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1968 rsss 396

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68 rsss 396. for sale
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Michael4yah

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have a 68 RSSS396. I bought it with the idea of restoring it but with 5 other cars to do I dont think I'll be able to get to it.
Its a Tripoli Turquoise 396 Auto with power drum brakes original 12 bolt rear end. Standard Bucket seat interrior. Power steering. I bought it without the engine and trans. I have since bought a 69 CE 396/375 Block with matching heads. I was going to put that in along with a M22. The original owner began disassembling the front suspension and it was missing. I bought a complete front end set, A arms, Disc Brakes and Quick Turn Manual steering from a 69 Z28. The car has very little rust, solid floors and trunk. It spent all of its life in Palmdale Ca. (High Desert). It needs a doorskin on drivers side and little fender work. I have the original RS lights, shifter, 396 SS Hood, Console and the original gauges but the TicTockTAC is for a 375Hp Car. Is there any chance that it came originally with the 375 Engine with T400? I've read that they didnt make any 396/375 M40s. It came from the factory painted Tripoli Turquoise with the black hockey stripe and black standard bucket interior. What do you guys think its worth? I'll try and get some photos soon. Thanks
 
#2 ·
Condition is REALLY going to affect the value. What I mean by that is just how big of a project is this car? Does it need ground up restoration or just put her back together. If it is as rust free as you claim and even a moderate project probably 12-17k range? I am speaking from what I see in the Seattle area. I am seeing the same cars from over a year ago pop back up for sale still. Things have really SLOWED in the market.
 
#3 ·
Michael: I purchased one similar to yours. 1968rsss 396, m21,4:10 posi with out the engine. It has the 375hp tach and the interior looks to be mostly original. It will need quarter skins and their is some rust around the windshield and back glass. The floor pan is clean. It has the original front calipers,and master cylinder and all correct fire wall signs that it is a rs/ss. I paid $12000. And feel I paid a fair price but no deal... With out documentation the market is smaller. That is my thoughts. Now what engines should we be tracking down ?:beers: Good Luck
 
#6 ·
that is a GREAT PROJECT ! playing the number's game is real IFFY right now , if you had paperwork saying it was a L78 YOU MIGHT GET A BIGGER CHUNK out of it , 68's are tough nothing on the trim tag vin only tell if it is a six or eight cylinder , depending on how rust free it is I would RIDE THAT for the value a nice clean 68 body is HARD TO FIND and it's an RS with hidden light's I'm gonna say with the motor and trans you said you bought for it I will guess $6K to $9K REAL MONEY TO GET SOMEONE TO BUY IT
now you could try advertising it for a BIG price and put that you found POINTER'S to it being an L78 and see what happen's ,,, NICE PROJECT !!

Image
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Ive decided to go ahead and have Macneish do a certification. I dont have the build sheet and having him certify it will go a long way in determining what its worth. I should have it by mid Feb. Working on those photos. I should have em tomorrow.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Hello all, Im still waiting for Jerry MacNeish to do the certification. He was going to race in the Winternationals but got snowed in back east. I will post some photos later today. It would be a great builder for someone whos looking for a 68 RSSS396. Tripoli Turquoise is a color you dont see too often. When I bought it several years ago there was a policeman from Louisiana on this website that wanted to buy it. He already had a KK Tripoli Turquoise Chevelle. If anyone knows where this guy is please post his name. Ive forgotten it.
Be back Later with the photos.
Michael
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
36j1967 said:
Certify what?
Click to expand...
MacNeish does a Certification that proves that the car is what I say it is. In this case its a 68 RSSS 396. He will go over the entire car and tell me exactly what the car came with from the factory. 68s are not as easily documented as most other cars. The GM records were destroyed and without a build sheet its difficult.
 
#11 ·
Michael4yah said:
MacNeish does a Certification that proves that the car is what I say it is. In this case its a 68 RSSS 396. He will go over the entire car and tell me exactly what the car came with from the factory. 68s are not as easily documented as most other cars. The GM records were destroyed and without a build sheet its difficult.
Click to expand...
I think you missed the sarcasm of his post.
Since the engine and transmission are missing, there isn't much to certify.
An inspection will not be able to tell you "exactly" what this car once was, the main parts with VIN's are missing. He will be able to tell you what it "might" have been based on the rear end code, radiator code, tach, etc, but those are all bolt on parts without VIN's so all you will get is a "may have been".
 
#12 ·
68 Ragtop said:
I think you missed the sarcasm of his post.
Since the engine and transmission are missing, there isn't much to certify.
An inspection will not be able to tell you "exactly" what this car once was, the main parts with VIN's are missing. He will be able to tell you what it "might" have been based on the rear end code, radiator code, tach, etc, but those are all bolt on parts without VIN's so all you will get is a "may have been".
Click to expand...
What about the blacked out tail panel, and the triangular seem it makes under the trunk opening? That's not a bolt on part, is it? I used this to verify a 68 SS/396 I had last year, with missing engine and tranny. Between that and the correct BB motor mounts, it HAD to be a real SS/396! No way that original paint in the trunk seem had been "faked"........
 
#14 ·
Michael4yah said:
Your right, sarcasm is hard to spot when you dont know the guy.
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And it's a shame that some just can't pass up the opportunity to be sarcastic when it's presented. Many an interesting thread has been ruined by somebody that throws the first stone.

Good luck with Jerry. He is a great guy and will give you his honest opinion whether you like it or not.
 
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#15 ·
travlinz28 said:
And it's a shame that some just can't pass up the opportunity to be sarcastic when it's presented. Many an interesting thread has been ruined by somebody that throws the first stone.

Good luck with Jerry. He is a great guy and will give you his honest opinion whether you like it or not.
Click to expand...
If it's dry, it may not have been sarcastic. Screen communication is not conducive for accurate interpretations. It's very common today for misunderstandings to arise from today's "convenience". But I digress. Too bad 68s can't tell you much except for clues. Best to have what's left of proof solidified. Better than nothing. In Moparland the VIN tells all. Piece of cake.
 
#16 ·
I had my 68 done about this time last year by Jerry. I bought mine on the premise it might be a Z/28. I knew it was a real RS but no paper work or proof. It had all of the signs and many original Z parts. He did a very thorough job of documenting it and it turned out to be the real deal. I was very satisfied with Jerry's work. Super nice and knowledgeable guy.

[/QUOTE]Good luck with Jerry. He is a great guy and will give you his honest opinion whether you like it or not.[/QUOTE]
 
#17 ·
My question to the seller might have been brief, "Certify what?", but I still stand by it as a response to the seller as he posted this in the WIW section and the intention portrayed seems to be selling this project car as a authenticated L78 M40. I'm as concerned for the seller as I am for the potential buyer and the cars continued provenance. The learning questions should be posted in the Tag Team section or directed to CRG. In that case I would be happy to give an extended response on what to look for. It's not that I could'nt have gone on with a long winded response on the what and how a 68 L78 can be authenticated, this just isn't the place for it. If Jerry is now giving 100% authentication certificates based on arbitrary clues then its news to me. In response to the seller, I think you should get on the same page with Jerry regarding your expectations for certification based on a simple verbal evaluation of what you have to show him. Jerry will give you a detailed examination of what is there and that is what you pay him for. Will he be able to give you a certification it is an L78 with what you have to show him is the question here.
 
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Michael4yah
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