CAMARO COMPARO

Distinguishing the ’67 Camaro models from its later counterparts is simple. Until 1968, automotive manufacturers were only required to have headlights, front and rear turn signals and taillights. Because of a federal mandate in early 1968, all cars were required to have marker lights on both the front and rear fenders, which makes the ’67 the only Camaro that does not have side markers. Another unique trait of the ’67 Camaro is the side vent windows. Many manufacturers had already started removing unsightly side vent windows by 1967. With the introduction of A/C and improvements in cabin ventilation, the windows became unnecessary, making the ’67 model the only Camaro with vent windows.

Inside, GM fitted the then-new Camaro with front bucket seats as standard equipment, but with room for two rear passengers. For those wanting a bench seat, GM offered a bench-seat option, as well as a fold-down rear seat option.

Since the original concept for the ’67 Camaro was a great, sporty-looking car that, when armed with the right options and drivetrain, could incinerate the Ford Mustang, GM began offering several packages that would improve the performance of the Camaro straight from the factory, and with a single option number. Right from the start, GM began offering high-performance packages such as the SS 325hp 396 (RPO L35) and the SS 375hp 396 (RP0 L78). These mighty powerplants, although underrated in the horsepower department for insurance reasons, gave buyers the chance to have a smaller car capable of nearly 400 hp right out of the showroom. Called rat motors by their adoring fans, these basic engines were available earlier in larger cars, but when combined with the smaller, lighter Camaro, seconds were shaved off normal dragstrip performance, thereby giving the Camaro a nasty (read great) reputation.

Two of the more popular options, the SS (Super Sport) and the RS (Rallye Sport), were actually packaged combinations of performance and appearance items. The SS package included special (SS) hood ornamentation, painted rallye stripes, a safety-wire fuel cap and performance wheels and tires, along with SS nomenclature and whatever powerplant was chosen by the owner, big block or small block.

The RS appearance package (RPOZ22) gave the Camaro a more stylish exterior that included a blacked-out grille with hideaway headlights, parking lights in the valance, solid red taillights, and a safety-wire fuel filler cap, as seen on the SS package. What’s more, these two packages could be combined, resulting in an RS exterior with SS badging and SS power.

A very potent and now-rare option was the RPO Z/28, offered as a special RPO code that included a Z/28-specific small block displacing only 302 ci. Combined with a four-speed transmission, this package provided a powerful combination that allowed GM to compete in SCCA’s (Sports Car Club of America) Trans-Am sedan racing, and meet the sanctioning body’s 305ci limitation. But to do this, a new engine had to be developed. Introduced as a mid-year option, the Z/28 was not made available until December 1966. The 302 powerplant was made up of a short-stroke crankshaft from the 283ci small block, combined with the newer 327 cylinder block.

Making the car all the more unique, the Z/28 also received several interior and exterior appearance options. Available only as a coupe, the Z/28 package included a close-ratio Muncie four-speed transmission, power-assisted front disc brakes, quick-ratio manual steering, 15×6-inch Rallye wheels and red-stripe nylon-cord tires, a heavy-duty cooling system, a 3.73:1 final drive, sport suspension and tuning, a special hood and deck racing stripes. This is considered one of the rarest Camaros today because only 602 Z/28 Camaros left the factory, and many of those were either wrecked or turned into racecars.