Hi guys. I am new to this site and a long-time member of the Syclone/Typhoon message boards. I am hoping to be here for many years to come! :) I need your advice/input on something.....

Okay...let me know if I should jump on this very fast or not even think about it. The other day, I stumbled upon a deal on a 1969 project Camaro through a buddy of mine. This car is not advertised nor has it been for the last 25+ years. Here is the scoop:

This guy has owned a 1969 Camaro for 25+ years. In 1988 he was swapping out the non-original 350 with a very healthy 396 for the fun of it (power...of course). Well, the motor swap never happened as the 396 is sitting in the engine compartment and has never been hooked up. Since, the guy has has a few kids, no money, time, etc. Well, the car has been collecting dust in his mom's garage ever since. Mom wants it out...he needs money...and I do not think he knows what the car really is (he is not a car guy). The car has a RS front clip with the RS tail lights and all the signs pointing to an original RS. Meanwhile, it has SS badging all over it with the SS hood. The body is not the original paint but the original green and in very amazing shape considering. It needs paint, has little rust, and is all there. It needs a new headliner and some interior work...not crazy major. It comes with a 396 and 350. It has the PDB and a 12 bolt rear end. All signs point to it being a BB car...therefore possibly being a 1969 RS/SS 396 car!!!! He wants $6500 for it and will put it on ebay in 2 weeks. It probably has darn low miles (did not look at it...a buddy of mine did and fully checked it out...he used to sell the Camaros back in the day). I think the price could be amazing and a gem. I am a perfectionist and would want to restore it. However, I do not paint and, while I would do a lot of work to the car, I would have the major things done by guys who know their stuff (interior, motor, paint, etc.). Any and all advice is greatly appreciated! I may be a dreamer!

Ps- The car is located 3 hours from my house. The owner gave me the VIN but I would have to venture there to get the Tag information/anything else to verify its past.

You already know what to do, what are you waiting for? GET IT!!!!!

That's what I thought. I sometimes am slightly dumb! :)

This car should be in your garage as soon as possible! Their are a few ways to tell if it is a real big block. If the heater hoses goes though the firewall next to the heater cover it is a small block, if it goes though the middle of the heater cover it is a big block. I would take it either way it's a steal!

What about decoding the RS/SS? The VIN # is 124379L516105 I know the VIN gives the year, production number, V8, and Van Nuys plant. Can I get the RS/SS data from the tag...learning if it is a true RS/SS? Just FYI, it has the RS front clip and tail lights. It has been repainted so it has no SS strips but has the SS badging on the back and on the very front fender (not towards the middle like many clones...from what I have been told). It has the hood with the chrome/aluminum strips in the middle on each side...which is the SS hood...I think (I am learning about SS specifics). The interior has no tach or special package. He does not think the rear seat folds down. On a side note, the back end around the tail lights is a dull black color. I have seen this on a couple of restored rigs. Was this an option/factory deal? Thanks again.

A black rear taillight panel is BB only but could have been added later.
I would say from what you've described you shouldn't hesitate any longer.
Get possesion ASAP. $6,500 is a steal IMHO (pictures would be helpful)
I would say the car is worth that even if it is a low HP RS. The Van Nuys cars had the chassis broadcast copy on the top of the gas tank and if in good shape and still there it would prove the cars originality. Ask about the protectoplate or any original paperwork.
What is in the center of the steering wheel?



"Can I get the RS/SS data from the tag...learning if it is a true RS/SS?"

No.

.....".has the SS badging on the back and on the very front fender"

The SS letters should be right under the Camaro emblem on the fender.

Keep us posted.
Doug

Thanks Doug. I am going to tell the gentleman I want it. I will get it in a couple of weeks and post some pics ASAP. Thanks for the info...you guys are great!!! If you ever have any Syclone or Typhoon questions, I can be the resident "expert" on those! :)

Doug,

I just watched the video of the car a few times. It seems the SS badging on the front fender is in front of the side turn signal/running lights on the front fender....in between the front end and the running lights. Since there was things blocking the usual SS badging sport below the camaro signature, I could not see that area for more badging. I also did not see the vents on the side between the door and the rear tire...although the video was fairly dark. It did show the steering wheel. I did not have anything in the center...it seemed like there may have been a cap on it but there was nothing there in the video. The dash was VERY basic. Just a speedo and a couple of other guages....looked a little different than usual. I need to see this thing in person!!!

We need pictures. Can you get the guy to send you some and then post them here?

The engine size or Z/28 are the only emblems that go in front of the fender lights on a '69. Having SS emblems there is a little strange.

The steering wheel could be a comfort grip, rosewood or an aftermarket if it has a cap.

At that price the 3 hour drive needs to happen quickly.

I guess I'll show my ignorance, what are a Syclone or Typhoon besides bad weather? Motorcycles? :)

Doug

Doug, Syclones and Typhoon's are factory hopped up S10 pickups
SY2873, buy the darn car...this is not the time to overanalyze

Either Buy It Or Pass The Phone Number On To Me!

The Typical 69 Camaro For That Kind Of Money Today Usually Requires A Broom And Dustpan! Nice Find!!!

Here's another way to say what you have found:
"I know a guy who is dyslexic and will give me 40 thousand dollars if I give him 6500 dollars..." :) The reality is this: IF the car turned out to be a "plain jain coupe" with ALL of the options added later in it's life, it sounds like it would be worth MORE than $6500.00!!! I would in fact go borrow a car hauler and go get this thing immediately! Keep us posted how it develops. The cars are still out there, but usually the owner knows that it's somewhat rare and can look up the general value...
Dano:beers:

Good point Jim. I just called the guy and said I am going to get it. He does not have a digital camera to take pics. I am arranging how to pick it up and will post pics soon after it gets home. I do overanalyze and feared getting hosed. But, I do not think one can go wrong with this, even if it is not a true SS, RS or RS/SS. More to come in a few weeks!

Lastly, Syclones are a whole different breed of monster. They are labeled as the "quickest" production truck ever made with 0-60 times ranging from 4.4-4.6 stock and 1/4 mile a tad over 13. They made 2998 of them in 1991, and 3 in 1992 and were AWD, turbocharged, have a liquid intercooler, 4 speed AT, 4.3 liter (weird, eh?), some body cladding, and much more. The one I have is an ultra-rare model built by Marlboro Racing (1 of 10). They are not in the same family with imports. They are a take off from the Buick Grand Nationals and the ultimate "sleeper" truck and very collectible. I love these trucks (the Typhoon is the Jimmy version with the same chassis) but want to pair mine with a BB muscle car. Actually, I always wanted an 1969 RS Z-28 but the prices are hard to keep up with!!!

Okay...I just got back from picking up the car. I took 25 pics or so. If anyone wants to see them, send me a PM or e-mail me at sbted95@yahoo.com and I will gladly forward them to you (don't forget your e-mail address). I am going to start studying the tag info. Here are the details if you are interested:

VIN# 124379L516105

Tag Info: ( _ is a space)

Top Line: ST_69_12437_VN232672_BDY
2nd Line: TR_711_79_79 PNT
3rd Line: 1B_F586

The car is interesting....there is no "Camaro" signature on the side of the car. The normal spot on the front fenders where the engine size goes, there are "SS" emblems. Meanwhile, there is no "SS" emblem on the 69 RS frontend. It has the RS tail lights although they are not on in the many pictures. The car came with a TON of parts! Man, does it need to be cleaned...sitting since 1990! There is VERY minimal rust and the body is in good shape. It seems to be a solid restoration project.

Great, I'm glad you picked it up. Looking forward to some pictures.
Doug

If he replaced the 350 with a 396, it's possible that the 350 was the original. Check the passenger side block deck extension, just forward of the passenger side head.
get the numbers and post them. On an LOS car, the numbers would match the end of the VIN on the driver dash. If it does, the engine code (The other set of numbers on the engine pad) will tell you if it was an SS. The SS badges near the nose of the fender is not factory. There should be engine size badges there, with SS below the Camaro badge aft of the front wheel opening.

Other things to look for re B/B.
If auto, it should be a TH400 (and thus a tubular cross member). If 4 speed, it should have a b/b cross member (should have a rectangular - with one diagonal side - access hole on the underside) s/b cross members have an oval hole.

Here it is:
http://images.northeastsyty.com/files/69DrivSideInt.jpeg
http://images.northeastsyty.com/files/69EngineTag#2.jpeg
http://images.northeastsyty.com/files/69FrontDrivSide.jpeg
http://images.northeastsyty.com/files/69FrontEnd.jpeg
http://images.northeastsyty.com/files/69FrontPassSide.jpeg
http://images.northeastsyty.com/files/69Hood.jpeg
http://images.northeastsyty.com/files/69RearDrivSide.jpeg
http://images.northeastsyty.com/files/69RearPassSide.jpeg
http://images.northeastsyty.com/files/69Trunk.jpeg

As they say down under, "good on ya" and enjoy the new project no matter what you find out about the car as you did good man!!!:thumbsup:

need help on a recent camao find

Thanks for posting the pictures...I owe you one! :)

Sy -

Nice find! Kind of a mixed up jumble, but hang out here and you'll get 'er straightened out.

To tell if it's a real RS, look for a stamped hole approx 1" in diameter just to the driver side and slightly below the master cylinder/booster firewall hole. This hole had a grommet with two vacuum lines for the RS headlights. Also, if the reverse lamp holes are stamped into the valance rather than cut, it's an RS.

Shannon - you'd be better served to start your own thread with your help question.