CAMARO 1967-69

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, GM FINALLY GAVE ITS TRIBE A PONY CAR EQUIPPED TO TAKE THE FIGHT UP TO THE POPULAR FORD MUSTANG

Late in 1966, just as Ford’s Mustang was announcing its first face-lifted version, Chevrolet finally made it to market with a rival model.

Despite giving the Mustang almost three years’ start in their sales race, Chevrolet’s ‘pony’ car didn’t offer any huge design advantages or performance benefits over the Ford so the buying decision in many instances came down to price.

On the North American market a base-model Mustang coupe with two-barrel ‘289’ engine, automatic transmission and power disc front brakes listed at $2766.80. A similarlyequipped Camaro cost $2854.10 but that included the larger 5.3-litre ‘327’ V8.

Putting all of that into perspective, a 1967 Holden HR Special with six cylinders, three-speed manual transmission and drum brakes would cost an Aussie new car buyer $2517.

Needless to say the first Camaros to appear as feature cars in the windows of large metropolitan Holden dealerships attracted big crowds and sold quickly. More shipments followed and first-generation Camaros can still be found in the local market. Those available seem quite evenly divided between RHD conversions and those that have remained LHD with minimal difference in value.

Camaros imported as brand new cars were usually the top-spec RS or SS models. These came with V8 engines and were always loaded with extras intended to attract upmarket buyers who would then be less concerned when RHD conversion added 40 per cent to the price of the basic car.

The 327 engine was commonly seen here in big Chevrolet Impalas and the Canadian-sourced Pontiac Parisienne. It would also power the HK GTS Monaro that brought Holden a maiden Bathurst 500 victory in 1968 so it didn’t struggle at all to ensure the Camaro would keep its nose ahead of most contenders for traffic-light supremacy.

Whereas the Australian arms of US carmaking’s ‘Big Three’ were very early adopters of disc brakes, the parent companies refused to fit anything but drums as standard even to cars that were quite fast. Front discs were accordingly optional on every Camaro except the very scarce Z28.

The majority of 1967 cars in the our latest sample were modified to some extent and at the lower end of the market this isn’t going to influence value. Significantly altering a Z28 or big-block RS/SS will have an effect so these should be authentic wherever possible.

A minor restyle for 1969 brought sculpted style lines to the Camaro’s flanks, giving the cars a longer and lower appearance. A new grille and tail-lights enhanced the change but there was no mistaking the transition that was in progress and which would see the Camaro of the 1970s become a more substantial and conservative car.

Among the small-block models, an SS will generate 25 per cent more money than a base model but less than the scarce RS/SS. These with 396 cubic inch engines and in outstanding condition can exceed $100,000. Base-spec convertibles with 327 engines and in good condition can be found for $60,000.