1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS396

This 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS396 represents a rare, highly authentic example of a big-block first-generation Camaro retaining its original Borg-Warner 3-speed manual transmission—a configuration that was commonly ordered for real-world drivability but is seldom seen today. Finished in Butternut Yellow with a black vinyl top, this car presents as a clean, correct, and honest example of how many SS396 Camaros were actually delivered in 1968—prior to decades of modification, drivetrain swaps, and “improvements” that have altered the majority of surviving cars.

Key Specifications

• Year: 1968
• Make/Model: Chevrolet Camaro SS
• VIN: 124378L329722
• Assembly Plant: Van Nuys, California (LOS)
• Body Style: Sport Coupe (2-door hardtop)

Drivetrain

• Engine: Factory L35 396 CID / 325 HP V8
• Transmission: Original M13 Borg-Warner T-16 3-speed manual
• Rear Axle: Original 12-bolt Positraction, 3.07:1 ratio (BL-coded)
• Configuration: Numbers-matching engine, transmission, and rear end

Why This Car Is Different
While many SS396 Camaros have been converted to 4-speeds or modified over time, this car retains (and has had reinstalled) its original 3-speed drivetrain configuration, making it a standout among surviving examples. 

This configuration offers:

• Authenticity: Reflects how many big-block Camaros were actually ordered
• Rarity: Very few numbers-matching 3-speed SS396 cars remain intact today
• Driving Character: Smooth, torque-driven performance with long, usable gearing

Rather than a high-strung, heavily modified muscle car, this example delivers a balanced, real-world driving experience consistent with its original design intent.

Condition & Presentation

• Clean, straight body with correct period appearance
• Factory-style interior with intact dash and original layout

This car has clearly avoided the common cycles of modification that affected many of its contemporaries, preserving its integrity as a true SS396 example.

Historical Context
Of approximately 17,900 SS396 Camaros produced in 1968, only a small percentage were equipped with the base M13 3-speed transmission. Over time, most were converted to 4-speed manuals or automatics. 

• Numbers matching
• Properly configured
• Structurally unaltered

are increasingly difficult to find.

Summary
This 1968 Camaro SS396 is not simply another restored muscle car, it is an authentic, correctly configured survivor-style example that reflects how these cars were originally built and driven. 

For the enthusiast who values:

• originality
• mechanical honesty
• and period-correct driving experience

this Camaro offers a compelling and increasingly uncommon opportunity.