68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Good evening all.
Looking for some advice on the value of a restored 1968 Camaro RS/SS. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img]
Doesn't have it's original drivetrain but has a date correct MQ block, a date correct M20 &amp; a correct PF code 3:31 post rear end.
Any &amp; all opinions welcome &amp; appreciated.
Thanks

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Need pictures of the restoration to be able to give a decent opinion. Does it have paperwork? Its going to be hard to put a price on something like this without more info.

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cook_dw</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Need pictures of the restoration to be able to give a decent opinion. Does it have paperwork? Its going to be hard to put a price on something like this without more info. </div></div>
Darrell
I know it's tough to put a precise value on a car without seeing it but I'm looking for a realistic range of prices. I have the opportunity to buy this car unrestored (it's pretty rough) but I'm trying to figure out whether it makes sense financially to buy it &amp; restore. It does have GM Canada documentation.
Thanks

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

What options did it have?

At this point I would guess 50-60K of course that depends on several things though. Restoration quality, options, desirable color..

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

I restored my 68 and it cost me over 100 ,all orig and NOS dated parts.
The question to ask yourself is what level do you want to restore it too.
Then compare the total cost of the restoration to the price of buying one that has already been restored and documented like the one you want to buy.
3 years ago one sold in Canada for 90 s with documents and real nice resto
I don't know the current going price for a 68.

PJ



<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cook_dw</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What options did it have?

At this point I would guess 50-60K of course that depends on several things though. Restoration quality, options, desirable color.. </div></div>

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Any &amp; all opinions welcome &amp; appreciated.
Thanks</div></div>


You likely know most of this, but it is extremely unlikely you will make any money by restoring a non supercar even if you started with a free car. Parts and materials alone can turn out to be more than a finished car is worth even with no charge for labor. Once you add labor cost (your time or someone you pay) you will likely spend at least twice what an already restored car costs to purchase. Even when restoring supercars it is very easy to get upside down as parts, labor, and materials add up very fast.

I think most who go down the full restoration path do it for the love of the car / hobby, prestige, ego, other reasons as there is rarely if ever a financial gain at the end. When you take into account time value of money, or lost opportunity cost, then you would virtually always be at a financial loss regardless of the car except for very rare exceptions like ZL-1's, 71 hemi Cuda convertibles, or vintage Ferraris where the values are so high a smaller appreciation can cover the resto costs, but even with these exceptions, it is all about hitting the market timing right. The vast majority of vintage car appreciation can not even come close to what someone might get for investing the same money in a low fee S&amp;P 500 index fund the past 5 years.

If you're doing a quickie re-spray with inferior or repo parts, (lipstick on a pig) then that's another story, but a full concourse frame-off resto is a very expensive proposition. I seem to recall a board member recently that had a RA IV GTO with fresh concours resto and I don't know if it ever sold, but after running through an auction and being for sale for awhile, I think the market valued the car at about 50% of what he had in it.

Bottom line, unless you really love this car, have a trove of rare parts bought 30 years ago, and you have lots of free time, or buddies in the business that will work for beer, or just have unlimited cash, I seriously doubt you will break even on a restoration of a 68 L-78 Camaro documented or not.

With all of that said, sounds like a neat documented car and would be great to save it, but forget making money if you restore it. If you're looking to make a few bucks off a full resto, there is just no rational financial case here. if you are looking to make a buck, then flipping is the way to go. Buy it, invest nothing except a little clean up and selling it on quickly for more than you paid.

Before someone jumps on me, I have owned and still own some rare and desirable muscle cars of the era (2 Yenkos, 5 BM cars, and others) and personally know how much time and money it takes to restore a car properly. It is just not a money making venture except in extremely rare situations. I grew up in high school with these cars and just have a love for them, but they sure don't form any part of my investment or retirement portfolio. My last car purchase was a fully concourse restored one and I probably saved at least 50% versus buying a rough project and having the car done.

Free advice.............now go out and buy that car and get it done, it will be a mostly fun journey, but an expensive one.

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

COPO , Pooh-Bah ,....you said that very well ! You are not being You are 100 % correct , that most guys even if you get the car for free, or can do most of the work yourself ,you will most likely end up under water ! Unless its a super rare car, and Documented,.... COPO, LS6 , Yenko , Baldwin or Z16 Chevelle, and even then you will likely only break even.....

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

I am restoring a 67 RS/SS L78, so I am well acquainted with the cost of restoration. When I say restoration I mean down to every last nut, bolt and split pin. To compound this cost I have to contend with international exchange rates and freight charges and then local tax. This means multiplying the cost of parts by 2 (at least). I can therefore definitely say that it is a labor of love......and frustration.
By the way does anybody know where I can get a OL code 4 core Harrison manual radiator.....apart from Heartbeat City Camaro?

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Gavin, what is the build date of your car? Jeff

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

More importantly Gavin. Show us some shots (we love in-process photos [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]) of your cool '67!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Hi Jeff, Build date is May 67. Just to save you deciphering the id plate. Its Capri Cream, 4 spd, bench seat, 4.56/1 (factory option ordered not dealer offered , as you will know) rear end and California built. It has had 3 owners not including me and has been off the road since 1970. I am at the stage of putting the drive train back together. I have the original diff and a correct date coded gear box....motor long gone using a CE 427 69....The radiator is holding me up. I plan to change the rear end ratio to 3.7/1. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-img_0199.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...on_plate_2.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics..._la_05_mk3.jpg

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Thanks Gavin. Great project. Keep us posted.

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

here is a photo of the car

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...ps533f814e.jpg

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Gavin - Nice options, nice color combo. She's gonna look Purdy! Where is the call out for factory 4.56?

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

It's on the protecto plate. The diff is also stamped with the vin and ratio. The photos of the above 68 remind me of my 67....although the condition was a little better, but then again this looks more complete. What ever the case it looks like this will give somebody many hobby hours of enjoyment.
Strange, the steering wheel shown is exactly the same as the one that was on my car when I received it. These must have been a very common after market addition to these cars.

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

I've never seen the rearend stamped with the vin number?

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

If you're not gonna drive it that much I would leave the 4:56 although with the m20 2:52 first gear you're gonna leap the front wheels off the ground.

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Woops I think you are confused between the 2 cars shown in the photos above. My 67 has an M21 not an M20.

As for the VIN code stamped on the diff, yes its odd. But the original owner explained he had to waited 3 months for the car due to 4.56 gears being a special factory order. So I assume this is why the diff casing was stamped.
I do plan to drive the car and so in order to reduce wear and tear I will change the gears to 3.70....not to mention other practicalities. I have the original 4.56 gears but they need replacing anyway.

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

IS this the Hulk?
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4904682869.html

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

YUP!

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

So did you buy the car?

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Nope. Decided to pass. The non-original power-train was the biggest deciding factor for me.

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Someones gotta save this gem!!! If anyone wants to give me the money Ill restore it.. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Gavin (67 L78),
I'm real curious to see a pic of that axle stamp and the axle VIN.
Interesting - several NOR cars with 4.56, but not many LOS cars.
Bench seat, nice!

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Sure. The casing is in being blasted today so I'll get a shot within the next day or so

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Make sure they don't blast the codes and numbers!

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...982-g4_038.jpg
This code also appears on the protecto plate....not sure if it is the VIN?

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Axle code, date and plant shift, not the vin.

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Helpful, thanks. Can you please decode this for me ?

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: L78Kiwi</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Helpful, thanks. Can you please decode this for me ? </div></div>



<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Code-<span style="font-weight: bold">QB</span> Ratio-4:56 Size-12 Type-P Brake-STD[/list](4:56 12 bolt posi with standard brakes)

Manufactured on April 24 <span style="font-weight: bold">(0424)</span> by Detroit Gear and Axle <span style="font-weight: bold">(G)</span> on the first shift <span style="font-weight: bold">(1)</span>

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Killer axle option, not exactly a grocery getter....

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Thanks for that. Was this normal practice to individually stamp the diff in this way?

I don't think the local Super market would appreciate tyre smoke and black marks in their car park!

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

What were the brackets on the top of the tubes for? Ladder bars?

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Yes, I removed those.....carefully

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

My 68 HO GTO is the same colors...
Code D (Alpine Blue) over Parchment. Love the Blues with White/parchment interiors

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

The 68 Camaro RS/SS I was looking at before has resurfaced on eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/111625912218

Seems to be getting a lot of bidding action.
Hopefully they have had a good look at the pictures especially the roof.
Caveat emptor

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Sorry to hijack but the non original engine w/ the eBay deal appears to be from an existing car VIN 124378N413883 mentioned back in this old thread...
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbt...mp;Number=8198
Whether this John Rego fella or whoever has the car now can make a deal to get the engine or not, they need to be aware of this auction and thread being the MQ suffix and Vin stampings if original show that car was originally an L78 4-Spd!
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
~ Pete


Subject eBay Vehicle VIN - 124378N408506

MQ Suffix eBay Engine VIN - 124378N413883



https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3375-image.jpg

Re: 68 Camaro RS/SS L78 value
 

Dam..Ill bet he would like to see this thread now.... his car is an L-78 !!