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?
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