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Same Owner 45 Years: 1968 Chevrolet Camaro

The Chevy Camaro was in its second year of production for 1968, after a successful launch the year before to counteract Ford’s new Mustang. The physical appearance of the car was little changed, except maybe for the addition of safety side marker lights and the elimination of vent windows. The latter was replaced by “Astro Ventilation” so the passengers could stay comfortable in warmer weather. The seller’s Camaro is a two-owner car that’s an unrestored original with 85,000 miles. San Ramon, California is home base for this car and it’s available here on craigslist for $26,000. Thanks to MattR for finding this one for us!

While the Mustang would lead pony car sales for quite some time, the Camaro made a sizeable dent in Ford’s market share the second year out. The Camaro was good for 235,000 units to the Mustang’s 317,000 for 1968, but the spread was closer than it was in 1967. The V-8 sport coupe would be the Camaro’s most popular model, like the seller’s car. This one looks stock except for the aftermarket “mag” wheels, and we wonder about the bulging hood. On this car, it’s for looks-only because of the likelihood of a 2-barrel carburetor being used with this 327 (210 hp). With an automatic transmission (2-speed Powerglide likely) and power steering and disc brakes, the car is said to run well.  Under the hood, all the hoses and wiring look new.

The seller is the car’s second owner, having acquired it in 1975 during high school. It appears to be a solid car with no signs of rust, according to the seller. The original Butternut Yellow paint looks good at 20 feet, but the closer you look, the more chips and nicks you will find. That’s especially true on the black stripe where the hood closes. The black vinyl top has no obvious issues that we can tell. As a long-time California car that was garage-kept, it has survived quite nicely. The interior is mostly original and very tidy, although the carpeting has faded, the steering wheel an add-on, and someone cut the door panels to install some speakers (I did that, too, in high school).

If this were an RS, SS or Z28 model, the seller’s Camaro would fetch more money. For now, Hagerty pegs a “good” condition ‘68 Camaro at $22,000 and “excellent” at $27,000, so the seller might be a bit on the high side with his request. But they’re only original once and this is a nice enough car to use on a regular basis without having to do much to it. A few battle scars add character!

Comments

  1. Avatar Steve R

    This is how an ad should read when it’s actually being sold by a long time owner Thayer than a flipper that has skipped transferring the title into their name.

    Nice car, it’s pricey, but could be driven as it sits or become the basis of a high end Restomod. This looks to be an “honest” car with some period modifications. Cars like this is why California cars sell for a premium, someone could take this car apart with 3/8 drive socket set and not break more than one or two bolts.

    Steve R

    Like 10
  2. Avatar gbvette62

    The hood is definitely a later addition, as is the rear spoiler. The cowl induction hood was only available on 69’s, and the rear spoiler looks like it’s the wider version used on 69’s.

    It doesn’t look like a bad little Camaro, but with the wrong hood, slapper bars, headers, a Cal Custom steering wheel, cut up dash and aftermarket radio, aluminum slotted wheels, and aftermarket tach, it’s not quite as “stock and original” as the seller claims. This could be a good car for someone, but not at that price.

    Like 6
    • Avatar Steve R

      The rear spoiler is correct for a 67-68. A 69 spoiler would hang over the edges of the quarter panels by an inch or more per side.

      All of these modifications are typical of what you would see on a mildly modified Camaro in the late-70’s or 1980’s. They will not negatively effect its value since most people looking for early Camaro’s aren’t going to do a “stock” restoration.

      What drives the value of this car is that it’s rust free. Every non wear metal component will likely be able to be reused with nothing more than cleaning. The lee won’t be a need to replace or restore any number of pitted parts that would need to be addressed on a high end build.

      Steve R

      Like 12
  3. Avatar David Mika Member

    The bulge on the hood is to clear that extra tall air cleaner stud.

    Like 3
  4. Avatar Steve Clinton

    $26,000 seems fair (…OMG, what’s happening to me! Have I gone nuts!)

    Like 11
  5. Avatar 70SuperSport

    Better wear your seatbelt with all the Armour All coating…

    Like 5
  6. Avatar jerry z

    Those wheels look so right on the Camaro. Priced a little high for my taste. Maybe around $20K would be good IMO.

    Like 7
  7. Avatar Anthony Umbrico

    The cowl hood bulge is to make room for the custom “bullhorn” on left side inner wheel well!

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Vince H

    26k does not look to crazy when you look when you see the other 68 today.

    Like 2
    • Avatar JMB#7

      Amazing, the car reported to have 3x the miles looks 300% less wear. If it were between this and the other one listed the extra money would be well spent. This one appears to be zero rust, and kept warm & dry with wax on it. The other one has rust & rips, is dirty, and paint worn thin all over. If this guy holds out, he will get his asking price. The other is currently at $10,500 reserve not met (contrary to the article). I really don’t see the other one even getting to $18k.

      Like 2
  9. Avatar JMB#7

    Second owner, and had it since 1975….. I hope he gets his asking price…..
    Rust free….. I think he will get his asking price…. Very nice car….

    Like 4
  10. Avatar Nate

    I love this Camaro…it’s pretty honest. And has the right additions, except those wheels…I’d get rally rims on this car immediately. Is that a horn in the engine bay or the remnants of an alarm system?

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Desert Rat

    As the owner of a 1st gen Camaro, 69, I must say I love this little Camaro. I wouldn’t change a thing, except add some touch up paint to butternut yellow, another favorite of mine. And keep the mags, or go with magnum 500s, never cared for rallies.

    Like 3
    • Avatar JMB#7

      My thoughts exactly (and I don’t own one). The slotted alloys send the message that this car had fun back in it’s day. Although I appreciate the idea, I have never been “excited” about how a car left the showroom floor. I would rather see how it developed it’s own personality.

      Like 5
      • Avatar Nate

        This car probably left the showroom floor with hubcaps…

        Like 1
  12. Avatar Mood-O

    Wow!
    I was a junior in high school at the time this guy bought the Camaro…
    My first 4 cars ended up wrecked and hauled away by early 1977.
    I’ve owned more than 40 cars/trucks since…
    If we only knew.
    Actually, I think the only car I wish I didn’t sell would be my 1970 Cutlass Rallye 350 owned from about late ‘79 to early ‘81 sold for $1,000.00 bucks, guy blew it up 3 weeks later.
    Geesh

    Like 0
    • Avatar Mood-O

      Lol JB!
      I should have clarified…
      Only one crash was my fault, the first one…
      And yes my Dad was a hard ass!
      Still is at 86 years old
      Lol
      Still love him though, only one I have left

      Like 2
  13. Avatar Jost

    I think that while the price may initially seem high its fair for a rust free car with a desirable powertrain ( except for the powerglide). This can be driven as is or restored without breaking the bank. Some of us ( self included) would prefer the 327 to a big block. My imagination runs wild: clean it up, repaint original color, covert to 4 speed ( or a turbo 350) put on a small 4 barrel, chrome assesories , headers, maybe a small but nice cam and valvetrain, a set of tourque thrusts and wahlah…the perfect day two car and its not 6 figures!

    Like 1
  14. Avatar Fred Heminger

    bought a ’68 RS/SS in ’71 after being in the service, looked identical to one being sold, only met. blue w/black vinyl top, spoiler in back the same with a small front spoiler below grill, hood had two rows of four square chrome non-functional openings, 10 inch Ansen sprints in back 8 1/2 in front with low profile goodyears around, Moncie four speed, home made traction bars with posi – one fun car! paid 1700.00 for it, came from Utah.

    Like 1
  15. Avatar KKW

    Yellow plug wires

    Like 1
    • Avatar JMB#7

      Accel Yellow Jacket. Had them on my Nova. Work very well.

      Like 2
  16. Avatar stillrunners

    Nice and kudo’s for keeping it all the years.

    Like 2
  17. Avatar Tooyoung4heyday Member

    I love these 68’s. I also don’t mind the butternut, just like it better on say a chevelle, nova or corvette. Never liked it on the camaro. Other than that, ditch the glide and the alarm system, clean up under the hood a little and drive it as is! I like wires that flow under a hood, not just drapped about.

    Like 0

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