Unrestored Orginial 68 Camaro SS/RS w 9,556 miles!

Orginial 68SS/RS · #1 08-31-2011, 06:30 PM

I recently purchased a unrestored orginial 68 SS/RS with well documented 9,556 miles which has been authanticated by Jerry MacNeish. Car is completely orginial (even tires) except for the exhaust. Jerry refered this car as the "68 benchmark".

1968, SS and RS packages, 350.
Matador Red with White deluxe interior
Options: Per original window sticker: 4 speed, PS, Dlx belts, RS, SS, Cust Intr, floor mats, AM radio, Center Console, Clock, 350 Engine, Aux. Lights, SS Wheel cover, F70x14 ply w/strp.

History: I purchased the car on 4/2/11 from the family of the original owner who passed away 5 years ago (the niece inherited the car) . The original owner, Gordon Thomas, took delivery of the car on 11/17/67 with the intention of keeping the car completely original and only driven to car shows. Mr. Thomas was successful as the car is totally stock (except the exhaust which has been replaced) even the tires are original. You see, Mr. Thomas was autistic and could not drive the car himself. His family would take him to car shows in the Danbury CT. area when the weather was nice. The car has never seen rain and no one have ever sat in the back seat.

Now for the amazing part, the car only has 9,576 well documented miles. Mr. Thomas was so diligent in keeping the car original that back in the 60’s he purchased many new spare parts that came with the car when I purchased ( 6 large bins worth). He was concerned that if he needed to replace something he would not be able to purchase the original part. He also has every piece of mint condition documentation; including dealer invoice, window sticker, owner’s manual, warranty booklet and card, temporary CT registration card, finance agreement, original title, yearly registrations and insurance cards. Each and every document is in mint condition. To be kind, due to Mr. Thomas’s disability he was obsessed with keeping this car totally original and in mint condition and his legacy is that he succeeded.

I expect the reason the car is not widely known is that while a legend in the CT. area (Mr. Thomas was known as Mr. Original), the car never traveled more than 50 miles from home. The car has been featured in a few small magazines throughout the years. I recently had the car on display at the Camaro Nationals a few weeks ago and the car receive a tremendous reception with lots of shaking heads and smiles. Mr. Scott Settlemire from GM attended the show with their 2012 SL1 Camaro and personally requested to have my car parked next to his to be displayed.

Mr. Jerry Macneish has verified and documented the car as authentic and labeled this car as the “Benchmark 68 Camaro

Here’s a link to some pictures: : http://s1115.photobucket.com/albums/k550/fremite/

**mockingbird812** · #2 08-31-2011, 06:40 PM

Wow - terrific car, terrific story! Welcome aboard! Thanks for checking in!

Orginial 68SS/RS · #3 08-31-2011, 06:41 PM

Thanks. Can you see the photos in the link?

**mockingbird812** · #4 08-31-2011, 06:47 PM

You bet - I just embedded a few above. What a sweet heart! Do you have any underhood shots?

**L89DRMR** · #5 08-31-2011, 06:49 PM

I'm very sorry to hear of Mr. Thomas' passing. I saw him and this incredible Camaro many times in Danbury and Norwalk. I always enjoyed talking with the owner and checking out the details of the car. It was one of favorite cars and I remember seeing Mr. Thomas sporting his "Mr. Original" T-shirt at most of the showings.

Dave

**mockingbird812** · #6 08-31-2011, 06:52 PM

Please fill out the rest of your profile. Thanks!

markinnaples · #7 08-31-2011, 07:50 PM

Wow. Amazing.

Orginial 68SS/RS · #8 08-31-2011, 08:09 PM

His family is very nice as well. I consider myself as the caretaker of his car as this would not exist if not for his vision to keep the car orginial.

**Xplantdad** · #9 08-31-2011, 10:57 PM

You should bring it to the MCACN show! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img]

**mockingbird812** · #10 08-31-2011, 11:13 PM

Bruce - great minds think alike [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img]! I hope to talk to Fred ('68 Camaro owner) later today to discuss the very same idea. You are just BRILLIANT Bruce! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/laugh.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/whistle.gif[/img]