The Camaro SS had big power with the 350 and 396 engines, a special 3 speed transmission, sport striping and a heavy insulated hood. Models offered during 1969 included the Sport Coupe, the Super Sport and the Z/28.
Competing directly against the Ford Mustang at it’s inception, the Camaro followed the long hood short deck Mustang formula but in a swoopier style. The Chevy Camaro followed the Mustang so close that the specifications for the first Camaro were extremely similar to the Mustang.
Chevrolet came out with their Camaro in September of 1966. The first generation Camaros ran from the 1967 through the 1969 model years. The 1970 Camaro’s would have a new design but were delayed some and the 69 models were produced through the end of 1969. The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro marked the last of the first generation and is arguably the most popular.
This was Chevy’s first offering against the Ford Mustang and their target market for buyers could be considered the same. It did take GM a few years to come out with the Camaro model and when they did the specifications were just about the same as Ford’s Mustang.Since both automobiles were going after the same market, Chevy had some catching up to do.
The comparisons between the Chevy Camaro and the Ford Mustang has been discussed for many decades. Both have their diehard fans and both sides can offer compelling arguments. One significant difference between the two was that the Chevrolet Camaro seemed to have many more options available. As an example, there were about 80 factory and 40 dealer options for a potential buyer. Some consider this a big advantage for the Camaro.
1969 Chevy Camaro 350 SS Specifications
The 1969 Camaro SS was built with the option of three available engines. Standard for the SS performance package were the 350 or 396 cubic inch V-8 with a Rochester four barrel carburetor. These engines delivered 300 and 375 HP respectively. An option for the SS model was a 427 cubic inch V-8 with an impressive 425 horsepower.
1969 Camaro buyers could choose from a three or four speed manual gear box or a two or three speed automatic.
Brakes were four wheel hydraulic drum with an option of front discs.
Suspension was independent at the front and a live axle at the rear.
The 1969 Camaro SS dimensions included a length of 186 inches, 74 inches width and 51.1 inches in height. Wheelbase was 108 inches. Curb weight was about 3450 lbs.
Total Chevy Camaro 1969 production was 243,085 vehicles. The Sport Coupe was the highest production model with 165,226 built and was the Camaro base model. Comaro Convertibles produced in 1969 totaled 17,573.
See additional Auto Museum Online articles found on the links below…
Reference material for this article included…The Complete Book of Camaro: Every Model Since 1967 by author David Newhardt…Camaro: Fifty Years of Chevy Performance by Mike Mueller…1969 Camaro SS by author Bobby Kimbrough…
1969 Chevy Camaro 350 SS Collector Values
The 1969 Chevy Camaro 350 SS is an excellent highly valued collector automobile. The car, the last model year of the first generation Camaro’s, has a unique and sporty design, upgraded racing type features and an iconic look. The first generation Chevrolet Camaro is one of the most recognizable cars in the world due to its unique lines.
If you’re a muscle car enthusiast and/or collector it is commonly accepted that the 1969 Chevy Camaro stands for everything American Muscle. If you love speed, then the model years of the 1960s and 1970s produced some terrific muscle car models.
Museum quality restorations can have price tags from the $40,000 plus range right up into six figures. That is a wide range but there are many variables into the values. Overall condition, degree of restoration, original parts and of course the model. You’ll find that Camaro Convertibles will generally fetch the higher prices. As of this writing, we see the Camaro 350 SS in mint condition priced in the $45,000 to $75,000 range.
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