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• 1969 was the third year for the Camaro and the last year of the first generation.  The 1969 model year was a long one because the 1970 Camaro (2^nd Generation) was not introduced until February of 1970 (hence the term 70 ½).  One easy way to tell a 1969 from a 68 or 67 is to look at the body from the side.  In 1969 the “crease” down the side of the body from front to back rides on the top of the wheel wells.  In 1968 and 67 is intersects the wheel wells and is less prominent. Overall production for the Camaro increased by roughly 3.5% from model year 1968 to 1969.  The total vehicles produced topped out at just over 243,000.

• Approximately 153,000 of the 243,000 Camaros produced for the 1969 model year were of the base appearance.  By no means did this mean that these were not exciting vehicles.  Slightly over 178,000 Camaros built for ’69 had V-8 engines and many of these were with the base appearance…no “RS” or “SS” or “Z/28” emblems…just plain “Camaro.

• Overall production increased again up through the 1969 model year but the Rally Sport volume decreased by a little over 3,000 units vs. 1968.  Just under 38,000 Camaros with the RS package were produced in 1969.  As with the 1967 and 1968 model years, the most distinguishing visual feature that came with the RS package was the “hideaway headlights” but in 1969 they also changed to include three small horizontal glass window cutouts.  These “windows” were included so that if the “hideaway” doors failed to flip down the headlights could still shine through.

• The SS option volume increased from 1968 to 1969 by a little more than 6,000 units to almost 34,000 total.  With the SS option came the SS badging on the front, rear, and sides, and the big block SS (396 cu in.) option could be distinguished by the blackened area around the rear taillights.  Again SS was a performance option.  The lowest rated (highest production) engine in the 1969 SS was the 300hp L-48 Turbo-Fire engine.  The most powerful choices were the 375hp L-78 and L-89 Turbo-Jet motors.  The L-89 came with aluminum heads.  Additionally there were just under 3,700 convertible 1969 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replicas sold and a few hard tops….all of which had the SS and RS options and were a beautiful Dover White with Hugger Orange longitudinal stripes.

• As with 1967 and 1968, the most desirable of the high volume 1969 Camaros based on production numbers was the Z/28.  Just over 19,000 were produced, more than double the 1967 and 1968 Z/28 production combined but still barely half of the RS and SS options.  In 1969 the Z/28 could be distinguished by its badging on the front grill the side in front of the wheel wells and in the back between the tail lamps.  The 302 motor was still the only Z-28 choice.  In 1969 the “Super Scoop” hood was made available on the Z/28….you may recognize this hood as a “Cowl Induction” hood although that name was not used until the hood was offered on the 1970 Chevelle.

• Special Cars:  In 1969 there were two COPO models produced in very low quantities….COPO 9560 and 9561.  COPO stood for “Central Office Production Order”.  These were factory built cars but they were special dealer ordered.  The COPO 9560 was called the “ZL-1”.  There were 69 ZL1’s built in 1969 and they were some of the meanest factory Camaros ever.  They came with a 427 ZL-1 aluminum block motor that was rated at 430 hp and they carried no distinguishing badging.  They looked like a plain Camaro but with a “Super Scoop” or “Cowl Induction” Hood.  The COPO 9561 cars were 427’s but the engine blocks were cast iron and were rated at 425 hp.  Many of the COPO 9561 cars became the legendary and now highly sought "Yenko" Camaros. NOTE:  both of the engine horsepower ratings shown above for the COPO cars are generally agreed to be conservative.