1968 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe
The first generation Camaro was largely based on the Chevy II Nova. Pre-production, GM considered producing a station wagon version of the Camaro. It was called the "The Panther" while in development. In fact, the Camaro was very close to being called the Panther. Despite folklore about the name, Camaro is not the French word for "friend". The French word for "friend" is "ami." The word "Camaro" means absolutely nothing.
For consignment, a funny thing happened in 1972 when the owner went to go to work in NJ, and his beloved Camaro was missing from his driveway. Of course, law enforcement got involved, all of their efforts then coming up short. Fast forward to 2017 and a hit came up on a California computer, and low and behold it was the missing Camaro from 1972! It was returned to the original owner in New Jersey, who had to put a New Jersey "replaced" vin tag in the door jamb and still retains its VIN number. It has a clean PA title, but what a story!! The wheels of justice turn slowly but this is ridiculous!
Exterior
Looking much like it did in 1968 this car has been completely restored, now with some snappy purple paint and black accenting. Straight steel forms nearly perfect gaps on the Coke bottle sides which are devoid of any trimmings. The car does not lack from some bling though as just the purple is enough to get the tongues wagging. But alas!, Chrome trimmings remain on the front of the car, bumpers window trimmings and rear and it contrasts the purple nicely. Speaking of contrasting, some black accenting is now on this car with painted on black wide stripes over the front, and back of the car, and even eclipsing the rear small spoiler. Nice tight black vinyl covers the roof of this car and shows no underlying rust bubbling etc. On the back is another shiny bumper, the horizontal red and white taillight configuration, and a dual exhaust peeking out from below the rear roll pan. 15 inch highly polished Cragar wheels are on all 4 corners with wrappings of 215/65R15's for the front, and 275/60R15's for the rear giving this car a menacing stance. It's a purple painted Mustang eater...
Interior
A swing of the doors and you can shake a firm hand with the door panels which are looking like the originals, but only in showroom condition from 1968. All black some molded horizontal tuck and roll with horizontal chrome trimmings, actuator levers, and window cranks. A Camaro badge is in the center, and all is straight and true on these doors. Slipping inside we can get very cozy with the like new low back buckets, tuck and roll and smooth bolsters look fab! The rear bench takes this same pattern and color and stretches across the back of the car. A nice center console races up through the buckets upfront, and one can find a couple of storage areas, a wood appliqu panel with the millennium falcon style gear shift lever and 3 gauges inset in front of the shifter. Moving up on the dash front, an aftermarket radio now with AM/FM/USB capabilities and a Vintage Air slider panel. In front of the rally steering wheel is the original dash and gauge cluster with deeply angled and raked inset round gauges, knobs and ignition. All in black and all clean as a whistle. Flooring is black carpeting, and above is a nice new tight black headliner in vinyl.
Drivetrain
I opened the hood carefully so as not to be blinded by the bling that I was about to behold to my wandering eyes...all purple engine bay with nary even a hint of rust or corrosion, just a strong muscle heart in this car now. It is in the form of a 350ci V8 loaded up with GM performance parts aluminum heads, an Edelbrock 4 BBL carb atop, and a TH400 3-speed automatic transmission bolted on to the back. A 3.73 Positraction 12-bolt rear end transfers power to the ground. Headers and a Flowmaster exhaust are now installed, and all is just beautifully done under this hood. I had to wear shades, it was so bright under this hood.
Undercarriage
Near perfection for the underside with shiny black floorpans, unibody seams, and mechanicals. You are definitely residing in a no rust, no corrosion, all structurally sound environment featuring a 12-bolt 3.73 posi trac rear axle, power disc brakes on front with SSBC brake calipers, and power drums for the back. Independent coil springs for the front, and leaf springs for the rear are solidly on point.
Drive-Ability
She fired right up and as I pushed the transmission to D, I was in a purple haze of excitement. This car did not disappoint, as it runs as good if not better than not looks. Wonderful acceleration, great handling and those rear tires like to spin! I noticed no frowns on this test drive, with all accessories working just grapey (It's PURPLE I can't say peachy??)
Owned and enjoyed, then suddenly gone for a mere 45 years, the rightfully returned to its original NJ owner, crossing the country to do so. Now in the hands of our consigner who totally restored and rebuilt this beauty, better than showroom and definitely better than the original 1968 that was taken. NOW someone can come and get it for real...Drive it like you stole it!
VIN DECODE
124378N474327
1-Chevrolet
24-Camaro V8
37-2 Door Sport Coupe
8-1968
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
474327-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
07C-3rd Week July Build
ST 68 12437-1968 Camaro Sport Coupe
BDY N176319-Norwood Body #
TR 712-Black Standard Buckets
PNT Z2-British Green, Black Vinyl Top
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.