Been an avid Harley rider for a long time. Unfortunately Father Time is telling me it's time for a new diversion from retired life. I'm looking for a first gen Camaro, but this is a totally new and unfamiliar area for me. So I have a couple questions right off the bat. I've been looking at '65-'69 Camaros on Craigslist/eBay. I see quite a few advertised as real Z28's, RS, models. I assume the VIN is the clue as to whether it is, or if it's a clone. The question therefore, what am I looking for? Also saw one car where the seller had posted a photo of a VIN on a door jamb, might have been on the door, but it stated, "Minnesota assigned title", or something to that effect. Any clue as to what this means? Salvage? Flood? I've seen quite a few clones, and advertised as such, from the photos nice looking vehicles, how much does that affect the $ of the car. Probably been covered in depth, but I did a search and came up with zilch, any help much appreciated.

 

Welcome, EZ, to the Club.

The VIN tag in the door jamb is for the '67 year only, '68 and later are on the dash.
Yes, you have to watch out for fake trim tags by the brake master cylinder.
A Plain Jane comes up as a SS. There are good trim tag readers who can decipher a fake tag from a real tag.
BTW, this trim tag is the Fisher Body tag and told the assembly line at GM what options went into it.
Same goes for engine block stamps for coding. Fake stamps here also.
RS models are becoming add-ons as aftermarket is flooded, but trim tag tells the story, once again, real or not.
Look at the tag rivets, both trim tag and VIN as they are a certain configuration.

Go to Camaro Research Group absorb the info, and do some research and viewing
Only way you are going to learn

Good luck in your venture

 

The VIN only tells whether it's a V8 or 6 cylinder car, no options at all connected with the VIN.
All titles are assigned by the state, so not sure what the Minnesota one was about unless it was an out of state car. Or, could have been where the VIN tag was missing and an owner got the car verified with the state and was issued a new VIN, which would be different from the numbers GM assigned.
Also, I'd like to see the 65-66 Camaros you've been searching for. Since 67 was the first year, those would be an extremely rare bird.

 

Also, I'd like to see the 65-66 Camaros you've been searching for. Since 67 was the first year, those would be an extremely rare bird. [/QUOTE]

😁 Knew that, can only attribute it to brain fart last night! Still fumbling my way around the forum, but did find the CRG. Thanks to both!

 

I can relate to brain farts

 

They seem to happen more frequently too as the years go by. I think I used to know why, but I've since forgot! lol

 

you will save a ton with non numbers matching cars ,an not feel like you got to.babey it couse its worth money

 

Pretty much sums up my thoughts. I want a car I can drive without being paranoid that something is going to happen to it. And if it's being advertised as a clone, SS/RS, I can rest assured that it's not being passed off as an original SS/RS only to find out later that it ain't.

 

Very important step after making the decision of what configuration of Camaro, or any other vehicle, is made.
It reads you would like a nice driver - good for you.

 

an price should reflect a clone should cost a lot less.