How to ID 1968 SS or Z28 camaro??

[Big Squeeze]

I'm sure this has been asked a million times, but I've done a search and haven't found anything......

I've got a customer that just bought a '68 Camaro from one of her good friends that's had the car since at least the mid 80's....It's been repainted once.....engine has been rebuilt at least once......has an SS hood.....11/16 front sway bar........3.08ish open diff 12 bolt.......multi-leaf leaf springs......console with gauges.....in dash factory tach......4-speed......."350" emblems right at the front of the fenders......."SS" right below the "Camaro" script on the fenders right in front of the doors........so, I'm trying to figure out what this car started life as......Where do I start?? Does the VIN number tell anything? Tag on the firewall tell anything?? any way to do a background paper trail check??

Thanks,

[travlnz28]

All of the equipment you describe the car as having are easy to add. The vin # will only tell you if it was a six cylinder or a V8 when it left the factory. The trim tag on a 68 is also of little value as it only gives color and trim information. The best way to verify the car is check the engine pad to see if the original stamp is still there. If it is a MS code engine than it is probably original to the car and would verify it's a SS350. Check the transmission on the passenger side for a vin # that matches the car. The 308 12 bolt rear would have been a normal rear to find in a SS350 so you should check the code and build date on the right side axle tube. The speedometer cable on a Muncie trans (which all SS 4 speed cars came with)should exit the firewall on the right side of the steering column unlike a Saginaw trans which would have gone to left of the column. Check the tire decal on the glove box door. If it is still there is should have F70 X 14 size tires.

[Kurt S]

This lists the differences: http://www.camaros.org/diffs68.shtml
But Gregg got the main items to check.

[Big Squeeze]

Thanks guys.........It does have the tire decal still on the glove box door.......I forgot to mention that it's also got power disc brakes......the car appears to be all original and untouched except for the paint and engine rebuild.....

It does have the speedo cable coming out of the right side of the column and goes into the trans on the passenger side....

Where is the engine pad??

I glanced at the transmission but didn't see a number......Is it stamped into the case somewhere?? It was pretty greasy so I probably missed it.....

Here's a pic of the tire pressure decal from my phone.....

[69SSZL1]

But, there was a recent discovery of a documneted 68 SS with a 15" wheel option. Same sticker as the Z/28!

[Big Squeeze]

I just found the numbers on the transmission and they do match the VIN and it is a Muncie for sure...

[travlnz28]

The engine pad is located on the right side of the front of the motor. Where the head lies on the block there will be a pad that sticks out about an inch. There should be some numbers stamped that include the last numbers of you vin # and the assembly date and code of the engine.

By the information provided thus far I have little doubt the car is an original SS 350.

[Kurt S]

That's a repro tire pressure sticker.
What's the numbers stamped on the trans?
Here's all the # locations:
http://www.camaros.org/drivetrain.shtml

[Big Squeeze]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kurt S</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That's a repro tire pressure sticker.
What's the numbers stamped on the trans?
Here's all the # locations:
http://www.camaros.org/drivetrain.shtml </div></div>
Wow, how can you tell?? That sticker has been there since at least the mid eighties....I assume repop stickers were available back then??
I'm in Chicago until Saturday and will post pics when I get back...

[Kurt S]

The fonts are different than the originals and the paper looks different too.