1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
Some history & technical specifications

www.camarosource.ca

In late 1968, John Z. DeLorean became general manager of Chevrolet Motor Division, taking over from Elliott M. "Pete" Estes.

It was a good year for the redesigned Camaro as production of 235,147 Camaro's was realized in the model year. (Note: Industry trade journals also printed the figure 235,151, but 235,147 seems to be more accurate; also note that other figures, such as production by factory and production by type of engine, do not add up to either of these figures). The total represented 2.8% of total U.S. industry production and compared to 220,906 cars and 2.9% of industry in 1967. According to automotive trade journals of the day, the total included 50,937 6-cylinder (I-6) cars and 184,178 V8 engine-powered Camaro's, although this adds up to only 235,115 cars. Industry trade journals reported that 184,735 Camaro's were built at the Norwood, Ohio, plant and 49,064 Camaro's were made at a factory in Van Nuys (Los Angeles), California. In addition, the trade journals showed 1,248 Camaro's "produced" at an assembly plant in Bloomfield, New Jersey. According to Camaro Brand Manager Scott Settlemire's sources, these 1,248 cars were actually units produced at the Norwood factory and shipped to a site near Bloomfield (possibly Little Ferry), where they were "knocked down" for shipment overseas. This means that the total number of cars built in Norwood, Ohio, was actually 185,983.

The 1968 Camaro Z28 was road tested by 3 major magazines with varying results. "Road & Track" magazine (June 1968) recorded a 3.4-second 0 to 30-mph time, a 6.9-second 0 to 60-mph time, a 15-second 0 to 100-mph time and a 14.90-second quarter mile at 100 mph. "Car Life" magazine (July 1968) recorded a 3.5-second 0 to 30-mph time, a 7.4-second 0 to 60-mph time, a 14.2-second 0 to 100-mph time and a 14.85-second quarter mile at 101.40 mph. "Car and Driver" magazine (June 1968) recorded a 2.2-second 0 to 30-mph time, a 5.3-second 0 to 60-mph time, a 12.3-second 0 to 100-mph time and a 13.77-second quarter mile at 107.39 mph. The "Car and Driver" car was specially prepped by the factory, but beat out a Mustang with similar modifications. A single 1968 Camaro Z28 convertible was specially built for Chevrolet general manager Elliott "Pete" Estes.

Of the Camaro's built in the model-year, 56.4% had automatic transmission, 20.2% had a 4-speed manual transmission, 21.7% were equipped with an I-6 (Inline 6-cylinder) engine, and 78.3% were equipped with a V8 engine.

82% had an AM radio, 3.1% had an AM/FM radio, 1.8% had a factory tape deck, 15.3% had air conditioning, 2.3% had a tilt steering wheel, 49.0% had power steering, 10.2% had power drum brakes, 8.6% had disc brakes, 1.4% had power side windows, 97.9% had front bucket seats, 32.8% had a vinyl roof, 85.3% had white sidewall tires, 25.8% had a tinted windshield (only), 27.8% had all tinted glass, 21.7% had dual exhausts, 15.6% had a limited-slip differential, 62.9% had wheel covers and 0.1% had cruise control.

Camaro sales for calendar-year 1968 came to a new high of 213,980 units (2.50% of the industry) compared to 205,816 (2.7% of the industry) in 1967.

A total of 209,822 new Camaro's were registered in the 1968 calendar year compared to 204,862 in the 1967 calendar year and 41,100 in the 1966 calendar year.

1968 Camaro Model Year Facts

VIN Plate was moved from the forward door pillar and now it was mounted from this year on, to the top of the instrument panel where it would be viewable through the windshield.

Side vent windows from the 1967 Camaro were eliminated and changed to a one-piece window in the 1968 Camaro model year.

1968 was the first Camaro model year to display external Z/28 badges. (on Z/28 models).

1968 was the first year side marker lights were added to the front fenders.

The grill on the 1968 model year now emphasized a horizontal motif using argent accenting.

Non RS models sported rectangular turn signals instead of the round lenses as in 1967.

Multi-leaf rear springs replaced the single-leaf units on V8 equipped models except for those powered by 21 Ohp and 275hp versions of the 327ci engine. Rear shock absorbers were now staggered; one shock was mounted ahead of the rear axle and one behind it.

Interior colors were dropped from 8 colors to 6 color choices and could be in standard or custom trim.

Taillights were changed to two-piece red lenses, with the backup lights mounted under the rear bumper in the 1968 Camaro model year.

Headlight covers on 1968 RS models were now vacuum operated rather than electronically as in the 1967 model year.

1968 was the first Camaro model year to make cloth upholstery available. This included a first time (now-famous) "houndstooth" cloth pattern in a black and white checker pattern.

The Torque Drive transmission was now available in 1968 Camaro's.

Joined to the "bumblebee" nose stripes found of the 1967 Camaro model year, there was now two other stripe themes joined to it for 1968. One wrapped across the top of the nose, down the leading edge of the front fender to a point about four inches above the bumper, then horizontally back to almost the end of the door. The other nose stripe was multicolored and came as part of a special Customized Camaro sales promotion. The sales promotion required selection of Rallye Green, Brite Green, Corvette Bronze, or LeMans Blue exterior.

A passenger-side assist handle, mounted above the glovebox, was included with the Custom Interior or Special Interior options in 1968.

Camaro Super Sport (SS) models had unique hoods in 1968, and the hoods were different for SS 396 and SS 350 models. The SS 350 hood was the same as all 1967 SS models, featuring two thin-ribbed, decorative inserts. The hood for 1968 SS 396 models had two inserts which each had four simulated carburetion stacks.

To replace that airflow, below-dash air vents (Astro-Ventilation) were added to the interior.

Engine size emblems were moved to the front of the fenders.

The tail lights and the non-Rally Sport grille were restyled.

The door mirrors (right side optional) were changed from circular to rectangular in shape.

Additional padding was added to the dash, A-pillars, and the armrests.

Much of the bright interior trim was toned down to a brushed finish to reduce driver glare.

The console, when present, was a new totally restyled model.

The standard, short, rear-bumper guards that were used in both '67 and '69 were not used in 1968.

They were canceled immediately prior to start of 1968 production. (And though they can be installed on the bumper of a '68, they are not correct.)

A woodgrain (simulated walnut) dash center panel molding was new for Z23 special interior, Z87 custom interior, and D55 console.

The convertible sunshade holder changed from neutral to the interior color.

1968 VIN tag was SMALLER than 1967's. Tag was now painted BLACK to minimize glare when viewing from outside the vehicle.

The words "CHEVROLET" was no longer featured in the VIN TAG as it was coded into the VIN itself.

Rally Wheel center cap now was updated with a "turbine" style appearance.

References:
www.camarosource.ca
www.carnut.com

LINKS:
View list of all Chevrolet diecast

Toy Wonders link to 1/24 scale vehicles

Toy Wonders link to 1/18 scale vehicles

Toy Wonders diecast directory