Childhood dream restoration on its way!

[FosterSS]

Im finally getting around to posting this. THE project - 1968 Camaro SS/RS 396

Ive dreamed as a kid of owning a first gen, and I was even overseas when I bought this camaro, having to wait 2 years to even start on her! She has been off the road since '78, stored in a barn for the last 37 years! From what I've broken down so far, this camaro is not all that bad! Sure the floors and trunk pan have to go, to include the drivers side quarter, but honestly I couldn't be happier finally able to own and restore this beast! Interior is flawless, it just needed to be wiped down good! Not a numbers matching car, not original 396(has a 396 from 69/70 chevelle), however I didn't buy it for that. I have no reason to believe it was not an original 396 SS though. Clues I've found, and feel free to help me if I missed any, big block heater box, 12 bolt rear, upgraded factory front disk brakes(or if built after april '68 front disk were req'd), rear multi leaf springs, no A/C, all SS badging(I know this could all be purchased back then and added later), rear tail blackout panel(only on 396 camaros other than black color, from what I read), Paint code is cordovan maroon so it had the tail panel, SS heavy duty hood springs, 2 1/4" dual exhaust, 3-core radiator...

Photos to come, as soon as I can get them uploaded...

[FosterSS]

[FosterSS]

Just a couple updates so far....Working in a small garage at the moment so im limited, but body is mostly gutted getting ready for a full media blast. Engine out and being broken down for complete rebuild, finding all kinds of knarly stuff!!

[shawn18]

That's gonna be a cool car when you are done. My 69 is pretty well finished but I am still wanting to do a few things to it. I am currently building a 55 chevy , full frame off resto. So I understand what you are getting in to lol. Its gonna be fun for you I am sure. Keep us updated!

[AquaRSSS]

Check casting date and especially the stamping on the rear end. That might be your best clue as to originality of 396 car. '68's are near impossible to validate. 12 bolt MUST match to be real. GL, and cool car either way!

[jwcarguy]

Congrats on the car!!
I love 68's had my first one at age 14 and 40+ first gens later ( including a real 67' Z28/ RS car), I still have a 68' ! (#37)

when you are disassembling the car, look out for the original build sheet, could be under bottom portion of rear seat (stuffed between loose jute pad and coils), under either front seat, between gas tank and trunk pan, etc
As mentioned, you can check the casting #on the lh side of 12 bolt cenetr section and the assembly date/ gear ratio/ posi, non-posi stamping of front side of rh axle tube

other things to check for:
-car should have 3/8" fuel lines
- dual exhaust hangers (both muffler and tail pipes on rear frame section through wheelwell)
- 4 leaf multi- leaf springs
-GM heater core behind BB heater box
- 5500rpm redline tachometer (Tic-Toc-Tac) but they were optional, not std in SS package, but I see console gauges, so should be there
- the master cyl & booster look original, cyl should have a "346" casting # and have a stamping on front machined pad "WT" , booster will have 4 digit # on tab at top of booster facing driver (#8515 or #9078, for disc brake option) You have the correct proportioning valve
- should be 4 piston disc brakes with 2pc rotors ( maybe original since car has sat so long??) calipers very similar to Corvette brakes (same outter half of caliper, inner half different)

- also check the two letter stamping on the rally rims, right next to valve stem (one side is date code, other side is application code) should be 14x6 rims (used on base car too)

Depending on your plans for the car??
check out ALL of the parts coming off the car for originality!, by casting and stamped codes! Parts are valuable to restorers!
ie distributor, pulleys & brackets, ignition coil, alternator, etc, etc

here are a before and after pics of my 68' ( rebuilt it 3 times now, though)

Please let me know if I can help anymore

Jeff

[FosterSS]

Jeff, BEAUTIFUL CAR BROTHER!!!!

I have checked most parts that you mentioned, but I appreciate the help. The master cylinder and booster do have the factory numbers, and yes I do have the 5500 rpm limiter with the tic-toc dash! (which is VERY cool btw)

I have to double check the rear end since its pretty caked up with road grime, etc, never found a build sheet and the GM heater box in the interior is there.

[FosterSS]

Jeff, I've also been thinking about cutting off the drip rails, and it looks like you did the same. Was it a pretty easy task?

[pincoin]

Did anybody ever find a build sheet on a 1st Gen Camaro? I have been disassembling them since the early 1980's and never saw one myself. I'd like to see a pic if anyone ever found one.

[TheHorse13]

You have a great deal of info for validating your car but let me give you some advice that has not come up just yet.

Working in a small garage like yours will likely cause you to pile stuff up which could lead to losing small things. I would label everything that you take off and while you're doing so, take pictures. This may sound insane but you will thank me for it the day you spend 4 hours looking for a screw that you lost or when you're trying to figure out the order of putting a part back in the car.

Best of luck on your restoration adventure.

[FosterSS]

Yeah I hear you on that! Working in the small garage HAS made me pile parts, however I have a good knowledge base on what goes where. Anything worth keeping as I pulled off was stored together or labeled. Truth of the matter is with this car being 47 years old, some bolts and parts are going to need replacing regardless and I just toss those!

[762ch]

Nice! I am going through the process of re doing my 67. I'm driving it to hot august nights. So its constant ordering parts and wrenching.

[Sapper12b]

I can't wait to see the progress !

[ChrisBlair]

Around here, those floors would be called "good".