302ci OHV V8 Engine
Dual 4-Barrel Carburetors
450bhp at 5,800rpm
4-Speed Muncie Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension – Live Rear Axle
Front Disc – Rear Drum Brakes

*17th of 25 pre-production Z/28s
*Authenticated by Jerry MacNeish
*Numbers-matching
*Featured in Gulf Oil television ads

THE CAMARO Z/28

Ostensibly an answer to Ford's sensationally-popular Mustang, Chevrolet's Camaro has roots that date back to 1962, when then-Chevy design chief Irv Rybicki suggested a small 'personal car' based on the Chevy II. General Manager Semon 'Bunkie' Knudsen, however, was unconvinced, feeling that the Corvair, Chevy II and the upcoming Chevelle had the bases well covered. Rybicki, however, continued to work on proposals, and his 'Super Nova' made it to the 1964 New York Auto Show, a few weeks before Mustang's introduction. Once 100,000 Mustangs had been sold and the market for such a car firmly established, GM management gave the Super Nova a more favorable glance. The rush was on to develop a pony car in less than two years.

Mechanically derived from the second-generation Chevy II, the Camaro was similarly a unibody design, with a stub frame ahead of the cowl. Front suspension came from the Chevelle, the single-leaf rear springs from the Chevy II. Engines and transmissions were from the company catalog; in 1967, there were seven engines offered, from a 230 cubic inch, 140bhp six to a 396 cubic inch, 375bhp V8, and a myriad of transmissions and axle ratios. Exterior trim could be augmented with a Style Trim Group consisting of stripes and chrome, or one could choose the Rally Sport option to add disappearing headlamps and special taillights. Introduced on September 12, 1966, the Camaro was available either as a coupe or a convertible. Of the nearly 221,000 sold about a quarter were soft tops; three quarters were V8s.

The desirable Z/28 option cost $458.15 and included the 302ci high performance V-8 engine that met the Trans Am's 5-liter displacement limit rated at 290hp (but routinely delivered pulling 350hp plus on test!)

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This 1967 Camaro Z/28 is the 17th of 25 pre-production Z/28s built by Chevrolet. Originally delivered to Heinrich Chevrolet in Rochester, New York, this factory race car was driven by Gary Morgan in the SCCA Trans-Am Series for a few very successful years, from 1967 to 1969. During this period, this Camaro clinched 11 race wins and 2 second place finishes. The 302 cubic-inch V8 is mated to a muncue M22 'Rock Crusher', sending power to the 12-bolt posi-traction rear end. Off the track, this particular Z/28 was used extensively in Gulf Oil television commercials, which aired during the moon landing broadcasts and other landmark moments that defined the late 1960s.

After falling off the grid for years, the car was rediscovered intact, with its original pre-production engine, Cross-Ram manifold, and rear differential. It was then restored to Bolero Red with Ermine White stripes and prominent Gulf Oil decals-the same way it was presented in the Gulf Oil advertisements.

More recently, this special Z/28 spent time in Belgium, where extensive mechanical work was conducted to make it compliant with modern vintage racing standards, documented in the service record accompanying the sale. In 2015, this Z/28 participated in the Spa Classic and is capable of being enjoyed by its next owner in various racing situations worldwide. The car is beautifully represented throughout-it is mechanically and visually sorted and the recent necessary racing enhancements are well integrated. This Z/28 is not only ready to be enjoyed at speed, it is also a historically significant chapter in the history of the Camaro and believed to be the only pre-production Z/28 to retain its original engine.