Hi guys. Usually haning out in Pontiac land but a friend has a car that I told him I would try to find out what it is worth. Here is what I know:

It is a 1968 Chevelle, BB 396, 78k miles, 4-spd, all original. It is born and raised (so to speak) in the south. He got it from the original owner who is a woman that got it when she gradutated high school. It is green in color. There is no rust. It runs and drives excellent. Original un-restored condition. Honestly, all it could use cosmetically is a better paint job. The paint is ok, just has 40ish years of fading. No A/C. No guages. He did say he thinks it needs a heater core. Interior looks great. In fact, I am kinda mad I didn't find this car.

So, what is the market like?

Thanks!

Here are the pics I took on my camera phone. Sorry for the bad lighting had to work with what was available.

http://www.cerinosolutions.com/pics/68chevelle/cvl1.jpg

http://www.cerinosolutions.com/pics/68chevelle/cvl2.jpg

http://www.cerinosolutions.com/pics/68chevelle/cvl3.jpg

http://www.cerinosolutions.com/pics/68chevelle/cvl4.jpg

http://www.cerinosolutions.com/pics/68chevelle/cvl5.jpg

http://www.cerinosolutions.com/pics/68chevelle/cvl6.jpg

http://www.cerinosolutions.com/pics/68chevelle/cvl7.jpg

http://www.cerinosolutions.com/pics/68chevelle/cvl8.jpg

http://www.cerinosolutions.com/pics/68chevelle/cvl9.jpg

http://www.cerinosolutions.com/pics/68chevelle/cvl10.jpg

would need a lot more info, and probably pictures to give you any real idea.
you want to verify numbers on the engine etc vs the VIN. Make sure the VIN is a true 138 as would be in a 1968 SS.
Which color green? there were 3 of 4 different greens. Bench seat or buckets?
pictures would be most helpful along with above info.
If its Grecian green I will be green with envy, I would love to find a Grecian green 68 SS myself.

Actually, it is the grecian green. He has copies of all of the original paperwork and that is the name of the color on it. Has protecto plate and such. It does not apear to be an SS car unles they did SS without emblems. I just don't know. I have some pics of it on my camera phone. I will upload them in a little bit but I know the lighting wasn't the best but better than nothing. Give me a few.

Ok, added pics.

dang it is grecian green. I just love that color. What is the VIN number? does it start 136 or 138? power sterring and/or brakes?
If its 138 would need a close inspection to determine value, I would say 15-20k as is, if there is no rust that would require body panel or floor replacement, and matching numbers
If its not a SS then I would say 7-11K same thing goes on body panels, and floors.
If he is looking to sell it I might be interested.

My guess if you could find a buyer interested in that green like DeWayne, you could probably swing 13-16k for it. To get the big $$ money your gonna have to clean it up and probably paint it. 68s even with numbers matching stuff don't seem to sell fast above $20k. I know quite a few out there in the $25-28k range that have sat for sale for a long time. About the fastest sale of 68 I saw was a triple black SS396 350hp car go quick on craigslist in the NW for $21500. It was sold within hours of the posting. That was in the last 6 months. Sure lots of guys say they are worth more but my experience shows them to be slow to sell at the prices I mention.
Lastly I bet if you look real close on that car there will be some rust areas. Not necessarily rot but there will be some rusty stuff. Its almost 40 years old, it happens. :) Congrats to your friend. Looks like a fun car to play with.

JWA you are probably right, 68s seem to bring less money than 69s and 70s for sure. And those numbers would be right in line with the book value. for a SS.

I just read elsewhere on this site that the only way a 68 came with a 396 was if it was in fact an SS. I saw the original paperwork on the car and I didn't see anything that said SS on it. In fact, the options list was really short and sweet. I will have to call him tomorrow and get the vin to see what it says.

Is it possible to get some pics of the front and back. I would also be intrested in a pic of the cowl tag.:)

I am going to go back tomorrow and take a REAL close look at everything. Where do you look on a BB chevy for the engine codes?

There is a small pad on the front of the passenger side cylinder head right on the engine block.

I noticed there is a plastic jug on the pass. side inner fender well. Im not too familiar with the 68s but is that original? Never seen something like that before on any Chevelle.

windshield washer fluid? It does appear to be on the incorrect side though and the wrong size and wrong location, and the air cleaner is wrong.

How's come you say the air cleaner is wrong? Looks right to me? I was actually pretty surprised to see an original air cleaner on it.
Thanks, Neal

Air cleaner looks right to me.

The air cleaner looks correct for a 325 HP car, but the smog pump is missing. The plastic tank is a added-on coolant recovery jug. I believe those are the SS wheel covers (look at the center cap), has the blacked out lower panel. It looks like a nice '68 SS to me. A good pic of the VIN, the engine pad VIN, cowl tag, and the front marker emblems would be great.
BillL

Since it has an SS hood on it, I'd be surprised if it's not an SS if it is original.

I agree. Has all the signs of a 138 car. BB, 4spd, Wheel covers, black along bottom, Buckets, console. I also agree, air cleaner is correct for a 325 horse car. Anybody have a spare they want to sell? LOL

Are there emblems on the door panels, dash and steering wheel?

Radio looks like a replacement. Although, looks like it came with AM/FM. Agreed?

how about a 12 bolt?

PS?

I can't tell from the pics. Is there a booster? Disc or drums?

I would also agree, 68's don't bring the kind of $ 69's do, but that's changing. I guess probably $10K to $15k if it's real with docs, and #'s matching. Espeacially if equiped with some of the options listed above.

Can someone explain the smog pump comment?

What is the trim piece laying across the engine compartment? Does not appear to be to this car.

Oh...I am officially jealous! It's hard to believe these finds are still out there.

It does not apear to be an SS car unles they did SS without emblems. I just don't know.

As others were saying; blacked out grill, lower body panel, SS hood all are SS features (could have been added)...

For 1968, there were NO SS or SuperSport emblems along the side of the car. Well, some cars has "SS396" (early?) in the front marker light, but I think most just said "396"... Rear panel should be blacked out and should be an SS grill emblem....

Can someone explain the smog pump comment?

All '68 & '69 big block manual transmission cars came with the AIR (or smog) pump. It's not on this car.
More info-
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=160372
BillL

Ok, I was wrong. this is in fact an SS car. I was under the impression that it wasn't for some reason but after I went back today, he said "Oh ya, it is an SS". I just didn't hear him right the first time.

It is a numbers matching car, I checked them and will post what I found on the block in just a while once I get the pics uploaded. For the radio, it was ordered with AM/FM plus a tape player. Both of which were $133 dollar options which kinda surprised me. It is a 325 horse engine too.

Like I said, I have some much better pics. It will be just a bit before I get them uploaded and posted. I will replace the ones above with good ones and then bump this thread once I have done it.

Some thing that was a little wierd I thought was that it has a 12-bolt but it's not a posi rear end. At least when I jacked it up and spun one wheel the other went the opposite direction. Why put that much power into an open rear end?

Back shortly.

Some thing that was a little wierd I thought was that it has a 12-bolt but it's not a posi rear end. At least when I jacked it up and spun one wheel the other went the opposite direction. Why put that much power into an open rear end?
.
The 12 bold open rear was standard on SS-396. Posi was optional.

Man!! Ya gotta love that color, huh??

Any idea where the smog system is? Could the original owner still have it stashed away somewhere?

Ok, I updated the pics.


Bill, I would be very surprised if they still had it. Kinda surprised that it is not there if it was supposed to be. Not like this lady was going to be working on it but you never know the history.

The block code was 10417ED by the way.

The air cleaner looks correct for a 325 HP car, but the smog pump is missing. The plastic tank is a added-on coolant recovery jug. I believe those are the SS wheel covers (look at the center cap), has the blacked out lower panel. It looks like a nice '68 SS to me. A good pic of the VIN, the engine pad VIN, cowl tag, and the front marker emblems would be great.
BillL

"All '68 & '69 big block manual transmission cars came with the AIR (or smog) pump. It's not on this car."


For an original car it looks great. Not all 68's had smog. I was there.

Not all 68's had smog. I was there.
Correct, not all 68"s got smog, but this one did!:yes:
Only 325 HP automatics didn't get smog. All other SS-396 Chevelles got it.

Grecian Green is my favorite color on a 68 SS, even better with the SS stripe added.

Correct, not all 68"s got smog, but this one did!:yes:


I was racing these with my friends in 68 and it was a change over year. I saw every version 396 come to the track some had smog some did not. Including L78's.

I don't see any plugs in those manifolds so if they are original it did not have smog, regardless of some internet article. Guy that wrote it was probaly too young to know that. By 69 they all had it.

WOW, that thing's amazing!! While it may not look like a restored car, I find so much more interest in original one's. If it looks as good as in the pictures, you may seriously consider keeping this one as a survivor.

While I'd argue with most that GM couldn't have gotten around the federal smog mandates ... I could really see an argument here for this car being original without the smog equipment.

Very nice car ... if nothing else please take as many pictures as possible, and share them with us. While a few things are obviously not original, it appears many are.

Thanks, Neal

I HAVE a 68 4 spd car. I have also seen many 68 SS Chevelles, as I have one. I agree that the cowl tag is the only way for sure. Do not rule out a non-SS deal just because of a BB. However everything I see says 325 HP SS is a possible and probable. Steering wheel even has what appears to be a SS emblem, that is hard to find as is. Does it have a remote P/S reservoir? Does it even have P/S? The air cleaner hsg definetly looks right for a 325 HP. Shifter too. No tach, too bad. But it was optional. As were the buckets in 68. Mine is and was ordered with the standard bench seat and 4 spd. Buckets were not std with the SS package till 69. Does it have the braces that tie the lower control arms front pivot to the upper shock crossmember? They didn't come on malibus. Had one of those too. Too bad I didn't have the patience towait for something this clean when I was younger. Nice find. Clean it up real good and try the high teens in the original patina. I really like the SS hubcaps. They are hard to find as originals too.

http://bestsmileys.com/notlistening/2.gif

I was racing these with my friends in 68 and it was a change over year. I saw every version 396 come to the track some had smog some did not. Including L78's.

I don't see any plugs in those manifolds so if they are original it did not have smog, regardless of some internet article. Guy that wrote it was probaly too young to know that. By 69 they all had it.

Thanks for the smiley, Bill, I appreciate it. :thumbsup:

You can see a manifold plug clearly on #2 exhaust and it looks like the tube was cut and crimped on #5, save the pics and enlarge them. The guy who wrote that was also there in '68 and did a considerable amount of research for that post. That guy was me. In 1969 they did NOT all have smog, it was just like '68. Read my post and learn a little bit. It's based on fact, not what "someone" saw, thought he saw, or believes he saw. You don't have to believe it, but it's true.

Block code is probably T0417ED- April 17, 1968

That is a nice car, I'd say the value is in the $12~$15K range, there's still a lot of work that needs to be done. Alternator bracket's on wrong, too. :D

Does it have the braces that tie the lower control arms front pivot to the upper shock crossmember? They didn't come on malibus.

327 Malibu's got them.

Buckets were not std with the SS package till 69. .
Buckets were not standard in 69 either. :noway:

327 Malibu's got them.

Yes i agree, my uncle bought his Malibu new in 68 and it's an L30 327 car, 10 bolt rear with the rear reinforcement braces. He still has the car it just sits and rusts. He's 72 years old and doesn't drive anymore, won't sell the car to anyone not even a family member. He's not keeping it because it's worth alot or anything he the kind of person that holds onto everything he buys.



BTW cerino2000 nice find for your friend.

There sure still seems to be a lot of misconceptions out there about what came on SS.....

Thanks for the updated pics. Car is a good find (if you are into green :D) Congrats!

Looks like a restoration shop or someone has a few other nice projects going. Nice 63 or 64 ish Mopar with intake pipes sticking through the hood (solid axle drag car perhaps?). Also looks like a nice GTO Judge back there too along with a nice Stingray Vette.:cool:

Buick interior too. I would like to see the vin and the cowl tag to help pin down where and when the Buick interiors were installed. What a great find. Grecian Green has a place in my heart due to I once had a 68 Impala SS Custom Coupe in that color! Gotta love those 68's!!!

The VIN is the key. Are you going to give it up? I sure would love to know the outcome after reading all of this. Looks like a good find to me. How much did he pay for it?

wow, great pics. that is my exact car! my 68 was all grecian green, manual, 325 HP, AND the buick interior! incredible. i right-clicked-saved those pics.

...any pics of the rear interior?!? looking for some more buick interior references

Boy... I really opened up a can on the A.I.R. question. LOL

At this point I'll reserve additional comments and say thanks for the education. I'll just keep my eyes and ears open.

Definitely I nice car and find. And although I own one myself I still remain very jealous.

Thanks for the smiley, Bill, I appreciate it. :thumbsup:

You can see a manifold plug clearly on #2 exhaust and it looks like the tube was cut and crimped on #5, save the pics and enlarge them. The guy who wrote that was also there in '68 and did a considerable amount of research for that post. That guy was me. In 1969 they did NOT all have smog, it was just like '68. Read my post and learn a little bit. It's based on fact, not what "someone" saw, thought he saw, or believes he saw. You don't have to believe it, but it's true.

Block code is probably T0417ED- April 17, 1968

That is a nice car, I'd say the value is in the $12~$15K range, there's still a lot of work that needs to be done. Alternator bracket's on wrong, too. :D

I expanded that #2 up in photoshop. Not enough pixels to tell what that is. What about the drivers side? Can't see any evidence over there at all, and it shows more area.

Looked up your Bio. At 14 you weren't hanging at many race tracks. So I don't think you were there. Nice article but first hand info always trumps research. Loose the ego. I made my share of mistakes too (this is not one).

If there is a plug then it was a smogger. That doesn't change all history.

There are guys on corvette forum that were truly "there". In St Louis when the corvettes were being built. They will tell you there are many research mistakes in the NCRS manuals. All written from research. But not correct.

The smog system research done by BillL was top notch. He looked at many different books from the epa and others, as well as the Chevelle factory assembly instruction manual, and it became very clear as to why and when the smog systems were used on 68/69 Chevelles. I spoke to the original owner of my car, who told me he removed the system. Why would this 325 HP 396 4 speed not get smog, but mine did?

Anyone can look at the assembly manual, and easily see what car got smog and which ones didn't. Just because you saw a car 40 years ago at a drag strip with no smog, that doesn't mean it wasn't removed before you saw it. Us 68 guys are trying to get the facts correct, then someone comes along and says he saw something 40 years ago, that doesn't make sense.
The research is based on facts. It's indisputable. I looked at the pic of your 68 and it looks like you aren't concerned with originally at all, which is fine, but don't trash someone who went to the trouble to do all the research, just because you think you remember something you saw 40 years ago.

[quote=ss68rag;1211211]
Looked up your Bio. At 14 you weren't hanging at many race tracks. So I don't think you were there. quote]

Your math skills aren't too good, I was 16 years old in 1968, worked at a Phillips 66 service station and went to the Carlisle drag strip and Benton Speedbowl dirt track on a pretty regular basis. Once again, what you think doesn't stand up to the facts. :sad: :noway:
I'm done. :thumbsup:

BillL

[quote=ss68rag;1211211]
Looked up your Bio. At 14 you weren't hanging at many race tracks. So I don't think you were there. quote]

Your math skills aren't too good, I was 16 years old in 1968, worked at a Phillips 66 service station and went to the Carlisle drag strip and Benton Speedbowl dirt track on a pretty regular basis. Once again, what you think doesn't stand up to the facts. :sad: :noway:
I'm done. :thumbsup:

BillL

Why do you and your Bill buddie have your hair on fire. I can show you half dozen well meaning publications right now full of errors.

The implication here is you two think you own this this forum and there is no room for another expert opinoin on your turf. My 68 is of no issue here and you are right it is not currently factory but I have many others that are. If you would like to see those pics.

For any reasonable 68 owner, here is my OPINION of why 68 smog was not flipped on nice and tidy like a light switch.

I worked at GM in 1968 while in college. The assembly line rolled no matter what and shutting it down was not an option unless you had 0 parts or danger. If you did not have the exact part, but close to it, in characteristics you went with it. I'm sure you don't think that could happen, but it did. Look at the interior of this subject car. IT'S A BUICK!.

When 68 model year first started GM did not have all casting and assembly plants ready to go with smog. As the year passed and they became more integrated, and by 69 they were 100%. Now I know if it is in a book somewhere that it didn't happen then that must be correct because GM (except the plant where I worked) ran like a finely made watch and never deviated from plan. (got a bridge for sale?)

For anyone not protecting turf this makes a lot of sense. Cause that is the way it was. I can't tell you what happened with Cadillacs but I can tell you what was happenig with muscle cars in 68.

Just for the record I thought that article was well written as far as records go.

I'm done. :thumbsup:

BillL

Me too!

For those of you that didn't see my post earlier, it is in fact an SS car. The owner knew that as well. For some reason I thought otherwise. The cars position in his shop and also the lighting made it difficult for my dumbass to see the emblems.

For the seats, he did say that it was in fact an olds interior. Something about a strike back then so they put in them what was available.

To make some of you sick, he said he was seriously thinking about painting it red...yep...red.

This guy is a great car buddy of mine and has plenty of toys. They're just toys. The GTO you see in the back is his pride and joy. Bringing it back from a fire he had a few years ago.

Here are links to 2 high res pics of the each side of the engine and then a regular res pic of the rear seats:

http://www.cerinosolutions.com/pics/68chevelle/cvl12.jpg

http://www.cerinosolutions.com/pics/68chevelle/cvl13.jpg

http://www.cerinosolutions.com/pics/68chevelle/cvl11.jpg

Are there any pics of the Buick interior vs. the Chevelle out there? I would like to see the differences between these.

I would leave it the original color, but that just me. Don't get me wrong, I love red (see my car in my sig). One day I would love to take mine back to it's original color (Ash Gold with Gold bucket interior). Not sure about the Olds interior??? I believe only Buick interiors were installed due to a shortage caused by a strike or something. Ask your buddy about the cowl tag info and maybe a partial vin like (13837B167XXX) to help pin down the dates.

I hate that everyone thinks they need to paint a car red. The grecian green is a beautiful color and it would match the trim tag, why change it? If it is just to sell it then sell it as it sits to me, I will keep it just like it is.

What else does the VIN tell you besides the 138 info? What else does the cowl tag tell you?

I asked him what kind of money he was hoping to get and he said he felt it was worth $25k as it sits because of the fact that it was original unmolested condition and only 78k miles. Seemed a little stiff to me but that is why I told him I would get an idea of the market for him.

What else does the VIN tell you besides the 138 info? What else does the cowl tag tell you?

I asked him what kind of money he was hoping to get and he said he felt it was worth $25k as it sits because of the fact that it was original unmolested condition and only 78k miles. Seemed a little stiff to me but that is why I told him I would get an idea of the market for him.
It's not unmolested:noway: , but seems to be very close to original... I don't think the experts here would agree with that $$ figure.:noway:

What else does the VIN tell you besides the 138 info? What else does the cowl tag tell you?

Looking for the Plant and Build Date Code.

Go to this website http://www.chevellestuff.com/index.htm

Click on 1968, then Chevelle, the Body Plate/Vin Decoding will explain the info from the Vin and Cowl Tag

25 grand as it sits? Sorry way out of line, I can buy one that need very little if no work for that kind of money and less. This one has it share of rust from the pictures, and it would take a good bit of money to make it right.

Well, like I said, I thought it was a little high myself but I am a Pontiac man so don't really know.

What disqualifies this car as unmolested? I thought it was pretty original looking.

for an example http://www.chevelle.ca/BScarsPop.cfm?Adno=20066984150anew.JPG

that one claims 37,000 original miles, and is priced at about $20,000 US $$
which one would you rather have? that one at $20G or one that needs work at $25? 25 as it sits is a pipe dream.

I agree. I looked on ebay for what the market was on them when he first got the car and it seemed to me that they were going like under 20 with new paint and such. It appeared to me that the 68's were not as desireable as some of the other years as well.

I agree with others. $25K the way it sits...no way. Maybe after it was painted "resale" red. But I would hope that wouldn't happen. We don't need anymore red chevelles. Green is the way to go. Also, because it's mostly original. Painting it any color other than the original would hurt the value IMO.

A good friend of mine has a well documented 68. The story I get is that there was a fire in the Chevrolet interior plant (or vendor plant--whatever) and these were the only quickly accessible items to be had. I believe the word "concours" popped up in the conversation. I wasn't there, but the story sounded good. $20K max if you're patient and you find that ONE guy. Dave

As it sits, the car is definitely RARE!! Of course, there are 1000's of 325HP '68s ... but finding one in that condition. Maybe there's 2 that come up available across the whole country in any given year?

Anyhow ... the condition does make it very rare to find/replace. This however will never bring a value more than a restored car.

My guess (totally guessing) ... is that if the car had ZERO rust (window corners, and all) ... runs/drives fair (40yrs will take their toll). I would say off the pictures $12-15k? What do you guys think? Hopefully your buddy isn't into the car for much more than that.

If you're a Poncho guy, I hate to put this into blunt terms ... but in general just about all similar Chevy's will sell for more (and I like Pontiacs). But in general this Chevelle, would sell for slightly more than a similar low-hp GTO.

Thanks, Neal

What else does the VIN tell you besides the 138 info? What else does the cowl tag tell you?

I asked him what kind of money he was hoping to get and he said he felt it was worth $25k as it sits because of the fact that it was original unmolested condition and only 78k miles. Seemed a little stiff to me but that is why I told him I would get an idea of the market for him.
I just came purchased a 1968 Grecian Green ,and although it doesnt have the orig.motor,it has all the documentaion from new..It is a rust free California black plate car .needing cleanup and paint so I am hanging on to this thread..:thumbsup:

I have pics of my Chevelle with it's original 396/375 at 6 months old. I gottem from the original owner. There WAS a smog set up. This is an original NE car. Most NE cars I have seen only had smog set set-ups if they were solid cammed...never seen documentation backing this though.

I was racing these with my friends in 68 and it was a change over year. I saw every version 396 come to the track some had smog some did not. Including L78's.

I don't see any plugs in those manifolds so if they are original it did not have smog, regardless of some internet article. Guy that wrote it was probaly too young to know that. By 69 they all had it.

Where does all this misinformation come from????????

Change over from what???

I've seen many 66 and 67 396 Chevelles with smog pumps.

Not all 69 Chevelles had smog equipment.

btw, the "S" emblems on your 68 convert fenders were never on a 68. Not to mention they look like they were put on by a drunk.

Buckets were not std with the SS package till 69. Does it have the braces that tie the lower control arms front pivot to the upper shock crossmember? They didn't come on malibus.

Both of these statements are wrong.

Bucket seats were an option in 1969, SS or otherwise.

Many Malibus had the reinforcement braces.

Where does all this misinformation come from????????

Change over from what???

I've seen many 66 and 67 396 Chevelles with smog pumps.

Not all 69 Chevelles had smog equipment.

btw, the "S" emblems on your 68 convert fenders were never on a 68. Not to mention they look like they were put on by a drunk.

That's because you are in CA Moron. You are probably stoned most of the time. That's why they look crooked to you. I never said they were original Mr. Einstein. They will come off as the restoration is completed.

There is no misinformation. Prior to 68 smog was only on CA cars. 68 was the change over year for GM for the rest of the country. Yea there is a rest of the country. Ca is not the center of the universe. Wow what a shock duuuuuude!!! This information could blow a hole in your universe man! Mess up your Karma man!

Why don't you post pics of some of your junk cars? Afraid? Embarassed? I don't blame you. Staion wagon hahahahahahaha. Joke.

There is no misinformation. Prior to 68 smog was only on CA cars. 68 was the change over year for GM for the rest of the country.



When 68 model year first started GM did not have all casting and assembly plants ready to go with smog.




When you put out all this misinformation, you have expect to hear from guys who do know the correct information, so others in the future who might be reading this, know the facts.

Most everyone knows the smog was California only till 68. The statement you made earlier, was that GM somehow didn't have enough smog systems, so some 68's didn't get the system. The entire car was new in 68. They changed the entire body, inside and out, frame, and countless other things, yet somehow they were able to produce a brand new Chevelle, but still didn't have enough smog systems. They had enough fenders, quarters, glass, many different motors, rears, trans, dashes, hoods, bumbers and hundreds of other parts. It was just smog systems they couldn't get made...... and GM didn't care what the government said, they were gonna produce these cars whether they had smog or not...YEA RIGHT

Then the few cars that didn't get the smog, because of shortages, showed up at the track in 1968, at the same time you were there.

Also the pictures clearly show plugs in the manifolds, yet you still refuse to admit your wrong about the car having smog.

You really shouldn't be trashing the entire state of Calfifornia, you shoud be taking a close look at one misinformed fellow from Ohio.

Why don't you post pics of some of your junk cars? Afraid? Embassed? I don't blame you. Staion wagon hahahahahahaha. Joke.


Wow duuuuude! You could use some peace & love from the sound of your post! Sounds like he hit a soft spot, huh? The joke is when all you see are the wagon's tail light's...

Most everyone knows the smog was California only till 68. The statement you made earlier, was that GM somehow didn't have enough smog systems, so some 68's didn't get the system. The entire car was new in 68. They changed the entire body, inside and out, frame, and countless other things, yet somehow they were able to produce a brand new Chevelle, but still didn't have enough smog systems. They had enough fenders, quarters, glass, many different motors, rears, trans, dashes, hoods, bumbers and hundreds of other parts. It was just smog systems they couldn't get made...... and GM didn't care what the government said, they were gonna produce these cars whether they had smog or not...YEA RIGHT

Then the few cars that didn't get the smog, because of shortages, showed up at the track in 1968, at the same time you were there.

Also the pictures clearly show plugs in the manifolds, yet you still refuse to admit your wrong about the car having smog.

You really shouldn't be trashing the entire state of Calfifornia, you shoud be taking a close look at one misinformed fellow from Ohio.


Thank you God of all chevelle knowledge. I thought you said you were done.

You and I disagree but we have yet to stoop to trashing each others cars. He startted that game I am just playing by his rules. If you like his behavior so be it.

If you read my old post I said if it had plugs, OK it was a smogger. I know lots were, but I also know in OH lots were not. But since you are omnipotent you would know best.

I noticed you failed to mention that GM did not make enough interiors for the chevelle in 68 so they used what they had from other divisions. Not enough interiors?? YEA RIGHT!

Why don't you research this? Because of aggregate emissions the fed did not require (enforce) smog on all of US until 69 which is why 68 was a phased in year. If you would like to know where to research that I will be glad to furnish it for you, but I am sure you already know.

Wow duuuuude! You could use some peace & love from the sound of your post! Sounds like he hit a soft spot, huh? The joke is when all you see are the wagon's tail light's...

He started the juvenile insults so I just assumed he enjoyed it. No soft spots, I love all my old cars he just needs to expect what he puts out.

He started the juvenile insults so I just assumed he enjoyed it.

LOL...Just checking..you guys in some kind of internet war over smog systems?

LOL...Just checking..you guys in some kind of internet war over smog systems?

No, no war. That peace and love deal is OK too. I worked in GM autmotive assembly plants and drag raced bowtie back in the late 60's. I know what I witnessed first hand but some guys are ready to go to war over what they read in a book somewhere.

I will trust my eyes everytime.

Good luck to you too.

LOL...Just checking..you guys in some kind of internet war over smog systems?

Not a war. Just a fellow who can't accept the fact that he's been proven wrong again. I guess I really have to just accept the fact that there will always be those who aren't going to admit when they are wrong and move on. :thumbsup:

Time to let it go guys( in case you haven't figured it out yet) neither of you is going to admit to being wrong here....

And FYI, dishing personal insults isn't the way to show people how deep your knowledge runs, that's just taking the LOW ROAD :sad:

I have a 68 396 / 350 HP that was sold new in OK. It has no smog. The exhahaust mainfolds do not have smog holes and are the correct #'s and dates. Sept 67 for Oct. 67 car.
I think I read somewhere that not all 68's got smog.

This is a quote from you from discussion from a year ago.

" I think I read somewhere that not all 68's got smog."

I thought you new this first hand from the 68 at the drag strip?? Now it seems you "read it somewhere"

Ok... my 2 cents
IF ... IF any cars ... ANY GM cars were to get out into the market Without
the Required Smog Equipment .... the FINES for GM :eek:
would have been leveed so fast that you wouldn't have had to time to read what I just typed ....

by the way the reason for this board is to bring the proper answers to questions asked .... thats the reason why most of us are here :yes:
calling names doesn't prove anything.... thats a quote from my Kindergarten teacher by the way she also lives in Ca :D

This is a quote from you from discussion from a year ago.

" I think I read somewhere that not all 68's got smog."

I thought you new this first hand from the 68 at the drag strip?? Now it seems you "read it somewhere"

CHECKMATE! :yes: :hurray: :D

This is a quote from you from discussion from a year ago.

" I think I read somewhere that not all 68's got smog."

I thought you new this first hand from the 68 at the drag strip?? Now it seems you "read it somewhere"


You have to admit, the man does do his research :D

I just love seeing an old Chevelle SS396 with original paint and in more or less unaltered state. Of course things get changed through routine maintenance. Spark plug heat sheilds and that sort of thing get tossed so early in the car's life that it's understandable why so few people have seen them used. The smog pumps were another frequently tossed item.

In a 1968 publication (I can't remember off the top which one, sorry) it said that for '68 the smog pump came on V8s:

1)with manual transmissions

2) with open element air cleaners.

It sounds plausible to me. Consider that there are dirty phases of operation with a manual trans car during compression braking or perhaps during other anticipated phases of operation. Also remember that the hot air ducting from the exhaust manifold that was directed into the Thermac on the air cleaner snorkel was considered an emission control device. Without that device there apparently was compensation in the form of the a.i.r. pump (no Thermac possible with open-elemant air cleaners).

I certainly agree that GM would have gotten into hot water with the EPA if they flippantly decided to flout emission standards. The EPA forced GM to make changes that resulted in a running cam change on the '73 Pontiac SD-455 to make it emissions-compliant. Ford tried to sneak the '72 351 H.O. out the door as a regular Cleveland 351 when you ordered ram-air. The EPA caught Ford and as a result they immediately dropped the 351 H.O. and replaced it with a compliant CJ-351. They were also penalized by not being allowed to offer ram-air with the 351 4-barrel (only on 351 2-barrels for '73). Running out of government-mandated smog equipment is not the same as running out of non-mandated Chevelle interiors. I will concede that it may have been possible that as an emissions phase-in year the government might have cut a little slack for '68. I don't really know for sure; it sounds plausible.


What do you want for 2 cents :D

The most original car you see can surprise you. I have a very original 69 350hp auto car. To this day it has not even had a hose changed under the hood (plugs and wires were changed). When I bought the car I was handed the exhaust manifolds and smog setup (100% complete) along with the chambered mufflers.

The original owner said he removed the smog system because it kept throwing the belt and the exhaust because of the police.

It just goes to show you how things can be changed and 35 years later no one knows what really happened under the hood. The smog system and chambers are now back on the car.

Thats a real nice 68!

Chris

This is a quote from you from discussion from a year ago.

" I think I read somewhere that not all 68's got smog."

I thought you new this first hand from the 68 at the drag strip?? Now it seems you "read it somewhere"

Yes KING BILL that was me. That was a casual post on a casual thread. I also said there that I felt early 68's had less smog than late 68. Kinda skipped that didn't you. There was no Chevelle God on that thread locked and loaded ready to assinate anyone that disagreed with them. Please forgive me for intruding on your little domain here. You must feel horribly insecure knowing someone out there also has the ability to develop an opinion and fact that could contradict you on your percieved turf. That type indiviual needs to be brought down a notch or two. huh?

It seems from what I can gather from your past posts you have restored a 68, written a paper, and won a trophy. Appearently in your mind that makes you some sort of indisputable expert. After you do a 100 more you will still be learning.

I am sure you have lots of valuable knowledge to help others but you don't seem to understand you do not have a lock on knowledge. Which almost makes this statement an oxymoron. Doesn't it?

You failed to address the 68 interiors or the fact that the feds did not press the smog conversion in the first year (as in fines etc.) because of the aggregate emmisions formulas. Gee I am sure you just forgot in your glee over some casual thread I posted a year or two back, or is it that you can't?

You have said several times " you are done, you are finished, you are moving on ". I wish you were and you would. I did not engage you it was your idea to engage (scold) me.

I stand by all my posts. It must be awful to have a rogue in the Kingdom.

Read this: The Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Act of 1965 produced national standards comparable to California law for the 1968 model year. Also in 1967, the Air Quality Act was the first piece of federal legislation designed to control lead emissions. Federal funds became available to defray part of the cost of inspection programs. Hydrocarbon emissions came under federal jurisdiction in 1968.

Intentions, however, were not always equal to actions. Implementation of the Clean Air Amendments was made difficult by a reluctant automobile industry and the energy crisis of the early 1970s. The 1970 act gave the auto industry a temporary way out of meeting the tougher standards. Under the provisions of the act, the EPA administrator could grant a one-year delay if the companies made "good faith" efforts to meet the new standards. Some critics questioned whether the manufacturers had, in fact, made such a gesture, since they relied on the research and development work of independent companies for emissions-control technology rather than utilizing their own resources.


Sorry gentlemen for taking so much space in this post.

You have to admit, the man does do his research :D

I agree.