I have just come across a 68 Camaro 327 automatic. I don't know any details of the car's history, as I have yet to speak with the owner.

From what I saw of the car it is in good shape and I belive it might be all original, as it has only 9000 miles on it.

It is parked indoors but I don't think it has been started in some time.

What are your thoughts?

MX14ME

First off - Welcome to Team Camaro :hurray:

As to your question. No one could possibly tell you what a given car is worth without;
A. Knowing the history of it, what model it is/was, what options it has/had and what has been modified or replaced along the way
B. Knowing what mechanical condition it is now in
C. Knowing what the condition of the body and paint are - and is there any rust damage
D. Knowing what the interior condition is
E. Knowing what repairs are going to be necessary to bring it up to driveable condition

If you can furnish the VIN, all the info from the cowl tag, all the options as the car now sets, pictures of the major components and any items you notice that may need attention - we could probably give you some comparable prices and some 'guestimates'

GIve a post back with your findings :thumbsup:

Hope this helps;
John

With out all the details, it is hard to guestimate on this, but it seems like at least here in California..these cars as a project for a total restoration, to guess only, i would say from $ 7,000.00 and up would be the going rate. I know some might say less...but by the time you wait to find a " Deal" there gone. Good Luck...Chris... :D

Thanks for the welcome! It's nice to be here!

Of coarse I still have yet to speak to the owner, and I wasn't going to until I had educated myself a little in respect to value.

I'll answer some of your questions as best I can from my viewing of the car.

History - ???
Model - I believe it is a base model. It has no distinctive logos other than 327 and it has hubcaps rather than the rally wheels.
Options - Mechanical options that I had noticed (I'm not sure what the option list might have been) were power brakes, and power steering.
Modified/Replaced - The car looks original
Mechanical condition - ??? Can't be sure. I did turn the motor over by hand and all looks fine but I don't think the car has moved since the late 90's so it may need caskets and seals???
Body paint/rust - The paint looks to be original and rust free. I did look at the rails by the fuel tank, the floor boards, window posts, and inner front fenders and all apear to be rust free.
Interior - Original and clean. Buckets with automatic on the floor.
Repairs for driveable condition - ??? I'm sure do to sitting you would have to think of seals, gaskets, brakes???
Numbers match - I really don't know which numbers beyond the VIN that you are to compair. This will be something new for me.

Thanks for your help

MX14ME

'has(n't) moved since the late 90's so it may need caskets and seals???'

Numbers match - I really don't know which numbers beyond the VIN that you are to compair. This will be something new for me.

Thanks for your help

MX14ME

Sounds a little like me - although I hope the 'casket' can wait a little longer... :D
You are right, just sitting can be hard on gaskets and seals. The good news is that your car should have mainly neoprene, or synthetic, type seal material in all but maybe the rear main seal. This will help with the dry seal problem and may allow you to operate the car to a limited extent before you have to do a full tear-down and reseal.
I would advise you to go through the complete 'dry start-up' procedure as for a new engine prior to trying to start it and run it. This will help assure oil is getting to all the dry areas that may be present. Of course change the oil & filter prior to this procedure and again immediately after.
Changing the coolant should also be a priority - it's probably eating away things as we speak :eek:

By "Numbers Matching" we mean that the drivetrain (engine, trans & rear axle) have incoding numbers that "match" the VIN information and match the date periods of assembly.
You will hear lots of conflicting info on "Numbers" - if they 'match', are date correct (often called 'Numbers Correct') and so on.
For a car to be "original" it should have all the major components intact and they should be marked correctly for the vehicle.

You can find the VIN on top of the dash in the lower left (drivers) corner and viewable through the windshield. It will read something like 124378(N or L )then a six digit number.
You will find the "Cowl Tag", applied by Fisher Body Division, under the hood on the Firewall just above and to the right (passenger) side of the brake master cylinder/booster assembly.
It will read something like;
09A (this is the production Month/Week - e.g. Sept/1st week)
ST 68-12437 NOR/LOS ##### BODY
TR ### ----- ## or #-Alpha PAINT
Just record the numbers the way they are on the tag and we can 'decode' for you - OR...
Use this link to Camaro Research Group ( www.camaros.org ) and use their decoding software and info so they can add your car to their data-base.
[Note: If you put the data on here they'll get it also...]

The above link to the CRG will take you to a site just loaded with info on the Camaro you've found.

Hope this helps;
John

ps: If you would, go back to your profile and add your location and other data - one of us may be close enough to you to help you check out the car before you buy - we do it all the time.
You also may be able to meet some of those 'other guys' driving Camaros in your area :thumbsup:

"caskets and seals" That is hilarious! :D Obviously a poor job of proof reading!

69camarofast,

Do you mean $7000 to start the build up, and if so what might be the resulting value when complete?

MX14ME

Most "finished" base model 68's seem to sell for between $14K and $20K depending on condition and modifications. Likely the car you are looking at would fall somewhere in between once it is restored.

The low mileage is a real plus for resale if the car is mostly original and the mileage can be proven. No idea specifically how much this might increase the value though.