4 barrel. And then the 327 fender emblems?
L65 option was a 350ci/250HP V8 2BC. LF7 option is a 327ci/210HP V8 2BC. His ebay ad now states it was this engine originally.
“Most iconic.” Anybody ever seen anything called the “least iconic”? Gotta be coming soon. Everything is iconic.
This car is destined for Respray Red and/or a big block with a 4-speed conversion.
I agree that original color is fairly meaningless for a car like this in this condition, but I am a fan of the orange paint. Good bones is probably worth the price of a Dynacorn and the rims are just fine. Needs a nice motor and 4-speed for sure.
Cool Camaro and solid! Pretty early build at 09B (Second week Sept ’68). 72 72 Tag confirms Hugger Orange. The 327 2bbl was the base V8 until the 307 was introduced later that year.
Definitely hard to knock hugger orange with black interior, along with that white stripe around the front..The wheels only further add to this.
Gotta have somethin’ more than 2 barrels on a plain small block….400 with a 350 crank,what is that, a 372? This would make a fun driver, and yes that hugger orange paint is iconic on early Camaros, almost a status quo on these things.
It’s not perfect or valuable, I would like to make a day two Street freak. Pro stock style of the day would be awesome. It would be built simply for my taste not your opinion.
Nice solid example–if you want a solid car go west young man. You are gonna pay but it beats having to deal with a rust bucket. Sure would be cool with a 327 and a 4 speed, like the hugger orange also. Good luck to the new owner!
Cheeers
GPC
Very nice car….great original color with AC…..should have no problem selling this gem!
Being it’s not numbers matching I’d go with a new LS and a Tremec 5 speed for the long cruise!! That extra gear on my 65 mustang makes it well worth the investment!! Love the color with the white stripe on the hood down the fenders!! A classy looking car!!!
TimM this is a real question, not a smarta$$ one. I’m very well acquainted with LS engines and have great respect for them. So my question is, unless you plan to use this as a daily driver and rack up several hundred thousands of miles (which an LS is quite capable of doing) why not just build up a good sbc for it instead? Parts are relatively cheap in the grand scheme of things. No fabrication or install kits reguired. Can easily be converted to fuel injection with a stand alone unit. What would, in your opinion, be the big advantage to swapping in an LS. Especially since the whole top end on a sbc can be aluminum if you so choose.
I was at a junk yard a couple weeks ago (modern cars) and they had about ten of them on pallets ready to go out!! I asked the guy where they came from and he told me mostly wrecked vehicles!! My point is they seem plentiful and they are quite reliable!! The older cast blocks are good too!! I save them when I find a car that’s body is gone!! The fuel injected LS motors also don’t give you the problems with the today’s fuel that the older motors do! Adding ethanol treatment when fueling and adding zinc when changing oil!! I put ethanol fuel in my 70 carmaro when it first came out and what a mistake that was!! The car sat in the winter and the next year had to pull the tank and carb!! This is just a couple of the things!! I’m just saying to drive it regularly it would be a good thing to do!! IMO!! Do what you like it’s America and it’s your right to do what you want!! And older motor would however make it look more original though!! Hope it satisfies your question!
It does indeed. Thank you.
I like both ideas, either the LS or a high winding small block,,, the big block thing is yet one more. But…
Tim’s right about modern day fuel, which makes plenty of sense for the LS convertion. Fairly potent motor. High performance built small blocks are great but that’s been going on since this was brand new. The LS is just an extension of the potential these older cars have.
Hood up appearance still belongs to the traditional engines though.
Whatever, one thing for me is to leave the outside kinda old looking, sharp black interior, and lots of noise from the tailpipes. Raspy and all the ear candy for a whacked out motorhead to get high on. Neat car.
Nice and what Keith said……
I agree with the go west comment, ive seen some of the new trunk and quarters cars, and some people know what they are doing and some dont, the factory is hard to beat. Sure you pay for shipping 1000$ 1500$ to get it back here, but you dont have to pay a body guy. As far as the motor, i would keep it real simple, Lt1,quadrajet 4 speed. Its not that i dont like the new, i just like tge simplicity