SS 396 Project: 1968 Chevrolet Camaro
Launched in 1967, the Chevy Camaro would prove to be quite the adversary to the Ford Mustang. Going into the 1970s, it would solidly hold second place in sales. The car was little changed in 1968, the most visible differences were the addition of side marker lights and the absence of vent windows in the doors. This ’68 Camaro is said to be an SS 396 that may be numbers matching. The running condition of the vehicle is unknown, and it has some cosmetic issues, too. Located in Caneyville, Kentucky, this project is available here on eBay where $10,100 has yet to meet the seller’s reserve.
The 1968 Camaro could be quite a powerhouse with four variants of the 396 cubic-inch V8 available. More than 18,000 copies were sold with outputs ranging from 325 to 375 hp. We’re not sure which one is in the seller’s Chevy, but we’re told it may never have been out of the car. The same may be true with the TH-400 automatic transmission and 12-bolt rear end. The seller says the car is mostly complete and came with factory air conditioning which is out of the vehicle but the parts are nearby.
It appears that LeMans Blue was the original color of this Chevy, flanked by a black top (vinyl?) and a black interior, with console. The interior is very dirty and may clean up for short-term use before undertaking a full restoration. Don’t get excited about the four Rally wheels in the photos as they have been replaced by rollers for the sale. Darn.
Rust is an issue here, and the floors, trunk pan, quarter panels, and wheel housings have all succumbed to one extent or another. But if this is a real SS 396 Camaro, then the winning bidder will likely go to whatever extent (and cost) necessary to bring this Chevrolet back to life and to its former glory!
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Comments
I tell this story to my kids all the time, too many times I guess, because they always roll their eyes. 35 years ago, when driving with pops (practicing with my temps), we drive past one of these sitting in someone’s front yard. Paint was fresh, had some rust addresses with bondo, had four bald tires, but it was a 396 with a 4 speed. Guy wanted $3500. I said I would do 3, he said he would do 32. Cool, we’ll be back tomorrow. We get home, pops, 100% not a car guy, thinks this little car is neat. Calls up the insurance company to see what this thing will cost to insure. Agent says, we see you have a son that will be turning 16 soon. You must get a paper signed and notarized stating that under no circumstances will your son ever be behind the wheel of that car. I ended up with a 1983 2 Dr Cutlass Cierra with an Iron Duke 4 banger. I had all four wheels of that gutless off the road more than once. Couldn’t imagine what my life would have been like if I would have been traveling at a much greater rate of speed than what that Iron Duke could do. Probably wouldn’t have had my kids, because I wouldn’t have lived.
This Camaro my friends has been in a flood.leave this junk a lone.
This is not an SS. Unless someone changed the rear tail panel and lights. I would bet it didn’t come with the 396 either. Little over the top.
Rare Big Block “Rain Barrel” option with a Free ” A River Runs Through It” DVD. Laughable.