1969 Camaro RS pointers needed.
 

I am looking at an 1969 Camaro RS/SS. It’s not totally original by any means. As far as the hide away headlight components. What are some signs I can look for to determine if this car is possibly an original RS. The current owner stated the door don’t operate unless it’s done manually. The rear valance does have the back up lights but haven’t confirmed it to be original. The car has had the quarters replaced.. it is a LOS car.

Thanks,
Ray

Take the cover off one of the backup lights and if the metal is cut then you know it's not original RS

^ right. An original panel will be stamped. But that could be misleading too; an RS panel could be grafted onto that car et cetera. Others will chime with more things to look for like fenders…

I’ve added RS package to a few 69’s over the years. Anyone can splice or cut very nice holes for RS backup lights. The vaccuum canisters etc with correct holes thru inner fenders are quick check. The hardest part is the hose routing with the hole in the firewall and all of the hose routings to the correct RS headlight switch and headlight washers, etc. If it has the correct RS hoses through the firewall etc. it sounds like it is either original RS or it may not matter if it was converted correctly.

There is no way to tell original RS from just the VIN or cowl tag. Some X codes on the cowl tag would eliminate RS as possibility also. X-44, X-22, X-77 ( I think I have that right)

The tail panel may have been replaced in the past too, like I just had to do to my original rs car. The panel had been spliced thru the left tail light. The left reverse hole was stamped and the right horribly cut. They are now both neatly cut, but obviously not stamped, as original.

Someone with modest skills could easily add RS to a '69.

The rear body panel piercing is not reliable. Replaced the original during the work on my Z/28-RS. Sold many new ones in my years at CPX.

The bad thing about the VanNuys cars is they didn’t get the big trim tags like the Norwood cars did with the X codes…If it’s original check the piercing on the firewall for the vacuum lines going to the headlight switch … I am not 100% sure if all Rally Sports had the headlight washers .. Try & find some original RS cars & check where the reverse light wire goes threw the trunk floor… Also if it’s originally an RS it will have style trim, wheel opening moldings, roof rail moldings & the gills..

X66 is not an RS. X-22 could be an RS.

From CRG site:

The Z21 Style Trim group was part of the Z22 Rally Sport option, so RS cars are part of the group with the Z21 style trim option. Thus RS cars can only be X11, X22, or X33.

X11, X22, or X33 cars have to have style trim, but from the code you can't tell if the car also had RS.

X44, X55, X66, and X77 cars cannot have the Rally Sport (or style trim) option.

I did my X66 car back in 1982. Nobody could tell the difference except those who knew the codes. Everything looked & operated correctly. I went back to original during my last restore...Joe

The vacuum canister is definitely missing and didn't see any of the related hoses. I will try and get a closer look at the firewall. Thanks for all the information.