Real Z28 RS or Clone?
 

How can you tell if a 1968 Z28 RS is really an authentic Z28 or if it is a clone that someone has just added the badging? The VIN number doesn't seem to tell you much other than the year, body style and whether it is a V6 or V8... help please!

This board specializes in first gens:

http://www.camaros.org/index.shtml

Look at the cowl tag. There are a lot of books available at many bookstores about restoration that tell how to read them.

real Z28 or clone
 

It originally had a 302 with a 4 speed (has the original 302 badge on the hood), but it now has a 350 with an automatic transmission.

It has a vinyl top but I understand that some Z28's had them.
It has a 12 bolt rear end.
It has the multi leaf rear springs
It doesn't have air, it has astro ventilation
It has front disc brakes

Where is the cowl tag located? I don't think the hood is the original one...

No, that cowl hood is from a 69 Z28. Look in the glove box for the tire sticker. It should be a 15" tire size. How many leafs are there on the rear 3, 4 or 5? 68's are the hardest to prove what the car originally was. If it doesn't have the original engine, then you can treat it as if it isn't a Z28. Has the car been restored? Is the clutch pedal still there for the 4 speed?

The car was restored in 1997. The tag in the glove box is gone. Can't you tell by reading the numbers off the firewall? I'll have to count the leafs tomorrow.

No, the trim tag on the firewall for 68 Camaros only tells you the colors, interior, build date. Since the car has already been restored and some things have been changed(cowl hood), I would take my time and look real close at it. If the original 302 engine is still there and the VIN matches, then it's a Z28. If not, then you might as well assume it's not a Z28 and don't pay a Z28 price for it. Make the owner show you original paperwork proving it's a Z28. If you like the car because it's a nicely restored car and you know you'll enjoy it then price it accordingly. Don't bother with the leaf springs, they were probably already changed during the restoration.

We took the car to the local Chevy store and the guy there recognized it. He told us his friend had put all the $ into the car and he gave us his name and telephone number. We phoned him and he confirmed he was the 2nd owner of the car and a family member had purchased the car new. He said it is the real deal. We need to phone him back to see if he can lead us to any paperwork on the car. He did mention that it was on the cover of a hot rod magazine in 1978 so I could probably track that down at the local library.

It has 4 leafs.

Sounds like the car has many of the z-28 features. A few other things to check for are... heavy duty radiator with temp control fan, quick ratio steering box. These could have been changed already, so without a protect-o-plate or build sheet you really can not prove it is or is not a Z. I do not spend the extra $ for a rare car that I can not prove is a rare car. If the price seems fair to you and you know you will enjoy it regardless of re-sale, go forward. Just know that many cars are cloned to make money.
JoLT