1969 Chevrolet Camaro

1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS Convertible — Big Block 496 V8, TH400, Frame Connectors, Coilovers

The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro is widely regarded as the pinnacle of the first-generation platform. Chevrolet redesigned the body for 1969, giving it a lower, wider, more aggressive stance compared to the 1967–68 cars, and the market responded — 1969 remains the highest-production year of the first-gen Camaro, with more than 243,000 units built. Within that production run, the RS/SS convertible combination was one of the most optioned and most desirable configurations a buyer could order. The Rally Sport package (RPO Z22) added the iconic hideaway headlight system, a blacked-out grille with RS badging, and body-color bumper fillers, while the Super Sport package (RPO Z27) brought the big-block drivetrain, SS badges, and the hockey stick body stripe. Ordering both on a convertible, with a big-block engine, put this car at or near the top of the Camaro option sheet in 1969.

The VIN on this car decodes to a Norwood, Ohio assembly plant build — the "N" in the seventh position confirms that. Norwood was one of two Camaro assembly facilities in 1969, and it produced the majority of first-gen Camaros. The body style code "67" in the VIN confirms the convertible body, and the engine code "8" indicates this car left the factory with a big-block V8. The original factory color, confirmed by the trim tag, is Hugger Orange — GM paint code 72, one of the signature colors of the muscle car era and one of the most recognized Camaro colors from the 1969 model year.

What makes this particular 1969 Camaro RS/SS Convertible stand out beyond its credentials is the scope of the mechanical work done to it. The original drivetrain has been replaced with a Blueprint Engines 496 cubic inch big-block crate engine sourced through Summit Racing, rated by the builder at 600 horsepower. That engine is backed by a built TH400 3-speed automatic transmission — the same unit Chevrolet used in its most serious performance applications. The suspension, steering, and chassis have all been upgraded in ways that make this car significantly more capable and more comfortable than it left the factory. This is a car that has been built to be driven.

Key details
Transmission: TH400 3-Speed Automatic
VIN / chassis: 124679N508049

Offered by Skyway Classics, 10420 Portal Crossing, Bradenton, FL 34212. Taxes, title and fees not included.

Photos courtesy of Skyway Classics.