Real SS? 1968 Chevrolet Camaro

I will always give credit where it is due, so I must raise my hat to the seller for admitting that they are unsure whether this 1968 Chevrolet Camaro is a genuine SS. It wears the appropriate badges and stripes and has a 350ci V8 under the hood, but that is hardly concrete proof. It isn’t perfect, although it runs, drives, and could be an excellent project candidate. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting this mystery machine listed here on Craigslist in Tacoma, Washington, for $30,000.

After a successful 1967 release, Chevrolet made minimal changes to the First Generation Camaro for the 1968 model year. The most obvious was eliminating the vent windows in favor of one-piece door glass. The introduction of Astro Ventilation was the driving force behind the change, which also improved interior comfort on hot days. The seller is unsure whether this Camaro is a genuine SS, despite its badges and stripes. The Cowl Tag confirms that the existing Ermine White paint isn’t original, because the first owner ordered the car in Butternut Yellow. It is unclear when the change occurred, but that might have been when the badges and stripes appeared if this Camaro is a tribute. The seller candidly admits this classic isn’t perfect and needs work to meet that description. The paint has a range of small chips and marks, and close inspection reveals minor rust in some lower extremities. Those issues aren’t severe enough to justify panel replacement when well-executed patches would achieve the same result for considerably less. However, the presence of external rust raises the question of what might be hiding under the car. The seller doesn’t mention floor or rail problems, and the cowl looks encouragingly clean. The trim and glass are acceptable for a drive-grade restoration, but the Rally wheels show some age deterioration.

Lifting the hood reveals one of this Camaro’s great mysteries. It features a 350ci V8, a four-speed manual transmission, a 10-bolt Posi rear end, power steering, and power front disc brakes. Chevrolet’s 1968 Camaro Sales Brochure confirms that only SS buyers received the 350, and if this classic is numbers-matching, it is the real deal. However, since the seller doesn’t indicate whether the motor is original, only an in-person inspection will reveal the truth. That said, they have recently invested a few dollars in mechanical TLC. They replaced the fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel lines, intake, and the carburetor. They also installed new brakes, an alternator, a starter, an aluminum radiator, an electric fan, and rebuilt the rear end. Although the Camaro isn’t perfect, it is a drive-away option for those seeking immediate classic motoring pleasure.

Trimmed in Black vinyl, the Camaro’s interior is tidy without being startling. The seatcovers look good, with no obvious rips or splits. The remaining vinyl is in good order, as is the carpet. Some painted surfaces exhibit age deterioration, but the interior is far from horrendous. The pad is crack-free, and the gauges feature clear lenses and crisp markings. Overall, it looks very acceptable for a driver-grade classic.

This 1968 Chevrolet Camaro seems to have many hallmarks of a genuine SS, but it is worth noting that many changes have been made since it left the line. A previous owner changed the color, creating the perfect opportunity to add the appropriate badges and stripes. If an in-person inspection confirms it retains its numbers-matching small-block, that would confirm its authenticity, since only the SS featured a 350. That would also provide a chance to inspect the car’s underside to ensure there are no major rust issues. Would you consider pursuing this Camaro further, or are there too many question marks?