The Class of 1967 was given its due at the 2022 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals. Celebrating 55 years, 1967 was a pivotal 12 months for efficiency automobiles, the cusp of what had been and what was going to be.
For one factor, Chrysler acquired its act collectively and at last produced devoted efficiency fashions with the Plymouth GTX and Dodge Coronet R/T after counting on the Hemi and tepid 383 in Belvederes. Of course, picture meant every little thing, and Chrysler solved its downside in 1967. Other mid-size autos have been carry-overs, although most have been enhancements over the 1966s.
Several pony automobiles have been launched in 1967, with the Camaro and Firebird turning up the warmth on the Mustang, which was redesigned to be longer/decrease/wider. A brand new upscale companion at Mercury added to Ford’s fortunes within the pony automotive section. The Barracuda additionally was redesigned however its Valiant origins have been nonetheless obvious, for higher or worse.
A 12 months later, Chrysler, GM and Ford all had redesigned their mid-size autos, with the Plymouth Road Runner altering the foundations within the high-performance market. Like Rock ‘n Roll within the mid-Fifties, 1968 was the 12 months the youth market grew to become a Detroit precedence. Here’s a glance at some of the automobiles that made 1967 a pivotal 12 months.
Buick’s Gran Sport was revamped in a number of methods. Though facelifted from 1966, the Gran Sport was now referred to as GS 400 in response to the brand new 400 that changed the 401 “Nailhead.” Also new was what would later be often called a “Junior Supercar,” the GS 340; there additionally was a curious regional particular referred to as the California GS that might turn into accessible nationally for 1968-69.
This Blue Mist 1967 GS 400 hardtop was produced with the usual three-speed guide on the ground. Only 373 hardtops have been constructed with this transmission, which really was a Ford unit.
The hood scoops on this Regal Black GS 400 have been painted like the remaining of the physique, however the GS 340’s have been painted purple, together with a large longitudinal stripe working from the non-functional fender extractors to the rear.
You can see this Ivory GS 400 convertible encompasses a Saddle inside, a coloration probably not seen on different GM muscle automobiles however, contemplating Buick’s clientele, it is sensible that Buick would provide extra mature colours. These colours grew to become extra common throughout the business round 1970.
This coloration is named Verde Green, which was not accessible on different GM automobiles save the Oldsmobile Toronado. All GS 400s featured a nifty purple “Star Wars” air cleaner.
The Buick Riviera additionally obtained an up to date engine for 1967, this one measuring 430ci. Due to GM’s ban on a number of carburetion apart of the Corvette, the Riviera not had a 2×4 possibility. This instance is one of 4,837 constructed with the GS package deal.
The 1967 Camaro had a secret: a road-racing package deal with the choice code Z28. Few individuals knew about it, which is why solely 602 have been constructed. By 1969, the phrase acquired out and over 20,000 have been constructed. This ’67 options the Rally Sport package deal and is provided in Day 2 configuration.
The common efficiency Camaro was the Super Sport, initially solely accessible with an unique 295-horsepower 350 however, after a couple of months, two 396s grew to become accessible. This Granada Gold Camaro SS/RS 350 options column-shift computerized and commonplace hubcaps with out trim rings.
Compare the above with this Capri Cream 1967 Camaro and you can be forgiven in pondering it’s a Super Sport. However, it’s merely a Rally Sport with the D91 stripe that was commonplace with the SS package deal. Engine is a 275-horsepower 327, the highest engine for the “common” Camaro save the Z28. Note the new-for-1967 Rally wheels, which featured a shallow heart cap totally different from all subsequent years.
Here’s a Granada Gold 1967 SS 427. Basically the massive brother to the Chevelle SS 396, the Z24 SS 427 package deal included a 385-horsepower 427 (L36) paired to a heavy-duty 3-speed guide transmission, hood with particular ornamentation, SS 427 badges fore and aft, particular 427 engine badges distinctive to the Z24, SS wheel covers, Strato-bucket entrance seats with console or Strato-black seat with armrest, and a bunch of different upscale trim out and in.
This 1967 Chevelle SS 396 options the non-compulsory SS wheel covers and Z29 vinyl aspect stripe. There additionally was a D96 vast aspect stripe accessible in 1967. Three variations of the 396 have been accessible from 1966-69, starting from 325-375 horsepower.
Dodge’s Coronet R/T 375-horsepower 440 Magnum was extra highly effective than most of the competitors’s non-compulsory engines. If the 440 discovered itself with its fingers full, the non-compulsory 426 Hemi was accessible. Other commonplace R/T options included TorqueFlite transmission, louvered hood, longitudinal pinstripe outlining the contour, distinctive R/T identification, particular Charger-esque grille, hid taillights, 7.75×14-inch purple streaks, bucket seats and 150-mph speedometer. Note the usual hubcaps with out trim rings on this Dark Blue metallic R/T convertible.
This Silver metallic R/T convertible with purple inside appears sportier because of non-compulsory metal Road Wheels in comparison with the blue one above, however the latter appears extra purposeful.
Compare the Dodge above with the same Silver metallic 1967 Plymouth GTX right here. The GTX’s gear record was much like the Coronet R/T’s, although the 440 was referred to as Super Commando and it was topped by a hood with twin simulated air intakes. A notable characteristic of the GTX was the pit-stop gasoline cap. This ’67 options the usual 440 and the non-compulsory chrome Custom Road Wheels, which weren’t accessible with disc brakes.
This fairly Mauve metallic Hemi GTX was not initially ordered this manner, however it was constructed the best way the proprietor wished. Note the Sport stripes, which have been an possibility that spanned the hood and trunk lid.
Do you suppose this triple black 440 GTX appears sinister as-is? Or do you suppose it could look higher to set it off with stripes? White, darkish purple, darkish blue or medium copper have been accessible, all with matching inside if most well-liked.
The Silver Bullet is arguably probably the most well-known GTX of all of them (Black Ghost who?), a avenue racing legend from Detroit. Jimmy Addison was a mechanic at a Sunoco alongside Woodward Avenue in Birmingham (a Detroit suburb). Ted Spehar, the proprietor of the gasoline station, constructed race engines on the aspect, and it’s believed that he offered Addison components for his street-racing pursuits. In reality, it’s believed the Silver Bullet was implicitly used as a skunkworks of kind. This explains how the scene on the road was as highly effective a advertising component as anything. Lightweight parts, akin to doorways, hood (taken from the “R023” Hemi Belvedere II Super Stock), home windows and extra reportedly eliminated 500 kilos from the B-body.
The Hemi was not measuring 426ci both, now 487 because of a 4.25-inch stroker crank, oversize TRW pistons, Racer Brown camshaft, aluminum cylinder heads and extra. In avenue trim with M&H drag slicks, the Silver Bullet ran mid-10 ETs. For over 20 years, the Silver Bullet has been within the assortment of Harold Sullivan.
How about Shelbys? Like the Mustang, the Shelby GT was redesigned for 1967. While the Mustang considerably grew up, the Shelby misplaced some of its road-racing allure however moved up at school as a deluxe pony automotive with present car-inspired styling.
The GT350 was joined by a GT500, which was powered by a “Special Interceptor” 428 with 355 horses from twin quads. This Nightmist Blue big-block is automotive quantity 706 and options inboard excessive beams (outboard items would turn into a working change as a result of some states requiring distance between the lights) plus four-speed with 3.50 gears and uncommon Parchment inside.
The Hi-Po 289 was carried over for the GT350, although the added weight was detrimental to its efficiency. This Raven Black automotive is automotive quantity 051 and has a number of options distinctive to early automobiles, just like the inboard lights within the grille and the accent brake/flip indicators on the scoops on the C-pillar. Originally offered new at Gotham Ford in Manhattan, this four-speed Shelby was purchased and exported to Peru by race driver Cristobal “Batman” Gajluf.
This 1967 GT350 was initially offered at Presidential Ford in Philadelphia. The Wimbledon White steed is provided with a four-speed with 3.89 gears and all the same old gear you’d discover on Shelbys together with Competition Handling Package, shoulder harness, deluxe steering wheel, 140 speedometer, 8,000 rpm tachometer, and oil stress and ammeter gauge, amongst others.
To see extra protection on MCACN 2022, follow this link.
