Geared toward all, with a budget-conscious entry-level coupe to a high-performance hotrod, the 1969 Camaro was Chevrolet’s answer to an entire market segment. It rolled off the line as the third and final year of the first-gen Camaro.
Ready to run as a fam’s grocery-getter or to drag the main on Saturday night, its popularity was undeniable. More than five decades later, the 1969 Camaro is arguably the GOAT of the muscle car era.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro
- Iconic American Muscle Car
- Variety Of Engine Options From Mild To Track-Ready
- Rare Versions With Only 69 COPO 9560
- Coupe Or Convertible
- Extensive Option List
- New Super Scoop Hood
- Model: Camaro / RS / SS / Z/28 / COPO
- Engine:: 14 Options Ranging from Turbo-Thrift 230 Six - Turbo-Jet 427 ZL1
- Power Output: 140 HP / 500+ HP
- Torque: 220 LB-FT / 450 LB-FT
- Transmission: 3-Speed Manual, 4 Speed Manual, 2-Speed Semi-Automatic, 2-Speed Automatic, 3-Speed Automatic
- Driveline: Rear-Wheel-Drive
- MSRP: $2727 to $7,200+
- American Icon
- High-Performance Capability
- Easy To Find Parts
- Heavy Vehicle
- Seat Comfort
- Aesthetically Dated Instrument Panel
From GTA gamers to nostalgic Boomers –from Sunday cruisers to street-racing gearheads – love for the 1969 Camaro spans generations. Like other era treasures, it has found its way into the garages of celebrities and professional athletes.
One of the rarer ‘69s belongs to WWE Wrestler John Cena. Cena claimed one of the few COPO 9561 Camaros not officially offered to the public. Reality TV star Kendall Jenner of Keeping Up with the Kardashians could lay a patch in her murdered-out ‘69 SS convertible. MTV’s Ridiculousness and Fantasy Factory host Rob Dyrdek added a fully-customized ‘69 RS to his collection. Glam rocker Alice Cooper rolled a personally spec’d ‘69 SS before going under the hammer with Barrett-Jackson.
The Silver Screen hasn’t overlooked the public’s love affair with the ‘69 Camaro, and while it certainly isn’t an exhaustive list, a ‘69 Yenko can be seen in the pink slip race scene of 2 Fast 2 Furious and a ‘69 SS/RS Convertible Indy Pace Car in the hands of Drew Barrymore in Charlie’s Angels. The ’69s on the streets today typically run with mods that range from minimal to complete restorations; however, there are a few originals with matching numbers and even some buried barn finds to be had. Regardless, if it’s stock or a custom one-off like the 1000 horsepower Ring Brothers build that Jay Leno tested, there is no denying the desire that still burns for a ‘69 Camaro, even over a half-century later.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro Performance And Capability
Chevy closed out the ‘60s presenting the 1969 Chevy with its Hugger-wide stance as “longer, wider, tougher, and even quieter."
Unequaled, road-hugging was touted with its wide 108-inch wheelbase and 59.6-inch front tread, new computer-selected front, and rear springs, and optional multi-leaf rear springs for V-8s. New variable ratio power steering was added to increase responsiveness and maneuvering. Throughout its extended production period, 14 different engines powered the 1969 Camaro. Two were available only as a Central Office Production Order (COPO).
The two standard engines included a six-cylinder that developed 140 horsepower and a V-8 that created 210 horsepower. The most economical and fuel-efficient was the Turbo-Thrift 230 Six, which sat under a single-barrel carb with a single exhaust.
The infamous COPO Camaro was a custom-ordered high-performance version with a 427 cubic-inch V-8. The COPO 9560 blistered the road with an advertised 430-horse; however, it is estimated that the output could be closer to 550 horsepower. It was capable of 125 MPH, a 5.3-second 0 to 60 MPH, and a 13-second quarter-mile. Ordering COPO 9737, the Sports Conversion Package, added extras such as 4.10:1 gears with Positraction, 13/16-inch anti-roll bar, and 140-MPH speedo.
The three-speed fully-synchronized transmission was standard. Engines could be ratio-matched with a four-speed, fully-synchronized Hurst floor shifter. Column or floor-mounted shifters were options. Chevy’s semi-automatic Torque-Drive (clutchless) two-speed transmission could be added to the six-cylinder options and boasted “excellent” fuel efficiency. The fully-automatic Powerglide was available with a steering column selector or a console “stirrup-type” control. The three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic was also offered as a column or console mount as an automatic or manual.
Other popular performance options included:
- Positraction Rear Axle
- Heavy-duty Battery
- Engine Block Heater
- 42-Amp Delcotron Generator
- Heavy Duty Radiator
- Air Spoiler Equipment
- Power Disc Brakes (Front or Four)
WHEELBASE | 108-Inches |
|---|---|
LENGTH | 186-Inches |
WIDTH | 74-Inches |
HEIGHT COUPE | 51.1-Inches |
HEIGHT CONVERTIBLE | 50.9-Inches |
ENGINE | HP | TORQUE | CARB |
|---|---|---|---|
Turbo-Thrift 230 Six (Standard) | 140 HP | 220 LB-FT | Single-Barrel |
Turbo-Thrift 250 Six | 155 HP | 235 LB-FT | Single-Barrel |
Turbo-Fire 302 V-8 (Z/28 Package) | 290 HP | 290 LB-FT | Four-Barrel |
Turbo-Fire 307 V-8 | 200 HP | 300 LB-FT | Two-Barrel |
Turbo-Fire 327 V-8 LF7 | 210 HP | 320 LB-FT | Two-Barrel |
Turbo-Fire 327 V-8 L30 | 275 HP | 355 LB-FT | Four-Barrel |
Turbo-Fire 350 V-8 LM1 | 255 HP | 365 LB-FT | Four-Barrel |
Turbo-Fire 350 V-8 L65 | 250 HP | 365 LB-FT | Four-Barrel |
Turbo-Fire 350 V-8 L48 | 295 - 300 HP | 380 LB-FT | Two or Four |
Turbo-Jet 396 V-8 L35 | 325 HP | 410 LB-FT | Four-Barrel |
Turbo-Jet 396 V-8 L34 | 350 HP | 415 LB-FT | Four-Barrel |
Turbo Jet 396 V-8 L78/L89 | 375 HP | 415 LB-FT | Four-Barrel |
Turbo-Jet 427 COPO 9561 L72 | 425 HP | 460 LB-FT | Four-Barrel |
Turbo-Jet 427 COPO 9560 ZL1 (All-Aluminum) | 430 HP | 450 LB-FT | Four-Barrel |
Exterior Design
Built on General Motors’ F-Body platform, the 1969 Camaro was revealed to the public with an exterior design refresh, new special trim, appearance packages, and a variety of performance options – the highest of which were marketed second only to the Chevy Corvette.
It was available as a Sport Coupe and a Convertible with trims options that included Rally Sport (RS), Super Sport (SS), and Z/28. A unique black-painted grille with concealed headlights, rear fender louvers, fender striping, and RS badging distinguished the Rally Sport. An RS/SS or RS/Z28 could be built by combing the RS package with either the SS or Z/28 Packages.
Other RS features:
- Steering Wheel with RS Emblem
- Wheel Opening Moldings
- Chrome Accented Tail Lights
- Chrome Accented Parking Lights
- Headlight Washers
- Backup Lights Mounted Below the Rear Bumper
The SS came with the 300 horsepower 350 cubic-inch V-8. In addition to increased power and the four-barrel, performance optimizations included:
- Dual Exhaust
- Stronger Cylinder Blocks
- Enhanced Fuel System,
- Beefed-Up Suspension
- Power Disc Breaks
The SS appearance was complete with:
- Sport Striping
- SS Badging
- Chrome Engine Accents
- Two-spoke Steering Wheel with SS Emblem
- Non-functional Hood Air Inlets
The Z/28 namesake was derived from its order code (RPO Z28). The slash between the Z and the 28 vanished after the first-gen Camaro. It featured a 302 cubic-inch small block with a Holley four-barrel, and a Hurst-shifted Muncie four-speed transmission." Quick-ratio steering and power disc brakes were also standard. It was a standout with the Z/28 badging and optional rear-facing cold air induction Super Scoop hood.
New colors were added to the Magic-Mirror finishes. Available shades were:
- Tuxedo Black
- Dover White
- Glacier Blue
- Le Mans Blue
- Olympic Gold
- Azure Turquoise
- Frost Lime
- Cortez Silver
- Garnet Red
- Fathom Green
- Hugger Orange
- Daytona Yellow
- Rally Green
- Dusk Blue
- Burnished Brown
- Burgundy Maroon
- Butternut Yellow
- Champagne
New for the Coupe was the two-tone combo option in:
- Glacier Blue/Dover White
- Glacier Blue/ Dusk Blue
- Dusk Blue/ Glacier Blue
- Olympic Gold/Dover White
- Azure Turquoise/Dover White
- Burnished Brown/Champagne
Drop tops came in black or white. Vinyl roof colors were:
- Black
- Parchment
- Midnight Green (available with black, white, dark green, and lime exterior colors)
- Dark Blue (available with white, silver, blue, and dark blue exterior colors)
- Dark Brown (available with gold, yellow champagne, and dark brown exterior colors)
Interior Quality And Technology
The 1969 Camaro cabin held bucket seats with newly released color-keyed head restraints and an easy-to-read instrument panel, that could be upgraded when ordering the Special Instrumentation Package. Vinyl was standard and hound's tooth checkered cloth with vinyl trim was an option. The standard interior offered color-matched deep-twist carpet, and door and side wall panels.
- Black
- Ivory-Black
- Blue
- Red
- Medium Green
- Dark Green
Add-ons available were:
- Glove Compartment
- Wood-Like Instrument Panel and Steering Wheel
- Special Body Insulation
- Carpeted Lower Door Panels
Hound’s tooth was a luxury fabric option in black/ white or yellow/orange.
Tech for the time provided a trio of options for the sound system – AM, AM/FM, or AM/FM Stereo. A rear speaker could be added. Full modern audio offered a Stereo Tape System with a four-speaker setup. Other interior and tech options included:
- Power Convertible Top and Windows
- Electric Clock
- Four Season Air Conditioning
- Console
- Soft-Ray Tinted Glass
- Cruise Master Speed Control
- Comfortilt or Sport-Style Steering Wheels
Safety
Standard safety features of the time included:
- Energy Absorbing Steer Column and Instrument Panel
- Reduced Glare Instrument Panel
- Pushbutton Buckles on Seat Belts (All Seats) and Shoulder Belts (Front)
- Special Storage Provisions for Shoulder Belts (Front Seats), Barring Convertibles
- Passenger Guard Door Locks
- Four-Way Hazard Flashers
- Dual Master Cylinder Brake System with Warning Light
- Corrosion Resistant Brake Lines
- Folding Seat Back Latches
- Dual Speed Wipers
- Dual Action Safety Hood Latch
- Outside Rear View Mirror
- Wide Inside Day-Night Mirror
- Lane Change Feature
- Thick Laminate Windshield
- Padded Front Seat Back Tops
- Tire Safety Rim
- Safety Door Latches
Anti-Theft equipment included an anti-theft ignition, steering, and transmission lock, and a transmission starter safety switch.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro Price And Availability
The original base price of a Camaro Coupe in 1969 was $2,727. A Z/28 could stretch the budget closer to $3,500 and top $4,000, with options. The all-aluminum ZL1 COPO set a hotrodder back more than $7,000.
Production of 243,085 Camaros in 1969 allow for good availability even 54 years later. Only 20,302 Z/28s came off the line, making them slightly more challenging to locate. COPO Camaros are the rarest, with approximately 1000 COPO #9561 built and only 69 COPO #9560.
Current day pricing is at least 10-fold as Hemmings reports low-end resales at $40,000 for an average base model 1969 Camaro. Prices can easily top six figures when considering original trim and package options, existing condition – including modifications and restoration – as well as matching numbers and vehicle history. Record-breaking auction sales have been north of $1.2 million for a pair of COPOS 9560s - #18 and #30.
FAQ
Q: How much is a 1969 Camaro worth today?
Today, on average, a base model 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ranges from $40,000 to over six figures, depending on the original trim and package options, existing condition – including modifications and restoration – as well as matching numbers and vehicle history. Record-breaking auction sales have been north of $1.2 million for a pair of COPOS 9560s - #18 and #30.
Q: How rare is the 1969 Camaro?
Chevy produced 243,085 Camaros in 1969. There were 20,302 rolled out with the Z/28 trim.The rarest 1969 Camaro is the Central Office Production Order COPO Camaro. For the COPO 9561 Camaro, there were just over 1,000 built and only 69 COPO 9560 Camaros.
Q: What engine is in the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro?
Throughout its extended production period, 14 different engines powered the 1969 Camaro. Two were available only as a Central Office Production Order (COPO). The most economical and fuel-efficient was the 140 HP Turbo-Thrift 230 Six, that sits under a single-barrel carb with a single exhaust. The infamous COPO Camaro was a custom-ordered, high-performance version with a 427 cubic-inch V-8. The all-aluminum ZL1 427 for COPO 9560 was advertised with 430-horsepower; however, it is estimated that the output could be closer to 550-horsepower.