Ran When Parked: 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS
It’s an expression designed to strike fear into the hearts of many an enthusiast. It never seems to matter how long a classic car has been in storage, you will see them listed as “ran when parked.” In the case of this ’67 Camaro RS Coupe, that was more than 20-years-ago. Barn Finder Jonah M referred the Camaro through to us, so thank you so much for that Jonah. If it is a car that appeals to you, then you will find it located in Puyallup, Washington, and listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner is asking $15,000 for this early edition Camaro.
The photos that the owner provides for the Camaro are quite frustrating because they simply don’t give us much of an overview of the car itself. I would say that the Camaro has undergone at least a partial repaint at some point in the past because what covers the metal today looks nothing like the Granada Gold that the car started life with. The Black vinyl top is still present, but it does have some pretty significant tears in it. The owner makes no reference to rust issues with the Camaro, but there are a few worrying signs when you look around the car. The first thing that I noticed was the dirt on the tires, and its appearance indicates that things weren’t dry and clean when the car was originally parked. I can also see signs of corrosion up in the wheel wells, on the bumpers, and on a number of components in the engine bay. This could be an indication that there are some unseen rust issues that will need to be dealt with. In all honesty, only a personal inspection would provide a decent indication of any potential issues.
The Camaro rolled out of the showroom equipped with the Gold Deluxe trim, and the majority of it still looks quite nice today. It will require a new carpet set, new covers for the bucket seats, and a replacement for the missing radio, but generally, the rest of the trim looks like it just needs a good clean. The carpet, especially on the driver’s side, raises an interesting point. It looks like it has gone moldy, which is a further indication that things have been a bit damp. As I stated earlier, a damp environment is not conducive to a rust-free status. As far as optional equipment is concerned, this is a car with a couple of nice inclusions. The console with a clock is one of these, while the power windows make for a pleasant surprise.
While the Camaro was never going to threaten the land speed record, this is a car that came nicely equipped as a daily driver. What you got was the LF7, 327ci V8, producing 210hp. In addition, the car is fitted with a Powerglide transmission, a 12-bolt rear end, power steering, and power brakes. As I said earlier, the RS is said to have run when parked, but more than two decades have come and gone since then. It isn’t clear whether the engine even turns freely, but the obvious coating of corrosion across the engine and surrounds doesn’t bode well for the health of the mechanical components. Of course, this could also be a car that is prepared to spring a pretty big surprise.
Wind the clock back a few years (or decades) and cars like this Camaro RS were prime candidates for the attention of customizers. This saw them fitted with different engines, transmissions, brakes, and interiors. Between those cars and natural attrition, finding an unmolested and original 327-equipped Camaro RS is becoming more difficult. That is what this car would seem to be, but I can’t help but think that this is a car that would require a pretty thorough inspection to confirm just how physically solid it is. What do you think?
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Comments
Fear? More like hope….”it’ll be a lot easier to start now, because they said it ran when parked. What could go wrong?”
My rental car, well, it ran when parked – tonight. It might not start tomorrow….but, it “ran when parked” . This term is such a psychological play to make you think you have a better odds…of keeping your costs down. It just isn’t THAT easy.
On another note, cowl tag says this ‘Camero’ (sellers words, not mine), came with quite a few factory options. Time to decode…and report back.
Cowl Tag options info:
W = Tinted windshield
X = Power Windows
Group 2
M = Powerglide Transmission
G = Front Console
Group 3
B = Rear Window Defogger (check out the chrome “button” under the dash, left of steering column – it’s metal. You ‘twist’ it left, low – or right, – high for the blower speeds)
S = Interior Decor Group
D = Courtesy Lamp (under the dashboard)
L = Rally Sport
Group 4
F = Remote Control (driver’s outside) Mirror
Group 5
B = Rear Bumper Guards (see the ‘more preserved’ area where front bumper guards were mounted. They are now in the trunk on top of spare)
Y = Deluxe Seat Belts
…some people like to trace their family history…I like this better!
Never seen a 67 Camaro with so many options. Looks like a solid car to restore.
Great writeup and personal inspection a must, great advice. If this camaro stayed in Washington state there’s a chance it might have been spared the ironworms. No pics of the underbelly ,and the rust under the hood has me scratching my head. Looks like a good one but looker over good!
Cheers
GPC
With the Southern Illinois University sticker on its rear window, this “Camero” may have seen the dreaded rust belt.
Nice attempt to hide the passenger sider fender dent. Notice no pics include that. Once again, if you just push it outside, give it a quick wash, and vaccum the interior to give the potential buyer a good look at what they are considering, could help realize those 5 figure asking prices of a 4 figure car. Looking at it this way and all the unknowns, I would say maybe a $7000 car.
That’s too cheap, unless it’s a complete rust bucket. Someone could part the car for close to that money with those options.
Steve R
Rust issues, and nowhere near $15,000 in parts.
Dex, $7,000 in parts, assuming it has a 12 bolt.
Steve R
Having owned and restored many early Camaro’s, I don’t think even with a 12 bolt there is $7000 in parts. Still have a lot of original parts so I could be sitting on a gold mine!
you know… my Jaguar was running and going down the road when it went up in flames… I should have sold it with the old ran when parked cause it was in fact running :) ahah great car! looks like mine
XJS V-12? They had problems with cat-coverters overheating….
lots of potential if the rust isnt to bad and the cowl looks pretty rust free. also nicely equipped with PW, rear defroster, and deluxe interior and twelve bolt rear. an in person inspection is mandatory but this car would fetch good money restored.
I bet it will bring around $13,000 and that would be a fair deal for both buyer and seller.
I haven’t seen a picture of the 12 bolt rear end. I’m pretty sure Chevy never put one behind a 327 2 Bbl/Powerglide unless it was a special order. If it was a special order, why did the original owner pay money for a heavy duty rear end and not order a bigger motor/better transmission? I’m not saying somebody didn’t put that rear end in the car over the years, but I’d have to see some paperwork to prove it came in that car.
Yeah you’re right now 327/2bbl powerglide cars came with the 10 bolt rear 8.2″ Ring gear
The NET hp from the 327 would be around 190 – no different than a 190 hp ’80’s 305 with quadrajet. Silly having a 12 bolt.
No optional gages, a/c, cruise, or fold down rear seat
I totally agree that a personal inspection of the car is required to decide if it is even worth restoring or would it be a good donor car. All the appearance of corrosion would concern me. I think the price is high for what I’m seeing. They need to call American Pickers to come shell out the big bucks for it as they always seem to pay more than I would for vehicles. But on the other hand, I always look for a better profit window on something I’m going to pick up. It does look like it could have great potential and was a beautiful car at one time.
I’d bet it spent some time outside then pushed inside, tires kinda give it away, also not in park, look at the shifter, it was pushed into that spot, didn’t run when pushed I bet
Good point
Our ’69, bought new, always in New England, terminally rusted underneath, front suspension, two of four mounts rusted out, THREE of rear clip suspension mounts rusted out, held together with front of right rear spring (single leaf it came with eventually replaced by multileaf when one snapped going around a corner) and drive shaft. Nothing left to weld anything to, but the exterior looked just fine, and the interior, with 140,000 miles and 14 years, was just about perfect. Only option beyond radio was positraction rear end. Could not move shift lever if braking since car bunched up (or spread out) a little. But it ran. Timing chain and gears worn, so could not be tuned by “the book”. Would run fine a idle but required a significant set back (or forward – it has been a few years) to run under load. Sold it for $500 to a kid who wanted the interior and the rear end, and a few other parts for his ’69 that was in great shape except that a dog had chewed up the interior.
I have looked at this twice.
I am not sure the rust is as bad as people state.
This could be a real find at this price
I agree, it does not look like a rust bucket….kinda looks like a diamond in the rough
The engine compartment looks like its been under water! With bent metal around passenger side headlight door, pretty sure there is more fender damage not shown. What about the green mold / mildew carpet by kick panels? Moisture possibly? Not worth the asking price and not worth $7000 in parts.
Running when parked !
I suppose it is in how one says it and how one understands it .
When I tell anyone I drove it where it sets or it was running when parked ,thus if it wasent knocking like a milk bucket full or rocks ,it should not be when you start it again and if the rear end went round and round it still should even if it has been 20 years in the same spot .
BUT I have noticed that some of the nouveau auto enthusiast (millennials) think that means a new battery and turn the key ….So I have learned to be patient and explain how it works in the real world .
I am also coming to understand it varies by location .In my part of Texas we have dry air and sandy soil ,but down on the coast a car can rust away unless it was parked dipped in cosmoline
But I do have a hard time with those who think if a machine hasent been driven for over a year it will require a complete bumper to bumper over haul .
I suppose it is all relative If a Wanklel ran when parked it would be an oddity if it would still run now it would be an absolute miracle
Love gold on gold. Today’s ugly cars come with the usual mouse fir or totally useless leather seats no one takes care of properly. So many negative comments. This car looks better than other junk on here. I would live to own it. A new butt ugly Camaro or this?