1969 Chevrolet Camaro

Description

This 1969 Camaro SS396 checks all the right buttons for a Camaro fan. Black? Check. Bright red interior? Check. Manual transmission? Check. To have more fun than this will take a lot more cash, and I'll bet that the owner of this car has a lot more fun behind the wheel than the guy who owns an uber-rare big block.

There's a lot of truth to the adage that nothing looks better than black, especially on the timeless 1969 Camaro bodywork. The workmanship is quite good, and it's nice to see someone spending the long dollar on a car that's built for the road. Good panel gaps and proper alignment give it an awesome look, and the bold red SS stripes (painted on, not decals!) make it look aggressive, yet traditional. A cowl induction hood and a factory-style rear spoiler are always welcome, as are a few well-chosen chrome pieces like the bumpers and wheel arch moldings. RS headlights make for a great-looking F-body and with '396' badges on the front fenders, this car commands a lot of respect on the street. It's not quite stock, but the additions don't erase all that's awesome about the factory's work.

I don't know about you, but I think the bright red interior is about the coolest look in a black Camaro that I can imagine. Upscale and sophisticated, but also a little bit crazy, it's the perfect choice if you want to get attention. The seat covers are accurate reproductions that have been fitted to the original buckets, as well as to the rear bench. Fresh door panels, new carpet with the correct weave, and a matching headliner make it feel like a new car inside. The in-dash instruments appear to be original, including a factory tachometer, and they're augmented by a cool cluster of gauges in the center console that emulate the factory setup but offer a slightly modern twist. You'll also note that the Hurst cue ball shifter shows five gears instead of the usual four and the steering wheel is a beautiful billet piece wrapped in matching red leather. An AM/FM stereo radio in the dash is a modest upgrade over the stocker, but when you're driving this car, the radio suddenly doesn't seem like a priority. Even the trunk looks quite stock, offering a reproduction mat that uses the proper pattern.

The L34 396 cubic inch V8 is rated at a stout 350 horsepower, and if you believe the decals on the air cleaner, that's what this one's packing. It looks pretty much the way the factory would have done it, with OEM-grade detailing that includes a correct air cleaner and decals, Chevy Orange paint on the block, and cast iron exhaust manifolds. On a car like this, the urge to really dress the engine up must have been strong, but instead they played it cool and didn't advertise too loudly about the performance that it packs inside. Of course, the 5-speed Tremec transmission makes a huge impact on the car's roadability, with a towering overdrive that lets that big block just loaf along at highway speeds. Underneath, it's in good order with a 10-bolt rear and a Flowmaster exhaust system that sounds downright predatory. There's also a set of beautiful Coys alloys that look like vintage Torque thrusts, which carry 18-inch front and giant 20-inch rear performance radials.

Clean, simple, and tastefully upgraded, this is the kind of Camaro you've always wanted to own. Call today!