540 CI Racing Inspired Engine/Beautiful Paint/Fully Caged/5 Point Buckets

1968 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe

Here he comes Here comes Speed Racer, He's a demon on wheels…He's a demon and he's gonna be chasin' after someone. He's gainin' on you so you better look alive. He's busy revvin' up a powerful Camaro SS! And when the odds are against him, and there's dangerous work to do, You bet your life Speed Racer…Will see it through. Go Speed Racer…Go Speed Racer…Go Speed Racer, Go!

For consignment a Camaro-come-racer retaining its beautiful original 1968 design, a large rear facing scooped hood added, along with a rear spoiler would be 2 visual clues that this car is not your average Chevy Camaro grocery getter, or soccer mom kinda car. Bigger tires and snappy wheels might also give it away, and if you open a door, or the peek under the hood, you'll be convinced it's a racer!

Exterior
A stock Camaro with hidden headlights, small chromed bumpers parking lights and chromed trimmings presents with straight steel panels and well minded gaps. On the front a rear facing substantial hood scoop is now on this car. On the rear, although an option in 1968, a rare one, so it does have the rear spoiler. Stock Camaro taillights setup is seen as is the centrally located SS badged gas filler cap in the center of the rear which is now the battery kill switch. Up front below the bumper is a black spoiler and as noted 15-inch Cragar polished wheels are all around.

Interior
Stripped of its original interior, it now has a full roll cage which protects high backed red velour inserted black bolstered racing seats in bucket form. Rear seating has been removed and is now buttoned up with riveted aluminum with an X pattern folded neatly through each rear panel. The racing seats have a 5-point harness buckle up system. These buckets flank a center console which has been simplified to a Cheetah SCS shifter, sits on the hump, and is bordered by nice black carpet. Door panels remain close to original with their black vinyl panels, door pulls and cranks, with Camaro badging. Looking towards the dash, it is missing the dash pad but still presents well. The 2 deep dish round gauges are there but replaced by more updated Auto-Meter Procomp gauges in the form of a speedo and tach. Ignition and other knobs still exist in the angled dash which is in front of a lightweight spoked leather covered steering wheel. In the center the original panel has long since been replaced with a shiny metal panel which houses the essential gauges, a large oil pressure warning light, and numerous toggles. A lower control box hangs below this panel and controls the NOS flow and distribution levels. Looking under the trunk lid we note a racing fuel cell, and the metal enclosed battery box.

Drivetrain
Shoehorned into the clean engine bay is a massive 540ci V8 with an Andy Jensen forged steel crank, JE forged connecting rods, and a custom Lunati roller cam. Heads are of the Brodix Aluminum fare, ported variety, and these have been polished too. Atop this gleamer and steamer is a Holley 1050 cfm single big 4-barrel carburetor. A 3-speed TH400 automatic transmission is on back and includes a 4200 stall converter and shift kit. On the rear is a Dana 60 with Moser axles and a 3.73 carrier. Braided stainless steel lines snake throughout this engine, and a custom radiator is fashioned in aluminum is up front.

Undercarriage
All rust free, with many add ons for performance like a high capacity fuel pump and filter system, independent coil racing springs upfront, and leaf spring with Slapper bars on the rear. Wilwood disc brakes with a line lock kit are all around, and an Edelbrock exhaust system has been installed.

Drive-Ability
Our in-house version of Speed Racer took to the wheel of this racer, and reported it smoked our test track. Handling was OK, but acceleration and straight-line power was unrelenting. Braking was awesome, and consigner states that this car averages in the 10.40 range @ 140 MPH for the 1/4 mile. Needless to say, there was a smile on his face upon exiting this car, and I could still hear the echo of the engine sound reverberating off the local hills after he came to a halt in the intake area.

With new red paint, nice chrome and straight panels which are rust free, this is a well buttoned up Camaro. Add in all with the racing mixings, and you now have your hands full with lots of power, and a racing interior. A looker and a definite cooker, 10.40's ain't shabby. Overall excellent condition and very clean red cased bullet.

VIN DECODE
124378L311977
1-Chevrolet
24-Camaro V8
37-2 Door Sport Coupe
8-1968
L-Van Nuys, CA Assy Plant
311977-Sequentail Unit Number

TRIM TAG
11B-2nd Week February Build
ST 68 12437-1968 Camaro Sport Coupe
BDY LOS11730-Van Nuys Build #
TR 712-Black Standard Buckets
PNT NN-Cordovan Maroon