1968 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS 396 L78

Description

There's a reason we can't keep early Camaros in stock: they look great, drive well, and with a numbers-matching L78 396/375 like this 1968 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS hardtop, they are quite formidable on the street. Stunning paint, gorgeous interior, and a bulletproof pedigree make this the one that you've been waiting for.

Matador Red is this car's original color (code R-R) and the recent repaint definitely delivers in a big way. Super straight bodywork certainly helps and suggests that someone was working overtime to get this one to look this good. Great panel alignment and a stock hood add to the highly-detailed look, and finish quality is impressive. It shouldn't be a surprise that someone invested heavily in this ultra-rare L78 Camaro, and it sure looks good up close. RS hidden headlights look especially good on the '68 cars, and black stripes embedded under the clear add an aggressive edge. Bright chrome bumpers, correct badging, a chin spoiler, and, of course, the ducktail spoiler all add up to a traditional Camaro performance look, but so much nicer than the factory ever managed.

Camaros have always offered performance-oriented interiors, and the black buckets flanking a center console make for an awesome driving experience. The interior is in good shape, perhaps done a few years ago, offering reproduction seat covers, correct carpets, and matching black door panels, all of which take you back to 1968. The original gauges set deep into their own round binnacles are in good condition and are joined by a set of auxiliary gauges down on the center console. A woodgrained steering wheel matches the center stack and console, lending it a bit of an upscale vibe. And yes, that's a 4-speed Hurst shifter in the center console, making this the Camaro you'll look forward to driving every single time. The only other modification is a Kenwood AM/FM stereo receiver with speakers on the rear package shelf, but that's probably OK on a car that's built to drive. The trunk is finished with spatter-finish paint, a correct mat, and a full-sized spare with its own matching cover.

That matching-numbers L78 396 cubic inch big block V8 is the reason why this car rises above the ordinary and why it won't likely last long. Only 4575 L78s were built in 1968 and with full documentation, there's no question that this one is legit. Rebuilt to stock specs, it delivers a solid hit of torque when you nail the throttle and loves to rev in a way that's wholly unexpected in a big block. Chrome valve covers were part of all big block engines and a matching open-element air cleaner gives it a clean look. Bright Chevy Orange paint pops against the satin black engine bay and makes the bare aluminum pieces like the intake manifold look clean and crisply detailed. Clean floors aren't so over-detailed that you're afraid to drive it and it sounds downright nasty exhaling through a custom exhaust system with correct transverse muffler. The Muncie 4-speed spins a 12-bolt rear end, so you don't need to worry about breaking this heavy-duty hardware, and with newer shocks at all four corners, it rides and handles well for its age. There are a lot of new parts on the front end, so it tracks straight and steers well, and the staggered 215/65/15 front and 235/60/15 rear BFG rubber totally fills the wheel wells.

So it's a real-deal L78 RS/SS Camaro with its numbers-matching engine, a 4-speed, and just a few tweaks to make it enjoyable to drive. Is there anything better? Call today!