Chevrolet Camaro

RS/SS 396 ORIGINAL GM FRANCE

Authentic and Extremely Rare 1968 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS 396 – Originally Sold New in France by "GM france". Originaly “Island Teal” blue with black interior.
The odometer shows 56,620 km. It's probably 156.620km, though.
Just past inspection with a green card here in Belgium.
It’s easy for sellers to claim their Camaro is a true “SS” — but the chassis number alone doesn’t confirm it. Don’t be fooled!
The site Camaros.org (click on “1968 model ID”) helped me when I bought it and will help you verify authenticity.
This Camaro doesn’t lie. It still carries its original GM France identification plate, which, unlike the U.S. fender tag, specifically details the engine — in this case, a “396.” And in 1968, a 396 engine automatically meant SS (check the site!).
Built in March/April 1968 at the Norfolk plant, it was first registered in France in August 1968.

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Complete Original Pedigree — The Original Buyer Went All In:Because it was delivered by GM France, the car includes:

• Speedometer in km/h

• Headlights made in Belgium

• Seatbelts made in France

• U.S. cowl tag specific to export cars

• And more...

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“SS 396” Package (L35 code) includes:

• Big Block 396cui (6.5L) with Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor – 325 hp

• Signature SS hood (with its own specific hinges)

• Tachometer with redline starting at 5,500 rpm, again specific to L35 cars.

• 23-inch, 3-row radiator

• Big block–specific heater box (only for SS cars)

• Cruise control! (currently non-functional)

• 12-bolt rear axle, 3.08 ratio with Posi-traction! Watch out because she drifts easy !!!!

• Multi-leaf rear springs

• Front disc brakes with 4-piston Corvette calipers, and brake pedal has the disc logo! (In 1969 they went back to single-piston calipers)

• Dual exhaust

• 3-speed automatic transmission (TH400, M40 code)

• Originally had the famous “D90” stripe (nose to door fade), specific to '68 SS — unfortunately removed by a prior owner

• Rear panel was originally satin black (only for SS396 — if you see it on an SS350, it’s not original!)

• Badging

• …And much more

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Complete RS Package includes:

• RS-specific grille with working hideaway headlights and turn signals in the lower valance

• Satin black rocker panels with rocker trim (missing now, but original mounting holes remain!)

• RS-specific taillights (all red, with reverse lights relocated to the lower valance)

• (No RS badging — SS package overrides RS badges)

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Additional Factory Options:

• Power steering

• Power brakes

• Z87 Deluxe/Custom interior package:

Molded plastic door panels

• “Woodgrain” steering wheel

• Woodgrain dashboard and console trim

• Unique moldings

• Extremely rare “Tic Toc Tach” U17 tachometer with integrated clock — functionnal.

• Fold-down rear seat (A67 code) — an exceedingly rare option!

• Power windows — also very rare!

• Center console (D55 code) with iconic floor shifter

• Gauge package (console gauges and unique dash wiring harness)

• Factory radio

• Interestingly, the buyer opted not to choose Rally wheels and kept the original base hubcaps (confirmed by wheel decoding)

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Current Condition:Given the rarity of this car and its comparatively low asking price (try finding another authentic RS/SS396 — if you do, expect €65,000–€90,000. One is currently listed in Paris for €82,000), understand that it is not perfect.
The good:

• Matching numbers for rear axle and transmission

• Largely stock overall, aside from a repaint and loss of some exterior accents

• Non-matching engine BUT — and this is important — it’s a 1970 CE-code 396, which means it was a warranty replacement by GM France. This is supported by a chassis number re-stamped by the mechanic at the time on the right-hand side of the block — a common practice for warranty work back then. CE stands for "Chevrolet Engine" and is only found on warranty engines.

• The engine runs beautifully, no oil consumption or smoke

• Cylinder heads have been replaced with closed-chamber Corvette 1966–67 heads, increasing compression and giving the engine more punch

• With this engine and gear ratio (+ posi), it pulls hard, but highway cruising is no problem — I just did 800 km with it!

• Exhaust is nearly new, factory-style (dual 2¼”, exits before rear wheels)

• All floors and subframe are solid and rust-free!

• Very little rust overall

• Interior is original; console gauges mostly non-functional (except the fuel gauge), seats show minor cracking, headliner has a 10 cm tear, weatherstripping should be replaced — however, carpet is new and several new parts are included

• Exterior paint needs work — poorly done roughly 15 years ago, with bubbling at bottom of doors

• Console gauges (except fuel) not working

• Some cosmetic wear inside, but functional essentials are fine

• Speedometer, tachometer, turn signal indicators all work

• All exterior lights and electrics work perfectly

• Transmission rebuilt 4 years ago

• Rear differential just replaced (Yukon posi)

• Carburetor recently rebuilt with new gaskets

• Distributor upgraded to Pertronix electronic ignition (no more breaker points)

I live in Liege/Luik - Belgium. I speak french and english.
Of course, all papers for the car are OK. Registered in Belgium.
Just past inspection with a green card.

Long description, but this car deserves it.