Bill Thomas '68 Camaro...wow

[scuncio]

This must be Troy Criscillis' old car. Always thought it had the best stance of any first-gen I'd seen, and I still believe it. Kinda bummed out seeing Smoky Mountain Traders got a hold of it...maybe it's a consignment, who knows.

Does anyone here remember the story on how Troy documented the Bill Thomas connection?

Link to 1968 Bill Thomas Camaro auction (https://ebay.to/2Sm4By5)

https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/smt/1/737/18422/790x1024/1968-chevrolet-camaro-ss-396

https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/smt/1/737/18444/790x1024/1968-chevrolet-camaro-ss-396

https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/smt/1/737/18425/790x1024/1968-chevrolet-camaro-ss-396

https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/smt/1/737/18405/790x1024/1968-chevrolet-camaro-ss-396

https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/smt/1/737/18401/790x1024/1968-chevrolet-camaro-ss-396

https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/smt/1/737/18470/790x1024/1968-chevrolet-camaro-ss-396

124378L309491

[L78M22Rag]

I’ll second that comment about this car’s stance. Second to none!!

Tony used to have a set of slots on this car that looked just as good. Makes me sad to see a dealer flogging this car week after week.

[rlw68]

Interesting that it has a bench seat?

[wayoutz]

bad ass looking

[William]

Been there for some time.

[chevyandpontiac]

The price doesn't seem unreasonable for a nicely restored camaro that was build by Bill Thomas? actually seems kind of cheap. Are there skeletons in its past?

[BillD]

I think this is the best looking 68 Camaro of all time. It looks like it bid to $100,000 at Mecum KISSIMMEE 2018 LOT F236

[Stefano]

"Does anyone here remember the story on how Troy documented the Bill Thomas connection?"

Very Kool Camaro, no doubt. It does have the look!

There is/was a certification from Bill Thomas III, son of BT Sr, who is purported to have performed work on the car. The connection may or may not be factual, but I have seen nothing concrete which proves the case.

At best, you need to take it for what is represented: A Camaro which a customer drove into Bill Thomas Race Cars in Anaheim California and had him perform some bolt on hop up work.

Just an observation but there is also nothing to verify that this Camaro looked anything like it does today, back in the day.

[Kurt S]

Troy talked with Bill and I believe Bill verified the mods that were done. Kinda memorable car...
I'd hope those docs are with the car - else get a hold of Troy.

[RSSSfan]

Love the Seafrost Green on this car. Very subtle color, but very sharp. I also love the fact that it doesn't have a rear spoiler.

[Rallyegreen68SS]

Old thread, but I'm ordering tires and wheels for my 68 Camaro, and this is undoubtedly my favorite first gen stance and tire/wheel combo period. Am planning on new Torq thrust D and Pro Tracs. Can anyone tell me exactly the tire and wheel sizes, including backspacing? Thanks.

[NorCam]

I have brand new 8.5" Torque Thrust D's with those same M/T tires on the rears. The ones I have are an NOS set of H50/15 Mickey Thompson Indy's with the exact same tread pattern. I also have a set of skinny fronts to match up with them as well. All mounted up and ready for the right 67 or 68 car. All I need now is the right 68. (lol)

https://i.ibb.co/HGKxF3D/IMG-3978.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/jTRwwns/IMG-3981.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/n6wS7tG/IMG-9561.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/BGXBHjq/IMG-9562.jpg

[napa68]

All I need now is the right 68. (lol)


Well duh!!

[prototype]

Pie crust tires like those fronts just scream the era

[NorCam]

Well duh!!

Yeah...the Harry Man car.

Like how did I not see you waiting to pop out of the corner there on that comment Tim. :no:

[Billohio]

I am still kicking myself for not buying the Harry Mann 68 when it was in Ohio and hour from me

[NorCam]

I am still kicking myself for not buying the Harry Mann 68 when it was in Ohio and hour from me

I'm half expecting it to show up at Tim's place again. Right Tim? :headbang:

[Rallyegreen68SS]

NorCam, that's the idea, I just plan a on a little wider fronts. What backspacing is on your rears? And what's the tread width on your H50's? On the Bill Thomas car, ad says 15x8 rears, 14x7 fronts. There's only 1 offset avail on the 14x6 fronts through Torq Thrust, (14x7 not listed as available), but a number of rear offsets for the 15x8's and 15x8.5's. Are those L60-15's on the Bill Thomas car? (I'm thinking N-50's would stick out farther, but I'm not sure.

[NorCam]

Looks like L60's on the Bill Thomas car. They are 28 x 9.50 which is two inches taller than mine but a half inch narrower. The H50's are low profile and measure 26 x 10. They fit the wheels nicely which are 8.5" TT with 3.75 backspace. A little less height which still looks great on a 68 with the right suspension set.

[Chuck_Burg]

I have L60s on my 67... They fit nicely on an 8" wide rim

[Pusher_Man]

L60s with 8s look killer on 67-8s. 69s too but you usually have to raise it a little with 8s…not so with the other 1st gens.

Someone please post Grady’s red L88 1st gen!

[scuncio]

Relisted in the link below, with a $115k buy-it-now price:

Link to 1968 Bill Thomas Camaro auction (https://www.ebay.com/itm/144741658275?hash=item21b3466ea3:g:dBUAAOSwYy1iOcs N&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoH%2Bo5RIHhjomuiqQwFU16mrbkCZ gIbyzQuxs0vcx4lPn7UCe0M87JDoWnims%2FMIplNdZ6wo2e1z MCtCJx9aUVp1iidSZRaxDIOaznIVPyr3vdTHsnafWWnmJEHrEP Dmm1pt1v5ADOEiCiAFqvLQheNyRHrBdPB6C4BvofsJs02kC8dC LLWWsndE8327r1mSJG79Edx6FV2FlKouUubtfGkk%3D%7Ctkp% 3ABk9SR-rI9IzzYA&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5337538513&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1)

[southernfriedcj]

How does SMT's afford to sit on inventory for 2 years?

[COPO]

How does SMT's afford to sit on inventory for 2 years?

Likely consignment, so other than floor space, not much cost to dealer.

[L78M22Rag]

From the subject listing description…
“Smoky Mountain Traders is a classic car dealer in east Tennessee. We are family owned, operated, and own our entire inventory, no consignments, and only deal in muscle cars and vintage auto. You can count on us to have 70 to 80 cars at all times. We don't have a big show room that our customers would otherwise pay for. So, that's how we can sell for less than other dealers.”

[Lynn]

I would be very wary of anything from that dealer.

[302moz]

This has been for sale along time . Maybe no paperwork to back it up ?

[Lynn]

https://www.camaros.net/threads/warning-about-smoky-mountain-traders.280538/

check out post #15.

They very rarely sell a car on ebay. Most of the "sold" cars end up relisted. Making a deal off of ebay means the buyer has little or no recourse.

99% of the 3k plus positive feedbacks are from calendar sales.

Years ago, I called to get some info on a car I was interested in. They supposedly owned it, but could not tell me who they bought it from; also could not tell me who did the engine work or who painted it. The paint was obviously very fresh. IIRC, they even represented it as having a recent paint job.

That was my last communication with them.

[L78M22Rag]

I usually steer clear of dealers but, given that this was Troy’s car, I wouldn’t have those same concerns on account of the dealer selling it.