I have a 350 in my 1968 camaro and was thinking of cloning it into an ss or an rs car. which would be an easier clone and would anyone give me an exact list of changes i would have to make to make it as identical to the real thing as possible. For all you honest people out there don't worry I am never going to sell this car its my baby and if i ever had to, i would state that it is a clone and would not try to pass it off as the real thing.

Seriously?

what do u mean by seriously? ok anyways i didn't mention i am restoring the cr so instead of doing all the work and changing it here and there I decided to save me the time and the money and plus im up for a challenge lol aint we all if its a camaro?

Berry - get over it!! Folks build clones and tribute cars for any number of reasons, it's not illegal and most are not intending to scam or rip someone off when they do so. It's just part of the hobby...

mclmm - got a name? The info is here for the taking, it's also available on other sites and in books. You might get a few tips here but if you want it exact you had better elect to do the research as opposed to asking for someones reciepe... Your car, and your intentions may be the challenge of building the car but if you build a perfect clone are you willing to insure it doesn't get passed off as the real deal down the road? That's what guys like Berry are opposed to about cloning a car.

That's what guys like Berry are opposed to about cloning a car

Yup! GET OVER IT!

mclmm - have you considered buying a real RS and restoring it. Then you would have two great cars!!

well if i had the money i would buy almost any camaro i see haha jk but yes I dont have money like that for two separate projects.

mclmm- even if you didnt tell the buyer it was a clone, it's his responsibility to know exactly what he's buying. I never buy an engine (or anything) just because someone says "it's a 350" without looking up the numbers. Build it the way you want.

If you have an assembly manual, read it, if you don't, get one. All the details are in there, and all the parts are reproduced.

I did mine as an SS, just a matter of buying all the parts, stripes, and trim. 'course it's an "exterior" clone only, would never pass as a real SS, purposely.

Sit down when you price the RS headlight conversion, thatsa cool grand right there, for repro stuff!

ok well i have decided to make it into an ss and i probably can replace a lot of the parts xcept for the 12 bolt so yes if anyone knows what needs to be doen plz post it. i know the ss had hidden headlight and a 12 bolt. were the hidden headlights in the ss similar to the rs vacuum headlight or r they completely two different projects

mclmm- even if you didnt tell the buyer it was a clone, it's his responsibility to know exactly what he's buying. From the buyers point of view I agree with you. That's just "buyer beware"...

If someone fakes an SS and sells it as real (didn't tell the buyer) he's no better than a horse thief... :mad:

i agree with u 100% DjD

ok well i have decided to make it into an ss and i probably can replace a lot of the parts xcept for the 12 bolt so yes if anyone knows what needs to be doen plz post it. i know the ss had hidden headlight and a 12 bolt. were the hidden headlights in the ss similar to the rs vacuum headlight or r they completely two different projects

You really need to do some research... The SS doesn't come with hidden headlights. You can get an SS with the ralley sport option which is the headlight option.

Tak a look here for some more... www.camaros.org Look at the 3 links at the top right with light blue background. :beers:

http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/images/LarryJames1968RSSSCamaro.jpg

so r u telleing me this would be an rs ss or is it just customized im not an "expert" on camaros and am practilly a kid (15) so any suggestions would be great. as u can tell im young so this camaro aint going nowhere for a long time. I just love camaros cuz i cant stand those riceburners lol so any suggestions opinions would be great. my dad has had these kinda cars but he's completely new to clones. Back in his day nobody use to worry about buying a clone or a fake ss or rs.

An SS meant high performance. If someone builds a high performance Camaro, and marks it to appear as an SS, that is full within the spirit of the intent of the label. Just my humble opinion.

http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/images/LarryJames1968RSSSCamaro.jpg


Yes - that's an RS SS - SS badging took top billing on a RS equipped car... See what I am talking about? We would collectively all have to write a book to tell you all the little details.

We would collectively all have to write a book to tell you all the little details.

In a sense, we already have over the years here on TC :thumbsup:

mclmm: the Search function here will give you hours worth of learning material :beers:

i already have front disk brakes i have a 350 what about the front grill? is there just an ss emblem in the front or is it a completely new grill?

i already have front disk brakes i have a 350 what about the front grill? is there just an ss emblem in the front or is it a completely new grill?


This will get you started: http://www.camaros.org/diffs68.shtml

mclmm -

One chunk of information that we all should get because it is free is the restoration package from Chevrolet. You call the toll free number (800-222-1020) and give them your VIN, they will send you a free "restoration package." For 68, it has a copy of the original marketing material (16 pages), the model information document (14 pages; includes the striping options), the AMA specs (weights for various combos, detailed specs), and other useful info. Can't be beat for free.

ok filled out the info downside is it will take 3-4 weeks to get here

You were expecting to have it done before then?

lol no just really excited and cant wait to see what is included in the "restoration package" probably nuthing spectaular but u never know

Well, it is black and white copies of what I listed. The "original marketing material" is similar to the glossy brouchures, but a little more in depth. Probably what was given to the dealers. The model info is the Chevy info on what came in what packages, so you'll have an idea of what the SS came with. The AMA stuff is a bunch of data sheets with dimensions and weights, that will take a while to understand how to read the info.

If I wasn't so busy and therefore forgetful, I'd scan mine and send it to you. But, with a project like a 1st gen, you'll have to learn patience anyway ;)

soi now need ss emblems and the grill and im set im not including a 12 bolt becuz thats out of my budget right now. were there any interior differences that i should know about? i know the rs was a looks package whereas the ss was performance. so far what i have is dual exhaust, 350 engine, and front dick brakes.

By the way i really appreciate all the help i can get. its not like i can go to skool and find out all this stuff and all the kids are into import engines and the new nissans and mitsubishi cars. Not that anything is wrong with that but no one in my skool appreciates the history and muscle of american cars. so thanks in advance to everybody helping me

You really cant tell by looking inside of an SS and an RS as just about any combo's could have been ordered from the factory.
I think a column shift would be the only thing they would not have.

I guess my first question is ,"Why clone it if you don't know what you need?" Will you enjoy the car more if it sports some SS or RS emblems? Just wondering.

uhm thats the point

uhm thats the point

Ok then.

sorry if it sounded rude

sorry if it sounded rude


I didn't take it that way. :)

so to get evrything straight all i need to do now is buy the ss emblems and the ss front grill correct?

If you want to learn the differences, search this site or read the CRG links that have been posted.

hope not to sound like a retard but is there a difference between the base camaro grill and the 1968 camaro ss grill? or is there just an ss emblem on one of them?

I think they are one in the same. You dont have to put ss emblems on to have a nice car I have seen some realy hot looking cars with hot motors and they have no emblems on them at all. You should consider buying some parts catalogs like the one from http://www.ss396.com/camaro_67-69.htm
or ricks www.firstgen.com/ and www.classicindustries.com/
Those will be a big help for parts.

i already have the Npd magazine for camaro's but i cant seem to find a 1968 ss front grill they have a 1969 front grill and rs front grills but no 1968 camaro ss grill so i was thinkin the normal grill is the same

look in my website link... before and afters...

SS badging, hood with fake stacks, stripe.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a22/dahlisnice/IMG_0843.jpg
thats the grill so the only difference is that it is missing the ss emblem?

i think ss grills were black. is this true?