https://home.comcast.net/~brian.stanley/wsb/camaro1.jpg I recently purchased a 1967 camaro convertible that (according to the trim tag on the car) was originally a 6 cyl car. The trim tag does show that the deluxe interior was ordered, and it was originally a manual 3 speed (now a 4 speed muncie) on the floor but that there was no console option on this car.

As you can see from my picture the car has been cloned into an SS. Its actually a pretty good clone and not just the cosmetic badges that some people do. It does have the original 10 bolt rear end but I don't know if an SS had a something different or not.

Now I purchased this car knowing that it was not orginally an SS from the factory however I think this car is awsome. The condition of this car is 9 out of 10. I always tell people that it is originally a 6 cyl car and NOT an original SS and nobody really seems to care. They all think this is a cool car. I am not trying to misrepresent the car and when/if I decide to sell it I will not try to decieve anybody buying the car. That would be really bad however just because this is not a real SS does not make this car worth nothing. If I was to sell this car I would probably not let it go for less than 25 grand (what I paid for it). I am curious what other people think about cloned cars. I definitley respect people who own true authentic cars but there are few of these cars around. Is owning a clone a bad thing? I hope not because I love my car so far. I sold my all original 1992 corvette convertible with a 6speed to buy the camaro. I think I did good.

What does everybody else think of clones?

its your car and it looks damn nice. as long as you do not try to sell it as an original ss 350 then i have no problem with it.

BTW how can you tell it was a 6cyl by the trim tag?

Very nice vert. I don't have a problem with clones and I don't think most anybody else will either unless they are being passed off as the real deal which seems to be more often than not anymore. You knew what you bought and paid what you felt it was worth. I don't think you did bad either. As long as you are honest with the next guy about the car, then there is no shame to owning a clone. Have fun with your new toy!

Mike

In 1967 the trim tag did not identify a 6 or 8 cylinder engine in this spot, only the interior style with the code 4 or 6 as the third digit. The VIN did show a 3 or 4 as the third digit indicating 6 or 8 cylinder. 1967 was the only year the interior style was coded like this.

On my car the VIN gave it away.

Re: Is it bad to own a Clone?

Yes, better get rid of it :)
Seriously, who cares! The car looks great and 99.99% of everybody that sees it thinks its great! If you sell it, do you focus on what engine was in it 40 years ago or what fun it is to drive now?

Milehigh67,

You should be ashamed and immediately surrender your keys to me. ;-)

All joking aside, I think you have a beautiful car and should be VERY proud. I know I would be. As you state, you are up front and honest that the car has been converted into what it is today. That is completely honorable and for the most part, the average car buff wouldn't have a clue without you pointing that fact out.

For me personally, I go to a lot of car shows with cloned Z/28's. What becomes aggrevating to me personally is when the owners of the cloned Z/28's fail to educate others that it is in fact NOT a real Z/28. I can understand the fact that an average person (not completely knowledgable) could/would appreciate the cloned car, if it's done well.... but I've been to car shows in which a cloned Z/28 has been awarded over mine, but the owner of the clone never educated the judge(s) about the fact that it was a clone. I realize I sound snobbish but I think that's just human nature. How would you feel if you owned a real Yenko, only to have a "cloned" Yenko gain more appreciation via an award or trophy? But at the end of the day, it's only an aggrevation and I don't fret over it too long.....

I think you got a great deal and I'm sure you have a blast driving it and everyone who sees you in it, wishes they were you....... :-)

BTW, LOVE the Paint, Chrome contrast you've got going in that picture....

Looks awesome! Don't let anyone give youa hard time about original or not. A true car person loves a great car weather it's original or not. My 67 vert is also a clone and last weekend at a local show a woman gave me a hard time about it saying that her car was a "numbers matching" car. I didn't care but a few people standing by ran her off telling her a nice car is a nice car. From what I can see in the picture you have a great car... enjoy it.

Great looking vert !

This is great feedback. I have been reading some other threads here is it sounded like people hate clones. I agree that if 2 cars are in about the same condition at a car show that the real one should win the award over a clone. However I dont think a real SS or a Z car should win if the condition of the car is a 1 or 2 out of 10 just because its authentic. I actually won an award of excellence for my car. I was totally blown away although I really dont care about winning awards. Car shows for me are a chance to appreciate and see everybody else's cars and to make some new friends. It a chance to share the passion with others and not a competition to me. I know some people take it serious but I am just happy to have a car that fits in. Keep the feedback coming even if its negative. :thumbsup:

Milehigh67.... Ditto.

:-)

ept000.

Do you have a pic of your car you can send me? I would love to see it. I put my car in a car show last weekend also here in the Denver area and I just loved seeing people take pictures of my car and admire it. Until now I was the one walking around dreaming of owning one of these cool rides. Send a pic if you have one to brian.stanley@comcast.net.

Thanks

Well mine has Z/28 stripes and SS bades and it started life as a plain Jane V8 coupe. As long as it looks good and you're happy with it who cares as long as you don't try to pass it off for something its not. :D

I don't think anyone here hates clones, but they hate people trying to get "genuine" money for a clone, and/or fee hurt for the people who buy a car thinking it's real when it isn't.

As nice as that car looks, and if it's that nice underneath, $25K wasn't bad.

When I bought my 69, it was in the back of a big contractors garage, and I didn't look at it real closely because I knew the car from when it was owned by a buddy of mine. After I'd had it home for a week or more, I noticed the 123 VIN. The car came with a big block, and I knew it was either getting that or a small block and was going to be an SS look alike, but I was a little mad at myself for not noticing it wasn't a 124. Not that my intent was to deceive anyone, but I was a little concerned folks with more Camaro knowledge than tact would walk up and proclaim "it's not an SS, it's got a 6 cylinder VIN!!". No kidding, really?? Then I just decided that with the time, love and cash I was planning to invest, I didn't give a darn what anyone else thinks. Hopefully mine will be as nice as yours.

Jeff G.

I dig your blue 67 couple!!! Way cool ride. I am actually going to put a 383 stroker into my 67 vert. Lets hope the stock 10 bolt will hold up.

My car has had virtually everything replaced or rebuilt so isn’t technically it a clone of the original? There have been many posts on this topic and I think it comes down to this. If you try to benefit financially by misrepresenting anything, you are a crook. No one here wants to deal with crooks. The rest of us just enjoy cars! :)

Sounds like there are a lot of us "CLONERS" out there. With all this talk about people trying not so authentic cars for huge dollars on ebay I got a little discouraged. Just because a car is a clone doesnt mean its not worth anything. In fact if a clone is in better shape than the real thing unless you plan on putting lots of bucks into restoration I think I would rather have a clone I can drive around. Thanks for the responses. I feel better already.

Maybe we should try to create a new section in TeamCamaro called Clones. What do you think? :D

My feeling is that is a car that can be built the way the owner pleases... if you get hung up paying more for a number here or a number there, instead of the condition the car is in, then you have a problem. If papers and pedigree get you more excited then the condition of the car, then you have a problem. These are my feelings and I'm entitled to them. Some of my friends feel the same way, some strongly don't.

You have a beautiful car, enjoy it completely.

I see nothing wrong with Clones. I own a "real" 68 SS396 (not numbers matching though..) The problem is when people try to sell those Clones as the real thing. There are some real nice clones running around with more work put into them most of the "real deal" cars. As long as it is let known they are clones let them be... Restore'em don't crush'em....

It's still a Camaro. Clone is cool. It will always be a 67 Convertible Camaro! Nice car! Or I could say. Yes it is bad to own a clone. You have to get rid of it right away! I will take it off you hands fast!

Beautiful car.

Ive said this before on other threads about clones. To me, a clone and a "restamp" car are two completely different things. On a clone, you can look at the tag and the #s and quickly see what it really is/was. A restamped/tagged car has had someone intentionally committing fraud.

Unfortunately, many out there have the two types of cars considered to be pretty much the same.

Just my .02
dave

To me, the best "clones" out there are the former 6 cyl cars. That way, the likelyhood of someone trying to pass it off a a "real SS" or "real Z" are greatly diminished. They can swap the tag, but can't legally swap the VIN.

I like your car. It is only the guys that swap tags, etc. that get me cheesed off.

Lynn

Ditto all that has been said. We don't have any problem with "clones", only with cloners trying to pass it off as real to get big bucks!

I don't think anyone here hates clones, but they hate people trying to get "genuine" money for a clone, and/or fee hurt for the people who buy a car thinking it's real when it isn't.

I agree 100%.

My Car was originally an SS/RS, but I cloned it into a Plain Jane, all the way down to the tags and ID numbers. I figured that with all of the clones out there, that the Plain Janes would eventually be the more sought after car. :)

Be honest thats all you can do.

My car is a 68, i have spent the last year trying to disprove or prove what my car could have been or couldnt have been........you know what, it took all the fun right out of it.

I dont plan on selling my car, but if i did. i would represent to the best of my ability. Anymore now days you can get the paperwork to "prove" your car to be whatever you want it to be...... to a point...

I dont care anymore, all i do know is it would take a good chunk o change for me to let it go.........i really love my car...and DRIVING IT!

In the end, What comes around goes around......

My feeling is that is a car that can be built the way the owner pleases... if you get hung up paying more for a number here or a number there, instead of the condition the car is in, then you have a problem. If papers and pedigree get you more excited then the condition of the car, then you have a problem. These are my feelings and I'm entitled to them. Some of my friends feel the same way, some strongly don't.

You have a beautiful car, enjoy it completely.

This is my train of thought...... perfectly said

My Car was originally an SS/RS, but I cloned it into a Plain Jane, all the way down to the tags and ID numbers. I figured that with all of the clones out there, that the Plain Janes would eventually be the more sought after car. :)
That's funny! I was thinking about that the other say. The next standard Camaro I get rid of. I am going to advertise it a "TRUE" STANDARD PLAIN JANE! NO STANDARD CLONES HERE! NO SS CLONE, THIS IS THE REAL DEAL WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOUR ENTIRE LIFE. SUPER RARE FACTORY 6cyl, 3 on the tree, drum brakes and a real 10 bolt peg leg! Ok, enough joking around. Check this out, you will like it! I emailed the seller about it. His answers are dumb as a rock! The only one he is kidding is himself! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-Camaro-Convertable-RS-SS_W0QQitemZ4576908897QQcategoryZ6161QQrdZ1QQcmdZV iewItem

Awsome response boys!

Thanks for the feedback. I am glad to hear that it not a bad thing to own a clone as long as I dont try misrepresent my car for what it isnt. Doenst matter though, I dont plan on selling yet. Time to go put a 383 stroker under the hood. I will put up another post on big blocks vs small blocks next. That should get some good discussions going.

:waving:

Literally 2 days before I bought my Z I said the whole "#s correct" thing looks like a big pain in the a$$, gimme a nice roller and I'll put my drivetrain in it and let's go have fun! Then this thing came along and here I am worrying about dates and #s. It's just a different kind of fun, like road racers and drag racers. BTW I still kind of think it's a pain but it's a good kind of pain! There's nothing at all wrong with "clones", sheesh, it's your car make it the way you like it ( I sure do, that's a bitchin' '67! :thumbsup: ).

First, your car is beautiful!, after that... who cares what others think, the car is for you to enjoy...you knew going in it was not a true SS. The issue that everyone has is the fraud that goes on way too much with misrepresentation of cars. By the way, there is hidden value in having a clone... you dont have to worry about doing anything to it. We would love to put a manual transmission in our car but can't/won't because it is a true SS350 convertible, in great original condition, and everything matches. How fun to have a car and not have to worry about changing something for fear of the originality. Enjoy, and also... love the color!

I have to agree with most everyone else here. As long as you don't misrepresent your car, I have no problem with doing whatever you want with it. As a matter of fact with the way prices for original parts are going if it wasn't for clone cars we probably wouldn't be seeing very many RS/SS on the road anymore and that would be a shame. If I can afford to buy a SS hood, I'm thinking about badging mine as an SS when I repaint because I like the way the BB stripe looks. I've also thought about keeping the original 327 engine emblems on the fender to see if anyone catches it.

I have to agree with most everyone else here. As long as you don't misrepresent your car, I have no problem with doing whatever you want with it. As a matter of fact with the way prices for original parts are going if it wasn't for clone cars we probably wouldn't be seeing very many RS/SS on the road anymore and that would be a shame. If I can afford to buy a SS hood, I'm thinking about badging mine as an SS when I repaint because I like the way the BB stripe looks. I've also thought about keeping the original 327 engine emblems on the fender to see if anyone catches it.

Exactly what I did, Gunner, and no one I've run into yet has said anything. If asked, of course I tell them it's not an SS, SS's did not come with 327's!