he 1967 Chevy Camaro is an undisputed icon of American automotive history. Born into the golden age of muscle cars, it was Chevrolet’s answer to the wildly successful Ford Mustang, and it quickly became a symbol of power, performance, and style. Decades later, the Camaro continues to captivate car enthusiasts, particularly those drawn to the Pro Touring movement. This article explores the origins of the Camaro, its racing pedigree, and the modern reinterpretation known as Pro Touring—a build philosophy that transforms these vintage machines into high-performance, corner-carving legends.
Origins of the 1967 Chevy Camaro
The 1960s were a revolutionary period for American automakers. Ford’s Mustang, introduced in 1964, had created an entirely new market segment: the pony car, characterized by its long hood, short deck, and sporty performance. General Motors (GM) knew it needed to respond, and the result was the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro.
Released in September 1966, the Camaro was a direct competitor to the Mustang and was built on GM’s brand-new F-body platform. Chevrolet offered the Camaro in two body styles: a sleek hardtop coupe and a convertible, giving buyers an option of open-air driving. The design was aggressive and muscular, with a wide stance and a low-slung body that emphasized its performance capabilities.
Under the hood, the Camaro came with a range of engines that catered to different buyers, from a base inline-six to V8 options that ranged from 327 cubic inches to the legendary 396-cubic-inch big block. The SS (Super Sport) and Z/28 packages were introduced to provide even more performance. The Z/28, in particular, was a homologation special designed for the Trans-Am racing series, featuring a high-revving 302 cubic-inch V8 and a close-ratio 4-speed transmission.
From the start, the Camaro’s success wasn’t just about straight-line speed—it was also built for handling. The Z/28’s suspension upgrades made it a formidable contender on road courses, and its lightweight design helped it compete in racing events, especially in the Trans-Am series where it battled the Mustang head-to-head.
Pro Touring Movement: What is It?
Fast forward to the modern era, and the 1967 Camaro has found new life in the Pro Touring world. The Pro Touring concept refers to classic muscle cars that have been heavily modified to handle like modern sports cars. These vehicles combine vintage looks with modern technology, including advanced suspension systems, high-performance brakes, and contemporary engines, to create a driving experience that blends the best of both worlds—old-school style with cutting-edge performance.
The 1967 Chevy Camaro is a prime candidate for Pro Touring builds due to its timeless design and potential for performance upgrades. A Pro Touring Camaro takes the raw power and street presence of the original and transforms it into a machine capable of dominating on both the street and the track. The goal is to enhance handling, braking, and reliability without losing the car’s muscle car soul.
Building a Pro Touring 1967 Camaro
A Pro Touring 1967 Camaro typically starts with a full restoration of the body and chassis, but that’s just the beginning. The heart of most Pro Touring builds is a modern powerplant—often a Chevrolet LS-series V8 engine. The LS engines are lighter, more efficient, and produce significantly more power than the original small block or big block engines from the 1960s. These engines can easily produce 500+ horsepower, and with aftermarket support, they can be tuned for even greater performance.
Beyond the engine, the suspension is a critical area of focus. The original leaf spring and control-arm suspension setup from the 1967 Camaro was good for its time, but it doesn’t hold a candle to modern performance. In a Pro Touring Camaro, the suspension is often replaced with coilovers, independent rear setups, and tubular control arms to allow for better handling, improved cornering, and a more controlled ride. This makes the car capable of competing with modern sports cars in terms of road course performance and driving dynamics.
High-performance disc brakes are also a must. The drum brakes that came on most 1967 Camaros simply don’t provide the stopping power necessary for a modern, high-horsepower build. Most Pro Touring cars are upgraded with big brake kits that include vented and cross-drilled rotors, multi-piston calipers, and performance brake pads for maximum stopping power.
Finally, modern wheels and tires complete the Pro Touring transformation. While the original Camaro came with 14-inch wheels, Pro Touring builds typically use much larger wheels—often 18 or 19 inches—to accommodate wider performance tires. This not only improves grip but also enhances the car’s overall stance, giving it a more aggressive and planted appearance.
Racing Pedigree and Track Performance
The Camaro, particularly the first-generation models from 1967 to 1969, has a rich history in motorsports. The Camaro Z/28 was Chevrolet’s weapon of choice for the Trans-Am racing series, which pitted American muscle cars against one another on road courses. The Z/28 was specifically built for this series, equipped with a 302 cubic-inch V8 that was designed to comply with the Trans-Am’s 5.0-liter engine displacement limit.
In 1967, the Camaro faced stiff competition from Ford’s Mustang and other muscle cars like the Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda. However, its balanced chassis and potent small-block V8 made it a competitive racer. The Z/28 Camaro became an icon in Trans-Am racing, particularly in 1968 and 1969, when it won consecutive championships under the leadership of renowned drivers like Mark Donohue and teams like Roger Penske Racing.
In modern Pro Touring form, the 1967 Camaro continues its racing tradition, albeit in a different arena. Pro Touring cars are often seen at events like Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car, where they compete in autocross, road course, and braking competitions. Thanks to their modern suspensions, brakes, and engines, these cars can hold their own against new performance cars, proving that the Camaro’s racing spirit is still alive.
Design and Styling: A Timeless Muscle Car
One of the key elements that make the 1967 Camaro a popular choice for Pro Touring is its design. The original car has a timeless muscle car aesthetic that looks just as good today as it did when it first hit the streets in the 1960s. With its bold front grille, Coke-bottle side profile, and aggressive stance, the Camaro commands attention wherever it goes.
In a Pro Touring build, the exterior of the 1967 Camaro is often kept true to the original design, with only subtle modifications like a lowered stance, wider wheels, and custom paint jobs. Many Pro Touring builders aim to preserve the car’s classic appearance while upgrading the performance components hidden underneath.
Random Facts About the 1967 Camaro
- The Camaro’s Name: The origin of the name “Camaro” is a bit of an enigma. According to Chevrolet, the word has no true meaning, though they claimed it was a “small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs.” This was a playful jab at Ford’s pony car, the Mustang, which the Camaro was built to compete against.
- RS, SS, and Z/28: The 1967 Camaro could be ordered with several performance and appearance packages. The RS (Rally Sport) added hidden headlights and trim options, the SS (Super Sport) boosted performance with a more powerful engine, and the Z/28 was the race-bred package designed for Trans-Am competition.
- Collector’s Item: The 1967 Camaro has become one of the most sought-after muscle cars in the collector world. Well-preserved examples, particularly Z/28 and SS models, command high prices at auctions. Pro Touring Camaros, with their modern upgrades, also enjoy a strong following due to their blend of vintage style and modern performance.
Legacy of the 1967 Camaro
The 1967 Chevy Camaro is more than just a car—it’s a piece of American history and an enduring symbol of the muscle car era. Whether in its original form or as a modernized Pro Touring build, the Camaro continues to inspire automotive enthusiasts with its iconic design, rich racing pedigree, and potential for limitless performance upgrades.
The Pro Touring movement has breathed new life into the 1967 Camaro, allowing it to compete with modern performance cars on both the street and the track. For many, the Pro Touring 1967 Camaro represents the perfect fusion of past and present—a tribute to the golden age of American muscle that has been enhanced with today’s technology. It’s a car that proves that while times may change, the Camaro’s spirit of speed, power, and performance is timeless.