help me decode plate
12d
st 68-12437 nor 64623
tr 712 r2 body paint
eng# ctb121217086
vin# 124378n364356

Kim,
Here is what I came up with:

1 = Chevrolet
2 = Camaro
4 = 8-cylinder engine
37 = coupe body
8 = 1968 model year
N = Norwood, OH assembly plant
364356 = vehicle serial number sequence

Decode for body number: 064623

12D = Built the Forth week of December.
68-12437 = Coupe.
NOR = Built in Norwood Ohio.
712 = Standard Black Bucket Seats.
R-2 = Lower Color is Matador Red and the Vinyl Top Color is Black.

Daniel

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67 RS/SS 350 2004R (owned since 81)
97 V6 5-speed Coupe (work car ordered new)
My Camaro (http://dakcoffman.homestead.com/)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KIM RIDDLE:

help me decode plate
12d
st 68-12437 nor 64623
tr 712 r2 body paint
eng# ctb121217086
vin# 124378n364356<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

is this car a true rs ss car.reply

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KIM RIDDLE:
is this car a true rs ss car WITH A 396.reply<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KIM RIDDLE:
is this car a true rs ss car.reply<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Kim,
There is no good way to know on a 68. You might search on this topic to find out more.
Daniel

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67 RS/SS 350 2004R (owned since 81)
97 V6 5-speed Coupe (work car ordered new)
My Camaro (http://dakcoffman.homestead.com/)

Engine is not original to the car, and numbers don't match any production configuration - maybe rebuilder's codes.

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JohnZ
'69 Z28 Fathom Green

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JohnZ:
Engine is not original to the car, and numbers don't match any production configuration - maybe rebuilder's codes.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>What do you mean when you say # don't match - maybe rebuilder's codes.See I am new at this I am looking at this car for an investment.I know eng, don't match but is it a 68 rs ss 396 car.It has hideawy headlights,tach & gauges.What else will tell me more about this car.

BUYER BEWARE

There are many cars for sale out there, few are worthy of being called an investment. Buy the car for the enjoyment of owning and restoring not investment. If that is your goal then you need to educate yourself on the info of the car you are interested in. Hire an expert if you can find to verify the car or buy from a reputable dealer like Krause Internation. You will pay a high price for documented Muscle Cars.

If it does not have the original engine, trans etc then it not worth a lot to most persons.

[This message has been edited by elcamino (edited 08-15-2001).]

The engine code is usually formatted as A####AA where the letter A indicates a letter, and the # indicates a numeral. The first letter indicates the engine assembly plant V ( Flint engine plant for a small block chevy engine) or T (Tonowanda for a big block and some small blocks). The next four numbers indicate the month and day the engine was assembled. The last letters indicate the application the engine was used for. Post 1961 to Pre 1970 engines engines use 2 letters, 1970 and later engines use 3 letters that begin with a C for a car engine and T for a truck engine.

Some engines (68 Camaros's included) also contain a partial VIN number that starts with a 1 (Chevrolet) the model year (8 in your case) the first letter of the plant where the car was built (N in your case) and the last 6 digits in your cars VIN. The code you listed does not follow that standard so either you didn't get all of it or you combined two separate numbers into one.

If we assume the CTB is an application code it was used in 4 applications, 1 350 ci engine and 3 400 ci engines. None of these are a big block.

1970 350 high perf, 4 spd LT1
1972 400 man trans., A.I.R.
1974 400 t/h trns, pol/taxi
1975 400 a/t

So if there is actually a big block in the car (you can tell the difference visually can't you?) then the code on the engine was put there by someone other than GM. Hence the rebuilder comment.

All big blocks were SS's by definition.

68 SS's required multileaf rear springs, 12 bolt rear axle, and either a 350/295, or one of 3 396 engines. Manual transmissions would have a muncie 4 speed transmission. (Very few small block SS's came with the M13 3 speed manual transmission) A small block automatic would have a 2 speed power glide, and a big block automatic would have a TH400 3 spd transmission. 68 SS's did not require disc brakes like the 69's did.

Gauges were an available option on every car except 6 cylinders( and the M13 3 spd equipped small block SS's), so that is not something you want to put much value on.

Big blocks have a different heater setup than a small block with the heater tubes coming out near the hood hinge.

If it has hidden headlights, and backup lights behind the bumper then it is an RS. Check the rear tail panel to see if the holes for the B/U lights are stamped (factory) of cut with a saw.



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Mark Canning
1969 Indy Pace Car
350/300HP RPO Z11
My 69 Pace Car (http://www.townisp.com/~markcanning/camaro/7498pc4.jpg)