There sometimes comes a moment when an owner needs to make a difficult decision about their beloved classic. That is one facing the buyer of this tidy 1969 Chevrolet Camaro. It is a clean vehicle that runs and drives and has no immediate needs. However, its drivetrain combination isn’t the most desirable for this model year. The seller includes a healthy and more powerful motor that would unlock additional performance. Therefore, the choice is whether to retain this Camaro as a numbers-matching car or would slipping the upgraded engine under the hood be a better option. The Camaro is listed here on Craigslist in Helena, Montana. The seller doesn’t indicate a sale price, suggesting they may be open to negotiating. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this classic pony car.
When I first saw this Camaro’s photos, I thought its original owner ordered it in Antique Gold with a vinyl top. However, the roof actually wears Dover White paint. It is an interesting combination that would help it stand out in a crowd. The owner states the car is unrestored, and they place great emphasis on its originality. It has been part of the same family for three generations, meaning that potential buyers could find themselves negotiating on a vehicle with a known long-term ownership history. The paint shines nicely, with no glaring faults. It cloaks arrow straight panels, and there are no signs of rust. The seller doesn’t mention problems, but only an in-person inspection would confirm this. The glass is in good order, as is the chrome. The Camaro wears wider steel wheels with dog dish hubcaps. The combination looks at home on this car, although finding the correct wheels should not be a problem if the buyer prefers a more stock appearance.
The seller describes this Camaro’s interior as nearly perfect, but the slipcovers on the front seat make that claim impossible to confirm. It may stand scrutiny because the back seat shows no wear, the remaining upholstered surfaces are excellent, and the dash and pad are flawless. The interior should need nothing if the upholstery under the covers is as good as the listing suggests. Potential buyers always welcome that news. It isn’t weighed down with luxury extras, but that is forgivable in an original interior this clean.
Unfortunately, the seller doesn’t supply any engine photos. However, there is enough included information to paint a clear picture of the car’s specifications and mechanical health. Lifting the hood would reveal a 250ci six-cylinder engine producing 155hp. That power feeds to the rear wheels via a three-speed Hydramatic transmission. Performance figures are all you might expect from such a modest power output. The journey down the ¼ mile should take 19.2 seconds. This car may improve on that figure slightly thanks to the addition of an HEI ignition, a new intake, a new carburetor, and a new exhaust. If that isn’t enough to pique your interest and you crave more power, the seller can accommodate that wish. They include a strong-running 350ci small-block the buyer could swap into the engine bay. Its specifications are unclear, but you would have to think it would offer at least an additional 100hp to the driver. It will wipe more than three seconds off the original ¼-mile ET if that is the case. It is a prospect that some would find impossible to resist.
If you bought this 1969 Camaro, which path would you choose? The market shows that base-spec vehicles continue increasing in value and that many buyers focus on original and unmolested examples. However, the lure of the additional ponies provided by the included small-block could prove too difficult to ignore. A compromise may be what is required in this case. The buyer could pull the original engine and transmission, squirreling them away into a dark and dry corner of their workshop. They could fill the empty engine bay with the 350 for a spot of classic motoring fun. If they ever decide to sell, performing another engine swap would return the Camaro to a numbers-matching classic, which should help increase its potential value. Does that sound like the best solution to you? If so, are you prepared to test that theory by pursuing this classic further?
Coyote Swap!!!
LMAO!
Oh stop, it no gearhead in his right mind is ever going to stick a d#m ford motor in a 69 Camaro.
The 350 engine is a GM motor and not a Ford product!
Desert Rat, I may be a Ford guy, but I couldn’t agree with you more.
And, if it were mine, I would go with a Rat.
darn straight! How (thousands)many non-chevies have been ruined by 327-350s swapped in instead of the same brand of engine because of ignorance.
If it were a manual transmission , I’d leave it . Automatics with no power are boring .
Yea i agreed if it had a 4speed i would leave it as is but, a 6 and automatic transmission, this spells no fun. I have a 69 camaro that was the base coup, it had a 307 and 3 speed manual . Sure it was all numbers matching numbers but so what it’s never be a super valuable Camaro compared to a z or ss so I bult it the was I wanted it i rebuild a 350 and installed a muncie m20 4 speed and never looked back.
.
Leave it as is unmolested as its a cool car.
Take that 155 hp on this original and compared it to the sad mid seventies to early 80s where V8s produced far less.
This is a time capsule to drive and enjoy.
I sm sure the 155 ponies can haul your trophies 🏆 collected each show home😉
Good luck with sale !
Turbocharge it. https://youtu.be/WfyofaN0j3g
After watching that video, now I want to buy it! That was impressive and fun. No one else will have one!
I’d leave it just as it is. Who needs yet another V8 Camaro, let alone a ’69 with a V8? You never see a ’69 with a six. I like it!
Leave it, it would be odd at a show. Or swap a GNX driveline into it to keep it a six banger and leave the body and interior as is
The six cylinder is reliable, easy to work on, and has more pep than you might think. I owned a 1968 Camaro back in the 1980s and it delivered the best value of any car I ever owned. (I still wish it had a 396 or 350, however.)
Leave it as is, preserve it, & drive it on nice weekends. The little 6 & auto is a great combo for a daily driver if someone chose that path. This would get more attention from me at a car show than another boring V8 in a Camaro. This coming from someone with a 68 396 4 speed Camaro SS.
LS7 sleeper
What would your price be ?
Grandma could use a new car
Yea, leave it alone as is because we all grew up in the 60s wishing we had a straight 6 and a automatic transmission in our muscle cars, not.
Is it just my screen, or is that a green dash??
The dashboard looks green to me also.
Perfect candidate for an LS swap and I’m open to either transmission just get that shifter off the column
The performance from that 6 with a rebuild, trip 1 barrel carbs and exhaust is phenominal! Very nice with proper pricing if negotiated.
This has a replacement grill it shouldn’t be black.
You had better like Gold . I’d be fun for the first minute and then you would just want to rip into it to make more power .
If this isn’t an entry level car, nothing is. Basic 6-cylinder, power-glide auto, no console, no a/c, wondering if even has p/s. Surprised it has carpeting. Well-kept and cared for.
Curious what the asking price is.
In 2 years it’ll be a numbers matching Z/28.
The staggered shocks on the big blocks and Z28s are one of the first places to look for original cars. I’m told it’s expensive to make the change