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Dreamy Survivor: 1968 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS

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Some Barn Finds are just plain better than others, for instance this 1968 Camaro RS/SS. Why wasn’t this in our barn? Listed as a true barn find, in original condition, this ’68 Camaro is such an appealing car. Featuring a 396 V8 with 4 speed manual transmission, this is a beautiful survivor.  Offered at $26,000, we are fishing out loose change from our sofa in the hope that $26,000 magically appears. Find it here on eBay out of Fort Pierce, Florida.

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The mighty 396 V8 engine is a numbers matching unit, but there is no information on its condition. At the least, we hope it isn’t locked up and that it may be serviceable. Examining the bay reveals some surface rust but overall the engine and bay look to be dirty in need of a good cleaning. The 396 feeds power through a 4 speed manual transmission, back to a 12 bolt rear end. With this combination, we know this Camaro is a riot to row through the gears.

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The interior of this Camaro is honest and solid. The carpet has been removed as it is apparent this RS/SS has been exposed to some moisture. The floors wear an even layer of surface rust, but thankfully the floors in this Camaro are as solid as you could hope for. The dash could use some attention suffering from a split dash pad, and some minor surface rust on some various edges of the dash. The steering wheel likely looks the worst of the interior suffering from cracking and discoloration.

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The seats are very nice, as are the seat belts. If you were of the mind to preserve this Camaro’s condition, you could replace the carpet and steering wheel, then focus on the dash rounding out a nice interior.

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Looking over the exterior of this Camaro makes the heart race in lust and excitement. The paint, though original, has held on fairly well to the test of time. Although there are some blemishes on this Camaro. The hood has some various surface rust, as does the front driver fender. All of this rust looks to be purely cosmetic superficial rust, with no severe rust or rot. Moving to the quarters may reveal what is some bubbling, or perhaps if we are lucky just some chipping paint from being driven. Taking a sharp look reveals some rust at the tops of the rear wheel arches, though very well hidden by the arch trim. This Camaro is by no means perfect, but it is certainly a great view no matter what angle you look at it. What would you do with this Camaro? Restore it, or maintain it?

Comments

  1. HoA Howard A Member

    Nicest Camaro EVER!!!

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    • Rick Noland

      Why would owner let this car go like this , makes me sick , I wish I had mine back

      Like 1
  2. RayT

    I’ve driven early Camaros with the 327 under the hood, but never a big block. Would love to know what effect all that extra cast iron had on handling….

    This looks like a car well worth restoring. To be safe, you’d have to go through a lot of the systems anyway — at least the brakes! — so why not go all the way?

    Don’t know what the market will bear — this wouldn’t be the first car I’d love to bring back to original even though financial disaster would be the result — but future resale isn’t something I consider. I’d be too busy driving it.

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  3. Anthony Rodrigues

    This is the car I wanted when I was 17… I guy I worked with had a 67 SS 350. I tried to buy it but he wouldn’t sell it, even when he went to a 74 Datsun 260Z as his daily driver. Too bad this one has some rust on the dash, the result of damp storage and it doesn’t have the rally gauges, but will be a really nice car with that 396 and 4 speed once someone restores it.

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  4. ccrvtt

    Beauty, eh?

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  5. S Ryan

    I say gas it up and Go.
    How does a R.S. & S.S. End up with out the rally gauges?

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  6. RandyS

    Years ago I bought a car from ebay in similar condition. Thought I had hit pay dirt when I won the auction. After it arrived I quickly realized that while the engine ran it made 15 psi oil pressure and maybe 175 hp. Then as I was planning the rebuild a few months later the vinyl seats, headliner and just about anything rubber (suspension, body mounts, window seals, vacuum lines, etc) decided to start cracking, splitting and ripping en masse. After an engine rebuild, seat upholstery and several other things needing replacement I could have just bought a restored car with all that done already. Don’t think for a second you will be able to ‘gas and go’ with this car even though it looks really good. 49 years time and storage moisture are not kind, you will likely be wrenching far more than driving.

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  7. Rustytech Rustytech Member

    I can tell you from experience the handling on the big blocks was great as long as you didn’t turn the steering wheel at speeds above 25 mph. These were built to go fast, but only in a straight line! This car looks decent, but see Randy’s comments above. This price plus another $10 to $15k you could by a nice one and save a bunch of time and busted knuckles.

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    • JW454

      Rusty,
      Everything you and Randy said is completely true. However, if you spend the time and money to do it yourself you’ll find one value that cannot be purchased. When you take it to your first show or cruise in and you’re asked, “Who built it”? You can say, “I did”. You can’t put a value on that.That’s why we do it.

      Like 0
  8. Wayne Powell

    That’s my question also a real SS have gauges on the console not a real SS

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  9. Mr. Bond

    @JW454: Funny, I have had a couple of jerks literally snort and walk away after hearing that. Like it’s meaningless unless some reputable shop did the work. And I do nice work! Luckily, not too many of those guys around.

    Like 0
    • JW454

      Mr. B.

      So far, I’ve never had that happen but, I guess it could the way some people are these days. I usually get a pair of big eyes looking at me followed by, “You did that”? Followed by “WOW”! Then, that is followed by a boat load of questions. It’s at this point where all those nights and weekends of laying on a cold, hard, cement floor under it or balled up like a pretzel in the trunk or walking the miles of swap meet aisles is made “worth it”.

      Like 1
  10. Jeffro

    Lol

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    • Jay E. Member

      The difference is that back then old farts were 35. Now they are 60!

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      • Jeffro

        That’s cause they have retired and can afford them now

        Like 0
  11. jeff6599

    Remember that some of the big blocks had aluminum heads and intake and weighed the same as an iron headed and intake 327!

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  12. Paul R

    Big block is about 120 lbs heaver than a small block. Aluminium heads, intake and headers will shed the weight.
    I would drive it a while as is and restore as I went.

    Like 0
  13. Mitchell Gildea Member

    This loops almost exactly like the one my dad had when he was in high school except his was an automatic. God I wish I hit the lottery so I could buy this car for him

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  14. Tom Member

    Wow. That’s about it IF its real. Interesting comment about the gauges above. Had a 67 RS SS 327, blew a brake line at 45 mph and my best friend at the wheel slammed into the rear of a 74 Impala. Needless to say a near total loss. Sold it wrecked for more than paid for it an it was a solid #2 going to 1. Paid 5K for it, sold it for $5500 wrecked a year later. Should have never sold it!

    Like 0
    • 68 custom

      I feel the need to point out that Chevrolet never made any Camaro with a 327 and the SS package, RS yes, SS no. smallest engine available would be the 350. but if I had a time machine I would go back to 68 and buy a L30/M20 Camaro which is pretty close with the exception of the cast iron saginaw tranny.

      Like 0
  15. Mitchell Gildea Member

    This looks almost exactly like the one my dad had when he was in high school except his was an automatic. God I wish I hit the lottery so I could buy this car for him

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  16. JohnD

    Gauges were optional, and can be added. Although it is a bit of a pain . . . several $$$$ and skinned knuckles later . . .

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  17. JW

    In 1971 I had a 68 RS/SS Camaro Convertible with the 396 but a automatic with the rally gauges. yes it was a handful on tight corners over 25 – 30mph but going straight all you would see is my taillights. Fun car and I should have kept that one along with my 65 & 2 67 GTO’s I would be set for retirement right about now.

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  18. Dan

    Yes John gauges were an option even on big blocks and Z-28’s. Looks like it already has new door panels, kinda puffy like the repros…

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  19. wuzjeepnowsaab

    I think a 396 ANYTHING is worth the price of admission, but a 396 1st gen Camaro? And an SS with the ‘fake’ velo stack hood (As a kid, I thought these were the coolest things around…had 4 in my hot wheels collection)

    Show me to my table, monsieur!

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  20. erikj

    Just have to mention the guage package bit. The guage package with the tach and console mounted gauges was a option. lots of ss-rs Camaros did not get that , buyer has to order it.I bought a 69 ss Camaro years ago with a 396,4spd. it had buckets but no console,basic int. It was even radio delete and stripe delete also,even 15″wheels with dog dish caps .

    Like 0
  21. 70kingswood

    this car also has factory disc brakes which you do not see to often from the factory in 67 or 68, four piston calipers and two piece rotors. also yes you could get your SS or any other Camaro without (free) or with (extra cost) the optional Gauge package. hard to believe this car stayed original all these years. I would closely inspect the cowl for rust though.

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  22. John

    That car looks like it was under water sometime in its life. There is rust way up at the top of the instrument cluster and the floors and pedals are unusually rusty. I live here, but I would look very carefully at any older car from Florida. The humidity and salt air finds it way into the most incredible places (ever see the inside of your computer case rust?).

    Like 0
    • Norm

      I agree, looks like it’s been in water!

      Like 0
  23. stillrunners

    Wheels are wrong….kick panels don’t match that nice interior…..and yes looks like a coast car with the funny rust…..maybe a repaint….see the rear license plate area…..nice car and could be a 396 clone – why no factory dash tach ? And like was said the gauge package was option – a tach wouldn’t be there though….what about the top cover on the console – it was black right – so that’s why it looks a little rusty ? Little on the high side but….it runs and complete….just was thinking – A/C with a big block ?

    Like 0
  24. Rustytech Rustytech Member

    JW454 I don’t disagree with you, I have had that experience, however when you reach the age when 20 mins. Bent over a fender equals hours of recovery that’s not what your looking for. My point was unless you have the time and expertise to do the restoration yourself, you’d be better off buying one done.

    Like 0
  25. Big Ed

    Start with this and you’ll be halfway there. Listed beginning of March ’17.

    Like 0
  26. Matt Adamo

    I love the green Camaro. Still available? Please let me know. You car restore guys are amazing. I am a home builder for the past 45 years
    Looking to put “something” in my garage rather than wood. Pretty good work a wrench.

    Like 0
  27. Roy blankenship

    The 396 Camaro claiming original paint has had the stripe redone. This is my pet peeve, there are templates available for this, stripes that are wrong is like seeing a woman with lipstick that is applied outside her lip lines….

    Like 0

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