The first-generation Chevy Camaro sold between 1967 and 1969 is arguably one of the most popular car models in the hobby.
Some would attribute its lofty position to its clean and timeless good looks that locked in its legendary style during the back nine of the 1960s.
Many Camaro fans believe the most popular first-gen version is the 1969 Camaro because it offered the best features of the car’s three-year production run and refined the famous GM pony car to an even higher level.
Jim Sutherland
Tim Elcheson was a first-gen Camaro fan and purchased his 1969 Camaro Z-28 back in 1979. Even better, Tim still owns his legendary pony car 45 years later after he discovered it in a dingy little garage.
Tim had some misgivings about the ’69 Camaro, given it lacked a proper presentation for a thorough inspection, but he took a gamble and bought the car.1969 Camaro Z-28s were not readily available, even in 1979, so Tim bought it. The Camaro was only the second car ever owned by Tim at the time.
The ’69 Camaro served Tim well over the years but eventually he decided to upgrade his car into a combination of modern components and the classic style of a 1969 Chevy Camaro. The process took place between 2017 and 2018 while Tim assembled the right parts for his resto mod project.
He decided a major powertrain upgrade was an important part of the program, so he bought a crate 376 cubic-inch LS3 crate engine and mated it with a 6-speed manual transmission, along with a beefier rear end, to make the Camaro more drivable at freeway speeds.
Tim also upgraded his Camaro’s factory braking and handling system so it could handle modern roads and today’s heavier traffic conditions. The Camaro now sports meatier front disc brakes and larger rear drum brakes that can slow down the car, while its improved steering and suspension system help Tim avoid road hazards better than the Camaro’s factory components.
Tim summed up the situation very well when he said his ’69 Camaro “is faster- stops faster- and it’s safer”.
However, Tim wanted to remain true to the Camaro’s originality as much as possible in other ways, so he kept exterior components like its factory color-coded and rubber-covered bumpers and badging. Additionally, he retained the ’69 Camaro’s original upholstery but had to replace its original carpet.
One of the more unusual features in Tim’s Camaro is its 8-track player, although he told MyStarCollectorCar it was donated by a 1971 GM product, so it is a period-correct item. Nevertheless, the 8-track still works and was blasting out ‘Highway Star’ by Deep Purple loud and proud when we interviewed Tim.
His ’69 Camaro now sports vintage aftermarket wheels from 1977 because the retro add-ons look great on his car in 2024. Tim also used a period-correct gauge package in his Camaro to keep an eye on his transplanted engine’s internal status when he is on the road.
Tim mentioned he comes from a family of car guys that included his dad and three brothers who loved cars the same way as him.
They were clearly a good influence on this proud owner of a very cool 1969 Camaro Z-28 resto mod.
Jim Sutherland
BY: Jim Sutherland
Jim Sutherland is a veteran automotive writer whose work has been published by many major print and online publications. The list includes Calgary Herald, The Truth About Cars, Red Deer Advocate, RPM Magazine, Edmonton Journal, Montreal Gazette, Windsor Star, Vancouver Province, and Post Media Wheels Section.
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