You’d be excused if you think the above picture was taken in 1968 (except for the current Iowa license plate)! This 1968 Chevrolet Camaro has recently been put back on the road after nearly 15 years of being parked. The seller is only the third owner and performed the necessary mechanical maintenance to return this nicely preserved car to driving condition. It’s listed for sale here on Facebook Marketplace in Des Moines, Iowa, and the asking price for this originality is a steep $45,000.
In 1968, the Camaro was still playing catch-up to the hugely successful Ford Mustang. The Camaro debuted in 1967 and didn’t change much for 1968, mainly adding a few refinements to the original design and meeting changed government requirements like side marker lights. This car is the base Sport Coupe model, but features some nice options including the Style Trim Group and air conditioning.
Presumably, this is the car “as found”. I’m glad it was stored indoors, and it appears that washing, polishing, and waxing the paint was enough to bring quite a shine back to the Grotto Blue paint, which is said to be original, but what happened to the “front accent band” that would have been on the front of the car? The car also features fantastic-looking original houndstooth upholstery and its original two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission.
Here’s the Camaro’s original window sticker, showing the car was delivered to a dealer in Shawnee, Kansas.
The interior of the car really looks superb, especially considering the car has covered 85,000 miles. The seller reports that it “runs and drives great,” having recently driven it “across the state” to a car show. I’m surprised to see what appears to be a non-cracked dash and steering wheel as well.
Although there are no pictures of the engine compartment (why?), two undercar shots show a used, but not abused chassis. I’m sure the two-barrel-equipped 327-cubic-inch V-8 will move this 1968 survivor along nicely. But I ask you-is it $45,000 worth of nicely? Let us know what you think in the comment section, please!
Hagerty says that the car in “excellent” condition would top out at 35K with that engine/trans combo. With no engine photos, it’s hard to say if the car is “excellent”. Even if it is, it would seem that the asking price is probably 10K too high. The color is super cool.
Seller installed ’65 Malibu SS hupcaps – must have had them in their parts ‘inventory’. I like the new tires with the thin whitewalls. I’m a rally wheel fan, but I would go with the ‘N96’ mag wheel hubcaps ( they’re already in my ‘inventory – see picture). Muffler has a corner hole, so replace it or replace the whole system with a new kit.
“Tried to keep it as original as possible” means, the time and expense of getting the underneath of the car squared away, was overlooked. Based off of the pics of the underneath and a 327/powerglide, this is NOT a $45k car. I would imagine if the underneath had been addressed, those pics would have been added to the ad. In this market, a fair price would be high $20’s to low $30’s.
Potential buyers need to have the owner clarify his ad. The seller states exterior color is original, not that the paint is original. That question should also be asked about the houndstooth upholstery. With the premium price attached to the car there should be no room for interpretation.
Steve R
Every time I see a blue 67 or 68 Camaro I get this nostalgic feeling that takes me to my Happy place. Oct 73 a 16 year old knucklehead with a Marina Blue 67 SS350 Camaro.
Although I sure think I could get more with the 45K. This is a really nice original 1st gen car. I would be curious to see what someone will pay for it.
Friday night, a pack of smokes, full tank of gas, six pack of beer, and a $20 bill in my pocket was true happiness back in the day.