'69 Camaro SS question. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

myold88 · 12-15-2013, 12:26 PM

My Son-In -Law is on his way to look at a '69 Camaro, supposedly SS for sale.
Is there any way to confirm if it's a true SS from the cowl tag ? Same is:

ST 69 12437.......NOR 187286 BDY

TR 716

12A

53 53 PNT

He did not get the VIN #. Is that needed ?
Thanks in advance.

pincoin · 12-15-2013, 08:38 PM

That's an early 69 cowl tag and it wont say if its an SS. It MUST have front disc brakes, 12 bolt rear, and a 350 or 396 engine. All this stuff can be added to a plain jane car, but its a start to see if you have a factory SS. Probably a few more things to look for but they slip my mind at the present.

flyingskibiker · 12-16-2013, 11:23 PM

There is pretty much no way to tell a '68 through early '69 SS (or Z/28) w/o an original drive train still installed. There are a number of clues. But they only tell you if there is a possibility of it being an SS. I have this very problem...

You can check out this matrix:
http://www.camaros.org/diffs69.shtml

That site, www.camaros.org, will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about first gens. Well, pretty much... There is also a forum there to ask question and search for answers. BUT...the people there are VERY much into originality.

If you want to talk about modifications, repairs, and swaps, try www.camaros.net.

55s-Camaros-n-Chevelles · 12-17-2013, 11:20 AM

Check out the website of Camaro Research Group:

http://www.camaros.org/

You will find a lot of good information there.

Jerry MacNeish is also very knowledgeable:

http://z28camaro.com/wp/

billscamaros · 12-23-2013, 11:36 AM

I've read that the original build sheet was generally tucked into the back of the rear seat, and that there was one attached to the top of the gas tank. Even if factual, it's hard to believe that a 40+ year old car would have those still in place. Other than that or the original bill of sale, it's about impossible to verify a true SS car.

On the flip side, if it doesn't have a 12 bolt rear, front discs and 350 or 396, then you know that it's not a SS. Or, it could have been a true SS car that had those items removed.

Stingr69 · 12-26-2013, 11:14 AM

You likely will never find a build sheet on that car. Norwood cars seldom have them.

I would look for other clues. The drivers side rear frame rail should have a rectangular steel reinforcement plate (with 2 small holes) welded to the outside frame rail just behind the rear tire. This was for the dual exhaust rear hangar reinforcement. Only found on '69 coupes with the dual exhaust. These plates could be added later but most clones are not worth the effort to do that. Just one of the many clues to look for. No plate on drivers side means no dual exhaust which means lower level car cloned into a HP car. Convertibles do not need the reinforcement plate as the rails were already thicker. Fast and easy to check. There are other things to look for.

-Mark.

myold88 · 01-22-2014, 10:39 AM

Thanks for the info & replies guys. My Son-In-Law passed after just looking at the
car for 5 minutes- There's so much junk out there.

itsadryheat79 · 01-22-2014, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 55s-Camaros-n-Chevelles

Check out the website of Camaro Research Group:

http://www.camaros.org/

You will find a lot of good information there.

Jerry MacNeish is also very knowledgeable:

http://z28camaro.com/wp/

The best Camaro moment of my life was meeting an driving the 1968 Legend called "Old Reliable"
Back in the day it was driven by Dave Strickler and prepared by friend and fellow race legend Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins.

I was privileged to meet Jerry McNeish this weekend and drove "Old Reliable" to and from the Block at Barrett Jackson in Scottsdale.
The Car's hammer Price was $253K

Me driving up to the staging area:

Me on the left standing with the owner Jerry McNeish on the bidders only staging area where Jerry told me he was just a regular guy...

GrnMchin · 01-23-2014, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myold88

Thanks for the info & replies guys. My Son-In-Law passed after just looking at the
car for 5 minutes- There's so much junk out there.

Junk is a relative term, over priced yes. My best advise is be patient and have money on hand, because it can take a few cars before finding the one that fits the bill (up to a year or more). And the car's at fair market value don't last long.

LWM · 02-27-2014, 06:15 PM

myold88 (Keith) I think you have received a pretty good assessment of the market in the above exchanges. Update: I purchased a 68 SS/RS 396/350 in April 2013 and am involved in a full restoration. I have learned some hard lessons along the way...but would suggest your Son in Law be very critical of every car he considers...........I would suggest "Trust but Verify" in every case!!

12-15-2013, 12:26 PM	#1
myold88 Drives: SUMMIT WHITE 2SS/RS CAMARO Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 2018: Lakewood Ranch, Fl. Posts: 8,112 View My Garage	'69 Camaro SS question. My Son-In -Law is on his way to look at a '69 Camaro, supposedly SS for sale. Is there any way to confirm if it's a true SS from the cowl tag ? Same is: ST 69 12437.......NOR 187286 BDY TR 716 12A 53 53 PNT He did not get the VIN #. Is that needed ? Thanks in advance. __________________

12-15-2013, 08:38 PM	#2
pincoin Camaro owner since 1982 Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS-RS Conv IBM L99 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,651	That's an early 69 cowl tag and it wont say if its an SS. It MUST have front disc brakes, 12 bolt rear, and a 350 or 396 engine. All this stuff can be added to a plain jane car, but its a start to see if you have a factory SS. Probably a few more things to look for but they slip my mind at the present. __________________ 2012 Camaro RS-SS Conv IBM, L99 1968 Camaro RS Coupe 327 AT 1968 Camaro RS-SS Conv, sold 1993

12-16-2013, 11:23 PM	#3
flyingskibiker Drives: Cars, Trucks, Bikes, ORVs, Planes Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: South SF Bay, CA Posts: 228	There is pretty much no way to tell a '68 through early '69 SS (or Z/28) w/o an original drive train still installed. There are a number of clues. But they only tell you if there is a possibility of it being an SS. I have this very problem... You can check out this matrix: http://www.camaros.org/diffs69.shtml That site, www.camaros.org, will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about first gens. Well, pretty much... There is also a forum there to ask question and search for answers. BUT...the people there are VERY much into originality. If you want to talk about modifications, repairs, and swaps, try www.camaros.net. __________________ 1968 SS w/ 1966 427/425 Sequoia Green w/ Bumble Bee stripe. Always working on it... Drooling over the ZL1s. It will be my next car if I can manage to pull it off...

01-22-2014, 10:39 AM	#7
myold88 Drives: SUMMIT WHITE 2SS/RS CAMARO Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 2018: Lakewood Ranch, Fl. Posts: 8,112 View My Garage	Thanks for the info & replies guys. My Son-In-Law passed after just looking at the car for 5 minutes- There's so much junk out there. __________________

12-17-2013, 11:20 AM	#4
55s-Camaros-n-Chevelles Drives: 1968 Camaro Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 5	Check out the website of Camaro Research Group: http://www.camaros.org/ You will find a lot of good information there. Jerry MacNeish is also very knowledgeable: http://z28camaro.com/wp/

12-23-2013, 11:36 AM	#5
billscamaros Drives: 1999 Camaro Z28, 1969 Camaro RS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Charles Town, WV Posts: 77	I've read that the original build sheet was generally tucked into the back of the rear seat, and that there was one attached to the top of the gas tank. Even if factual, it's hard to believe that a 40+ year old car would have those still in place. Other than that or the original bill of sale, it's about impossible to verify a true SS car. On the flip side, if it doesn't have a 12 bolt rear, front discs and 350 or 396, then you know that it's not a SS. Or, it could have been a true SS car that had those items removed.

12-26-2013, 11:14 AM	#6
Stingr69 '69 Owned Since '79 Drives: '69 Z/28 LeMans Blue w/White Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LR AR Posts: 1,847 View My Garage	You likely will never find a build sheet on that car. Norwood cars seldom have them. I would look for other clues. The drivers side rear frame rail should have a rectangular steel reinforcement plate (with 2 small holes) welded to the outside frame rail just behind the rear tire. This was for the dual exhaust rear hangar reinforcement. Only found on '69 coupes with the dual exhaust. These plates could be added later but most clones are not worth the effort to do that. Just one of the many clues to look for. No plate on drivers side means no dual exhaust which means lower level car cloned into a HP car. Convertibles do not need the reinforcement plate as the rails were already thicker. Fast and easy to check. There are other things to look for. -Mark.

02-27-2014, 06:15 PM	#10
LWM Drives: #54 ZL 550 CGM Camaro 2SS/RS,GIF Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	myold88 (Keith) I think you have received a pretty good assessment of the market in the above exchanges. Update: I purchased a 68 SS/RS 396/350 in April 2013 and am involved in a full restoration. I have learned some hard lessons along the way...but would suggest your Son in Law be very critical of every car he considers...........I would suggest "Trust but Verify" in every case!!