Lot 418: Chevrolet Camaro SS Coupe

Concerned with the runaway success of the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet executives realized in the mid-Sixties that their compact sporty car, the Corvair, would not be able to generate the sales volume of the Mustang due to its radical rear-engine design, as well as declining sales, partly due to bad publicity from Ralph Nader's book, Unsafe at Any Speed. Therefore, the Camaro was born, and touted as having the same conventional rear-drive, front-engine configuration as Mustang and Chevy II. In addition, the Camaro was designed to fit a variety of power plants in the engine bay. The first-generation Camaro would last until the 1969 model year and would eventually inspire the design of the new retro fifth-generation Camaro. The first-generation Chevrolet Camaro appeared on 26 September 1966 for the 1967 model year on an all brand new rear-wheel drive GM F-body platform and would be available as a 2-doors, 2+2 seating, coup� or convertible with a choice of six-cylinder and V8 powerplants. The first-generation Camaro would last up through the 1969 model year. The SS model included a 350 (5.7L) V8 engine, although the L35 and L78 396(6.5L) 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. The car on offer here is a 1967 model which was originally purchased in California, USA, and has spent its life in the warm and rust-free West Coast area. The car has recently been fully rebuilt to a very high standard with all of the SS options and converted to right hand drive using original General Motors Holden parts. During the extensive rotisserie restoration, the car was stripped, sandblasted and fully rebuilt, with all parts either rebuilt or replaced with items imported from the USA. The engine has been overhauled with new pistons, timing chains, bearings, oil and water pumps and gaskets. In addition, the block has been re-bored and honed, the heads have been fully rebuilt, and a new Procomp Electronics billet distributor and ignition box has been fitted. The transmission, rear end and brakes have all also benefitted from full overhauls. The car has been repainted in the classic Hugger Orange colour with SS model details and sports an attractive black interior, which has also recently been replaced. In addition, the car has been fitted with power steering, a Thermatic electric fan, Koni shock absorbers, front and rear sway bars, a new centre console, an aluminium crossflow radiator, performance exhaust system, alloy wheels and NASCAR style valve covers. Since the restoration, the car has completed only a few shakedown miles for testing purposes. An excellent opportunity to acquire a legendary 60s muscle car presented in first class condition which is ready to be enjoyed.