Hello I'm new to the web site and have seen the help and advice you guys have given others. I'm looking to purchase my first 1rst gen camaro but am very green so i found this on I thought I would post and get comments on. What would be a good price and how much to fix it up for a weekend driver?

Thanks,
G

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/gebcars/album?.dir=/cef4

Welcome to Team Camaro, the BEST firstgen site on the web!
The car looks nice... needs some detailing, fix up the dash, straighten out the wiring under the hood, maybe put the A/C back on...
Doesn't look like it would tsake a lot to fix it up.
Is it a real SS/RS? original motor? I don't get into value... my car is worth every C note I throw at it (don't even bother descriobing them as dimes anymore, I wouldn't be able to lift the pile!) and I'm sure yours will be to.

It appears to be an older driver restoration. If you are planning to do another cosmetic putty and paint it would be throwing money in the wind. This car is due for a complete restoration. It needs sheetmetal, paint, top, interior and chrome work. Assuming the engine is original (you need to check the block pad) every other component is either wrong or missing. On the positive side it looks like a promising project car. If thats what you are looking for and have some time and cash, go for it. As is, I would"nt buy it for a weekend driver unless I was wearing a good pair of walking shoes. Since you said you are green I want to be direct as we see alot of folks with good intentions buy cars that end up stacked under the Christmas decorations in the garage. The resources and support are here if you choose to take on the project. Welcome to the site :)

I don't think it looks that bad. If that is a # matching car it's worth good coin. However, there are a couple things that lead me to believe it may not be. 1) the coil spring helpers give me the impression a big block was put in with small block or possibly even a 6 cyl car springs. 2) The missing A/C box, these are often busted or melted when a big block is put in with the wrong box and 3) I can never remember what the different Red Lines are for the tachs.
Looks like a relatively easy project to me if your goal is just a driver. And you could probably drive it while you're working on it. But as far as value, we would need specific info on the drivetrain and any paperwork that is or isn't with the car.
If you decide to pass on it, feel free to forward me the contact info, I'd be interested if it's anywhere near me.

68 tach with 5,500 redline is a 327/275, 350, 396/325, and 396/350 application.

I'd agree that it's possible that the AC suitcase was removed because it was a small block car originally and the big block hit the suit case.

I see a 3 speed plate on the auto shifter, so if it is a TH400 and it is original (partial VIN on it??), it is an original big block car.

Of course, if the stamping on the pad in front of the driver side head is original and it matches the car, it's a big block car. The stamping will start with a "T", and should end in "MY" or "MR" if it is original.

It may overheat as the fan shrould is also missing.

Hey guys thanks for info! I guy hasn't gotten back to me when I asked about documentation, vin, and tag information? Whats involved with checking to see if the numbers match the vin, and what ones are the most important?

Also a couple of what ifs:

If the car was real ss/rs 396 whats it worth?

If the car was a small block whats it worth?

I'm not looking for an L89. I'm looking for a nice real car if I can get one at a fair price. I love the looks of the ss/rs big block, but what am I looking at price difference for a daily drive between a big block and a small block on a documented car that needs work but drives?

thanks for the info and advice,
G

Check the vin number on the outside of the dash panel at the outside of the windshield. The vin's last digits should match the numbers on the engine pad.
On a small block it is on the passenger side head on the engine. You should see a small number pad on there with a number stamped on it. Those numbers will match the vin if it is a numbers matching motor. If they match, your in luck as it would be a true RS/SS.
If its a true RS/SS it is worth whatever you are willing to pay for it.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
If the car was a small block, again, it is worth whatever you are someone else is willing to pay for it.
My personal opionion is that if its real it is probably worth between 15k and 18k with the shape it is in.
If it were a small block car, anywhere from 11k to about 17.5k.
Again, its based on how well the car has been taken care of, lots of stuff to consider. Mainly RUST. Does it have any rust? If so, what kind of repairs are needed. I know it has some surface rust issues by looking at the rocker panels. First thing id would want to do is crawl under the car and look for rot.
If you are not in a spot to crawl under it, have him send you pics underneath the car. Floor pans can get expensive to replace, along with quarter panels. On 68 camaros, these are the first areas to ROT out first.
ID be asking LOTS of questions, how many owners, and why they are selling it in the first place. Don't be afraid to ask TOO many questions, on here or with the OWNER of the car. If they dont get back with you too promplty, I would keep looking for another car. We are here to help. Right guys?
As far as a daily driver, Im sure that car would make a good one. But then again, Id need to see it in person, and so would most of the guys on here.
Good Luck. I sent you an email btw.

Still waiting for the vin and tag info? He is the third owner and has owned it since 94 and garaged since the 80s prior to that. Thats all I have for now! Any other Advice would be great! Will as for pictures of the undercrage!


thanks,
g

That is a beautiful color and interior combo. Looks like a car worth restoring. Are you a hands on guy that can fix stuff ? Mechanically it looks like it will need attention under the hood. The prices osso listed seem close. If it is a real RS SS 396 with the orig engine without some kind of serious body damage I would value it at 20K, maybe up to 25K. That combo would just look killer finished.

If he is anywhere near you I would definately go and check the car out yourself. You can take a lot of pictures and the seller will know you are serious, and my guess is he will be more helpfull.
I like the car a lot btw, great color. Did he mention an asking price?

Can somebody tell me what type of door panels those were on the car. The didn't look like standard or deluxe to me?? At least compared to other cars I have seen.

Greg

finaly recieved some more info the engine block cast # is
T1128MR and has the partial vin matching the cars vin! he doesn't know about the trans or the rearend? Also that the undercarage has undistrubed undercoat? More comments and thoughts would be great! Also the trim tag says its a LOS cas with 726 interior and K-2 exterior paint?

Thanks for all the help and advice,
GEB

Can I get some input on the above mentioned engine codes? And what you think as a good value for the car with that info!


thanks,
G

Can somebody tell me what type of door panels those were on the car. The didn't look like standard or deluxe to me?? At least compared to other cars I have seen.

Greg

Greg, They're Deluxe panels, but it looks like someone has done some custom work to them. They've added an "overlay" to the arm rests. Probably because they tore at some point.

finaly recieved some more info the engine block cast # is
T1128MR and has the partial vin matching the cars vin! he doesn't know about the trans or the rearend? Also that the undercarage has undistrubed undercoat? More comments and thoughts would be great! Also the trim tag says its a LOS cas with 726 interior and K-2 exterior paint?

Thanks for all the help and advice,
GEB

GEB, The Engine Suffix you supplied (T1128MR) indicates a Tonawanda built 396/350 High Performance engine with a Turbohydramatic Transmission, assembled on November 28th, 1967. You'll need to give us the casting date of the block, along with the VIN number of the car and a close up picture of the engine stampings before we can verify it matches and isn't a restamp. The 726 code is for a Deluxe Turquoise interior, and the K2 is for a Tripoli Turquoise exterior with a black vinyl top. Nice color by the way!

Ed

Looks like you are serious about the car. I have a LOS BB A/C car that is well optioned and complete. I am going to sell it in the spring and will be asking 39K for it. If you would like me to email a couple photos of it for comparison purposes I would be happy to. It will help you see what all is missing under the hood. I think this car would bring 18-22k as it sits. Get a photo of the block pad with the assembly and vin and post it before you hand over the cash. I'll PM my email address.

Very nice....RS/SS L34/M40 camaro with a/c,delux int.,tach and gauges, Chevy only made 2579 L34's in 1968.There were 1,015 engines with the MR code, and some of those were for warranty. Nice color!

Thanks for all the great advice and help! I'll see if I can get a pict of the trim tag and engine stamp!


G