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27k Original Miles! 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS 396

If cars could talk, this 1968 Camaro RS/SS 396 would have quite a tale to tell. It has had a brush with the law, spent time in an impound, and managed to find the time to have both a frame-off restoration and a famous owner. Everyone needs time to relax and unwind, and we can only hope that this classic will get that in the hands of a new owner. If you think you could be that person, you will find the Camaro located in Woodland, California, and listed for sale here on craigslist. The sale price has been set at $55,000, and I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder rex m for spotting this classic for us.

This Camaro presents beautifully in Butternut Yellow with a Black vinyl top. This is hardly surprising given that it has undergone an extensive restoration. This is all documented, as is most of the car’s history. It once belonged to Charlie Thomas, the recently-deceased former owner of the Houston Rockets. It isn’t clear whether Mr. Thomas commissioned the restoration or whether it was another owner. Apparently, one of the previous owners found themselves on the wrong side of the law…big time. Along with 160 (!) others, this car was seized from a private collection by the police. The vehicles were all auctioned off, and the Camaro seems none the worse for the experience. As well as spotless paint, the Camaro wears SS stripes and an RS grille. All of these components are in good order, as is the chrome and the tinted glass.

I don’t think that I’ve ever heard an enthusiast say that their car has too much power. Hopefully, the Camaro will satisfy most potential buyers because the engine bay houses a numbers-matching 396ci V8. Bolted behind this are a Turbo 400 automatic transmission and a 12-bolt Posi rear end. Performance potential is all that you might expect in a package like this, with the journey down the ¼ mile taking a scorching 14.8 seconds. The seller states that the 27,000 miles showing on the odometer is original, and judging by the documentation he holds, I believe that he can probably verify this claim. As well as the receipts for the restoration, there is the original Protect-O-Plate, Owner’s Manual, and the Bill of Sale from 1968. Incredibly, the owner provides no information on how well the Camaro runs or drives. However, with the engine bay presenting so nicely, you would have to think that the news would be good on that front.

The seller says that the Camaro’s interior is mostly original, and if this is true, then its condition is pretty impressive. There isn’t much to be critical of because it presents in as-new condition. There is some slight stretching on the driver’s seat, but I had to search long and hard to find that problem. The dash looks perfect, as does the console. There is no wear on the SS wheel, while the same is true of the carpet. The buyer won’t need to spend one single cent inside the Camaro. Their job will be to slip behind the wheel and to hit the open road.

I quite like the idea of buying a car with a past, and there’s no denying that this ’68 Camaro has led quite a life. It has gone from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, but now the future holds a lot of promise. Its past might add nothing to its value, but it does give the buyer an exciting tale to tell if they take the SS to a Cars & Coffee. The pricing looks very competitive, which means that while the vehicle was only recently listed for sale, I believe that potential buyers might need to move fast. I can see it selling pretty quickly.

Comments

  1. Avatar Steve R

    The seller is not asking for $55,000, he’s taking offers starting at that price. It’s a deceptive way of running an “auction” with a “reserve”. He knows what he won’t take, he should just ask his real price and go from there. If he’s going to run his sale that way, why doesn’t he put his documentation in the ad, at present, he’s relying on a picture of the speedometer to verify mileage, which seems low based on the amount of restoration work done by previous owners.

    It’s a nice looking car, I just have issues with the way it’s being sold. It’s being done in such a way that doesn’t inspire confidence that the entire process is above board.

    Steve R

    Like 31
  2. Avatar JoeNYWF64

    I’m not sure sure that delux steering wheel is rare – i seen em on quite a few chevies – not just camaros.

    RS, pedal dressup, vinyl top, styled wheels, rare optional clock, etc., but no radio(reason for low mileage)?! Who would order a camaro like that back then?!! A radio was everything back then with the waves full of REAL music. Today it’s all mostly talk radio, drug commercials – babling about all the side effects(notice that on tv too lately?), lawfirms, & worst of all, unintelligible speeded up disclosures at the end of some commercials that can go on for 20 secs – imagine hearing all that crap in the 60s with the vol cranked up!

    Turns a 14.8 qtr mile? Is that right?
    Not sure why so many of the 60’s cars in “Pure Stock” drags in Hemmings Muscle Machines magzine turn 13s & 12’s – surely it can’t be just modern tires & cams!

    Like 1
    • Avatar Steve R

      The cars you are referring to aren’t exactly stock, the term “pure stock” is for appearance only. Anyone that tells you otherwise is either lying or doesn’t know what they are talking about. They allow more than a few performance enhancing modifications. Their rules are easy to find with a quick Google search.

      Steve R

      Like 3
    • Avatar John Polacek

      4.10 and 4.56 gears plus a lot of little tricks internally to the motors gain them 40-80 hp while still being classified as “stock” :-)

      Like 3
  3. Avatar Patrickj

    I am surprised to see that air pump.

    Like 1
    • Avatar JoeNYWF64

      I would think this car was originally sold in California – tougher air polllution stardards there – even back then.

      Like 0
    • Avatar 1-MAC

      The 68’s had them in all states. Most disappeared after the drive home. Now if you insist on smog junk, the reproductions are just an idler pulley inside, no horsepower drag, except for the belt.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Glenn C. Schwass Member

    The color combo is so nice on these. This is sharp. I have no idea about the price.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Kenn

    Doesn’t say how it runs or drives? Maybe spun bearings, even a thrown rod due to hard driving, low or contaminated oil, etc. Otherwise you would think how it runs would be bragged upon.

    Like 1

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