- Third and final version of the first-generation
- This SS/RS Camaro is fully restored
- A L48 350-4bbl. “Turbo-Fire” V8
A new angular look
When a customer ordered both the “SS” and “RS” options, with the Super Sport package primarily a performance option and the Rally Sport equipment basically a trim package, the cars carried “SS” emblems, as whenever Super Sport and Rally Sport was combined, “SS” took precedent with identification. The Z22 Rally Sport option cost an additional $125.00.
Up front, a new grille was fitted to both the standard cars and Rally Sport versions, and the updated front bumper had reduced “wrap-around” ends.
Round parking lights were positioned on both sides of the front license plate and while a chrome bumper was standard and new for ’69, there was an optional special front bumper, code VE3, that could be ordered, painted to match the body color.
A look inside and out
Inside, a redesigned instrument panel differs from the original by replacement of the two large gauge pods for new square gauge housings, which were slightly curved in design, and now there was room for three gauges. Across the GM passenger car lineup for 1969 was a new locking steering column, relocating the ignition key from the dashboard to the right-hand side of the column and new large head keys replaced the earlier style.
The 4-speed manual transmission is shifted via a Hurst handle and pictured is D55 center console ($53.75) with optional U17 Special Instrumentation ($94.80), which, housed in the console, included amp meter, engine temperature, oil pressure and fuel level gauges. Besides these four gauges, the package came with a dash-mounted tachometer, electric clock plus low fuel level alert and brake tell-tale lights.
RS equipped Camaros had unique, black-painted grilles and concealed headlamps with washers.
Larger back-up lights, additional chrome trim including fender lips, drip moldings, parking lights, plus dress-up trim over the simulated louvers on the rear quarter panels.
The “D80” spoiler optional for the 1969 Camaro was a $32.65 option and included a black-hued front spoiler.
The L48 350-4bbl. “Turbo-Fire” V8 engine came with 10.25:1 compression and dual exhausts, was rated at 300 horsepower at 4800 rpm. This car features the factory A/C system, which added an additional $376.00 to the tariff and added under hood plumbing for its air compressor located on the driver’s side. However, depending on where you lived, it was well worth the extra expense for cruising the streets in the summertime!
The cowl tag on the firewall deciphers many important facts about the car as it left the factory. In this case, the “NOR” signifies this Camaro was built that the Norwood Assembly Plant, the “714” indicated the car has the Yellow Hounds tooth interior as originally fitted, the “76” decodes the paint as being Daytona Yellow and “X11” calls out the SS 350 style trim.
One of the brightest colors offered on 1969 Camaros was the paint code 76 Daytona Yellow hue.
And when combined with the black sport stripes and the Yellow Hounds tooth interior, it makes for a rather “high impact” appearing example.
The “Yellow Hounds tooth” interior of this car, order code 714, is what makes it stand out from most other 1969 Camaros! It is believed that approximately 150 Daytona Yellow cars with this interior color combination were built that year and when combined with the Z87 Custom Interior Package option, which included the molded door panels, provided what many feel is the most visually stimulating of all the factory available colors that year.
