1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS 396 Coupe 396 V8 Automatic Classic Vintage Collector

1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS 396

The cars you want to own are those that someone restored for themselves as keepers. Then, for reasons that are beyond their control, the cars have to be sold and you have an opportunity to pick up a car that's way beyond nice, cars like this slick 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS 396 in nasty basic black. Finished as a "keeper" it's now on the market priced way below the cost of restoration. You can keep your Hugger... Orange Camaros, I like this Fathom Green F-body because it gives this apex predator a low-key look. It's also especially cool on a fully-loaded top-of-the-line SS396 like this, which was both fast and sophisticated, fully illustrating how a car could be custom-tailored by using the extensive options list. This is a real-deal SS396 and by adding the RS equipment group, the car looks especially sleek thanks to the hidden headlights and a cowl-induction hood. The paint quality is quite good but not perfect (you're going to want to drive this one) and they chose the early style white SS hockey stick stripes just to make it stand out. It's neatly finished with chrome bumpers, gill inserts on the quarters, optional bright wheel arch moldings, and correct emblems throughout. If you're looking for a great-looking machine, they don't come much more appealing than this. In the '60s, GM's interiors were the best in the business, and the Camaro features fresh green seat covers wrapped around factory buckets, so the interior is every bit as sophisticated as you'd expect. But it's an iron fist wrapped in a silk glove, because there's an industrial-strength TH400 3-speed automatic transmission with a horseshoe shifter. There's also full instrumentation that includes a tach, clock, and auxiliary gauges on the console, all of which are fully functional except the tach, which is disabled due to the replacement distributor. The faux woodgrain isn't terribly convincing but it does help warm up the interior and a factory tilt column helps with the upscale flavor. The factory AM radio is still in the dash but an upgrade might be on your short list of things to do when you get it home. Matching SS logo floor mats help keep it looking neat and the trunk is highly detailed, with a color-matched mat, original-style inflatable spare, and a jack assembly. That's the original, numbers-matching 396 cubic inch V8 living under the hood, and with a few choice upgrades, it's the ideal blend of reasonable street manners and savage power. A willingness to rev is its real calling card, and with a rev-happy cam, this one pulls like a freight train. Running great and highly detailed, starting with an Edelbrock intake manifold and 4-barrel carburetor, open-element air cleaner, and Chevy Orange paint, along with an HEI ignition system to light it up. Chrome valve covers were part of the deal and the little stuff is correct, from the decals on the valve covers to the hose clamps. Long-tube headers feed a Flowmaster dual exhaust system that lets the 396 speak for itself and the chassis is in good shape and zero evidence of past issues. A factory 12-bolt rear end is more evidence that this is a real SS, and it sits on 14-inch Rally wheels with 225/70/14 BFGoodrich T/A radials that look right. This is a flat-out awesome Camaro that's nicely documented with maintenance records and finished to a high standard. If you like the dichotomous nature of this luxurious RS/SS, call today!