1969 Chevrolet Camaro 396ci Convertible (LHD)

Description

Responding to Ford's runaway success with the Mustang, Chevrolet answered the call of Bow Tie enthusiasts in 1967 with their own 'Ponycar', given the name Camaro. Designer Bill Mitchell saw the new model as a four-seater Corvette and the Camaro's sexy lines were certainly in keeping with that vision. Available both coupe and convertible models, the Camaro - like its rival - had a seemingly endless option list and could be specified to suit all kinds of drivers, from a mild six-cylinder automatic cruiser all the way to a monster big block 396-cid V8 rated at 375 hp in L78 guise. The Super Sport package was a popular performance and styling upgrade available on most Chevrolet models with a sporting edge in the 1960s and a Camaro dressed up in SS form came with special badging and stripes, a unique bonnet with additional vents.The '69 model saw some major changes to the styling, resulting in arguably the best looking Camaro of all. The SS package remained a popular option, with a 300 horsepower 350-cid V8 as standard and the 396 big-block an optional extra, rated at 325, 350 or 375 hp. By 1969 the Camaro, particularly the SS 396, was a serious muscle car that went just as well as it looked. For the second time in three years, the Camaro was selected as the Indianapolis Pace Car, distinctively finished in white with Hugger Orange stripes. The final year a convertible Camaro would be sold until the 1980s, only a small percentage of the 243,095 were built in ragtop form in 1969 and a much smaller proportion of these received the big-block engines.