1967 Chevrolet Camaro: 100 Automobiles That Matter
Within the mid-1960s, Chevrolet had an issue, a Mustang-sized downside. Crosstown-rival Ford had offered greater than 1 million of its new 2+2 private luxurious coupes, and the rear-engine Corvair wasn’t slicing it. In 1966, Chevy revealed its reply to the Mustang within the type of the 1967 Chevy Camaro.
The primary Chevrolet Camaro took on the Mustang simply as Ford upped the efficiency ante. The Camaro can’t lay declare as the primary pony automotive, however its significance isn’t up for debate.
Just like the Mustang, the Camaro arrived with coupe and convertible physique types and a slew of powertrains that ranged from inline-6s to beefy V-8s. The Camaro was born in the identical method because the Mustang, too. Ford’s pony automotive got here to life by way of the Falcon. Chevy borrowed the sub-frame from the Chevy II Nova—itself a late response to Ford’s Falcon—to underpin the Camaro.
ALSO SEE: 7 stuff you in all probability did not know concerning the 1st Camaro
1967 Chevrolet Camaro chassis quantity 100001 – The primary Camaro ever constructed
For 1967, the top-of-the-line Camaro engine was a 396 cubic-inch big-block V-Eight that made 375 horsepower, although 4 different small-block engines and one further big-block have been non-obligatory.
Automobile and Driver sampled one of many first manufacturing Camaros in SS trim with a 350 cubic-inch V-Eight below the hood, sufficient to make 295 hp. The small-block V-Eight shot Chevy’s Mustang rival to 60 mph in 7.Eight seconds. Laughable right now for such an enormous engine, that quantity was nothing to joke about within the late 1960s.
So, the Camaro was a rush job? A copycat? Only a identify Chevy tried to persuade patrons meant “comrade” or “pal” in French slang? Truly, it turned out to be rather more.
1967 Chevrolet Camaro chassis quantity 100001 – The primary Camaro ever constructed
Whereas gross sales initially paled compared to the Mustang, the Camaro finally carved out its personal area of interest and located a slew of loyal followers and patrons within the many years to return. The Camaro did one thing the Mustang couldn’t do alone: It kicked off one of many automotive world’s biggest rivalries, the still-running debate over Ford versus Chevy.
Competitors made each vehicles higher, and it nonetheless does right now. With out the ‘67 Camaro, the Mustang may not be the stallion it’s now—and vice versa.
Notice to readers: Motor Authority has compiled 100 vehicles which have without end modified fanatics. From supercars and sedans to SUVs and muscle vehicles, these are the vehicles which have sparked our love for vehicles. Suppose we’ve missed one thing? Depart a remark beneath or contact us right here.