302 cubic inch pre-production V8 that’s equipped with a
1968-spec cross ram induction system and a whole roster of authentic ancillary
equipment
Modified suspension that’s equipped with both manual
steering and power four wheel disc brakes
Number 17 of 25 pre-production SCCA Trans Am Z-28s which
were sold to well-known drivers and dealers
Authenticated by both Camaro expert Jerry MacNeish and Watkins
Glen Walk of Fame driver Gary Morgan
Muncie M22 ‘Rock Crusher’ 4-speed transmission
15 inch magnesium Torq Thrust D wheels
Driven to 11 victories, two second place finishes, one
A-Sedan championship, one regional fourth place and two back-to-back Watkins
Glen speed records
12 bolt Posi-traction rear end
Correct Bolero Red exterior paint that’s accented with
Ermine White rally stripes and a 1968-spec logo and decal package
Featured in three Gulf advertisements which aired during
both the 1968 presidential debate and the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing
For many Camaro enthusiasts the pinnacle of their favorite
car’s 45 year legacy is its original mission to dominate SCCA’s fabled Trans Am
series. Never have the worlds of automotive production and automotive motorsports
been so closely linked; and the idea that an eager gearhead could walk into
their local Chevy dealership, check the options sheet for a Z/28 Camaro, and
build it into a race winning super car via factory supplied parts is better
than fantasy! Unfortunately, Chevrolet’s official SCCA program was short lived,
the purity of the original Camaro Z/28 was even shorter lived and, thanks to
the high attrition rate of track cars, today’s enthusiasts usually take solace
in aging photos and well-done replicas. But every once in a while the planets
align and fortune smiles as an unassuming member of their fraternity stumbles
upon a jewel like this fully documented Watkins Glen record holder. One of the
first 25 pre-production Z-28s built specifically for tearing up America’s road
courses, this old school Trans Am winner is a one-of-a-kind show car that was
driven to fame by SCCA legend Gary Morgan. Today with an extensive race record,
a storied history and major car show awards under its belt, this Camaro is the
perfect investment for any collector who likes to win big and make history!
In March of 1964, Ford took young buyers by storm with the
introduction of America’s first pony car. It wasn’t long before rival Chevrolet
realized the breadth of Dearborn’s newest star and planned a suitable
competitor codenamed ‘Panther’. Even with a rush to market, the leadership at
GM knew the Panther project would take at least two years to fully develop; and
subsequently, Ford would have a major head start defining what was quickly
becoming the country’s hottest segment. So, Chevrolet brass decided the only
way to truly establish the Panther as a better alternative to the Mustang would
mean proving its superior performance ability. SCCA’s new-for-1966 Trans Am
series seemed a logical test bed, and F-body engineers started lobbying the
agency to continue its faltering sedan class to showcase the newly christened
Camaro’s prowess. However, SCCA refused to commit to another season until GM
assured full factory support, and Chevrolet’s Project Cheetah racing program
was officially kicked into gear. By mid-1966, a simplified version of the
Cheetah package was in the hands of both GM executives and car enthusiast
publications. In early 1967 the first 25 RPO Z-28 Camaros, all bound for SCCA
competition, were delivered to Chevrolet’s top dealers and a few well-known
drivers. And in 1968 and 1969 Chevrolet won back to back Trans Am championships
officially establishing the Camaro as a serious competitor to the once
untouchable Mustang.
Ordered by Heinrich Chevy-Land in Rochester, New York, and
driven by Watkins Glen Walk of Fame inductee Gary Morgan, this 1967 Camaro is
the 17th pre-production Z-28 built to kick off Chevrolet’s official SCCA Trans
Am racing program. During its three years with Morgan at the wheel, the car set
both 1967 and 1968 Watkins Glen speed records, collected 11 victories and two
second place finishes, claimed an SCCA Area 11 A-Sedan championship, and was
bestowed with 4th place honors in the Finger Lakes Region SCCA Northeast
Division. As is often the case with successful motorsports campaigns, major
publicity lead to major sponsorship and this historic F1 eventually headlined a
trio of TV commercials which aired during both the 1968 presidential debate and
the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing. Today, authenticated by both Gary Morgan and
well-known Camaro authority Jerry MacNeish, it’s a 100% correct restoration of
a racing icon that is believed to be the only complete, pre-production SCCA
Z-28 ever publicly displayed.
After racing under various drivers and getting lost in the
sands of time for almost 20 years, this one-of-a-kind Camaro was found wearing
95% of its original paint and one repaired quarter panel. The car’s new owner,
initially looking for a clean Z/28 to restore as a semi-daily driver,
recognized its “4P” branded cowl tag as something special and eventually
executed a high quality frame-off restoration which accurately recreated a
1968-spec appearance. A smooth coat of correct GM code R Bolero Red lies between
slightly flared fenders, Ermine White rally stripes and a full outfit of
era-correct logos and decals. At the front of the car, a bright “Chevrolet
Camaro” header emblem shines above a standard Camaro grille, aluminum headlight
and parking light fillers, mesh valence inserts, and a 1968-spec D80 front
spoiler. At the top of the car, a flat F1 Camaro hood rides below tight pins
and like-new glass which is framed by spotless stainless trim, cleared by satin
finish wipers and secured by small aluminum tabs. Form comes courtesy of
painted drip rails and chrome “Camaro” fender emblems which have been
strategically incorporated into large Gulf logos. Function is provided by
bright trimmed vent windows, correct chrome mirrors and obligatory factory door
handles. And at the back of the car, stainless trimmed back glass props
full-length braces above a polished fuel filler, tight decklid pins, a
1968-spec trunk spoiler, pristine Camaro tail lights and an aluminum block off
plate for the car’s factory fuel cap.
When GM planned the Camaro line they decided Chevrolet’s
reliable small block 350 would be the perfect base engine. Unfortunately,
SCCA’s Trans Am class imposed a 305 cubic inch displacement cap and Chevy’s
engineers had to quickly create a suitable powerplant to coincide with the
car’s launch. Their solution was to build a track-ready option package around a
tweaked version of the brand’s tried and true Turbo-Fire 327. And the result is
this 302 cubic inch mill which, in addition to being original to the car, is
thought to be the last prototype 302 in existence and the only prototype 302
ever displayed to the public. Naturally, this legendary flag chaser is equipped
with some of the best performance equipment GM ever developed; and throughout
its three years of factory racing, ran the gamut of horsepower numbers from 290
for street use and insurance semantics to 400 at its inaugural race and
somewhere north of 465 when equipped as it sits today. At the top of the block
a rare cowl plenum induction system forces wind through two correct Holley list
4295 4-barrel carburetors and an early, 1968-spec Winter cross ram intake. At
the sides of the block, correct double hump heads hang bright, stamped
Chevrolet valve covers above an authentic set of Stahl headers. At the back of
the block, a familiar points distributor sends power through fresh AC Delco
Premium plug wires. And at the front of the block, new V-belts center a massive
pulley fan between a deep shroud, a correct radiator, reproduction GM hoses and
authentic tower clamps. Aesthetically, this F1 trophy winner’s fully restored
bay is top notch in every way from its Gary Morgan autograph and correct Delco
Moraine brake booster to its dual remote oil filters and track-ready coolant
catch tank. And the engine’s vivid Chevy Orange paint contrasts beautifully
against straight, satin black fenders and a super clean firewall.
In addition to a cowl plenum fed small block V8 and
ill-fated Z-22 Rally Sport appearance enhancements, the initial proposal for
RPO Z-28 included Chevrolet’s optional F41 suspension, familiar J52 front disc
brakes, heavy duty J65 metallic rear drum linings, a close ratio Muncie 4-speed
with an 11 inch clutch from the division’s 396 cars, and 15 inch Corvette
wheels with wider 7.75 tires. And while the bottom of this racer has been
modified to better fulfill its team’s mission of dominating the Glen, it still
closely resembles an F1 Camaro with factory fresh underpinnings. The hot small
block’s power flows through a tough M22 Muncie 4-speed transmission to a
correct 12 bolt Posi-traction rear end. Turns come courtesy of a track tuned
double A-arm front and rear leaf suspension which combines large diameter power
disc brakes with a thick front sway bar, upfitted traction bars, an upfitted
panhard bar and tight manual steering to provide stellar driving dynamics. And
a thrill inducing soundtrack roars through mandrel bent side pipes that are
bolted directly to the car’s authentic Stahl headers. All this expertly
restored muscle rolls on an era correct set of 15 inch Torq Thrust D magnesium
wheels which are fitted with 6.00-15 front and 7.00-15 rear 1968-spec Goodyear
tires. And since no wholesale replacement of the floors was needed, they were
appropriately restored, finished in a smooth coat of GM satin black paint and
accented with both stainless hardware and braided hoses.
By now, you’ve undoubtedly looked at the pictures of this
Z-28’s sparse and well-used interior and put to rest any creeping thoughts that
it isn’t a pure-bred race car. A complete roll cage wraps around a tight
fitting race bucket which is equipped with both a four point RJS racing harness
and a rare bowtie headrest. To the right of that bucket, you’ll notice a small
fire extinguisher, an oil accumulator for the wet sump oil system and a tough
and durable Hurst T-handle shifter. At the front of the car, a correct heater
and radio delete dash hangs a second Gary Morgan autograph between simple
aluminum filler panels. At the sides of the car, restoration-fresh door panels
and window hardware serve as the only blatant aesthetic modification from the
Watkins Glen glory days. In front of the driver, a Kirkey-padded steering wheel
spins around a simple instrument panel which centers an Auto Meter tachometer
between a full set of Stewart Warner accessory gauges, a full set of chrome
accessory switches and an Auto Meter Pro-Lite. And behind the cockpit, the
car’s would-be trunk houses a fresh stainless fuel cell, a high performance
Holley electronic fuel pump and a new battery.
Naturally this killer Camaro, which is sold on a bill of
sale held here at RK Motors Charlotte, comes with a stack documentation that
includes: a binder full of historic clippings, vintage photos and official
judging sheets, letters of authentication from both Gary Morgan and Jerry
MacNeish, modern photos of Gary Morgan signing the car’s dash and air cleaner,
a copy of Gary Morgan’s official race record, a list of previous owners, copies
of both the car’s feature in Super Chevy and Chevy High Performance, and three
DVDs of vintage race footage.
As a rare and significant piece of automotive history, this
storied SCCA racer has racked up many awards including:
The Illinois Camaro Club 1992 Best of Show
The U.S. Camaro Club Gold Award of Excellence (979 out of
1000 points)
source: http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/active/1967-Chevrolet-Camaro-Z-28/133056#!/
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