Stored for years, a 1969 Camaro RS with intact Rally Sport hardware emerges from Pennsylvania storage and heads for a full restoration.
A 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS tucked away for years has been pulled from storage and loaded for restoration after a days-long chase that began with a Facebook Marketplace listing.
Parker, the host of the Backyard Barn Finds channel, said he negotiated with the seller for several days after spotting the ad, knowing solid Rally Sport–package cars from 1969 rarely surface in restorable condition. This example, originally finished in Burnished Brown over a white interior, still carries many RS-specific cues: vacuum-operated headlamp covers, the correct RS tail lamps and trim, and intact exterior brightwork.
The car’s backstory spans the country. Built in California, the Camaro eventually migrated to Pennsylvania, where it was stored and purposely kept out of public view to avoid constant offers, according to the seller. Despite nearly a decade off the road, the structure proved better than expected. The rockers and trunk pan presented well during inspection, while rust was largely confined to typical spots on the floor pan and rear quarter panels.
Under the hood, the original 350-cubic-inch small-block has been replaced by a 305, but the buyer and seller emphasized that RS components and identification details support the car’s provenance as a genuine Rally Sport. Old paperwork unearthed during the visit added an eerie twist: a newspaper classified dated March 14, 1990, listing the Camaro for $600. Parker examined the car on March 14, 2025 — exactly 35 years to the day.
Before the car could be moved, a broken tie rod had to be repaired; the failure had the front wheels fighting each other. With the fix completed, the Camaro rolled freely into daylight for the first time in years. The glass is intact, the original keys accompany the car, and key RS hardware remains in place — all positives for a comprehensive restoration.
First-generation Camaros with the RS package remain in strong demand thanks to their distinctive hidden headlamps, unique rear lighting and trim upgrades. While engine swaps can complicate originality claims, a solid body and complete RS equipment often carry significant weight with restorers and collectors. On this example, the combination of a straight shell, present-and-accounted-for RS components and period paperwork argues for a full, sympathetic rebuild rather than a part-out or minimal recommissioning.
Parker closed the deal and trailered the Camaro to join the Backyard Barn Finds stable, calling it one of the more compelling discoveries he has made in recent seasons. The plan, he said, is to catalog the car as received, verify tags and components, and map out a restoration that preserves its RS identity while addressing structural and mechanical needs accumulated during long-term storage.
For now, the Camaro’s return to daylight marks the first chapter in a second life — and a reminder that, even in the age of digital listings, some of the best finds are still hiding a few miles down the road.
