Need some help on possible purchase please

[The 305]

I'm back home visiting mom's for Christmas down in South FL. Her neighbor has always had bad ass 1st gen camaros. Well he is down to one now, a 1968 "SS". Not sure if it's an actual SS.

Here is all I know thus far:
He started it up and it shook the house from 3 houses down, went outside to check it out, he ran it down the street, the car is wicked. I walked down to his house to talk to him and check it out. Nice straight car, paint is good but not perfect. Tubbed, Ford 9 bolt rear with 5.x something gears, auto with some crazy shifter, roll cage, racing seats, small block bored out to 355 ( I believe ), long tubes etc. Sounds phenomenal! All motor, 10 second car.

Dude is from the islands so the communication level was a little challenging plus he is about 70 years old. Same guy flying around in this thing.

Anyhow, after talking he says he is willing to sell it for 18k AND he would give me a trailer to go with it so I could bring it home now.

This car is sick, always wanted a first Gen as a keeper. Based on what I have told you what do you guys think of that price and what questions should I ask the guy? I am only familiar with 3/4/5 Gen camaros.

I'd probably sell my 2010 2SS/RS if I pick it up.

Thoughts? Thank you...

[GrnMchin]

Essentially your buying a drag car so make sure that's what you want, but hard to say w/ out pic's and looking at it in person. I would pass for 18k, but for around the same price or little more you can find a nice first gen that will be less trouble and more street friendly. It boils down to what you want a race car or car that's not as fast, but you will want to drive more often. I would never sell my 2010 to buy another classic and I own two classic's. To get what you have in your 2010 with a classic wrapper you need to spend a ton of cash and time. M2C

[The 305]

Green,

Thanks for the reply. I agree the biggest part to get over is the fact that it is mainly a straight line or tote around the neighborhood car. I guess the reason Id be willing to sell my 2010 because it's a 3rd /4th car, I hardly ever drive it as it is and I would feel more comfortable with a 68 chilling in my garage constantly over a new 2010 SS. Wife is seemingly not on board with having both and I am in love with 1st Gen's, always have been. The 2010 is awesome, also my fifth camaro but I can get another one...before I spend 20k on it trying to keep up with you guys.

He's asking 18k w/trailer. <- This to me seemed like a steal. I' ll get more info and pics in a few days when I get back from Orlando so you guys can shoot me more opinions and help me figure out this car.

Thanks'

Mike

[67 Convertible]

18k seems a bit high, but may be in the ballpark if it's a real SS. Get the vin number off the cowl tag and decode here: http://www.camaros.org/numbers.shtml

Be aware that if the vin# reflects that it is an SS, it still may not be. First gens are very easy to clone and put a fake or different cowl tag on the firewall. Do some research and verification before you buy.

Now do you want a drag/race car or a cruiser?
This is a drag car that most likely has been beat on. Not the type of car you want to cruise with on a Sunday afternoon or take to cruise-ins. You will have to run premium gas and if you're lucky get 6-10 mpgs. There's lots of 1st gens around in the 15k-18k range that are in good shape and are driver's.

TeamCamaro is a great 1st gen forum, lots of knowledge if you have questions. You can post pictures of the cowl tag, they will tell you if it's a real tag or a fake. www.camaros.net

[The 305]

67,

Good info. I'll check that out. Thank you for the input as I know nothing about the 1st gen's.

Much appreciated,

Mike

[GrnMchin]

Originally Posted by The 305

Green,

Thanks for the reply. I agree the biggest part to get over is the fact that it is mainly a straight line or tote around the neighborhood car. I guess the reason Id be willing to sell my 2010 because it's a 3rd /4th car, I hardly ever drive it as it is and I would feel more comfortable with a 68 chilling in my garage constantly over a new 2010 SS. Wife is seemingly not on board with having both and I am in love with 1st Gen's, always have been. The 2010 is awesome, also my fifth camaro but I can get another one...before I spend 20k on it trying to keep up with you guys.

He's asking 18k w/trailer. <- This to me seemed like a steal. I' ll get more info and pics in a few days when I get back from Orlando so you guys can shoot me more opinions and help me figure out this car.

Thanks'

Mike

No Problem, another thing to keep in mind is you may end up spending more $ to make it more drivable on the street. Low gears and spools are common and make them a pain to drive. Racing seats may not be ideal for the occasional road trip, etc.. I can respect not being able to have both and it's never about having more. Just being happy long term w/ a purchase and getting the most enjoyment out of it..

[usa1camaro1969]

One deal on the '68. Cowl tag and vin won't tell if it is an SS. They only can tell if it was a v8/v6 car. Things that could tell is obviously a build sheet(the only sure way), look at the size of the fuel line(yes it's easily changed but often isn't), heater box(big block/small block), number of leafsprings. With it being modified with a rollbar/narrowed Ford rear, are you buying it as a modded '68 SS or for the pleasure of having a first-gen?

[The 305]

It would just be a toy, something I'd feel comfortable just sitting in the garage as I clean it up over the years and show off now and again. If I had to guess there is not a whole lot original on the car considering the mods. It looks like a street car minus the slicks and skinnies. Interior is all but gutted except for seats, cage and essentials, needs a little TLC inside. Engine bay is nothing show worthy, no glam just nuts. Outside I would consider in good shape but not great. Like I said a car like this would allow me to be patient while fixing up as I would keep it for the long haul most likely.

I never drive my 2010 SS and it pains me to just have it sit there. Mods are too pricey for my blood and my impatience to keep up with others. I may sell it, been going back and forth for a year plus now...

I'll be back at the cars location tomorrow and Ill see if the guy will let me take some pics and I'll post them so you guys can see what Im talking about.

Thanks again for the responses, younguys are a wealth of knowledge and I appreciate it!

[midnighter]

If you plan to take it to the drag strip it's worth it... $18k is expensive for a garage decoration.

[coolman]

It's hard to tell with a drag car without really knowing a lot about the car. As far as being a street car, it doesn't sound like it is.

[The 305]

Well right now I have a 37k garage decoration in the 2010 so...looking at half that for the 68.

[The 305]

Do to time constraints I wasn't able to make it back over to his house for pics etc. What I did find out was that it's a 68 SS, 350/bored .30 over with about 10k in the engine. Also found out it's street legal and only has a minny tub (14 inch slicks) not a full tub, coil overs all the way around, pretty well gutted to reduce weight, roll cage, racing seats, electric water pump. Also comes with trailer, he has two one is enclosed but not sure if he'd part with that or the open trailer. 10 second monster...all motor.

Anyhow, I'm in love with it. I'll likely be actively selling my 2010 2SS/RS CGM with Eibach lowering springs still in the box (6k miles on the car) on this board starting around 30k.

I thank you gentlemen for your inputs, really.

Mike

[usa1camaro1969]

I had the feeling you were going to say that. You talked about the car like I have so many times before. Good luck on the sale/purchase and enjoy the new/old hot rod.
10k in a 350 is a lot. Must be quite a stout little small block.

[Danny Thomas]

Good Luck..one thing I would do is start looking at the parts and projects you want to do with the car..$18,000 can go to $100,000 easly....new paint, interior, wheels and suspension...my 67 has over 80,000 in it. A high dollar dust collector if you are not using it. My car is a Pro Touring car and it is at events all the time autocrossing and made the magazines mainy times..even then you still have to wonder if Imade a bad decision..I will never get all that money back but I am having fun and enjoy the conversations it causes..Either way have fun in whatever decision