Someday, if not already, something like a Honda Civic Si will top America’s list of “Top Ten Classic Performance Cars.” Many enthusiasts of a certain age, however, name the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, like this Cody, Wyoming convertible as their automotive Holy Grail. Shoved in a storage container in 1979 (!!!), this highly original Chevy has been treated with enough care, parts, and fluids to run “great” with no oil smoke, according to the seller. Though brakes, metal repair, and many other items keep it from being roadworthy, the work done shows promise. A detailed listing here on eBay has tempted at least four bidders, drawing a value beyond $22,000 so far.
A “flushed” fuel system feeds the original 210 HP 327 cid (5.4L) V8, and the coolant flows through a re-cored radiator. Fresh oil, tune-up parts, and more should go a long way toward bringing a good price on this container-stored special. Even the power top works!
Replacements for the rusty floorboard come with the sale, and the car retains its center console with U-handle shifter for the two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. The seller kindly decodes the body tag and shows a picture of it. Interesting options include power drum brakes, power steering, and the “hockey stick” stripes, basically everything you see here.
The lack of brakes explains the friendly wedge keeping this green machine from rolling away until the appropriate trailer shows up. Before the Internet, this classic would have been the talk of the town, even in this “needs (nearly) everything” condition. Today, a patient buyer could probably take a pass and wait for something better. On the other hand, the low-budget power-train should fend off the high rollers, leaving the door open for someone who always wanted a 1969 Camaro convertible and has plenty of time to resuscitate this one. Would you take a gamble on this storage container find?
One can find better performing , handling , braking newer car easily but the look of a topless 69 camaro is timeless and unbeatable!
I had one myself for 18 years , sold it to invest in real estate and 20 years later i dont work anymore
I sort of miss the camaro but i dont miss working!
Karnak predicts a future SS vert clone. Do love the color though.
FWIW, a one piece full floor is a cleaner easier install.
I have been wondering for 40 years now: why does red heater hose exist?
Actually,so have i !
I’ve encountered some manufactures of hoses identify “high temp” hose being colored red. Not sure if that is the case all of the time but this just happened to me while ordering hoses here at work.
I guess it makes more sense than red nylon ‘braided steel’ heater hose covers, and they sell those too.
I like the “Hot Wheels” color but I would hardly put a base 327 with Powerglide in Holy Grail territory…
How does a car get that beat up in only 10 years?
That’s about the life expectancy of cars, at least on the East Coast . A non garaged car driven in all 4 seasons has a tough life here, and a used car like this in ’79 could have been purchased by a high school kid for $1.000 or less and had the crap beat out of it .My first street car was a 9 year old running Falcon, it was free and the guy was happy to get rid of it ! . I used to be able to buy 8 or 9 year old cars for 50 bucks just to put them in demo derbies and no one thought anything odd about it ; the cars were just worn out.
The fact is that most 10 year old car back then was in shambles if it had to make it through winters and salt !
I live in snow country and a lot of vehicles start looking crusty from the salt
2010 civics are left for dead in scrap yards
Winters and owner neglect takes a toll
Thankfully this car was stored away before it got worse. In 1978, I bought a 68 SS/RS 396/4 speed, hardtop, for $400. Rusty, dented, bad brakes. The following year I bought a 68 Camaro convertible, 327, powerglide, terrible paint and interior, smashed rr 1/4 panel, for $400. Drove them both home. That’s all these cars were worth back then.
Over the next few years, I transplanted the sub frame, 12 bolt, 396 and four-speed into the convertible. Replaced the quarter panel, replaced the top and interior. You could still buy lots of new old stock parts at that time. very few reproduction parts available at that time. Nice car, not a numbers matching car, but had a lot of fun with it. Owned it for 37 years. Finally sold it to my son, who grew up with the car and was attracted to it like a moth to a flame. Now, he has it all dismembered in his garage going through it and making it the way he wants.
Thankfully, I’m not one of those people who complain about today’s prices compared to 40 years ago. Like many people, I wish I had filled a barn with $400 cars like these.
Easily. They did not build cars as well then as now. Blasphemy, I know, but true. If it was driven year round in a cold weather state that used salt, I wouldn’t be surprised if it looked more or less like this by 1975!
Anyway as a former 1969 Camaro owner myself, I think the current bid is ludicrous. Buyer will have 60k into this thing, if not more, for a base model Camaro. I would suspect a shill but in this economy, I believe somebody will be dumb enough to spend it. And at least get the project started.
Hopefully they can finish, or else they will be selling the basket case in 5 years for a lot less than what they paid for the base project in ’22.
That’s about the life expectancy of cars, at least on the East Coast . A non garaged car driven in all 4 seasons has a tough life here, and a used car like this in ’79 could have been purchased by a high school kid for $1.000 or less and had the crap beat out of it .My first street car was a 9 year old running Falcon, it was free and the guy was happy to get rid of it ! . I used to be able to buy 8 or 9 year old cars for 50 bucks just to put them in demo derbies and no one thought anything odd about it ; the cars were just worn out.
Red heater hose is considered insulated and is useful for things truck bunks and rear heaters.
Scott on how does a car get that beat, watch some movies and TV shows from 70s you see Chevelle’s , Cutlass,Nova’s, Mopar,etc couple years old beat to hell,I was there.