1968 FACTS

Some odds & ends of info.
1968 FACTS
  • The 1968 Camaro model featured a restyled center console, and a restyled secondary gauge package with a "sawtooth" design. The sawtooth design didn't contain a clock, so when the optional instrument package was ordered, the clock was combined with the tachometer in the right side instrument pod creating 1968's Tick-Tock-Tach.
  • The 1968 Camaro was the first to feature Astro Ventilation. It did not have side vent windows.
  • Side marker lamps were used for the first time in Camaros in 1968.
  • The dash location for the ignition was last used in the 1968 Camaro model .
  • The headlight cover doors in 1968 Camaros were vacuum operated rather than electric as before.
  • Cloth upholstery was used for the first time in Camaros in 1968 with the introduction of the famous houndstooth cloth pattern in black and white check.
  • The Torque Drive transmission, a Powerglide automatic that was shifted manually, became available in 1968 Camaros.
  • The bumblebee nose stripe continued in 1968, but was joined by two other striping styles. 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 exteriors.
  • To neutralize the wheel hop problems associated with the 1967 models, the 1968 Camaro received staggered rear shock absorbers (the passenger side shock passed behind the axle and the driver-side ahead of the axle). Also, multi-leaf springs were added to V-8 models except for those powered by 210-hp and 275-hp versions of the 327-cid engine.
  • Four-wheel disc brakes were not factory options for 1968. They were installed on 1968 Camaros, but only by dealers, or customers who purchased them across-the-counter.
  • The Z28 option continued in 1968, and Z28 models had either 302 or Z28 emblems on their front fenders.
  • The crossram intake manifold with dual four-barrel Holley carburetors became available across-the-counter.
  • The grille of non-Rally Sport 1968 Camaros was redesigned to have a more distinct center split. Non-Rally Sports had backup lights incorporated within the standard taillight bezels. The backup lights for Rally Sports were separate units below the bumper. The taillamps of all 1968 Camaros had center splits to create a four-lamp (two per side) appearance.
  • A passenger-side grab handle (mounted above the glovebox) came as part of the Custom Interior or Special Interior groups in 1968 Camaros.
  • Nineteen-sixty eight Z28 Camaros are often seen with rear spoilers, but the spoiler (actually called an auxiliary panel and valence) was a separate option as RPO-D80. They were fiberglass.
  • Camaro SS models had unique hoods in 1968, and the hoods were different for SS-396 and SS-350 models. The SS-350 models had the same style as all 1967 SS models which featured two thin-ribbed, decorative inserts. The SS-396 models featured two inserts which each had four simulated carburetion stacks.