Texas Gold! 1967 Chevrolet Camaro 396
Well before the end of last century, it didn’t take a crystal ball to know that a first-year big block Camaro would be worth keeping. This 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS 396 in Dallas, Texas accumulated all of its miles serving two owners, and get this: they were neighbors! That’s right; the second owner knew the car its entire life and must have succumbed to driveway envy. Now a reported third owner offers the Lone Star State classic here on eBay where $39,500 and a click of Buy It Now makes it yours. The seller includes a host of pictures in the listing and more pictures elsewhere. The painful ALL CAPS description details parts replaced over the years on the double-gold pony car including a breakdown of stamping numbers and other details on this claimed original big block SS.
General Motors scrambled to counter Ford’s sporty Mustang and responded with serious engine options on its first-year Camaro. Initially offering a potent SS 350, GM threw down the gauntlet with this mid-year 325 HP 396 cid (6.5L) Mark IV big block. This one spins a two-speed Powerglide automatic and the seller details a “CODE QI 2.73 RATIO” in the 12 bolt Positraction rear end, suggesting this gold sportster spent more time loafing at low RPM than ripping down the quarter-mile or the stoplight gran prix. The 4N body tag code corresponds to an SS396 car, according to Camaros.net.
Originally equipped with a black vinyl top, this would have been one classy ride. Chevy started selling ’67 Camaros in October 1966 with “SS 350” badges honoring the new SS-specific 350 cid (5.7L) version of the small block. The 396 option triggered a press release in late November, with production vehicles hitting the streets in late December or January of ’67.
The updated and refreshed gold vinyl interior looks great, and while plenty of racers praise the Powerglide, this one deserves relaxed cruising. Crank the windows down and soak up that big block burble. Make no mistake, though, the 396 will overcome those tall gears and skinny tires when you perpetrate some hanky panky. Is this big block Camaro your kind of solid gold?
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Comments
If a real ’67 396 it should have a turbo 400.
A REAL ’67 396 Camaro should have a Muncie M21 or 22 ;-)
Interesting car. I knew the powerglide was available on 67-68 SS396 Chevelle’s, but not Camaro. This was definitely built as a cruiser.
This is how sellers should compose an ad. Take pictures of relevant castings and stamping. Compare that to the ad earlier today for the 1970 Super Bee, that seller didn’t take pictures of the trim tag, engine casting numbers or stamping. He then proceeded to say he “believed” the engine was matching numbers, he also threw in other non specific language such as “most” and didn’t inventory the boxes of parts. One ad is designed to reassure potential buyers, the other as a way out of negative feedback or a lawsuit.
Though it’s not inexpensive, unrestored performance cars that haven’t been modified or abused are hard to find. I’d be surprised if it stays on the market for long.
Steve R
O’Pete sure comes up with them…..usually a big car guy…..this does look like a deal for the price.
Plenty of fun in a straight line, not so much in a curve. At least, that is what I remember about cars like this from my youth. Sure is a pretty car, wish it was a small block.
Neat car.
EM code on block is Chevelle 396/325 with PG trans and CA emissions.
Based on the disasterous partial VIN stamp on the block, I would say that it is a 66 Chevelle engine, assembled 9/7/1965 (not 66 as stated in the ad), and originally installed in 66 Chevelle with VIN ending 6Z105446 (or maybe 6Z105644). Casting # would tell us for sure.
Believe it or not I have pics of dozens of original 66 Fremont plant engine VIN stamps that are the same way or worse, and suggest that one of the guys doing the stamping that year had a severe case of dyslexia (or a severe workday drinking problem, one or the other)!
Good subframe donor car for a mid-fifties Ford project…..
Yeah right…
I didn’t know they were made in ’67. Anyone know the production #’s?
Should have a blacked out tail pan.
Looks like someone add multi leaf springs to a monoleaf rear.