Classic Camaros For Sale


 When Ford introduced the Mustang in 1964 there was no immediate reaction from General Motors, but by August of '64, just four months after the Mustang's introduction, GM realized the appeal of a four seat sports car. Ironically, the Mustang was created in response to the Chevrolet Corvair Monza! 

 GM had  actually begun preliminary work on such a car as early  as 1958, according to Pontiac Designer Bob Porter. "I remember a four-passenger, sporty type car  of the general size and weight class of the Mustang  being worked on in an advanced studio. In the  early '60s, similar cars were developed from time  to time. Everyone wanted to do one, but  at the time there was really no corporate  interest." 

 When the Mustang  sold 100,000 units in the first six months, and almost  half a million the first year, GM took an interest.  The responsibility for GM's Mustang fighter  was given to the GM Design Center's  Chevrolet Studio  under the direction of Henry  C. Haga. Interior design was directed by George  Angersbach, who had been heavily  involved in the design  of the Corvette, Corvair, and the Chevy II, which  became the Nova in 1968.  It has long been a misconception that the  '67 Camaro was designed  from Chevy II components when  actually it was the other way around.  The Chevy II was to be all new for  '68 and it shared many parts  with the '67 Camaro, but this did lead to  compromises in the design, most  notably the cowl height and hood  length.

 
 One  unique feature was the decision to use a front subframe  isolated with rubber 'biscuits" in combination  with the unit body construction of the rest of the car, a technique  that had been used on several European  cars, including many Mercedes-Benz models. This combined  the best of both worlds-a larger  interior and more luggage space than was possible with  a traditional frame and at the same time  a quieter, smoother ride than a full uni-body car delivered. 
  
 
 The designers  did mock-ups of many  different models, including  a two-seat roadster, a fastback,  and a station wagon. GM was  trying to keep the cost as low as  possible, however, to compete with  the Mustang, and decided to  stick with just two models, a  coupe and a convertible.  
  
 
 The Camaro  was to be offered with a wide  variety of powerplants,  ranging from a 230 cubic inch  six cylinder to a 327 V8.  In addition, a new engine displacement  was created just for  the Camaro, a 350 cubic inch V8 rated  at 295 horsepower. 

 
 As the  launch date neared, the car still had  no name. It had been called  various names by GM and the press, including Nova, Panther, Chaparral,  and Wildcat (later used by Buick.) It is rumored that Chevy also considered  using the letters "GM" in the name, and came up with  G-Mini, which evolved into GeMini, and finally Gemini.  General Motors Headquarters supposedly killed that name,  because they didn't want the letters "GM"  used in case the car was a  failure.

 
 Finally,  the car was introduced to the press as the Camaro,  considered to be a good name because  nobody knew what it meant. Chevrolet produced an  old French dictionary showing that the word meant  "friend" or "companion", but Ford found an alternate meaning in an  old Spanish dictionary-"a small,  shrimp-like creature."The automotive press had a good  laugh over that, and an even bigger  one when one journalist found yet another meaning-"loose bowels." It  didn't take long for the laughter to  stop after the introduction of the stunning 1967  Camaro! 

Location A - Build Date
01 - January	07 - July		A - 1st week of month
02 - February	08 - August		B - 2nd week of month
03 - March	09 - September		C - 3rd week of month
04 - April	10 - October		D - 4th week of month
05 - May	11 - November		E - 5th week of month
06 - June	12 - December

Location B - Interior Color Code (Norwood Cars Only)
B - Blue		K - Parchment/Black
D - Red		R - Bright Blue
E - Black		T - Turquoise
G - Gold		Y - Yellow
*** Van Nuys cars had this code.  It is believed to be an internal part code for dating of production.  Example: J316 would have been the 316th car built during the "J" period, which looks to be approximately the third week in April.  It is also believed that around 300 cars were produced during each letter designation.  Examples:  04A - G238;      04B - H433;      04C - J716

Location C - Model Year	Location D - Interior Style Code
1967	12437 - Sport Coupe/standard interior
	12467 - Convertible/standard interior
	12637 - Sport Coupe/custom interior
	12667 - Convertible/custom interior

Location E - Assembly Plant	Location F - Sequential Body Number (Body Unit Number)
NOR - Norwood, Ohio	Self explanatory...
LOS - Van Nuys, California

Location G - Interior Trim
707 - Yellow custom buckets	739 - Blue standard bench	779 - Turquoise custom bucket
709 - Gold standard bucket	741 - Red standard bucket	796 - Gold standard bench
711 - Gold custom bucket	742 - Red custom bucket	797 - Parchment custom bucket
712 - Gold custom bench	756 - Black standard bench	Z - Custom bucket seat appointments
716 - Bright Blue custom bench	760 - Black standard bucket	H - Bench seat
717 - Blue standard bucket	765 - Black custom bucket	Y - Factory headrest
732 - Bright Blue custom bucket	767 - Black custom bench

Location H - Lower Body Color
AA - Tuxedo Black	LL - Tahoe Turquoise
CC - Ermine White	MM - Royal Plum
DD - Nantucket Blue	NN - Madiera Maroon
EE - Deepwater Blue	RR - Bolero Red
FF - Marina Blue	SS - Sierra Fawn
GG - Granada Gold	TT - Capri Cream
HH - Mountain Green	YY - Butternut Yellow
KK - Emerald Turquoise

 1967 RPO Z28 - Special Performance Package includes 302-cid V8 engine, closed positive ventilation, dual exhaust with deep tone mufflers, special front and rear suspension, heavy-duty radiator and temperature controlled fan, quick ratio steering, 15x6 wheels, 7.35x15 nylon red stripe tires, 3.73:1 ratio axle and special paint stripes on hood and rear deck (requires 4-speed close ratio transmission, power brakes, front disc brakes or heavy-duty front disc brakes with metallic rear brakes; posi-traction recommended; Sport Coupe V8 only).
 

Price - $358.10

Total 1967 Z28 production - 602.

If one man alone deserves credit for the Camaro Z-28, it's Vincent W. Piggins. Vince not only thought up the Z-28 but convinced Chevrolet management to put it into production so the car could be homologated and raced in SCCA's (Sports Car Club of America's) then-new Trans-Am sedan series.

 

 Steve Kelly brings out first 302-cid Z-28 at Riverside introduction in Nov. 1966.
In fact, without Vince's prodding, the SCCA might never have continued Trans-Am sedan competition at all. It was only after Piggins assured SCCA officials that Chevrolet would lend its support that a racing schedule materialized for 1967.

 Vince, who's been a Chevrolet engineer since 1956 and who was the man behind the Hudson Hornet's NASCAR championships in the early 1950's, explains the Z-28's creation with these words:

 

  "After Ford released the Mustang, they had about two years on us before Chevrolet could get the Camaro into the 1967 product line. I felt in my activity, which deals with product promotion and how to get the most promotional mileage from a car from the performance standpoint, that we needed to develop a performance image for the Camaro that would be superior to the Mustang's.

1967 RPO L35 SS Camaro included above items except SS 350 badges were plain SS and 350 engine was replaced with a hefty 325-hp Turbo-Jet 396 1967 RPO L48 SS Camaro included 295-hp Turbo-Fire 350 V8, special hood with raised center area, simulated louvers, extra thick hood insulation, color-keyed paint band striping around grille, SS 350 grille emblem, SS front fender emblems, SS 350 fuel filler cap emblem, wide-oval red stripe nylon tires with 14x6 wheels plus special engine and chassis components. In December of 1966, the SS version was available in two more choices: 1967 RPO L78 SS Camaro included basic SS package with 375-hp Turbo-Jet 396 cubic inch V8 engine with black finished rear body panel, except Tuxedo Black, Deepwater Blue, Tahoe Turquoise, Madeira Maroon, and Royal Plum.   *Total 1967 SS production reached 34,41   1968 RPO L34 SS Camaro included same features as basic SS but featured 350-hp Turbo-Jet 396 V8, black finished rear body panel (except colors noted above), and black-accented grille and ornaments. 1968 RPO L35 SS Camaro included same features as basic SS but featured 325-hp Turbo-Jet 396 V8 and black finished rear body panel, except Sequoia Green, Cordovan Maroon, British Green, Tuxedo Black and Fathom Blue. 1968 RPO L48 SS Camaro included 295-hp Turbo-Fire 350 V8, special domed hood with simulated air intakes, color-keyed paint band and striping around grille, SS grille emblem, SS front fender emblems, SS fuel filler cap emblem, red stripe wide oval tires (white stripe optional) plus special engine and chassis components. 1968 RPO L78 SS Camaro included same features as basic SS but with 375-hp Turbo-Jet 396 V8 and black finished rear body panel (except colors noted above). 1968 RPO L89 SS Camaro included same features as basic SS but with 375-hp Turbo-Jet 396 V8 engine and aluminum cylinder heads. Also black finished rear body panel (except colors noted above).   *Total 1968 SS production reached 27,844   1969 RPO Z27 SS Camaro included 300-hp Turbo-Fire 350 V8, special hood, sport striping, hood insulation, F70x14 white lettered tires and 14x7 wheels, special suspension, power disc brakes, special 3-speed transmission, bright accents on simulated rear fender louvers, bright accents (many documented SS Camaros do not have the bright accents), SS front fender emblems, SS emblems on rear panel, black grille with SS emblem and rear bumper guards. 1969 RPO L34 SS Camaro included basic SS package with 350-hp Turbo-Jet 396 V8 and black rear panel (except Dusk Blue, Fathom Green, Burnished Brown, and Burgundy). 1969 RPO L35 SS Camaro included basic SS package with 325-hp Turbo-Jet 396 V8 and black rear panel (except colors noted above). 1969 RPO L78 SS Camaro included basic SS package with 375-hp Turbo-Jet 396 V8 and black rear panel (except colors noted above). 1969 RPO L89 SS Camaro included basic SS package with 375-hp Turbo-Jet 396 V8 with aluminum cylinder heads and black rear panel (except colors noted above).

   Camaro SS was the performance car with the machine look outside as well as inside. The accent stripe that Chevrolet introduced on the 1967 told you this was one very special F-body. This was the bold Camaro. The all new 1967 Super Sport edition Camaro. 

    
 
 The 1967 SS option cost $211. This got you the SS on the fenders, on the grille, and the fuel filler cap. All SS models received special suspension and chassis components right through the first generation years. 

   
 
  To complement the wide stance of the 1967 SS red-striped tires on 14x6 inch wheels were standard. White striped tires were available. This was true for the 68 SS models as well. The introduction of the SS began with a new 295-hp Turbo-Fire 350 cubic inch engine. It wouldn't be until months later (December 1966) that the 325-hp 396 turbo-Jet V8 with the famous porcupine heads would be added to the list of SS heavy-duty power. 

   
 
 The SS came in both models-convertible or Sport Coupe. Right from its beginnings, an optional vinyl roof was available on the coupe. Imagine the combinations of SS models the average buyer could put together. Imagine the ultimate SS ordered with Rally Sport equipment! 

   
 
  Yes, it was possible. Ordering both the RS and SS options on the same Camaro was sometimes confusing. Today however the combined performance package of the SS with the bright trim features of Rally Sport brings a premium price in comparison to those Camaros that are not so equipped.

    
 
  The SS whether ordered alone or with the RS package ALWAYS sported SS badge identity. Exclusive to the SS model for 1967 was the simulated louvered hood. Underhood insulation and bumblebee stripes came as standard appointments on all Super Sport Camaros.

    
 
 The RS option (RPO Z22) could be added to all of the three year SS cars-1967, 1968, and 1969. The RPO added special highlights- hideaway headlights, taillights with back-up lights under the bumper and bright rocker panel moldings. All RS insignias were replaced with SS identity.

    
 
 The 1967 SS Hugger handled and cornered exceptionally well. Some attributed it to the F7Ox14 tires on 6" wheels. Chevrolet had styled a car with road looks and boulevard ride. By 1969 the SS Camaro would be riding on 14x7 wheels with the F7O-14 wide oval white lettered tires. One note of interest on the 1969 performance SS models-the JL8 four-wheel disc Super Sport cars were factory installed with F7O-15 Goodyear tires on Rally wheel rims.

    
 
 Other than the basic model styling difference over the three year period of the first generation SS Camaros, noticeable changes were made in equipment also. The base engine had its horsepower increased from 295-hp in 1967 and 1968 to the 300-hp version in 1969. The 1968 model was the first year the dual stack type hood louvers were used on the 396 models to distinguish the big block SS from the 350 standard engine. However, by mid year all 1968 SS models wore the dual stack type louvers, even the 350 models. The louvers were unique, giving the appearance of working ports even though they were not functional. Maybe GM should have given more consideration to them instead of using the louvers as dress-up brights.

    
 
 Unmistakably the potent performer, the 396 SS was easily identified by the flat black accented rear panel. The only big block cars that broke this rule of thumb were the 1967 and 1969 white Indianapolis big block pace cars. Other features of the SS 396 were front fender identification, large capacity radiator, dual exhaust, larger fuel lines, heavy duty clutch, rear axle, special springs, and special shock absorbers. 

   
  The Yenko Super Camaro was a modified Chevrolet Camaro prepared by Yenko Chevrolet, under the command of Don Yenko. The originals were all first-generation Camaros. When the Camaro debuted, a General Motors corporate edict prevented it from carrying an engine larger than 400 in³ (6.6 L) V8; this put the Camaro at a serious disadvantage to the Ford Mustang, Plymouth Barracuda and the Dodge Dart since neither Ford nor Plymouth/Dodge had a such a limit. Don Yenko, however, knew there was a market for an ultra powerful Camaro and found ways around the GM limit.

Yenko ordered L-78 equipped SS Camaros and swapped in the Chevrolet Corvette's L-72 427 in³ (7.0 L) V8. The cars came with a 4.10 rear end and heavy-duty suspension. The exact number of cars produced is not known; most estimates are around 50. Yenko also installed a fiberglass replacement hood similar to the "Stinger" hood featured on 1967 big-block Corvettes.

  Don Yenko's Camaros were equipped with a 427ci L-72 in them with either an M21 or M22 transmission. The horsepower was rated at 423 hp (315 kW). Yenko Camaros were not allowed to race for Chevrolet on the drag strip because they were not made by Chevrolet. Chevy's answer to this was the Copo Camaro, or Central Office Production Order, in 1969. The Copo Camaros were equipped with the same 427ci engine and were allowed to race for Chevy.

  Encouraged by the success of the 1967 model, Yenko continued to produce his Camaros. All cars came equipped with the M-21 close-ratio four speed manual transmission. A large, twin-scooped hood replaced the "Stinger" version, and Yenko badges graced the sides and tail light plate. The COPO model came with upgraded suspension, 140 mph speed and other items but not the 427 ci engine. Yenko swapped the 396 ci engine for these up until 1969 when they were installed by Chevrolet. There is speculation that one 1968 Camaro came from the factory in 1968 with a 427 ci engine making it one of the most valuable collector cars to exist.

As of Sat. Jan. 17th 2009 at the Barret Jackson Auto Auction, a rebodied, silver 4spd Yenko went for $121,000

  For 1969, the dealership worked with Chevrolet to have the L-72 engines installed on the factory assembly line using a Central Office Production Order, or COPO. The orders included power disc brakes, a 4.10 Positraction rear end, a stronger front stabilizer, and a heavy-duty 4-core aluminum radiator. Buyers of the car had the option of either the M-21 four speed or the Turbo Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission. A total of 201 cars were sold in 1969, 171 with four speed transmissions and 30 with automatic transmissions. Yenko rounded out the visual package with front and rear spoilers, a cowl-induction hood, special "Yenko 427" badges, twin stripes down the flanks and hood, and the sYc (Yenko Super Car) badge.

  Almost 40 years later, these Camaros have been appraised and sold for well over $2.2 million USD at Barrett-Jackson auctions. As of sep 2008, there are 2 known automatic transmission 1969 Yenko Camaro's. as stated by ESPN auction show.

  As of Jan 17th 2009, a REAL ZL-1 Copo, dark green, re-bodied, went for $290,000 at the Barret Jackson Auto Auction Lot 12773. Mr. October Reggie Jackson was bidding on this car but didn't win it. Another yellow, original body, non original heads with Auto transmission for $270,000. Both are said to be a steal and the deals of the show.