Choosing an appropriate project candidate can be challenging. There are many factors to consider, including the buyer’s budget and how hands-on they can be with their build. This 1968 Chevrolet Camaro is an interesting alternative. The current owner parked it in 1992, and it doesn’t currently run. However, it is complete, and its lack of apparent significant rust is a definite positive. The seller has listed the car on behalf of the owner, who is looking to send it to a new home. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Camaro listed here on Bring a Trailer in Sacramento, California. Bidding sits at $11,000 with almost four days left on the auction.
The First Generation Camaro undoubtedly stole sales from Ford’s all-conquering Mustang upon its 1967 release. It cemented its spot in the new car market, with the production tally rising to 235,147 cars in 1968. This Camaro rolled off the line that year, finished in Ermine White with a contrasting Black vinyl top and nose stripe. The seller indicates that the owner parked this classic thirty-four years ago, and that it has hibernated ever since. Its paint looks tired, and there is a dent in one door, but the photos and listing details suggest that the only rust is confined to the battery tray. Replacing the offending steel would be easy, and given that the car has spent its life in its current location, its structurally sound condition is unsurprising. The vinyl shows significant deterioration, leaving the buyer to choose between replacement and eliminating this feature. The grille is damaged, but the remaining trim looks pretty respectable.
Powering this Camaro is a 327ci V8 that produced a factory-quoted 210hp and 320 ft/lbs of torque. The first owner teamed the V8 with a two-speed Powerglide transmission, which wasn’t the first choice of enthusiasts seeking to extract maximum performance from Chevrolet’s pony car. However, the Powerglide is nothing if not bulletproof and can withstand enormous abuse without throwing in the towel. The seller indicates that this Camaro doesn’t run, and hasn’t since the owner parked it in 1992. On the bright side, the engine turns freely. Therefore, breathing new life into the V8 may require little more than basic maintenance. If so, returning this beauty to active service could be a realistic short-term goal.
The Camaro’s interior is a surprise, because it is quite presentable. It won’t score much show silverware, but its most obvious faults are the faded carpet, the deterioration on the console lid, and one missing piece behind the shifter. Otherwise, the Black vinyl looks extremely good, and the top of the back seat hasn’t succumbed to UV exposure. There are no dash or pad issues, and the faux woodgrain is in good order. The buyer could replace the identified substandard items, but if they treated the rest of the interior to a deep clean, it would present acceptably for a driver-grade classic.
It will take more than a weekend’s tinkering in a home workshop to return this 1968 Camaro to its rightful place on our roads. However, the spirited bidding suggests that plenty of people would like to give it a red-hot go. The car could look stunning following a faithful restoration. Alternatively, the buyer could replace the rusty battery tray and tired vinyl, perform a mechanical revival, and preserve the Camaro as a genuine survivor. Of course, you may have visions of an SS 396 Tribute swimming in your head. The only limiting factors will be the buyer’s imagination and budget. What would you do with this promising project once it was parked in your garage?
The Camaro and Firebird came out, and while I thought they were nice cars they never turned me on. They became “bellybutton cars,” EVERYBODY had one. I bought a Chevelle 300 in ‘69 and I have to say that it was the ONLY car I ever really loved; it left a void that has never been filled when I sold it.
Now, this is a great car and I sure wouldn’t kick it off my driveway. However, if a ‘69 Chevelle 300 2-door showed up it would assume the priority position.
What I like about this one is its bone stock, or next to it. And that’s the way I’d keep it. I saw these being unloaded off the carrier back in the day and thought, they can’t do anything to make these look better.
Funny i could go weeks today in my very congested area without seeing even one modern Camaro or Chally! & the few i see all look like garage queens.
Evert time I see a ’68 Camaro, it reminds me of a co-worker who had one back around 1995, a really nice blue metal flake with a six cylinder. He decided he wanted to sell it so he put it on display one morning in a vacant lot beside a well-traveled street, with a “For Sale” sign in the window. After quitting time he went to check on it and it was gone, never to be seen or heard from again. Couldn’t have happened to a “nicer” guy. About the Powerglide, when modified it still is the choice transmission for dragsters. In everyday use however it was truly a slush box. It still amazes me that Chevy never used a true 3-speed for so long. Fortunately the TH350 would be introduced the next year.
Hardly anyone still uses the Powerglide for drag racing, though some faster index classes use transmissions based on the Powerglide, but those are entirely aftermarket with no OE components.
Steve R
I say get it running and driving reliably and just restore the few cosmetic items it needs and drive it. There are too many SS and Z28 clones already.
One clone is too many!
This would be a nice project and seems to be an unmolested first gen. IMO this should be restored to it’s glory as it rolled off the showroom floor.
My first car at 16 was a 67 SS 350 4 speed Camaro. I’ll have to admit I was a little bit of a car molester, that’s what we did. Hurst shifter, Cragars, 70’s, MT 50’s, headers, Holly carb, traction bars, and then rolled it. I probably wouldn’t have stopped there.
There are Camaros out there that have gone to crap that would be candidates for a tribute car. This is not one of them…this one is the way it should be restored or take it back to a driver.
Since it isn’t running I would pull the engine and trans, rebuild the engine to around 300HP, & back it up with a TH700R4 ~ it would be a really great daily that could handle a road trip with no problem.
California car. Pass
Another car from the era of peak GM styling. As for being a bellybutton car; who wouldn’t want to be seen driving a first generation Camaro? Truly something for everyone.
I’m with Joe except I’d add Rally wheels and a spoiler. But definitely stay with the stock look. Drive it and enjoy it! Belly button, my foot, people knew a winner when they saw one, that’s all!
This would be a great Camaro to keep stock outwardly, but add a little spice to inwardly. That 327 can be massaged to kick out 300hp, and I’d want to upgrade the transmission. Perhaps a modern sound system. Fix the cosmetic issues, then drive it and show it. Too many SS clones already. This one would turn heads.
This car raises a question. “People” have always said that a black tail panel is exclusive to Big Block Camaros. This small block car has a black tail panel.
It’s easy add and was a popular addition, just like a set of rallies or a spoiler. A blacked out taillight panel also looks better.
Steve R