Member’s Feature
Doug & Doris Redden, Member # 158
1968 Camaro SS
Halifax, Nova Scotia

Story & photos by Gary Porter
 


Chevrolet sold 235,147 new Camaros in 1968. How many are still owned by the original purchaser is unknown, but it is fairly safe to say that number would be quite low. But, for sure, there is at least one. Doug and Doris Redden have owned this code RR Matador Red 1968 Camaro SS 350 since July 12, 1968.

Long before the Camaro, however, Doug got off on the right foot when he purchased his first car. It was a turquoise and white 1955 Chevrolet sedan powered by a 265 with a three-speed transmission. Subsequent cars were mostly six cylinder econo models. By 1968 Doug was driving a six cylinder, powerglide 1964 Beaumont.

Besides cars, Doug also has an interest in boats and was a member of the Rockingham Yacht Club at the time. On this one fateful day in1968, he was at the yacht club and had to return home to get something. As luck would have it, the Beaumont was blocked in. A friend offered Doug his 1967 SS350 Camaro rather than trying to move the car blocking the Beaumont. Doug was so impressed with the Camaro’s performance that he went to Forbes Chev-Olds in Dartmouth and placed his order for a 1968 SS350.

Total Camaro Super Sport production for 1968 was only 30,695 cars. It could be had with the L48 350 or one of four big blocks. The SS package included, in addition to, or in place of, all of the standard equipment for base Camaro, a special hood with raised simulated air intakes (which differed between the SS 350 and the big block SS cars), an SS emblem for the center of the grille, special hood insulation, special chassis components, a color-keyed bumblebee-type front accent band, SS identification below the Camaro front fender script, SS identification on the round fuel filler cap at the center of the rear body panel, red stripe or white stripe wide-oval tires and multi-leaf rear springs.

Doug and Doris were married in 1969. At that time Doris owned a black 1967 Camaro coupe powered by a 327 and a four speed. However, the black Camaro was later replaced with a Volkswagon, but the red ‘68 remained as the primary family car for the next few years. With the purchase of a 1972 Datsun, the remaining Camaro went from family car status to keeper.

Doug and Doris have kept the Camaro in good condition over the years and, in fact, have kept the car very original. The 295 horsepower 350 is still equipped with the factory A.I.R. system. Camaro also has its original four speed and 3.31 non-posi 12-bolt rear along with its factory black deluxe interior. Tires have been upgraded with Michelin 225R70-14's and the car was repainted by Ken Norwood in 1999.

The Camaro now shows 89,000 miles on the odometer. Interestingly, these miles have all been logged within the Maritimes. While the Camaro is primarily used for car functions and attending shows, it has been used as part of an all Camaro procession, transporting bridesmaids to a wedding. It also appeared in the movie Scotland, Pa., which was partially filmed in Harrietsfield about ten years ago. On the awards side, among others, the Camaro received the second best GM award at the Golden Age car show in Truro about five years ago.

Doug and Doris also own a 1942 GMC pick-up for a change of pace. They have been members of the Classic Chevy Club of Nova Scotia since March 1990 and also are members of the Maritime Camaro Club and the Halifax Antique Car Club.