We’ve been lucky enough to see a few excellent examples of the 1st Generation Camaro here at Barn Finds in recent times. This one ranks up there with some of the best because it is entirely original and unmolested. The fact that it has a genuine and documented 54,000 miles showing on its odometer has helped it to remain in such beautiful condition. I have to say thank you to Barn Finder Ikey H for spotting this iconic classic for us. It is located in Frisco, Texas, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. The sale price for the Camaro has been set at $32,900.
It would seem that the Camaro has spent its life in the drier climes of Texas. That has helped the vehicle to remain completely rust-free. Judging by the wording in the listing, there may be some of the typical light, dry, surface corrosion under the car, but there is no penetrating rust to be found. The owner indicates that the Camaro’s underside should easily clean-up like new. For me, one of the real stand-outs with this car is the exterior condition. The Matador Red paint and Black vinyl top are said to both be original. The fact that they have survived the harsh Texas sun so well is a testament to just how careful the owner has been when it comes to the question of vehicle preservation. There are no signs of any fading or crazing. The paint shines beautifully, while the vinyl top appears to be in close to as-new condition. I initially thought that there might have been some repaint work on the driver’s door, but this seems to be an illusion caused by the way the light is hitting the paint. The car wears Rally wheels with redline tires, and these are also in excellent condition. The chrome trim sparkles wonderfully, and there are no visible problems with the glass.
The Camaro is a numbers-matching car that features a 327ci V8 and a 2-speed Powerglide transmission. The original Protect-O-Plate indicates an engine code of “ME,” which means that this Camaro has 210hp on tap. With the Powerglide hooked to the back of the V8, that should allow the vehicle to cover the ¼ mile in 16.6 seconds. The owner states that the engine has recently been treated to a tune-up. Now the car is said to run and drive like new. As well as the Protect-O-Plate, the sale includes the original Owner’s Manual, the Dealer Delivery paperwork, and the documentation that verifies the mileage claim.
The Camaro features Black Custom interior trim, and this is also said to be original. I will take the owner’s word on that, although I believe that some of the carpet might have been replaced at some point. I can see a mismatch in both color and weave between the front and back, which isn’t usual. I could be wrong on this point, but I suspect that the rear carpet might be a later addition. Beyond that, there isn’t a lot to be critical of inside this classic. The seat upholstery appears to be flawless, while the door trims and dash are in impressive condition. As well as the console, the Camaro comes equipped with a folding rear seat. The owner refers to this as being a rare option. There were 7,384 Camaros fitted with this option in 1968. That represents a take-up rate of around 3% on the entire Camaro production run for that model year. On that basis, I would have to agree that this is an option that does rate as being relatively rare. Interestingly, it isn’t the most unusual option that was ordered in 1968. If you ever spot a ’68 Camaro that was ordered with rear seat standard shoulder harness seatbelts, then you’re talking about a real rarity. A mere 24 buyers chose that option in that year.
This 1968 Camaro might not be a Z/28 or a big-block equipped fire-breather, but it is still a special car. If it is as original and clean as the owner is claiming, then it is a car that is guaranteed to stand out in any crowd. The price looks very competitive, which brings me to an interesting point. As part of my research process for each car that I write about, I do an internet search for similar vehicles that are currently on the market. I spotted this particular car listed for sale elsewhere. On that site, the asking price had been set at $42,795. Therefore, if you are seriously interested in this Camaro, my advice would be to contact the owner via the Craigslist listing. That way, you could be saving yourself some serious money.
Beautiful car , probably worth every penny of the asking price.
that won’t last long
Nice car, but do you really think this is the original paint job? I almost spit my coffee out laughing. You said it, not one sign of rust or corrosion ANYWHERE. Not even a rub through mark, from all the polishing it would take to keep a car this old, looking this good. I think I can see a clear coat from here.
Bumble bee stripe is wrong, looks like a total repaint to me. Probably just an optical illusion, but it looks like it has 14″ wheels up front and 15″ wheels in the rear.
No, it’s not a Z/28 or an SS 396,, or for that matter even a 350 powered version. Just a nice old Camaro that 52 years young! It escaped the wrath of my generation who preceded to run these into the ground, smiling all the way to the local speed shop.
I like this car but I doubt it could cover the quarter mile in the sixteens at all, especially with the power glide, two barrel carb and what appears to be a very careful owner. There were other Camaros that were built for such actions.
Forty plus thousand bucks for a show and tell Chevy Camaro, it takes all kinds I suppose. Enjoy.
I had a bone stock 67 camaro with a 210hp 327 and a powerglide transmission that would run 15’s in the quarter mile.
Gears? That’s pretty good numbers considering many four barrel equipped “stock” Camaros I remember ran in the fifteens, some could drive and got into the 14’s but it was hard to tell what was really under the hood with it closed. Built,, was another story all together. Must be a good driver there Nate.
Original, vintage 1968 GM paint was simply not this smooth and shiny when new, let alone 52 years later.
it may well be,,, “as back in them days” gm used lacquer and actually polished them out..
This car is the real deal. I’ve seen the car and can speak to it’s originality. The paint is original as is the carpet by evidence of the factory tags on the backside. The bottom side was coated with a type of thin grease from the dealership and has hardened over time. The owner cleaned an area on the rear shock and leaf spring and they look like new under the coating. I can only imagine what the bottom side would look like with all that removed. This car is as nice as you’ll find and worth every dollar.
We had same car brand new in ’68 optioned out with 250 cu.in. gas hog, 12-13 mpg and our mom hated it. Almost got her to trade it in for a new ’70 Challenger 340 triple black … then my uncle stepped in and put the brakes on that idea. Looking back the no extra charge 307 would have been a better choice in the Camaro. My brother and I sure would have had some fun with that Challenger.
Fullly loaded 1968 Camaro… about $3,300 NEW!
Your camaro 6 cyl’s air filter must have been dirty, it had dragging brakes, carb problem or needed tuneup.
My friend’s ’68 nova 250 nova gets mid 20s mpg on hiway at 55mph with p/glide & 3:07 rear, but it’s in the teens around town – but u can’t kill that motor!
Why did mom hate yours? Mostly city driving? 2 doors? Low roof? Sitting too low? Small windshield?
That is one amazin spare tire sidewall design! Who made THAT?!!
http://images.craigslist.org/01111_7iudTVaRrdS_0ww0oo_1200x900.jpg
Too many of today’s tires have cheesy sidewall designs.
I don’t think all ’68s got that speckled paint in the trunk – just Van Nuys cars?
If the car was 1st sold in the southwest, i would have 1st ordered a/c – then if i could afford each – the fold down rear seat, bumper guards, vinyl roof, delux interior, fancy wheels & tires, front nose stripe & spoiler, side chrome trim & pedal dressup – not in that order.
Fuel mileage was bad from brand new and small back window were her biggest problem. Traded in a ’62 4cyl.Tempest.
Hey what did I now I was 16 and happy to have a drivers license. One of my favorite engines is the 292 six in my ’54 Chevy truck and I don’t even think about MPG.
Car looks nice but if it is all original then why do the heads look like 1969 and newer heads.
Thanks for all the comments, I own the Camaro and found someone had posted on Barn Finds. Thank you to the person, that was a kind deed. I like all the experts one finds when listing an honest car. I spit out my coffee and chuckle on comments folks choose to make not knowing the real details, I often wonder if they even have a car of their own. The engine is bone stock original, yes the cylinder heads original to the Camaro. Is the bumble bee born with the Camaro, I believe it was but do I have proof no. The paint may have been cleared but when I rub with wax I get red oxide, not much but I go get red oxide. I have had experts look at the paint, below the belt line there has been some touch up but that appears to be it. Underside of car has some type of grease sprayed, my guess when the car was new at dealership. You clean this off and looks like brand new. I am not selling a 100k trailer queen but I am selling a very honest original 1968 Camaro with documentation and owner history. Find a more honest 1968 Camaro that has what this offers for sale for less money. I would be happy to see that. Thank you
It’s a small point, but I think to get a bumble bee stripe it would have to have been an RS or an SS. In any event, I have never seen the stripe under the 327 or whatever size engine emblems. There is always a break in the stripe. I have owned 2 1969 Z/28 Camaros, one purchased new, the other 10 years later to flip, since you brought up the question of ownership. It’s a nice car, good luck with the sale.
You could get the nose stripe, also called the front accent band even on a 6 cylinder.
Read the paragraph, “Optional Stripes” in
http://www.camaros.org/exterior.shtml#stripes
about the D91 stripe. Actually, seach for all occurrences of “d91”.
Not an SS
http://classiccarsexport.com/chevrolet/21571-highest-option-1968-camaro-rs-in-the-world-36-documentedfactory-options.html
http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/149421-68-camaro-d88-muliti-color-nose-stripes/
So unless this car was built with the 230 six, there should be a gap for the engine emblem. Unrelated but interesting, a friend of mine ordered a 1967 SS 350 and tried to get the stripe deleted, we agreed that it was ugly, but Chevy wouldn’t do it.
When someone is a caretaker of a car and it remains in this condition for this many years I always hope for them to get there asking price!!!