1969 SS 350 CAMARO RESTO-MOD
The vin and trim tags verify this car was built in the first week of October 1969. The build plant was in Norwood, Ohio. It came with the 350 motor and automatic transmission. It is an X-44 model NON-SS Sport Coupe. The Daytona yellow body color, black vinyl top, and black with yellow deluxe interior are authentic to the original build.
I, the owner purchased the camaro from its 2nd owner in August of 2004. The 2nd owner had the car since 1969 and bought it from Mohawk Chevy in Schenectady, NY. The 2nd owner related to me the current owner that the 1st owner had purchased it at Mohawk and soon realized it wasn't suiting his needs in 69. He traded it back to them for a larger sedan.
I, the current owner drove the car for approximately 3 years the way I purchased it from the 2nd owner. After that decided to restore the car to better than new condition and upgrade it to an SS model. I went into the full restore with the mine set of "I could have ordered this car with all these options in 69".
Between 2007 and 2010 I did a "frame off" restoration. I have photos documentation and receipts to back up the full build.
The camaro has matching number original drive train. The motor was refreshed completely top to bottom to “SS” power and operating specs. The distributor was changed to an electronic system for reliability. The intake manifold was replaced with an Edelbrock aluminum 4-bbl style and a new 600 CFM carburetor performance series. A K&N open air element breather sits on top. The valve covers were replaced with a set of aluminum black grooved covers to match the breather on top the carburetor. The fuel tank, fuel pump, all fuel lines, and fuel gauge sending unit were replaced. The M-38 3speed automatic transmission was rebuilt to factory specs. The rear axle is a non-positraction 10 bolt with all new fluids, seals, bearings, and gears (308). Drive shaft U-joints were replaced with shaft. The brakes were originally 14” 4 wheel drums on steel wheels. I upgraded to 15” magnum 500 wheels (which were an option in 1969) and a front disk brakes with slotted drilled rotors kit from CCP. The master cylinder and booster assembly was also replaced at the same time as the CCP kit install. The rear brakes are still drums, but completely gone through and replaced/built to factory specs. In February of 2024 I installed another new booster and master cylinder. The cooling system has a new radiator, thermostat, water pump, fan clutch, and heater core installed. Belts and hose have all been replaced.
The air conditioning is factory original, but I installed all new hoses and related components. Compressor was rebuilt and converted to R-134. The system was just serviced recently and given a clean bill of health with no leaks and blowing cold.
The power steering is factory original. The belts, hoses, and all related components were replaced. The front suspension was completely gone through and replaced with new parts. The rear suspension was also replaced with new parts at the same time.
The dual exhaust system was custom built from the factory exhaust manifolds back, including a “X” pipe and flow master “50” series mufflers.
In June/July of 2023 the camaro was fully serviced including oil, filter, fluids checked, and tires were replaced with GOODRICH TA Radials 215/70/15 raised white letters (DOT-CODE 05-23). The camaro has had less than 500 miles put on it since then. In February of 2024 the battery was replaced with a 12V DIE HARD Battery.
The vehicle spent several years in upstate New York before I acquired it from the 2nd owner. Therefore it had rust in all the usual places common on these year camaros. I elected during the full restoration to not repair the rust, but rather replace with new sheet metal reproduction panels. To this end, virtually all body panels are new and rust free. The only original sheet metal on the camaro is the floor pans and the roof. The pans at the time of restoration were good. I applied gator guard undercoating to them for added rust prevention and sound deadening. The entire under area was also gator guarded prior to installing the drive train. The roof had only minor surface rust that was repaired before it was primed, painted, and the new vinyl top was installed. The windshield and rear glass were both replaced. The side glass is all original. The body was painted Daytona Yellow per trim code. The paint was PPG band base-coat clear-coat. All exterior marking lights, trim pieces, spoilers, grill, decals, and “SS” emblems are new. They were all replaced after painting was completed. No exterior antennae was installed, there is a hidden one in the trunk.
The interior on the camaro was completely replaced to factory specs. The only original pieces retained were the seat frames, the console, the am-fm radio, the metal dash, and the headliner. Dynamat sound deadening material was installed under the carpet. The seats were completely rebuilt and recovered with OEM correct material. The console was rebuilt and I added the four gauge instrument cluster that was optional in 69. The original speedometer read 99,244 Miles when I started the full restoration. It broke while turning 100,000 miles and I replaced it whith one for an “SS” model. It currently reads less than 2,000 miles. That is the miles put on the car since finishing the full restoration in 2010. I added the tach and clock at the same time which were all options in 69.
This 1969 SS Chevy Camaro Resto-Mod is for all practical purposes a new 69 Camaro. Due to failing health, It is very difficult for me to get in and out of the car. It is still great fun for me to drive and I love it. The above work has all been document in photos and receipts which I have all of, these things will go with the car. The Camaro really does shut, gap, and drive better than a new one you could have bought in 69. It's time to let someone else enjoy the car!
