I’ll admit it: I’m a sucker for Camaros. My dad owned a 1968 RS/SS 396 in high school (with factory houndstooth interior in black and white) and my brother currently owns two third-generation cars: a 1984 Z28 Autoform Roadster (one of 200 built and purchased for only $1,300) and a 1985 Sport Coupe (with a built 350 and T-tops). Big blocks, SSs, and Z28s are typically the pick of the litter for collectors (especially for first-generation cars), but I’m more drawn to the base model cars equipped with a small-block V8. Such is the case with this 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible, a one-owner car equipped with a 327 four barrel V8 and a three-speed manual transmission. Find it here on eBay in Walkersville, Maryland with reserve not met.
For its sophomore year, Chevrolet only made marginal changes to the Camaro, the biggest being that the door glass was now vent-less. Though there was more of an emphasis on the RS and SS models, Chevrolet still managed to build 16,927 convertibles with a V8. While it is unknown how many were base model convertibles with a 327 V8, this particular car is one of less than 1% made in Palomino Ivy with an Ivy Gold interior. Factor in the black convertible top and you indeed have an attractive-looking car.
According to the owner, the car is all original and includes the original paperwork and original hubcaps. There appears to be a few rust spots here and there, but for the most part appear to be only surface rust, with the owner stating that the “floors, rockers, pinch welds, rear frame rails and where the A pillars meet the rockers are in very nice condition”. The convertible top is also in good condition and appears to have no rips; the owner does also include a parade boot, but does not mention if it is original to the car.
Rated at 275 horsepower and 355lb-ft of torque, the 327 four-barrel V8 definitely provides ample power and better balance than a big-block equipped car. This particular car is backed by a three-speed manual transmission, which is a bit more unusual compared to the typical automatic and four-speed cars equipped with a 327 four-barrel. Though the car has been sitting since the early 1980s, the owner does state that the car does “still start”. Low miles (36,468 original miles, to be exact) and factory emissions equipment (which is still on the car) are huge pluses.
Though not perfect, the interior does appear to be in nice condition. The car is equipped with a console, floor shift, clock, and fold-down rear seat. Factor in the Ivy Gold interior, and altogether it makes for an attractive package. The big bonus for me is the manual windows, which I’ve always preferred over power windows. Though a little weathered, I personally would leave it in the condition that it is in and take it to car shows and local cruise nights. What would you do, viewers: leave it as is or restore it?
Very surprised that they pulled it out of the barn for pictures. Most sellers take half-a$$ cell pics from limited angles thinking “good enough”…
Great find.
– This is why I follow barn finds.
Reminds me of this green 68 that was sitting some time back in a storage yard under a tarp for years. Was a factory 327 4 speed car. Since then, the place closed and the car was moved. I was told it was not being junked, nor was it for sale.
Here is another photo I took of it about 7 years ago, not long before it vanished. It should have been kept inside. Pittyful.
Great find! In all of my experience I am going to call the 36K miles 136K. doesn’t matter on this one…it is the right car 68 Camaro Convertible with factory manual….very cool….biggest problem is that it is not an RS and or SS. Restored to original will far exceed the value. I am a big “restore to original condition” guy but in this case, I believe making it an RS and/or SS Clone OR Resto-mod/pro touring is the way to go. That will bring big money. Partial good news is the car has everything….bad news it this car will STILL need everything. Very deep pocket restoration but this car deserves it in my opinion.
Have to wonder why the paint is in such sorry shape for only 37,000 miles on the clock.. Something seems fishy…
That’s because it is 137,000. Look at the spare tire in the trunk. Yikes. And as Chris pointed out below, I think there is more than 37K of “foot wear” on the pedal covers.
Again, seeing the condition of this car, 37K or 137K means nothing. Everything needs to be redone anyway. could be 237K for all that matters.
no wear on heal pad and drivers seat in great shape. Definite low mile find.
to bad it wasn’t equipped with the m-20 four speed a saginaw in this one not a muncie. but it did get you the 12 bolt rear. still be a nice ride when restored.
I still have a similar base coupe that I’ve owned since new. Mine has always been garaged and has NO rust anywhere and 85,000 miles. I special ordered it with F41, tinted glass and AM radio and nothing else. Built in LA and never out of California.
Very nice car. Here in the Northeast early Camaros are not as common as Chevelles Rust hit these early Camaros hard after only a few years Back around 1978 my daily driver in good weather was a 70 Camaro and my rain-snow car was a 68 Camaro with a 327 and Powerglide. Bought it for 600 dollars. Had rust everywhere. Rear wheelwells were already shot and it leaked water thru the rear glass and the windshield. That 327 purred like a kitten though and got better highway mileage than my 70. 20 mpg highway vs 18. I drove that 68 for about 25000 miles until the powerglide gave up. Sold the car to someone who wanted the 327 for 300 dollars
I would assume the spedo has been rolled over. I think it would be almost impossible to wear out the pedal pads in less than 40 k. If the miles are correct , that’s one hell of a hard 30 k miles. I don’t know many teenagers that could trash a car that quick. Still looks to be very restorable if you know it needs a frame off to address ever nut, bolt , clip and fastener that has corroded over the years with poor storage conditions obviously ..
in my mind tarps ruin more cars than rain does. but it is so difficult to leave a car out in the open – just tarp it.
would be better to build a half-arsed low roof shed with all sides open.
How does a beautiful car like this get so neglected it looks like this?
When odometer rolls over the spacers between the numbers change from painted to shinny metal was always how we could tell on used cars
Change the fluids…make it road safe and leave alone….
What about the Studebaker GT Hawk next to it in the barn ?
I’m loving the gold interior. I’d go extra weirdo if restoring it and put a tan top on it.
Rust Bucket. $15K swiss cheese.
As stated by another here it is too bad it does not have the RS or SS badge, still a nice find as these rag tops are becoming harder to find than gold nuggets. Not sure if I am seeing correctly but is this also a factory A/C car, it has the balls at the dash corner and if that isn’t a smog pump on top then it must be a vintage compressor? Never owned a first gen Camaro but had a chance to buy a ’69 Z28 when I got home from Nam in ’70, she was a beauty but would have taken every penny I made from my tour 365, I settled for a built ’64 Lemans, and the nice ’86 Camaro came later. This ’68 deserves a total restore and hope it gets it!
Nope, not a factory air car. First thing I thought too. A factory A/C Camaro will have an A/C vent in the center of the dash where that strip of woodgrain is. Also non A/C cars came with a knob on each kick panel to let in outside air into the passenger compartment. That is an early smog pump you see there. This is also a non power brake car. Rather basic, but that is what is so good about this car. Hopefully it will be treated to a restoration.
This car is a great candidate for a full restoration in my opinion. I find that these are the easiest and least expensive cars to restore. Many affordable parts, front subframe easy assembly. They also hold there value I sincerely believe that first gen Camaro’s are amoung the best cars to restore mustangs are a close second.
Although I am a vintage Mustang guy, I will confess that I have a soft spot for vintage Camaros, and this particular ragtop is the perfect candidate for a very nice “make it your own” restoration. You will not see another one like it. High milage or not, very beautiful piece of rolling American art.
Winning bid:US $15,500.00
[ 13 bids ]
That’s a Clone of my car I had in the 80’s for a couple years, color, rallies, except mine had blue interior.. was my brothers, before that my cousins.. My beat up rally caps/rings got stolen.. Insurance got me NOS ones.. Gotta Love That !!… 6 mo’s after I sold it, ran into the buyer.. It had been stolen..
Muscle cars all my life.. Im now into Roadsters.. New, and classic British.
My final Mustang GT replaced by my 124 Spider- My Funnest car EVER !!!
and ’68 Austin Healey Sprite.. My Street Legal Go-Kart from Hell.. :0)
As for your car.. I’d scrub the hell out of that interior.. clean up / de-rust / paint up the engine compartment.. buff out the paint to get off the surface rust.. wax it.. and show it as it is for awhile in Survivor Mode….. THEN… restore it to ORIGINAL… NO RS / SS / Z28 CLONE !… There are SO many… they bore me to tears now….. LOVE it when I see a base car fully restored at a show… THAT’s the car you’ll find me hovering over and admiring…. Ooohing, and Ahhhing… Not a “See them Everywhere” Resto