Vehicle Description
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!