Recently, ive started looking at older camaro's. Im surprised at what some of these things bring. Being that some that are mostly rust are selling for thousands. Ive been trying to figure out what these tags and vins mean. Here is an example of a car i was looking at:

050
ST 68-12437 NOR141635 BODY
TR 717 UU PAINT

That is what the tag on the firewall says. I know it was produced at the Norwood plant. It has blue int and lemans blue paint. THis is a 68 camaro by the way. Im just curious to find out what the rest means. I am also trying to figure out whether some came with v8's and what other options. Im wanting to drop an ls1 or something similiar to that in it. So, a shell would work great. Ive tried reading some write ups on how to do this and Im just not getting very far. Ive been sitting here looking and reading since i got off work. Thanks for your time, Derek.

Derek,
There is not much info on a 68 tag. Here is what it says:
Decode for body number: 141635
05D = Built the Fourth week of May.
68-12437 = Coupe.
NOR = Built in Norwood Ohio.
717 = Standard Blue Bucket Seats.
U-U = Car Color is LeMans Blue
The vin# will only tell you if the car is a V8 car or a 6 cyl car.
67 cars have a lot more info on the cowl tag. A good site for this sort of info is: http://www.camaros.org/numbers.shtml

Wow, thanks for the help and the site. :)

Recently, ive started looking at older camaro's.
Im surprised at what some of these things bring.

I am also trying to figure out whether some came with v8's and what other options.

Im wanting to drop an ls1 or something similiar to that in it. So, a shell would work great.

Ive tried reading some write ups on how to do this and Im just not getting very far.

Ive been sitting here looking and reading since i got off work.
Thanks for your time, Derek.

First off - WELCOME to Team Camaro :hurray:

As far as the prices some are asking for some of these cars - So are we... :rolleyes:

You can usually 'decode' if a car was originally a L-6 or V-8 by the body and VIN codes as discribed on the CRG - www.camaros.org - site. It's just the 'what 6 or 8' that's the hard part in many cases... As far as the 'Options' that aren't listed on a tag and specific engine type - You will have to do a fair amount of investigating and docummenting to track that down at times.

It really isn't hard to find a Camaro in just about condition you need if you network with others and follow all the leads you get.
You don't list you Town/State in you public profile - I would start there. ;)
Having others in your area that know of 'projects', shells, parts, suppliers and the miriad of other resources you will need to successfully complete your car are going to be a "priceless" benefit in your quest for a Camaro of your own.
Be sure to read the "classifieds" on here every couple days - you can find some nice deals from fellow members (well for the most part - some warts show up from time to time as it is a "public" listing...) and there is probably a member nearby, if you're not, to go by and get a good eye on the car/parts/whatever for you :thumbsup:
Attending some of the local car shows that are discussed in "Bench Racing" or "Team Camaro Cruise-in" forums will give you a chance to meet members face-to-face and establish a relationship that may lead to a "find" of your car.

There are lots of good reference books about engine swaps. I would recommend "Chevrolet TPI & TBI Engine Swapping" by 'Jaguars that Run'- it is a great resource for the LT type motors, "Chevrolet TPI Engines" by Jason Scott/Motorbooks - has a end section on swaps, "Chevy LS1/LS6 Performance" by HP Books - has a small section on swaps/controls/wiring and several others... a quick 'Google' of LS/LT/whatever swaps/swapping will give a list of links to resources.
A 'search' of this site using "LS*", "LT*" or "Swap*" (using an "*" after the subject will give the search a 'wild-card' so you get more hits!) should give you more reading to do... :waving:

Don't worry - it's when you start doing this at work that starts the trouble... :D You'll see a post on this pop up from time to time... :p

Looking forward to your inputs in the forums as you get experience with your car and your modifications :thumbsup:

John M

Vintage 68 - That was quite the post. Thanks for the welcome and all that info :beers:

I will surely need all the help I can get on this one. Im no wizard when it comes to cars. I rarely worked on the one I have. So, building a camaro will be new territory for me. Im a good student though and I have a strong passion for the car hobby. Im know there are plenty of things out there to help me along. Books, how to's, car sites, etc. I just have to find them. Thanks again everyone :D

Ive been finding some cars with no title. THey come with a bill of sale. do y'all think this will be a problem?

- didn't mean to "go Post'l on ya" :beers:

well Howdy ;) - once again that 'location, location, location 'thingy comes into play...

Depending on your state - a "Bill of Sale" can be as good as a 'title' in most cases - but, others not - specially if the 'old title' mysteriously happens to show-up...
I have sold several cars with a Notarized Bill of Sale and a 'Statement of Fact' (as required in the state of 'Kalefornea' :D ) and never had a problem to date. They have always issued a new title after checking the paperwork.
Hopefully others in your area would have better info on how you need to go about things.

As far as books - I can never have enough reference material in my office or shop :thumbsup:
You can some right on this site - look at the links on the Home page.
Most the 'repoppers' also sell many.
Summit speed and the others usually carry quite a few. I think they have nearly all I mentioned.
And, of course, don't miss places like 'craigslist' and others for reference materials.

John

I'll edit that profile info ASAP :thumbsup: lol. I live in missouri. Right in the middle pretty much(columbia). If I find the right car It will probably be a long term project. I dont have the income to spend thousands at a time. :( Long term in my mind is two years :D If everything went as planned. Well, time to browse a little :)

I live in missouri. Right in the middle pretty much(columbia).

If I find the right car It will probably be a long term project.
I dont have the income to spend thousands at a time. :( Long term in my mind is two years :D

Well then you're in great company :thumbsup:
"Pdq67" is your next-door-neighbor and he's a wizz at doing cars on the cheap ;) Aren't ya 'pdq' :waving:

You are in a good location to come across some reasonably priced project cars. The 'rust belt' cars just north of you may be out of the question in terms of your talents or goals - but, that little 'ol state of Texas just to the southwest is chock-a-block full of solid 1st gen "F" bodies just waiting to become someones dream machine. And the pickin's in a couple of those other neighboring states may not be to bad either - just been a few years since I was traveling through looking.

I think dang few of us have huge disposable incomes that allow us to purchase all the Camaro things we want all the time - but, belonging to sites like this helps us see the correct way to "get-er-done" and spend our resources wisely :beers:

BTW - "Long term" to my mind lately is @ two minutes - then I forget :clonk:
Oops - I think I forgot to put the wife out again...

John M

Hi Derek,

pdq67 here.

I just saw this..

All the way around and to the left from the "turning circle" on the south dead-end of Old Hwy 63. I'm a block down the hill, (Wild Oak Ct. and Chinaberry Drive).

I'm on the left hand far corner. Look for my Seafoam green Hyundi Accent Hatch in my drive-way..

Drop by some time, I'm usually around or out riding my bicycle around town..

BUT I warn you, I will talk your leg off telling my old "pdq67" stories!! Just ask Travis, he, he!!

I'm getting ready to go over and help my neighbor that's on the opposite corner right across the street back-fill his new lawn sprinkler system before it gets hot again..

Hope to see you later.

later, Paul

Hello Paul :waving:

Wish I would've checked this earlier, but i slept in today. Then I started packing up some more stuff.

You're located behind jefferson commons and all the college living communities? From what ive seen going around that circle there are some nice houses back there. Never went down there though. I'll try and stop by some time :thumbsup: I dont mind story telling at all.

Well, Its time to warm up some left over bbq. I see y'all later :)

-Derek