help please decoding a 1968 Camaro

[Nigel]

Hi, I am looking to purchase a 1968 Camaro however the owner is stating that it is a RS / SS Clone. I have had a look at your site and decoded the car using the details the owner has sent and it would appear to be a L48 350ci 295hp engine matching to a Muncie 4 speed transmission.

Were all 1968 Camaro with a L48 engine SS cars?

The owner has no history of the car so not sure if it is a RS or a RS / SS. I can send photos if it would help. This is my first Camaro purchase and I don't want to get it wrong. Any help gratefully received.

The data tag is
ST 05E
TR 68   12437 NOR 142764 BODY
      721            Z2                    PAINT

The dash vin is 124378N443468

The transmission code is 18N443468 P8E16

The engine code is 18N443468 V0521MS

Many thanks, Nigel

[bertfam]

Nigel, first off, welcome to the site. Second, we work best with pictures. The dates you posted would be correct for your 05E built car, but there are a TON of restamped engines and transmissions out there, so again, pictures can confirm exactly what you have. If the engine pad has paint, make sure you use a paint stripper to remove it. DON'T use a screwdriver or paint scraper as it will scratch the pad and obscure the original machine marks.

I'm assuming THIS is the car?

Ed

[1968RSZ28]

British "Racing" Green!

Paul

[cook_dw]

BRG & gold..  I like it..

[Nigel]

Hi Ed, Many thanks for the reply. Amazing that you found those pictures of the car as it is now in the UK after being imported last year by a garage who is currently selling it. http://www.classicamericancarsales.co.uk/vehicle/1968-camaro-rsss-clone/

I have attached photos of the dash tag, engine block codes and transmission code for you. I have also checked the data tag against the one in the link you sent and they match.

From the link you sent, it would appear that Wings & Wheels were selling the car as a genuine RS / SS however if you can let me know your thoughts I would be very  grateful. I have only seen photos of the car so far as the engine has just been rebuilt however once it is back in the car I will have a look at it. Many thanks Nigel

[Nigel]

I have attached three photos of the engine block numbers

[bertfam]

Nigel, the partial VIN on the engine pad looks just like another one I have that's only a few cars away from yours, but I'll let Kurt take a look and let him comment. The transmission stamp also looks good even though it wasn't done with the same gang stamp as the engine pad.

Ed

[cook_dw]

I agree Ed.  Stampings are original. 

[KurtS]

They look OK. Both look like they were done with the same gang stamp.

[bertfam]

Both look like they were done with the same gang stamp.

Yep. Now that I've adjusted the stamps and looked at them closer, they're from the same gang.

Congrats Nigel. You have a numbers matching car!

Ed

[Nigel]

Ed, thanks for the confirmation, that is great news. Is there any way to find out if it is a true RS / SS car? Many thanks once again, Nigel

[bertfam]

Is there any way to find out if it is a true RS / SS car?

It's a true SS 350 but there's no way to tell if it originally came with the RS option unless you have factory documentation. You can do a search for hints on what to look for to prove the Rally Sport option.

Ed

[1968RSZ28]

Here's a list of Rally Sport clues, scroll down to "Rally Sport (Z22)"...

http://www.camaros.org/options.shtml#id

Paul

[Nigel]

Dear Ed & Paul, thank you both so much for all your help. It is great to know that the car is a true matching numbers 1968 SS 350. Once I have been to see the car next week I will with matching numbers do some research to see if it is also a true RS car. Thanks again and have a good weekend.