Mike Brewer’s ’68 Camaro SS 396 Heading to the Auction Block
Classic Car Auctions to offer Wheeler Dealers star’s freshly restored ’68 Camaro SS 396 on December 7 at a UK auction.
Wheeler Dealers’ Mike Brewer recently chose Classic Car Auctions to auction his beloved and rare ’68 Camaro SS 396 in the UK despite telling folks it was his “keeper car.” Brewer obtained the SS 396 after the President of the Camaro Club challenged Brewer to find a genuine SS. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Brewer found the pictured one-owner example within 12 hours.
Brewer commented, “He said it would be impossible, so I had to prove him wrong. This one was perfect and came with the desirable 396 engine and four-speed manual transmission.”
After purchasing the car in Seattle and shipping it back to the United Kingdom, Brewer set about restoring the Camaro and upgrading it for the 21st century. With his knowledge of the car restoration market and with his experience this was not going to be your normal restoration, it was going to be something very special.
The 396 V8 was stripped and rebuilt with a high-lift sports cam, Magnaflow exhaust system, and Hedman manifolds, increasing horsepower from 375 to 410. There were further upgrades to the drive belt pulley system, distributor plus the inclusion of a stainless steel fuel tank and rebuilt Muncie M21 four-speed manual gearbox and an aluminum prop shaft.
Work didn’t stop there and, with plans for quarter-mile times, the suspension, springs, anti-roll bars and anti-tramp bars to keep the axle located under hard acceleration was either added or rebuilt and upgraded. The braking system was also upgraded with a vacuum servo and disc brakes all round, with the front discs grooved and cross-drilled.
Finished as close as possible to Le Mans blue, this car has over 1,500 hours into the restoration. If you ask Mike about the costs to restore his Camaro, he admits $51,000 (or £40,000 since it’s a UK auction) would not be far off.
Gary Dunne, Classic Car Auctions Manager, commented, “This is a fantastic car being offered at auction directly from Mike Brewer himself. We are absolutely delighted that Mike has chosen us to sell a car that he said was his keeper.”
Dunne continued, “This really is a superb example of classic American muscle and one that has been restored by ‘Mr. Car Restorer’ himself and the man at the front of the very successful TV series Wheeler Dealers.”
If you’re interested in bidding on Mike Brewer’s ’68 Camaro SS 396, the auction will take place on December 7 at the Warwickshire Event Centre. You can also check out the classic chevy at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, or contact Classic Car Auctions directly to arrange a private pre-purchase inspection.
Photos: Classic Car Auctions