68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

Hi, I live on Long Island. App 25 years ago I bought a 1968 SS 396 Camaro. Drove it for about 3 months & spun a crank bearing. I parked it in a garage & left it for 20 years. I recently started to do some # checking on the motor. The car has an origional Motion sticker on each rear side window. I live about 3 miles from the origional Motion location. I bought the car from a guy in Collage Point N.Y. (Queens) The car is mostly primer. It has a couple of odd thinks that has me thinking it may be a car that was in Motion at one time. Any help would be great. AND NO THE CAR IS NOT FOR SALE. Chris

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

Post some more info on the car, esp pics of the areas that make you think its a Motion car. Also Joel could be contacted with the VIN but its not a free service he provides. Plenty of members here that can try to help.

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

The engine is a 396 375 H.P. 4 bolt main. The suffex # stamped is CE71755. With a date code of E-16-8. This is not like any # I have seen on any B/B Chevy motors I have had. Most start with a T. The one thing I have found is all the freeze out plugs have a wire holding them in. The block & plugs have been drilled to do this. The motor had a factory G.M. aluminum intake with a Holley 3 bbl carb on it. The dist is a Mallory D/P with a Mallory coil on the fender well. Plus the hood is a factory steel with a round circle where the air cleaner sits. It was not cut out with a saw. It is rolled like a factory bend. It has a L-88 fiber glass hood scoop that was molded to it. The rear spoiler has been cut on both trunk lines & the end pieces have been molded to the rear quarters. The car has a 12 bolt rear & is a factory 4 speed. It has a real M-22 in it. All with the proper date codes. I may be wrong but I need to be sure. I do know that I can E-Mail Jole. But I do not want to spend the $$ if I do not have more things that lead me to believe it is infact a Motion car. Or worked on by Motion. I have talked to a guy who worked at Motion back in the 70's. (Eric of mean street in Island park N.Y.) He said he can remember a 68 SS with the same hood & rear spoiler. It was painted red white & blue with stars & strips. It was a stock race car that was street legal. Not saying this is the car. Trying to get more info before I spend the money to I.D. it. The car was built in California (Van Nun). Is it possible it is a Motion car built in Cal ? Any help would be great. Thanks Chris

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

Can you double check your engine stamping of CE71755.
Did you miss a digit or letter?

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

I think it would be highly unlikely that a VN car made it to Long Island as a new car. A "CE" coded block just means the original engine was replaced at one time potentially as a warranty replacement. So far, nothing really says Motion to me, but keep digging.

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

[ QUOTE ]
I think it would be highly unlikely that a VN car made it to Long Island as a new car.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not to take away from the thread but why wouldn't a new car make it that far? I have a 1981 Van Nuys Z/28 that was sold new at English Chevrolet in Lawrence MA. The build sheet that shows that.

Rick H.

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

I would say that a CE block WOULD point towards a motion car. Since a crate 427 would be a CE. How do you know the engine is a 396? Have you checked the casting number and date on the block? Why not sand off some primer to see if it is infact red/white and blue? It you pull the tank you may find a build sheet, if 68 LA cars had them. I know all LA 69's did. What color was the car originally. Maybe it was a special paint car that had to come out of LA. Every competition orange car I have seen has been out of LA. Hopefully you will find good things!

Jason

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

May not have been sold there new but it may have made a trip there after it came east !!! Lot of odd sounding stuff on that car...I would definitely keep digging...something like the molded spoiler would have to be remembered by Joel...

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

Check the casting number on the block by the distributor..

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

The block casting # 3955272. It has 3919840 heads with D-22-8 & E-20-68 date codes. Car build date is June. (06C) The car was striped of all paint before it was primered. Under the L-88 scoop it is Maroon. Cowl tag has it with Gold standard buckets & Cordovan Maroon paint color. Weard color combo. Maybe this is why they painted it.

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

That is a 69 396 block as you probably already know. Motion could have upgraded from a 325 or 250 HP to a 375 HP but I would think they would have used an engine theypulled out of one of their SS427 conversion cars. What are the dates on the 840 heads?


Jason

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

The car also has power disc brakes on the front. Manual sterring. It has a push button start (Also has the Key) on the dash with guages were the heater controls would be. Above these gages are 2 switches that were drilled into the metal dash. I also noticed that all of the cast flashings on the block & heads have been ground off. It may just be a street - strip car that Motion worked on ? I will pull the tank after the holidays maybe I will get lucky. I will keep digging. You never know.

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

A 67 ce block according to his numbers. Roger

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

A replacement block yes.
But I am just curious as to what year exactly,besides the casting date.
The numbers following the "CE" code will dictate that,but there is a letter/number missing there maybe.
l.i.man can you recheck?

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

The heads are dated to go with the car so it might just be a warranty replacement short block and the original heads/intake/carb went back on it. It seems unlikely it's a Baldwin/Motion car due to being built at the VN plant, but it could be a Motion modified car. Sounds like it has some interesting history it's not telling.

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

Here is the cowl tag #'s. I will double check the suffex #'s on the block. Car is at my mothers in another town. I do plan on droping the tank. Also my book says that a 272 block was made in 68 & 69. The date code on the block is E-16-8. Another thing is where the date code is. I have another 396 short block casting 272 out of a 69 camaro 350 H.P. 4 speed. Suffix T0115JF. The date code is on the pass side bottom near the freeze out plugs. The 375 H.P. motor has it where the trans bolts up. Where the casting # for the engine is. I will double check the suffix on the 375 motor.

06C 0627
ST 68-12437 LOS
TR 722 N-N

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

Here are some pictures. members.aol.com/manifldman/ss

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

Pics http://members.aol.com/manifldman/ss1

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

pics members.aol.com/manifldman/ss2

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

pics members.aol.com/manifldman/ss3

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

The reg & inspection sticker are from 1985. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

Dude, AOL is screwing ya up...you'll hafta use the "url" button instead of the "image" button...

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

I can see them !

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

Cool pics....that hood is sure odd...as well as the spoiler the way it's molded to the quarters....keep digging...looks interesting whatever it is...

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

Looks like RS tail lts, but no Reverse lts in the lower valance....
It is odd that the spoiler is cut, and the ends moulded to the quarters, but the spoiler doesn't look like an original 68 piece either...looks a bit tall to me. Could be wrong...it happened once before. hehe

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

I did the tail lights 20 years ago. Just put in 2 red ones where the white should be. I bought the RS rev lights for the valance. It looks better with all 4 red. But motor went before I could install the rev lights. The tail lights were one red & one white. The car was painted gold at one time over the maroon. Then primed sometime after. Bet it looked better gold then maroon. Plus the inter is black now. Was gold. The stickers are vintage ones & all items that Motion would have installed if the car went to there shop. They have been on the car for over 25 years that I know of. If cars could talk ! I bet this one has a couple of good stories. I will keep digging. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

Are there holes in the hood for the scoop to be bolted to the hood. If so, possible the 68 motion supercar club car sponsored by cars magazine. Look for anything that was a motion part, or evidence of parts being there. Roger

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

The spolier was bolted to the hood. I still have it. If you look at the picture of the hood. You can see the spoiler in the backround. Maybe there is something on the spoiler. Like a name or a part #. I really do not know what to look for that might be a Motion part. Or where I should look. There are some gauges that are not factory. I really have not looked at the car for over 20 years. I just uncovered it for some pictures. The hood on top of the car is a factory 68 SS B/B hood. I got at a swap meet 15 years ago. I will have to get air in the tires & roll it out of the garage to look at it more. It is a bit cold now. I plan to drop the tank after the holidays. Wife wont let me near it. To much to do before Christmas. I can only hope I find the B/S. Thanks to everyone for all the help. Happy Holidays. Chris

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

[ QUOTE ]
I really have not looked at the car for over 20 years.
I just uncovered it for some pictures.

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="blue">You must have been ready to do an oil change,
the last time you looked at the car,
by the look of those Valvoline Oil cans https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif </font>

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

That's an odd L88 scoop that goes on the hood. Most L88 style hood scoops were just the scoop area and not that much surrounding flat surface from what I've seen.

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

Chris, when you get some time. I would like to see better pics of the car and hood scoop if you get it outside. Happy holidays........... Roger

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

Hi Roger, Do you have any pictures of the car you think it maybe ? Any books or mags. Thanks Chris

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

I do have pics, will have to find them. I will see if i can scan them. There are differences in your car. But you would need to talk to previous owners and ask about the hood scoop and rear spoiler. There are things wrong with both items, anyone could have changed things if it is the car. Roger

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

Here are some pics of the hood SCOOP. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/confused.gif
I also double checked the suffix on the block. There is another # CE971755. The 9 is very hard to see.

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

Pics: [image]http://members.aol.com/manifldman/SSscoop[/image] [image]http://members.aol.com/manifldman/SSscoop1[/image] [image]http://members.aol.com/manifldman/SSscoop3[/image] [image]http://members.aol.com/manifldman/SSsuffix[/image]

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

...try this..
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif
http://members.aol.com/manifldman/SSscoop
http://members.aol.com/manifldman/SSscoop1
http://members.aol.com/manifldman/SSscoop3
http://members.aol.com/manifldman/SSsuffix

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

Thanks John !

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

What is this ????? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/confused.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/confused.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/confused.gif

Just a bunch of code??? = ÿá5mExifÿá5mExifÿá5mExifÿá
5mExifÿá5mExifÿá5mExifÿá5mExifÿá5mExifÿá5mExifÿá5m Ex
ifÿá5mExifÿá5mExifÿá5mExif

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

Larry,

I would guess that you're using a Fuji Fine Pix Camera. That code looks like it's from the "Exif Launcher" that starts when you download pictures form your camera into the computer... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Bruce

Re: 68 SS 396 CAMARO MAYBE A MOTION CAR
 

That is what I see when I click on his AOL links above my post.

Pantera