Lot 308: Chevrolet Camaro SS Coupe

Concerned with the runaway success of the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet executives realised 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 the Mustang and Chevy II. In addition, the Camaro was designed to accept 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 26th 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 two door 2+2 coupé or convertible with a choice of six cylinder and V8 power plants. The SS model included a 350cu.in/5.7 litre V8 engine, although the L35 and L78 396cu.in/6.5 litre big-block V8s were also available. The SS featured non-functional air inlets on the hood, special striping and SS badges on the grille, front wings, petrol cap and horn button. The car on offer here is a 1967 model which was originally purchased in California, America, and it has spent its life in the warm and rust-free West Coast climate. Recently it has 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 replacement parts imported from America. The engine has been overhauled with new pistons, timing chains, bearings, oil and water pumps and gaskets. In addition, the block has been rebored and honed, the cylinder heads have been fully rebuilt, and a new Procomp Electronics billet distributor and ignition box has been fitted. The transmission, rear suspension and brakes have all also benefited from full overhauls and the car has been fitted with power-assisted steering, a Thermatic electric fan, Koni shock absorbers, front and rear anti-roll bars, an aluminium crossflow radiator, performance exhaust system, alloy wheels and NASCAR style valve covers. It has also been repainted in the classic Hugger Orange colour with SS model details and sports an attractive black interior, with new centre console, which has recently been refurbished. 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.