1968 Camaro Facts
The 1968 Chevrolet Camaro, manufactured by the Detroit-based General Motors, is the middle child of the 1967 to 1969 first generation Camaros. It did not differ much from its siblings in body styling and mechanical components, but represented a small transition to the slightly sportier 1969 model that best represented the sum of the early Camaro.
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Background
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Chevrolet was desperate for a competitor to the Ford Mustang. By 1965 Chevrolet developed prototypes with the early nameplate of "Panther." The Panther prototype, which later was named the Camaro when it became a production car, shares some of the same mechanical components as the 1968 Chevy II Nova. The Camaro also shares the same frame as the all-new Pontiac Firebird, which had near identical styling except for the nose and rear end.
1967/1968 Similarities
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The 1968 Camaro represented only minor variations from the 1967. Like the 1967, the 1968 came equipped with the RS, Super Sport "SS" and Z/28 sport packages. Its engine options and accessories also were virtually identical.
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The Differences
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The most notable difference between the 1968 and 1967 models was the elimination of the side vent windows. The 1968 model compensates the lack of vent windows with a new Astro Ventilation inlet system that makes the vents obsolete. Most automakers followed the practice shortly afterwards.
Other Changes
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The front fenders of the 1968 Camaro received side marker lights. The 1968 Camaro also received a front spoiler, divided taillamps and the front grille that came to a point. This would be enhanced even further with the 1969 models. The rear suspension was improved with the shock absorbers mounted in a staggered fashion to minimize wheel hop on fast starts from a dead stop. The high-performance models' rear leaf springs were also beefed up.
Specifications
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The 1968 Camaro sat on a 108.1-inch wheelbase, was 184.6 inches long, 72.5 inches wide and stood at 51 inches. The SS model weighed 3,091 lbs.
Under the Hood
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The 1968 Camaro had a long list of engine options: the 230- and 250-cubic-inch straight 6-cylinder, the 302 and two versions of the 327-ci V-8s, a 350; the SS350 generating 295 horsepower, and four versions of the SS396 V-8 that provided between 325 and 375 horsepower.
Production Numbers
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The model did remarkably well in sales given that the middle child tends to be neglected between the first born and near perfect final model. The 1968 Camaro outsold the 1967 by more than 14,000 units with total sales at 235,147. The RS package was the most popular with 40,977 units manufactured, while the SS package sold 27,884, and the Z/28 recorded 7,199 cars. In contrast, the 1967 Camaro recorded 220,906 total sales and the 1969 version totaled 243,025.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit General Motors
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Comments
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Well Camaro fans? I'm a proud South African white male.... Had to sell my babe for bad debts.......... Anybody know where I can find a 69 wreck that is rebuildable at a fair price?
