Lot 275 - 1968 12880 Camaro RS

The Chevrolet Camaro was launched in 1966 and available as a two-door coupé or convertible with 2+2 seating. General Motors were concerned with the runaway success of the Ford Mustang so the Camaro was to have the same conventional rear-drive, front-engine configuration as the Mustang and Chevy II Nova. In addition, the Camaro was designed to fit a variety of engines in the engine bay with a choice ranging from 3.8 to 7 litre, V8 power plants and sharing its platform with the Pontiac Firebird.

Before any official announcement, reports began running during April 1965 that Chevrolet was preparing a competitor to the Mustang, code-named Panther. On June 21, 1966, journalists received a telegram from General Motors stating, "...Please save noon of June 28 for important SEPAW meeting. Hope you can be on hand to help scratch a cat. Details will follow..." The following day, the same journalists received another telegram stating, "Society for the Eradication of Panthers from the Automotive World will hold first and last meeting on June 28". On the 28th, General Motors held a live press conference in Detroit; the first time in history that 14 cities were hooked up in real time for a press conference. Chevrolet stated that all attendees of the conference were charter members of the 'Society for the Elimination of Panthers from the Automotive World' and that this would be the first and last meeting of SEPAW. Then announcing a new car line, claiming the name of the motorcar, "suggests the comradeship of good friends as a personal car should be to its owner" and that "to us, the name means just what we think the car will do... Go!" The new Camaro name was then unveiled. The automotive press asked Chevrolet representatives "What is a Camaro?" and were told it was "a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs."
This 1968 Camaro RS 5.8 litre, V8 350 has taken the best part of nine years to complete and the vendor, now satisfied with the completed project, is happy to move on to the next. Having been treated to a full bare metal re spray in metallic black with metallic blue double stripes and a Dana 60 rear end, the interior has been finished with a complete deluxe re-trim including new headliner, door cards, centre console and carbon gauge cluster. You will certainly feel the investment from behind the new chrome steering column and leather/chrome wheel.

With an exhaustive list of works having been undertaken, the car has to be viewed to be truly appreciated. The engine is an original 350 small block bored out to 355 (5800cc), rebuilt Chevrolet four bolt main with ported cast iron dart heads, Manley stainless steel valves, stud girdles, steel crank, dual roller timing chain, studded block and competition cam coupled with a new Magnaflow stainless steel exhaust system. The refurbished four speed Muncie gearbox with new racing clutch and chrome shifter plus linkage ensures a quick and smooth change up and new drilled and slot disc brakes with two pot black callipers all round give stopping power. This stunning example sits on new one piece 17" centreline alloy wheels with deeper rear dish.

Full photographic evidence of this complete and impressive restoration is supplied, as is the V5, Valid MoT test certificate until July 2014, comprehensive file full of bills, history and other documentation. This Camaro is a complete credit to the vendor and ready to drive away; undoubtedly turning heads wherever it goes. With just 1,088 miles since the restoration, why do the hard work when someone else has completed it all for you?