1969 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
The first-generation Chevrolet Camaro is an American muscle car introduced by Chevrolet in the fall of 1966 for the 1967 model year. It rode on a brand-new rear wheel drive GM F-body platform and was available as a 2-door, 2+2 seat, hardtop, and convertible. The F-body was shared with the Pontiac Firebird for all generations. A 230 cu in Chevrolet straight-6 was standard, with several Chevy V8s available as options. The first-generation Camaro was built through the 1969 model year.
When Chevrolet restyled the Camaro for 1969, it was remarkably well received. Resembling the original 1967 and 1968 Camaros, the 1969 shared very little sheet metal with them and brought a more aggressive, stylish and modern look to the car. Inside, the car was drastically restyled too, working with the exterior to create what would become an icon of a car. The period advertising built on the competitive nature of Camaro, the Corvette DNA from which it came, the youthful directness it conveyed and many more attributes to appeal to a wide audience from people in high school to elderly folks looking for a fountain of youth.
A hoist of the hood, and we note a 383ci V8 in good shiny condition. This is topped by an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor, and chromed air cleaner, which works well with the chromed valve covers, and red painted block. Consigner states the engine is period correct and has an unknown cam shaft upgrade. A 5-speed manual transmission is on back, a clutch replacement, transmission bearings, a ring and pinion differential, new bearings and axles which connect to a 3.73:1 posi-track 12 bolt rear.
Sporting new bucket padding and black/gray vinyl, and an original rear bench, this interior is fab! Up front there is a new dash pad, very clean instruments, some wood appliqué on the steering wheel, in nice condition, and an upgraded tilt mechanism now to play with. Also, the original AM/FM radio which works, in within the resorted dash. A wood appliqué center console races from rear to dash, and houses a Hurst shifter, with an aftermarket 3-gauge cluster hanging directly above the console.
Although the Camaro would become the Mustang’s most intense rival, its history doesn’t strictly parallel that of the Ford product. And with five generations of Camaros already behind us, and a sixth on its way, that heritage is worth charting.
