74k Original Miles: 1968 Chevrolet Camaro
If I examined every Chevrolet Camaro featured at Barn Finds since the site’s creation, most would probably be the SS or Z28 variants. However, classics like this 1968 Camaro deserve more than a passing glance. It appears to be an original and unrestored survivor, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting it. The Camaro presents exceptionally well, has a genuine 74,000 miles on the clock, and needs a new home. Therefore, the seller has listed this pony car here on Craigslist in Renfrew, Pennsylvania. They set their price at $37,000, so let’s take a look to determine whether the figure is justified.
Chevrolet joined the pony car party for the 1967 model year with its new Camaro. It didn’t sell in the same stratospheric numbers as the Mustang during the early days, but assessing the figures during the first few years confirms that Chevrolet managed to steal plenty of customers from Ford. This Camaro is a survivor the original owner ordered in Ermine White with a Black vinyl top. The seller is its third owner, and they can trace its history back to Day One. There is no mention of previous repairs or restoration. Still, the car’s overall condition suggests it has either been carefully preserved from new or underwent a cosmetic refresh at some point. I may have spotted a couple of spots of overspray, which might be the signs of previous work. The paint shines exceptionally well, and any flaws in it or the steel it coats are too minor to show in the supplied photos. The vinyl top is in as-new condition, and there are no signs of bubbles that might signal developing rust. The Black stripes are crisp, the trim and glass are spotless, and the Camaro sits on iconic Rally wheels.
The Camaro only reveals its age when we examine its interior. It presents well for a survivor-grade vehicle, although the minor wear on the driver’s seat and holes in the rear parcel tray for aftermarket speakers prevent it from achieving perfection. Addressing those shortcomings with new front seatcovers and a replacement tray wouldn’t be expensive, and the state of the remaining trim justifies the cost. The Black vinyl is excellent, there are no issues with the dash or pad beyond minor paint scratches, and the woodgrain trim is free from the typical wear and lifting issues. The rear speaker holes are a mystery because there is no evidence of an aftermarket stereo. The Camaro retains its factory AM radio, and the console adds a classy touch.
The mystery surrounding this Camaro deepens as we delve further below the surface. Its drivetrain includes a 327ci V8 that should send 210hp and 320 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a two-speed Powerglide transmission. That isn’t the most potent package available in 1968, but it would provide a relaxed motoring experience. The listing suggests the car has not seen active service since 2014 but can be considered a tidy driver with 74,000 miles on the clock. They don’t mention verifying evidence for the mileage claim, but the car’s overall condition suggests that even if it isn’t roadworthy, getting it to that point shouldn’t be difficult.
It will be fascinating to gauge your opinion of this 1968 Camaro and whether you consider it a roadworthy survivor. People can interpret any listing differently, and I will gladly take it on the chin if you reveal that I have missed something blindingly obvious. However, I believe it is a largely original and unmolested classic that could be restored or preserved. Are you tempted to pursue it further? If you do and become its new owner, it will be interesting to discover the truth behind this beauty.
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Comments
Nice car, however no mention of repaint and interior passenger side door panel appears to be a repop, so I wonder what else has been redone.
Still a nice car but I’d look it over closely to see what’s original and what’s not.
The holes in the rear deck could be from an 8 track tape player. A whole lot of us had the eight track under the dash. I was fortunate enough to use existing holes to mount it. Then installing the speakers was easy. This camaro looks the part. I’d slap a resto 8 track in it and cruise. But not at that price.
People who have grown up with cars that routinely go 150,000 miles do not know of the fine line that 70-80 thousand miles on a car of this vintage would toe. My memories are that Dad sent everything with that mileage to the pure sale and was done with them. Tales of sawdust in the third member and gear oil in the crankcase came from somewhere. Time seems to have allowed us a divergent history. I will not tar this model with that brush as it appears to have had good care and presents very nicely.
It’s interesting that the car has the ’68 SS stripe on it. I wonder if that’s original? I like the color combo with the vinyl top. It reminds me of mine, I have an original ’68 SS/RS 396, Butternut Yellow with the black vinyl top. And it has that same stripe. Nice car this one, other than the worn interior.
I think the D90 ‘sport stripe’ could be had on any Camaro after about Jan ’68 and throughout ’69, though it was standard with SS. The style of the stripe changed in ’69, but I think applicability was the same. Originally, the header/fender portions were painted on, and the door portions were decals for both years.
My first 68 had the D90 stripe and was just a base Camaro. 210 HP 327, powerglide, with A/C and PS. I’ve never seen another Camaro like it in all my years since I sold it.
Did it sell? And if it did, how much?