1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS 350 Convertible

Finished in 'British Green' metallic paint over a black leather interior

Previously featured in Classic American Magazine

Superb history file from both its life in the United States and its time in the UK

Supplied with a UK V5c, a State of Florida Certificate of Title and showing 91,850 miles

Ostensibly an answer to Ford's sensationally-popular Mustang, Chevrolet's Camaro has roots that date back to 1962 when then-Chevy design chief Irv Rybicki suggested a small 'personal car' based on the Chevy II. General Manager Semon 'Bunkie' Knudsen, however, was unconvinced, feeling that the Corvair, Chevy II and the upcoming Chevelle had the bases well covered. Rybicki, however, continued to work on proposals, and his 'Super Nova' made it to the 1964 New York Auto Show, a few weeks before the Mustang's introduction. Once 100,000 Mustangs had been sold and the market for such a car firmly established, GM management gave the Super Nova a more favourable glance and the rush was on to develop a 'Pony Car' in less than two years.Mechanically derived from the second-generation Chevy II, the Camaro was similarly a unibody design, with a stub frame ahead of the cowl. Front suspension came from the Chevelle and the single-leaf rear springs from the Chevy II. Engines and transmissions were from the company catalogue and, in common with the Mustang, in 1967, there were seven engines offered, from a 230 cubic inch, 140bhp six to a 396 cubic inch, 375bhp V8. With a further choice of transmissions and a myriad of axle ratios, the permutations were substantial. Exterior trim could be augmented with a Style Trim Group consisting of stripes and chrome, or one could choose the 'Rally Sport' option to add disappearing headlamps and special taillights. Introduced on September 12, 1966, the Camaro was available either as a coupe or a convertible. Of the nearly 221,000 sold about a quarter were soft tops; three quarters were V8s.

Offered here is a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS 350 convertible built in March 1968 at the Norwood Plant in Ohio. It's finished in 'British Green' metallic paint (a rare colour only used for two months in 1968) and features the 'SS' exterior trim package with the distinctive White D90 'hockey stick' stripe and a smart black interior. SYC 92F is powered by 5.7-litre 350ci V8 mated to a 3-speed Muncie R manual transmission. Sold new in Virginia, it later made its way to the warm climes of Kissimmee, Florida which accounts for its incredible preservation - as this matching numbers car has never been restored. An impressive history file tells us about its time in the States and contains a large number of invoices and bills from previous owners and its State of Florida-Certificate of Title.

In 1990, the car was purchased from its American owner and imported to the UK by a Mr R. Barry of Birmingham, and letters and Christmas cards were exchanged in the following years as both chaps loved and pampered this Camaro. The car made lots of appearances at car shows and classic car events and became well known in the burgeoning American classic scene culminating in a lovely feature in 'Classic American Magazine', much to the delight of both owners. Although never restored, in 2004 it did benefit from a respray in its rare original colour, and at the same time was treated to new taillight bezels and new bonnet louvres. The exterior and engine bay have recently been detailed and this striking SS350 is now looking on top form. It's supplied with a UK V5c, the owner's file containing bills for approximately £15,000 over the years, 27 previous MoT Certificates, both sets of original keys, and is now ready to begin a new chapter with another happy owner.