450hp! 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS

At first glance, this 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS seems to wear 350 badges on its front fenders. However, closer inspection reveals that they actually say “383,” proclaiming to the world that the Crate Motor hiding under its hood is pretty special. How special? Well, this Camaro generates more power than the official figures quoted by Chevrolet for the brutal 1968 ZL1 version of the 427ci big-block available via COPO 9560. The Camaro presents well as a driver-grade classic, with a range of custom touches that complement the upgraded V8. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Camaro listed here on Craigslist near Langley, British Columbia, Canada. You could drive it home for $47,900, with the seller clearly stating that they won’t consider trades or low-ball offers.

The pony car war was on in earnest by the time this Camaro SS rolled off the line in 1968. Ford’s Mustang was selling in excellent numbers, supplemented by the Mercury Cougar. The General Motors Pontiac Firebird and Camaro cousins provided strong competition, with the Plymouth Barracuda lurking in the shadows. The history of this car isn’t fully detailed, so it is unclear whether the Fathom Blue is this Camaro’s original paint shade. The seller admits that it isn’t a show contender, but it can be considered a high-end driver. The depth of color and shine is impressive, the panels are straight, and there are no rust issues. The glass is crystal clear, and the sparkling chrome perfectly contrasts with the dark paint, while the American Racing Torq Thrust wheels and factory spoilers give this classic the touch of menace it deserves.

It is unclear which engine the first owner chose to power this SS, but if they ticked the box beside the L78 version of the 396ci V8, the big-block would have produced 375hp. However, that question is now irrelevant, courtesy of the seller’s decision to install a 383ci Crate Motor. Who needs 375hp when you can have 450hp beneath your right foot? That power feeds to the road via a three-speed automatic transmission, with the Camaro also blessed with power steering. The seller didn’t draw a line under the engine upgrade, with the SS also featuring a four-wheel power disc brake conversion, and a complete suspension setup from the fine folks at Hotchkis. They state that they have invested thousands of dollars in this classic, and that list makes the claim easy to believe. The car runs and drives well, ready for action with its new owner behind the wheel.

Now, you didn’t think the seller would perform so much work on the Camaro without touching the interior, did you? They treated it to a retrim in a custom combination of Blue and White cloth and vinyl that really stands out. They installed additional gauges above the heater controls, power windows, and a custom sound system that could drown out the tune being sung by the V8. The presentation, while not pristine, is consistent with what enthusiasts would expect from a high-end driver. There is no appreciable wear, no broken plastic, and no UV damage. It needs nothing and, if treated respectfully, it should still look nice many years into the future.

If you take the wheels and the 383 badges out of the equation, there is almost nothing about the appearance of this 1968 Camaro SS hinting at its performance potential. Acceleration should not be an issue, and the seller’s decision to upgrade the suspension and brakes creates what many would consider a “total” package. Some readers will decry the fact that the seller has modified a desirable First Generation Camaro SS, but the reality is that since it was their car and money, they were free to do with it as they wished. I prefer my classics unmolested, but I can understand why people would be attracted to this beauty. The question is whether anyone is drawn enough to spend $47,900. I won’t be surprised if someone does. Will you?