For some people, it takes no more than a brief glance in the mirror to realize that the march of time can be pretty cruel. I know that there are days when I take a look and wonder what happened to the fresh-faced twenty-year-old that used to stare back at me. The same is true for some classic cars. While we will see examples that are remarkably preserved survivors, others will show the ravages of everything that Mother Nature has thrown at them. Tha leads us seamlessly to this 1968 Camaro RS. There is evidence that it was once a stunning vehicle, but it is now a shadow of its former self. Like some aging Hollywood star, it needs someone to administer a facelift and all manner of other surgeries if it is to regain its youthful good looks. It has the potential to be a significant undertaking, but it’s a challenge that you could be suited to. It is also a car that deserves attention because the original owner ordered it with one of the rarer options available to buyers in 1968. Located in Toms River, New Jersey, you will find the Camaro listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has surged past the reserve and currently sits at $4,761.

The original owner ordered this RS finished in Rallye Green with a Black vinyl top. Both the paint and some of the vinyl are intact, but there’s no arguing that they’ve seen better days. I’d be willing to bet that the person who tackles this restoration will strip away the decay, and mounting it on a rotisserie would be a wise move as part of this process. There is some rust visible externally, and the owner’s statement that it will require major steelwork suggests that there’s plenty that isn’t visible in the supplied photos. If someone considers restoring this classic, spending the time and effort to address its rust issues to the highest standard should reap long-term benefits. There’s nothing worse than cutting corners in a case like this, only to see nasty bubbles appearing a few months after the work is completed. There are numerous dings and dents present, and some of the trim is damaged or missing. Sadly, the distinctive grille with the concealed headlamps is one item that is damaged, so the buyer will need to source a replacement to complete a faithful restoration. The glass looks good and is probably the highlight of the exterior as it currently stands.

The original owner ordered this Camaro with a 327ci V8, a two-speed Powerglide transmission, and power steering. That would’ve given the driver 210hp at their disposal, making this RS capable of covering the ¼ mile in a neat 17 seconds. The car is no longer numbers-matching, and someone has performed what they would’ve considered a worthwhile upgrade in the past. The engine bay is now occupied by a 350ci V8, offering a notable improvement in its performance figures. Depending on the specifications, there’s a fair chance that the driver had around 300hp under their right foot. If that’s the case, a sub-16-second pass was a reality. The Camaro doesn’t run, and I suspect that it hasn’t done so for many years. The engine turns, but the sheer amount of surface corrosion visible under the hood makes me believe that the buyer should perform a thorough inspection before they consider hitting the key. Given the vehicle’s known requirements, I’d be budgeting for a rebuild as part of this restoration.

When we turn our attention to this Camaro’s interior, things become very interesting. It’s no great surprise that the buyer will be facing a complete restoration, which will add at least $2,000 to the cost of this project for a trim kit and other hardware. However, when we start looking at how the original owner ordered this car, things take a twist. It’s no great surprise to find a console and shifter, and air conditioning is nothing out of the ordinary. What caught my eye was the four knobs that you can see behind the shifter on the console lid. It seems that the original owner ticked the box beside RPO Code U79 on the Order Form. This saw the RS equipped with the AM/FM stereo radio with “Multiplex.” The four knobs control the volume, tone, balance, and fading for the radio, and they are conveniently located within easy reach of the driver. This feature added a not inconsiderable $239.15 to the base Camaro’s sticker price of $2,565. That was a lot of money in 1968 and made it easy to understand why a mere 1,335 buyers ticked that box. The good news is that the system seems to be complete, which is pretty significant. I searched for a genuine replacement, and the best that I could find was a refurbished unit that would lighten someone’s pocket to the tune of $2,995. Those four knobs might seem insignificant, but they add greatly to this car’s desirability.

Taken at face value, this 1968 Camaro RS represents a significant restoration project. There isn’t one aspect of this car that won’t demand the buyer’s attention, and it is a car that would respond best if dismantled to the last nut and bolt. It is disappointing that it is no longer numbers-matching because that will impact its ultimate value. However, its options combination is one of the more unusual and makes this a relatively rare car. Is that enough to tip the scales and tempt you to make a bid to own this classic?