Why This Car Is Special

The 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS is widely considered the sweet spot of the first-generation run. Chevrolet had worked out the early kinks from the 1967 debut year, and the 1968 model came to market with a more refined front end, side marker lights now required by federal law, and a more cohesive overall package. The SS option, RPO Z27, transformed the base Camaro into something genuinely different — it brought a distinctive blacked-out grille with SS badging, a specific hood with simulated air intakes, a firmer suspension tune, and wider wheels as standard equipment.

This particular car is a Norwood, Ohio-built example, which is confirmed by the fourth character of the VIN — the letter "N." Chevrolet operated two assembly plants for the Camaro during this era: Van Nuys, California and Norwood, Ohio. Norwood-built Camaros are well documented in collector circles, and the plant had a reputation for clean, tight assembly. Knowing where a car was built adds a layer of provenance that many buyers care about, and the VIN on this car tells that story without any guesswork.

What makes this 1968 Camaro SS 327 particularly attractive is the color combination. Matador Red over a full red vinyl interior — often referred to as "Red on Red" — is one of the most visually striking configurations available in 1968. The exterior Matador Red is a deep, warm red that photographs brilliantly and stands up well in Florida sunlight. Pair that with the white nose rally stripe, the black vinyl top, and the SS Rally wheels wearing redline tires, and this car has a presence that a single-tone machine simply cannot match. It is a carefully layered look that works.

Features List

• 327 Turbo-Fire V8
• Powerglide 2-speed automatic transmission
• Speedmaster performance intake
• MSD ignition
• Optima battery
• Power steering
• Power brakes with front disc / rear drum setup
• Dual exhaust
• SS Rally wheels
• Redline tires
• Front disc brakes
• SS badging on grille, fenders, and rear deck
• White nose rally stripe
• Black vinyl roof
• Front and rear spoilers
• Bucket seats
• Center console with floor shifter
• Woodgrain dash trim
• SS 3-spoke steering wheel
• Red carpet
• Custom stereo
• Norwood, Ohio assembly plant build

Mechanical

Under the hood sits the 327 cubic inch Turbo-Fire V8, one of the most proven small-block Chevrolet engines ever produced. The 327 had already established its reputation in the Corvette before it found its way into the Camaro lineup, and it brought that same combination of free-revving character and solid displacement to the pony car. The SS package for 1968 offered the 327 in two states of tune — this car is equipped with the Turbo-Fire specification.

The engine has been upgraded with a Speedmaster performance intake manifold, which improves airflow over the stock unit and is a well-regarded bolt-on in the small-block community. MSD ignition has been added as well, providing a more consistent spark delivery across the rpm range — a meaningful improvement over the original points-style distributor. These are the kinds of changes that make a car more enjoyable to drive daily or on weekend runs without fundamentally changing what it is. The Optima battery is a modern, maintenance-free unit that fits neatly into the factory battery tray.

The transmission is the Powerglide 2-speed automatic, operated through the factory console-mounted floor shifter. The Powerglide gets a lot of grief from manual purists, but it is a genuinely durable unit with a strong following among street drivers who want smooth, reliable operation without the complexity of a 3-speed or 4-speed manual. Combined with the floor-shifted console, it gives the cockpit a purposeful, driver-focused feel.

Braking is handled by a front disc, rear drum setup with power assist — an important distinction from the all-drum cars of the era. Front discs provide meaningfully better stopping power and fade resistance, and their presence here, combined with power brakes, makes this a car that can be driven confidently in modern traffic. Power steering rounds out the drivability package. The undercarriage photos show a clean floor pan and tight exhaust routing — this is not a car that has been neglected underneath.

Dual exhaust exits at the rear and the underside shots confirm a clean, well-routed system. The suspension geometry appears straight and undamaged, consistent with a car that has been maintained rather than abused.

Interior

The interior of this 1968 Camaro SS 327 is a full red environment — red vinyl bucket seats front and rear, red carpet, red door panels, and a red headliner. The vinyl is in good overall condition with natural patina consistent with a well-kept original or correctly refreshed interior. The seams appear intact and the door panels show no major damage. This is not a car that needs an interior restoration — it can be enjoyed as it sits.

The dash layout is the standard 1968 Camaro configuration with the distinctive circular instrument cluster housed in a deep pod. Woodgrain dash trim adds a touch of contrast against the all-red surroundings and was a popular factory option in this era. The SS 3-spoke steering wheel is correct to the car and in good shape, with the Camaro SS emblem centered in the hub.

The center console is the factory unit, housing the Powerglide shifter gate and providing a clean separation between the two bucket seats. A custom stereo has been fitted in the dash — it is visible in the photos and appears to be a modern head unit installed with minimal disruption to the surrounding trim. The woodgrain console trim complements the dash treatment and ties the cockpit together visually.

Headroom and forward visibility in these first-generation Camaros is better than many buyers expect. The roofline is not as chopped as it appears from the outside, and the rear seat is usable for two adults on shorter trips. The black vinyl roof adds a formal quality to the roofline from the outside and keeps the headliner tight on the interior — a good sign structurally.

Exterior

The 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS 327 wears Matador Red paint that presents well in person and in photos. The white nose rally stripe is a period-correct graphic treatment that runs across the front fascia and was available as a dealer-applied or factory option on SS Camaros of this era. It provides a strong contrast element at the front of the car without overwhelming the overall color scheme.

The black vinyl roof gives the car a classic GT coupe appearance that was fashionable throughout the late 1960s and remains a desirable option on first-generation Camaros today. It is in clean condition without lifting at the edges or cracking along the seams. The combination of red body, white stripe, and black roof is a well-balanced three-color presentation.

Front and rear spoilers have been added and are visible in the photos. These were a popular dealer and aftermarket accessory during the period and suit the character of an SS car well. They add visual mass to the lower body and give the car a lower, more planted appearance without looking out of place on a 1968 platform.

The SS Rally wheels are the correct five-spoke design associated with the SS package and wear redline tires — a period-correct tire style that complements the overall look. The wheel and tire package fits properly within the fenders without rubbing and appears correctly sized for the application.

SS badging is present at all three correct locations: the front grille, both front fenders, and the rear panel. The rear panel also carries the Camaro script emblem in chrome. The underside shows a solid floor pan, clean frame rails, and a dual exhaust system that exits cleanly beneath the rear valance. There is no visible rust or structural compromise in the lift photos — the undercarriage is consistent with a Florida or dry-climate car that has been properly stored over the years.

Conclusion

The 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS 327 has been one of the most consistently sought-after first-generation Camaros since the collector market took hold in the 1980s. The SS package, the 327 small-block, the red on red color combination, and the Norwood provenance all contribute to a car that is desirable on multiple levels at once. This example has the right options, the right colors, and the right mechanical upgrades to be driven and enjoyed without additional investment. It is set up for a buyer who wants a first-generation Camaro SS that looks correct, runs well, and does not require a restoration budget to enjoy.

If you have questions about this 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS 327 or would like to arrange a personal inspection, call Skyway Classics in Sarasota, Florida at 941-254-6608. Our team is here to answer your questions directly and honestly.

Disclaimer

Information found on the website is presented as given to us by the owner of the car, whether on consignment or from the owner we bought it from. Some Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Skyway Classics does not warranty or guarantee this information. Skyway Classics is not responsible for information that may incorrect or a publishing error. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the vehicle or by a professional inspection service prior to offer or purchase being made.