American Muscle Car, Chevrolet Muscle Cars, 1967-1968 Camaro First Generation
When Chevrolet introduced the first generation 1967 Chevrolet Camaro into the market {September 26, 1966, as the 1967 model} as their version of Muscle Car with an all new rear wheel drive GM F-body platform it was available as a 2-door, 2+2 seating, coupe or convertible. With a variety of powerplants and options, this particular model of Chevrolet’s contribution to the already booming market of fast cars would be more than enough to put this new model of Chevrolet high on the list of muscle car enthusiasts. The debut Camaro came with almost 80 factory and 40 dealer ooptions that included the Z-28, SS and RS packages.
The SS {Super Sport} included a 350cid V8 engine and the L35 and L78 396cid big-block V8's were also available. The SS featured non-functional air inlets on the hood, special striping and SS badging on the grille, front fenders, gas cap, and horn button. It was possible to order both the SS and RS to receive a Camaro RS/SS. In 1967, a Camaro RS/SS convertible with a 396 engine paced the Indianapolis 500 race.
In December 1966 the Z-28 option code was introduced for the 1967 Camaro model year. Most buyers were unaware of this option package, it was not mentioned in any sales literature. The Z-28 option featured power front disc brakes and a Muncie 4-speed manual transmission, a 302cid smalll-block V-8, 3" crankshaft with 4" bore, an aluminum intake maniford and a 4-bbl vacum secondary Holley 780CFM carburetor. The 1967 was designed with this specific engine to race in the Trans Am series {which required engines smaller than 305cid} and public availability of the car. Advertised power of the 302cid @ 290hp figure was underated, chevrolet attempted to keep the horsepower rating at less than 1hp per cubic inch for insurance reasons and racing classes. factory rating was 290hp at 5300 rpm, with actula peak horsepower was 360 hp with a single 4-bbl carburetor and 400 hp at 6800-7000 rpm with optional dual 4-bbl carbs. The Z-28 came with racing stripes on the hood, 'Z-28' emblems for the fenders {in 68 & 69}, and upgraded suspension. You could also combine the "Z-28" and "RS"option packages.
In 1967 only 602 Z-28s were sold. The raised cowl induction hood was not an option on the 1967 and 1968 Z-28s like the 1969 Z-28s. The 1967 Z-28 brought air into an open element air cleaner or from an optional cowl duct attached to the side of the air cleaner that ran to the firewall getting air from the cowl vents. Another option for the Z-28 was 15-inch rally wheels, the other 1967-1969 Camaros had 14-inch wheels.
The RS {Rally Sport} option was an appearance package that was available on all models. The package included hidden headlights, RS badging, revised tailights and exterior rocker trim.
Photo Courtesy of Rich Niewiroski
The side window vents were deleted in 1968 and the introduction of Astro Ventilation, a fresh-air-inlet system. Also added were side marker lights on the front fenders, a more pointed front grille, a front spoiler, and divided rear taillights. The front running lights (on non-RS models) were also changed from circular to oval. The big block SS models received chrome hood inserts that imitated velocity stacks. The shock absorber mounting was staggered to resolve wheel hop issues and higher performance models received multi-leaf rear springs instead of single-leaf units. A 396cid 350 hp big block engine was added as an option for the SS, and the Z28 appeared in Camaro brochures. 7,199 Z28s were sold in 1968.
Production numbers: 1967 Production numbers: 1968
RS: 64,842 RS: 40,977
SS: 34,411 SS: 27,884
Z28: 602 Z28: 7,199
Total: 220,906 Total: 235,147
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