Frame Up Restored Camaro SS Convertible 396/375 4 Speed

The first generation Camaro might just be one of the best cars ever created. Extremely fun to drive with plenty of power and striking good looks that carry a distinctively American flavor, these cars enjoy a cult like following that allows for one of the broadest assortment of aftermarket supply companies in the industry. But the strength of that mass appeal and awesome aftermarket support can't be fully understood until you see a well-done F1 like this 1968 Super Sport convertible.

Fresh out of a rotisserie restoration this razor sharp Camaro ragtop shows all the obvious signs of skilled workmanship from an expert body shop. All of the cars body panels were in good shape with the exception of the rear quarters and they were promptly swapped for high quality replacements. Once the new quarters were welded in, great care was taken to ensure that all panel gaps were straight and the solid and dent free body exhibited better than factory panel fit with a properly functioning hood, trunk and doors. The straight body then received a dynamic coat of GM code U LeMans Blue paint which was topped with a correctly stenciled White Super Sport stripe and buffed to an excellent shine. The result is a top notch restoration with a great color combination and excellent finish work that really sets this car off.

At the front of the car, a stainless and black trimmed grille houses correct T3 headlights and features a centered, “SS” emblem with a white inlay. Above the grille, a pristine “Camaro by Chevrolet” header panel emblem sits in front of a traditional Camaro Super Sport hood that features great looking chrome velocity stacks. At the sides of the car, great looking standard stainless rocker trim complements clear chrome trimmed marker lights, nice looking chrome GM door handles, a correct chrome drivers side mirror and fender mounted stainless antenna. On the front fenders you'll find traditional looking first generation Camaro SS ornamentation which includes white inlayed “396” emblems in front of chrome “Camaro” scripts and white inlayed “SS” emblems. At the top of the car, a great looking white vinyl top connects to well-maintained stainless trim that frames both the cars clear windshield and convertible boot. Behind that top, a pristine “Camaro by Chevrolet” emblem sits above a blacked out rear valence which houses two nice chrome trimmed tail lights and a like-new “SS” fuel filler cap. Below that valence, another showroom straight chrome bumper features a factory fresh shine.

Lift up the Super Sport hood and you'll find a powerful big block L78 396 that's housed in a clean and surprisingly authentic engine compartment. At the top of the motor, a chrome open element air filter feeds a Holley 4 barrel carburetor that's equipped with new stainless fuel lines. Under that Holley, a correct Winter aluminum intake sits between L89 style aluminum heads that wear mirror-like chrome valve covers. Below those heads, the correctly painted Chevrolet Orange engine is bordered by correct cast iron exhaust manifolds that exhibit very little wear. At the back of the intake, a correct points distributor sends fire through new Packard suppression wires, and in front of the motor a new V-belt spins a correct fan and correct large diameter alternator pulley. Just as well restored and finished as the exterior of the car, the satin black engine bay features correct hoses with correct clamps, a reproduction Delco battery, a correct reproduction brake booster and even correct hood insulation.

That impressive engine is backed by a date-code correct M21 Muncie 4-speed that sends power to a correct 12 bolt posit-traction rear end with pavement chewing 3.73 gears. Holding that stellar drivetrain off the ground is a completely restored factory suspension that, like all big block first generation Camaros is devoid of power steering and features four wheel power drum brakes. Exhaust is handled by a correct factory replacement wrinkle bent system that includes a correct transversely mounted rear muffler and exist out of turn downs behind the rear tires. Like and good full rotisserie restoration the bottom of the car is as nicely finished as the top, and accordingly nothing was overlooked from the satin black floor pans to the correctly finished suspension components and stainless fuel tank. The restorer even went so far as to include the correct amount of overspray from the LeMans Blue body so that this car would be easier to completely detail in the future. At the corners of the car, 14 inch steel rally wheels feature traditional silver paint behind correct turbine center caps and slick stainless trim rings, and wear F70-14 Firestone Wide Oval Super Sport redline tires.

Open the door of this convertible and climb inside one of the coolest driving environments ever created. The black vinyl bucket seat interior has been completely restored and everything is in good, functioning shape. The seats are firm and show no sign of dry rot or tearing and the front and rear door panels present as new featuring correct stainless trim and correct chrome door and window handles. Below the seats, new black carpet is protected by black rubber floor mats and provides a base for the cars great looking console. Above the console, the cars dash is free of the typical drying and cracking found in well used convertibles and is full of cool-looking gauges with brushed stainless faces. At the center of the dash, chrome trimmed wood houses controls for the car heater/defroster and a correct radio, and in front of the driver a fantastic looking three spoke aluminum steering wheel features black accents. Behind the cockpit a fully restored trunk which includes a correct houndstooth and a correct jack mounted under a full size spare tire.

Taking the market by storm over 40 years ago, the first generation Camaro remains one of the hottest project cars on the market for collectors both young and old. This 1968 Camaro SS convertible features a high quality restoration with a potent solid lifter big block that is the stuff nightmares were made of back when this car tore up the streets one stoplight at a time. There really isn't a better hobby on earth than owning a classic car, and this first generation Camaro is the perfect car to celebrate that hobby. Call today!