Winning at the barn-find game takes diligence. A car that rolls out of storage—covered in dust and droppings—might be a hidden gem. Or it might not be what you hoped to discover.
Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions when buying a car via the web. Full disclosure from the seller is essential. This 1969 Chevrolet Camaro barn find for sale on eBay is a case in point.
The ’69 Camaro wears Z/28 badges and trim. The firewall tag shows a manual V-8-equipped X44 Camaro. But it’s clearly not a factory Z/28.
Folks refer to vehicles like this as “tribute cars.” But back in the day, we were blunt. We just blurted out the question: Is it a real deal Z/28 or just a fake? After all, it’s cheap and easy to swap the trim pieces from a salvaged Z to a lower-end model. It happens all the time.
A Mystery on Wheels
Fortunately, DirtyClassics has an impeccable history as a seller on eBay. The shop—located in Katy, Tex., just west of Houston—became an eBay seller more than a decade ago. Since then, DirtyClassics racked up more than 830 transactions and 100-percent positive feedback.
DirtyClassics says that the barn find Camaro is intact. The listing states:
There are surface rust patches all over but nothing major. Only a few small areas in the quarter with rot.
The shop provides disclosure by posting the firewall tag, proving the original exterior paint and interior color, along with the VIN. The engine and transmission are probably a 307 and a three-speed. The license plate suggests that the last registration was in 1972. But the seller says:
It likely has been driven at some point since then.
With 69,545 miles showing on the odometer, this ’69 is a candidate for complete restoration or restomodding. The shell looks to be intact, with a clean underside, thanks to the dry Texas climate. The roof might be the largest area of sheet metal concern.
Buy It Now on eBay
Is the Barn Find Camaro’s Lack of a Title a Red Flag?
Perhaps the biggest caveat is the barn find Camaro’s lack of a title. A serious restorer would request serial numbers on the engine and transmission. (A restomodder might not care as much). The title is clean, according to the National Insurance Crime Board’s VINCheck. It does not show up for theft or total loss.
As a one-model-year style, 1969s are among the most desirable Camaros. A properly restomodded ’69 could draw a pretty penny. Restore the shell, bolt it up to an Art Morrison chassis, drop in a modern drivetrain, and you’d have something that’s wicked fun to drive.
Buying a barn find like this Camaro requires due diligence. You need to know what you’re purchasing. The missing title impacts value.
While this is not a rare car, per se, there is value in having the original engine block and transmission, as well. If the seller is willing to go the distance and provide digital documentation ahead of time, you’ll avoid surprises when the car rolls off the hauler.
