This 1968 Chevrolet Camaro is being offered as an original Z/28 car. Claimed to have an original 65,000 miles and be 1 of the 7,199 Z/28s produced in 1968, it is offered here on eBay out of Odessa, Texas for $21,000 buy-it-now or offer with 97 watchers.
Regular Production Order (RPO) Z/28 was first offered in 1968. For $400.25, buyers received 302ci of high-revving small block, mated to a Muncie 4-speed transmission and sending power to a 12-bolt rear. Power Disc Brakes were standard equipment and helped keep control of this road rocket. Over 7,000 buyers checked the Z/28 box in 1968. RPO Z/28 accounted for 3% of total 1968 Camaro production. This Ermine White Sport Coupe is offered by the seller as one of those cars, albeit with very limited information.
The seller provides several pictures of the body. Exterior sheet metal appears to be in good condition. More dust than rust is always a good sign. Unfortunately, there are no pictures of the chassis, trunk, or floor pans. The seller claims this Camaro was running just a few short years ago.
A check of the cabin shows a partially disassembled dash and parts scattered throughout. Door cards and seat panels appear serviceable in the pictures. A Hurst shifter peeks through the floor. Note the missing glovebox door.
Unlike 1969 model year Z/28s which were identifiable by trim codes X33 or X77 (later in the model year), verifying 1968 cars is most easily done by the build sheet or protect-o-plate. However, the often absence of this information requires a bit of detective skill. A 1968 Z/28 should have a tire sticker on the inner glovebox door indicating E70-15 tires, present a multi-leaf rear, have power disc brakes, and be equipped with rear bumper guards. It should also have quick-ratio steering and heavy-duty suspension parts. A heavy-duty radiator was also standard.
The VIN and trim tag shown in this listing confirm this is an original Ermine White car with a black bucket seat interior. It is a V8 car built in the 4th week of May in Van Nuys, California. Because of Chevrolet’s model year start, the build date would suggest May 1969, making this a late 1968 car. The paint code C-2 also indicates that it originally had a vinyl top.
Engine block casting number 3932386 was produced from August 1968 through January 1969 and was 1 of 3 blocks GM used for the 302/350 application. Because of the late May build date, it can be determined that this is not the original engine. The correct block casting number should be 3914678. (Thanks to the always useful Chevy by the Numbers).
This 1968 Camaro requires close examination to determine if it is indeed an original RPO Z/28. A review of the pictures only creates uncertainty. Underbody pictures would provide some clues but there aren’t any. The glovebox door would help but it’s missing. The VIN and trim tag don’t offer any help and the motor isn’t original. The NADA offers a price range of $32k to $74K for a 1968 Z/28, yet this one is offered for $21k. Perhaps that is why there are currently 97 watchers of this 1968 Camaro, but no buyer yet. So what do you think? Is this 1968 Z/28 the real deal?
Looks like angle plug heads which came out way after 1968. Definitely not correct for a Z28. Still a nice rust free Camaro at the price point.
Z-28 was first available in ’67. ’68 did not come with rear spoiler.
The 67 had no spoiler but on the 68 it was an option. I owned a 67 for many years and it had a dealer installed spoiler put on in 1968 when they became available.
i had a 68rs it came with spoiler thanks Tom
Wrong,the spoiler was an option in 68
the guy did himself no favors by not cleaning it and showing the overall condition. Check it out carefully and make sure its a real z, but might be a moot point without the original 302. Good luck and stay safe.
Cheers
GPC
Not necessarily. For a car where you have to do some forensic work to authenticate, it’s good to have everything undisturbed including the years-old layer of dust, so it looks less likely to have been faked.
Hmm, a ’68 with ’67 tail lights..
A couple of corrections: The Z/28 RPO was first available in ’67, not ’68; 602 were sold in ’67. Also, the statement “Because of Chevrolet’s model year start, the build date would suggest May 1969, making this a late 1968 car” is inaccurate. The ’68 Camaros hit the dealerships in the fall of ’67 (I remember riding my bike to go look at them, along with the new 3rd gen Corvettes). Similarly, the ’69 Camaros hit the dealerships in the fall of ’68 (I rode the same bike to go see those). A Camaro with a build date in May ’69 would be a late ’69 car.
Have you still got the bike hahaha ….. have a good safe day
No, I wish I still had the bike! Those old Schwinn Sting Rays are bringing pretty good money these days!
A May 69 build date is not a late 69. They ran till the end of 69. The 70 was sometimes called a 70 half because of late start.
Vince, you are correct; since the ’70 models were so late in coming out, a May ’69 build date wouldn’t be considered late for ’69. However, as I pointed out, a May ’69 date certainly wouldn’t indicate a late ’68!
The odds it a real Z28 are slim, even if it is, it likely can’t be proven since the original engine is gone. There have been a lot of changes, someone filled in the gas filler which was originally located in the taillight panel, the cowl induction hood has been added, the rear taillight are for an RS, that doesn’t include several other issues which are easily rectified and not worth mentioning. The car is overpriced, the Z28 is often thrown in to drive a higher price than it would otherwise command. It should be valued based on its present condition.
Steve R
Those are ’67 RS taillights too.
If it has 4 piston disc brakes and a 12bolt multi leaf it may have been a z/28. Heads are certainly incorrect. Block is a possible but intake and valve covers are not 68z material. Correct numbers on distributor would be a confirming feature. pulleys on crank, water pump and alternator to be deep groove. Original 15×6 z wheels have a stamp near valve stem
Rear bumper guards? Not sure about the 68’s def on 69’s
Not a real Z28.. maybe the body is, or was.. but there are a few signs that say no and the number on the motor in the pic is for a ’69 and can be a 302, a 327 or a 350. either way not the original motor as it’s a ’68 body. should have this block Number 3914678 – 302 1968 – 2 bolt mains. and should show the MO or MI stamped in the block as well. it is a decent ’68 for about 10k as a rebuildable street car or a restomod, but not a Numbers Z28 . thanks Gordy @ SoFloFab
Pay attention ,it is not numbers matching we all know that plus ,it looks like 202 heads , move on
A real easy determining factor is the unique power brake booster stamp . Its on a tab that is actually part of the clamshell booster . Im not going to reveal the number but it was only on 68 z-28 s .
Something else strange about this Camaro … ’67 RS tail lamps (with no back-up lamps in the lower valence) and no gas cap located on the rear panel between the tail lamps.
I have the correct casting in my 62 Vette for this car. #3914678
I don’t see any z/28 badges where is the fuel fill. I am not sure about this one