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The Camaro. It was Chevrolet's answer to the Ford Mustang. When the Mustang was introduced in 1964 ½, it created a whole new breed of vehicle, the Ponycar. Detroit was looking for a way to attract younger, mobile and more energetic buyers. The Chevy Camaro, unveiled in 1967, was aimed directly at the exploding Ponycar market.
But it was only after two years, in 1969, that the Camaro finally hit its stride. You could literally build your own from a myriad of options, including several heavyweight powerplants under the hood. Cosmetically, the changes were subtle, yet striking. A new grille, tail lights, door skins, fenders, and panels gave this Camaro a lower, wider and meaner look. The interior got more comfortable too, but it was under the hood where the big surprises awaited. You could still get the Z/28 package with its underrated 302 engine, but there was an improved SS with a 396 V8 boasting 325/350/375 bhp. If that wasn’t enough, you could also opt for a 350 V8 with 255 horsepower. It was, however, to be the Camaro’s farewell year for the body style.
I’ve never liked Gold cars and I didn’t think I was going to like Highway 61’s new 1969 Camaro RS/SS in Olympic Gold, but I’ve been getting pulled away from old habits a lot lately. For those wondering if this is the Camaro that finally makes the real car proud, I would venture to say that Highway 61 has definitely pulled it off. Sitting on the shelf, this Camaro looks right. It has the wide, aggressive stance of the real 1:1 and the Olympic Gold paint is like polished glass. In 1969, if you bought the RS package, you got a special grille with concealed, ribbed headlights. While the black part of the grille is plastic on this image, Highway 61 has managed to faithfully capture that unique RS look. Once again, they have applied the chrome foiling in all the appropriate places. The doors snap shut nice and tight and you still get all the super little extras like the pull-back license plate that shows off the gas cap. Inside is where this model will steal your heart. Take a look at the Houndstooth pattern on the soft seats. The sun visors move freely and there is even a tiny dome light on the inside roof. The wood trim is so realistic you’ll think it’s the real thing. The Camaro holds some great memories for me and this little gem has me wishing I could jump in, sink back into the seat and start up the powerful 396 V8.
Yes, the famous SS 396 V8 is faithfully reproduced under the hood. No Highway 61 image is lacking in the detail department. The trunk has a realistic spare and proper splatter finish. This Camaro is available in Olympic Gold, Glacier Blue, and Rallye Green. If you want a representation of the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro in your collection, don’t pass up any of these Highway 61 images. For the money, they represent premier examples of the breed. And for those who wonder whether the Camaro is a Ponycar or a Muscle car, the simple answer is that it’s a Ponycar with the heart and soul of Muscle.
(03/29/2006)
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