Looking for a Pony Car Rebuild? Check Out the 1967 Classic Camaro
In the mid-1960s, Ford dominated the pony car segment with its newly released Mustang, but General Motors wasn't satisfied with playing second fiddle. They put their engineers to work and in September of 1966, Chevrolet unveiled their answer to the pony car market: The 1967 Chevy Camaro. The vehicle became an instant hit and today it remains an outstanding choice for those classic car collectors and automotive enthusiasts who want something fast and powerful to rebuild and restore.
The 1967 Classic Camaro: A Fantastic Pony Car Created By the Ford v. Chevy Rivalry
An interesting thing about the 1967 classic Camaro is that it bears a striking resemblance to its main competitor, the Ford Mustang -- at least in general interior and exterior looks. Both feature an elongated hood with vents, sloped roofline, and haunches over the rear wheels. This wasn't by accident as the Ford Mustang itself was a response to Chevy's compact Corvair Monza.
The Corvair Monza debuted in 1960 but despite offering more technology and more amenities, the Mustang ultimately became the greater seller. Why? Because it seemed that customers simply preferred the iconic styling of the Ford Mustang over the tech sophistication -- and so Chevy hit back with just the right styling accents to capture those same pony car customers.
So with the 1967 Chevy Camaro, there is a cleaner and crisper finishing styling done to appeal to American buyers while the Mustang retained a more Baroque touch throughout the rest of the decade. In addition to appealing to car buyer's visual appetites, the Chevy Camaro was designed to fully satisfy customers in the performance department as evidenced by the incredible release of the 1967 Chevy Camaro Z28.
Consumer Appeal and Racecar Capabilities
The Chevy Camaro Z28 was the definitive racecar for the streets. This beast of a consumer car had an engine that combined the bore of the 327 cu. in. block with the stroke of a 283 cu. in. engine's crank, producing 302. cu. in. With 290 horsepower, the Z28's engine pounded out 3500rpm and could easily go on up to 7000rpm. Other key selling points of this classic Camaro included a special heavy-duty suspension, quick ratio steering, dual low restriction exhaust, heavy-duty radiator with a temperature controlled fan, and a special paint job.
If Chevy missed their audience with the Corvair Monza, they certainly hit the bullseye squarely on with the Chevy Camaro. Not only did they build a fantastic pony car, they knew exactly how to market it. Just check out this vintage video ad displaying the classic Camaro in all its fiery glory.
Today, the Camaro continues to be a top favorite among car collectors and hot rod enthusiasts who want to outfit a classic Camaro with modern day power and suspension. In fact, here at Customs & Hot Rods of Andice, we're proud to be refitting one such '67 Camaro. This beast is getting some exciting bodywork and custom upholstery. Contact us to learn more about our services and what we can do!