How do you make a first generation Camaro even better? Easy. Add power and make it handle like a slot car. The next candidate for our pro-touring Camaro Hall of Fame is this wild 1969 Camaro convertible. Born with a coat of Fathom Green and a lot less engine, the restoration process was especially good to this car. It now features big-block power, a trick suspension and an eye-popping color that perfectly complements its asphalt-eating demeanor. If you liked the last few pro-touring first-gens but prefer yours topless, take a closer look at this at this ground-pounding 1969 Chevrolet Camaro convertible.
While most F-body enthusiasts have a particular year they favor, you would be hard-pressed to find one that doesn’t like the 1969 design. While the basic side profile remained the same from 1968, all sheet metal (with the exception of the hood and decklid) was reworked for a lower, wider and generally more aggressive look. When straightening out the body work on this Camaro, perfection was clearly the goal. Every corner is sharp, every line is crisp and panel fitment is far superior to assembly line work. Covering that laser straight body is an attractive shade of yellow that does a great job of accenting the cars line while turning of plenty of heads in the process. Accenting that yellow paint are two matte black stripes that further the aggressive demeanor of this F-body. All paint work is high-quality with absolutely no noticeable flaws from any angle. Read more and view more pictures!
The design team at Chevrolet did a great job with the 1969 Camaro’s various trim levels. This pro-tourer chose some of the best of those pieces to create a look that remains distinct yet true to form. At the front, a badge-less black grille anchors an aggressive fascia with round headlights in chrome bezels at either end. Below it, a show quality chrome bumper hangs above two driving lights. Above the grille, a functional ZL2-style cowl hood draws air cool air in the engine bay. At the sides, trim is minimal with small marker lights, chrome door handles, chrome mirrors and the Camaro’s signature simulated rear fender vents rounding out the design. Up top, the stainless A-pillars and window trim are first rate, looking fresh all around. A black cloth convertible top operates well and fits better than most stock pieces. Out back, a D80 spoiler adds some drama to the decklid while tinted taillights another chrome bumper frame a center-mounted blue bowtie emblem.
Under the hood of this bright yellow F-body, you’ll find an engine bay that mixes classic GM aesthetics with ultra-modern pro-touring functionality. At the center of that bay, a 502 cubic inch GM crate motor provides more than enough power to keep experienced drivers grinning and novices terrified . The satin black open element air cleaner wears a 502 decal that looks convincingly OEM amidst its yellow surroundings. Below, a Holley four-barrel carburetor feeds atomized fuel through a bowtie-branded intake manifold. At the sides, aluminum heads with 110cc combustion chambers are dressed in show quality chrome valve covers. The mill breathes through a set of cast iron manifolds that exhale through a set of true dual exhaust featuring Pypes mufflers that lend the big block a deep angry snarl. Lending authenticity to the bay are items such as the zinc-plated power brake booster and GM reproduction hoses that will have plenty of enthusiasts double checked the “502” decal on the air cleaner.
Peer underneath and you’ll be greeted by a well detailed chassis with bright yellow paint covering the pristine floors. Behind the 502, a Tremec five-speed manual transmission applies power through the driveshaft to the smoothed and painted Ford 9-inch rear end. Like any legitimate pro-touring car, this F-body features a healthy list of suspension updates Supporting the front is an impressive tubular sub frame that hosts tubular arms, coilovers and a power rack and pinion steering setup. Out back, a four link with coilovers, an anti-roll bar and an adjustable panhard bar keep the rear end firmly planted. A set of tubular sub frame connectors ties both ends together while adding some rigidity. When it comes time to slow down, power disc brakes with large calipers at all four corners do an effective job of reigning in the 502’s massive power. At the corners, Billet Specialties five-spoke wheels in sizes 17″x7″ and 18″x8″ are wrapped in General 245/45ZR17 and 275/40ZR18 tires. Those wheels, combined with the ground-pounding stance, take the already aggressive Camaro design to a whole new level.
Between the doors, a tastefully customized interior is every bit as functional as it stylish. At the ground level, fresh black carpet is free of wear or unraveling. Above it, firm bucket seats are covered in a mixture of leather and suede far superior to the standard black interior the car was born with. The seats feature a pattern comprised of flowing curved lines which is mirrored on the custom leather and suede door panels. Between those seats, a center console props factory-style console gauges that keep tabs on fuel, temperature, battery and oil pressure. In front of the gauges, a chrome shifter surrounded by wood applique and a slick chrome shift plate stirs the Tremec gears. From the driver’s seat, a billet three-spoke steering wheel wrapped in black leather sits atop a polished tilt steering column. Behind it, the dash remains largely stock with a factory speedometer and tachometer monitoring the 502’s output. Below the controls for the Astro-Ventilation system is an Alpine head unit that adds some modern functionality to the mostly vintage interior. The dash itself is free of any major imperfections with rich wood applique accenting the black vinyl. From the Fisher rocker panel trim to the new black top, every inch looks as though it received individual attention during the restoration process.
If you’re ready to blast some corners in the coolest Camaro convertible around, they don’t get much better than this ’69. With big block power, an awesome suspension and the look other F-bodies dream of, this one is guaranteed to satisfy every muscle car lover!
