Unrestored Survivor: 1968 Camaro RS Convertible
This unrestored 1968 Camaro Rally Sport convertible was put into storage in 1990 where it remained until recently. The tires have 1976 date codes which indicates that the car had seen limited use prior to the beginning of the long-term storage. Optional equipment includes the deluxe interior, fold down rear seat, accessory bumper guards front and rear, remote mirror, power steering, power brakes with front discs, and 4-speed transmission. Located in Austin, Texas find it listed here on craigslist for $32,000.
The car was purchased new and spent most of its life in Albany, Indiana. Judging from the unbelievably clean and rust-free undercarriage, this must have been a fair-weather car. It is pretty common for folks in the rust belt to put away their good cars as soon as the snow flies and drive a winter beater until Spring.
The seller reports that the paint is factory original except for the quarter panels. Both quarter panel skins were replaced in the 1980’s. First generation Camaros were notorious for rusting out in the quarter panels, even in the southern states.
Interior is in excellent, all original, condition.
The original, matching numbers engine is still in place. The intake manifold has been replaced with an aftermarket aluminum unit. Valve covers and breather have been replaced also. The seller doesn’t say if he has the originals.
What should be the fate of this survivor? Leave it as-is except for some detailing, perform a complete restoration, or something in between?
Auctions Ending Soon
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now2 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now2 days$4,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now2 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now4 days$10,500
1974 Datsun 260ZBid Now6 days$750
Comments
Leave as is. Definitely. (Ex 67 convertible owner here)
I am in agreement 100%. As nice as it is now, I would put a killer detail on it and away we go. 4 speed drop top in a beautiful (and rare) color, there’s no way you start a restoration on this. Why spend as much as you will just to own it, and then spend double that, or more, to have a trailer queen. No freakin way. Turn the key, put the top down and enjoy the ride. GLWTA.
That has to be the worst color offered in the 1968 Camaro. Instead of being called Corvette Bronze it should have been called Station Wagon Bronze.
So Jerry – – – – you just had to knock a beautiful vehicle – – – color is all in the eye of the beholder bud.
Got anything nice to say about this RARE find ??
Maybe you’re just having a bad day?
Jerry that is what I like about it the color is unusual. I think it is gorgeous.
It’s a “survivor” with this and that replaced or upgraded….oh – and body work and….
I agree the term survivor is tossed around way to much.
Too much
Well just what would you call a 50 year old car in this awesome state of originality? Survivor seems appropriate to me.
A car is only required to have 75 percent of its original paint and body panels to be considered a survivor. The valve covers, air cleaner and intake manifold are not major parts by any definition, and do not even come close to disqualifying the car from survivor status.
Both quarters replaced would be more than 25% I believe
Clean up and leave as is. Nice car.
“They call him flipper, flipper, faster than lightning”
“No one you see, is smarter than he”
Buy low. Sell high.
Cut a big ol’ hole in it and drop in a Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear reactor. That will get you and MaryJane the attention you crave at the local cruise night.
I guess it’s worth what you’ll pay for it..that said.I love a mostly original car………much less a 4 speed vert…….Need to couch cushion search for change…………
I had a 68 RS/SS convertible back in 71, white with black top and interior. Went thru a couple rearends quick so I sold it. Paid $1325.00 for it and sold it for the same amount.
Clean it, detail it and drive it!
Unrestored Survivor, factory original except? Nice car but the description doesn’t add up
The tops of the front fenders and the center of the hood look to be in primer and the front header panel isn’t painted body color. There also seems to be some rust forming on the lower passenger side quarter panel behind the rear tire. He didn’t mention if the car runs or the condition of the brakes and other mechanicals.
For the asking price I’d expect those issues to have been addressed.
Steve R
Nice car, good parts and all. Something doesn’t add up. Rear guarter reskined but the under side looks remarkably cleen. Primer on the top of the fenders and the nose looks worked on. Fun car to own, not worth what there asking.
Give it a good mechanical going over, drivetrain, brakes, cooling system. Other than that leave it alone.
Appears to have a 12 bolt rear axle. I would have expected a 10. Maybe it’s a 275 HP 327?
Something doesn’t add-up. Engine Suffix reads as “M1”. Maybe “ML” at best. That suffix code was not used in ’68 Camaros. Curious what the VIN # is to see if really matches the engine stamping. Has what appears to be a Muncie trans (aka – aluminum case). Those were not used with 327’s (should be a Muncie trans with a cast iron case).
should be a saginaw with an iron case,if this was an original 275hp 327 and 4 speed car they are refered to as L30/M20 cars which were like budget SSs., they were equipped with the 12 bolt rear and iron case saginaw but had the 275hp 327. nice car but kinda looks like someone put this one together years ago but you never know! disc brakes make this car every bit the performance rival to a ss350 -4 speed car… wonder if its real, but the tranny is wrong.
I would take survivor with a grain of salt on this one. Is it mostly original? Looks to be. Is it absolutely rust free? It does appear to have a possible rust issue on the RH quarter. The paint? Obviously not all original due to the quarters being replaced and the fender tops and header panel. That’s a metallic color and doesn’t appear to have any obvious blending areas, but pics are deceiving and my eyes aren’t what they used to be but may have been a complete re-paint. Also the engine suffix code appears to be MI, which would be incorrect. MI would be a 67 283 or 68 302. If it’s an ML then it could/would be correct. And those floor pans are definitely molested with. No way in this world would they be that smooth and shiny after 50 years. I own a documented 52k original mile 67 RS that was stored since 1980 and revived in 2013 after the 2nd owner passed. 33 years in hiding. 1 repaint in 1978, with receipt, after being hit in the RH fender. It wasn’t even scuffed before the re-shoot then sold to it’s 2nd owner, and the original deluxe interior is gorgeous.
I have this car code is a MI look in GM white book shows up with a 302 copo I have restored it, the floors in trunk are not rushed out. It did have GM quarters that someone cut down to skins. I have pictures. When I strip all the paint due to cracking under the repaint,it was painted one time before. I like to know more about this car, it has a lot of options like head rest, over the shoulder seat belts,deluxe .
Nice looking Camaro. My favourite years for the 1st gen Camaro have always been 1967 and 1968.
1968 is my favorite 1st gen year, I’m biased since I have a 68 SS. Looks like the interior has delux door panels and wheel but standard seats.
I would buy this in second if the price came down 12 to 15k.
Gorgeous car. And I LOVE the color. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one that shade of bronze or copper.
Why would anybody of sound mind want to restore a perfectly good, running, roadworthy car?
If it aint broken, dont fix it :-)
It seems many people in the know have legitimate questions about this car. Irrespective, it could be a really nice ride with some work; it does seem “unrestored” may be a bit misleading. Whatever the reality is, this is a really nice combination and the 327 was always my favorite.
The part about the underbody paint process would seem to go along with the floor pans condition to make it appear that there has been significant lower body rust repair. http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=9029.0
How are you getting this car is located in Austin, TX? It says Corydon (as in Indiana) on the ad and has a contact number with 812 area code, which is Indiana.
No proof of matching numbers anything. No mention if the car runs. It’s on a trailer so my guess is no. Is there proof this is a real RS? Potential to be a nice car if you can get running.
Some old nipples on the tires prefer fresh ones……lol
I have been married 48 years to two separate wives. I believe that qualifies me for survivor status. Although I did have a knee replaced four years ago.
The car has been apart and is mostly restored. That’s not what an original looks like. Muncie has been added, etc. Buy it for a nice driver, not an original.
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=16669.0