Many performance, original parts, plus repairable L-88

 

Orignal owner '67 SS RS L-78 375hp 396 CAMARO Project car

VIN 124377L 163389. 39. 67 miles

 

The time has come for me to sell The Mighty Caswell. my '67 Camaro SS RS.

originally with an L-78 396/375hp. now with a (non-running but repairable)

‘69 L-88 427. I have owned this car since new. and many's the good time

I had in it (mostly with my paramour at the time. Paula. who is now no longer in

this world). It was quick and loud and great fun. with an abundance of torque.

It is the only new car I have ever owned. I might even be tempted to keep it.

were it not for having to maintain my 46 year-old house.

One of only 1138 actual 4K cars produced in '67 (with possibly less than 250

remaining in existence). it was bought new in June of 1967 (delivery date. 7/3/67.

from Emerald Chevrolet in Beverly Hills). The dealer originally told me that I

could order the car with a 427. which was what I really wanted (after seeing a

Nickey 427 Camaro). and the order was so entered. along with a host of other

options (see the list below). Unfortunately. the factory declined to build it with the

427. so I settled for an L-78 375 hp 396. Included on the order sheet were a

Muncie close-ratio four-speed. aluminum 3-core radiator. 12-bolt 4. 10 Posi-traction

rear end. heavy duty oil pan. Deepwater Blue paint. the optional tach and gauge cluster.

quick-ratio power steering with the faux-wood Sport steering wheel. and power drum

brakes (because Hot Rod Magazine said that they had less parasitic drag than

disc brakes – I had second thoughts about the brakes later on. and bought a set of

front disc brakes from a '68 Camaro. including backing plates. steering knuckles.

and master cylinder. which are included in the sale but not installed).

 

Over the next four years or so. inspired by the Penske Sunoco Camaro. I added

15”x 8” American Racing Torq-thrust aluminum ‘mag' wheels. Goodyear

Blue Streak road-racing tires. an Autopower four-point roll bar. Traction Masters

bars to deal with the excessive wheel-hop. multi-leaf rear springs from Burbank

Spring to deal with the remaining wheel-hop. a Grant rubber-rim steering wheel.

a Hurst tee-handle shifter with reverse lock-out. Impact four-point competition

seatbelts with shoulder harnesses. a fire extinguisher. and a fiberglass hood

and rear deck.

 

Engine additions during that time included Hedman headers. an early Accel BEI

Eliminator electronic ignition and high-voltage coil. a Sig Erson cam along

with Sig Erson three-stage valve springs and heavy duty pushrods. an Ansen

scatter-shield/bell-housing. an Edelbrock C-96 cross-ram manifold with two

Holley dual-feed 3977's (780cfm each. as recommended by Edelbrock). cast

aluminum Edelbrock valve covers. a Flexilite fan. and an aluminum quick-release

gas cap. Also around that time. I swapped out the original L-78 heads for

big-port big-valve hi-perf ones (casting number 3964291). All of the above

are included with the sale.

 

The original 375 hp 396 lasted about a year and a half. when it sustained the

afore-mentioned crack in the cylinder wall (which. I have been told. is repairable).

This was my cue to install an L-88 427 iron short block. All of the above

speed equipment (with the exception of the Sig Erson cam – I kept the L-88 cam)

got transferred over to the new L-88 short-block. and many adventures ensued.

Please note that the original numbers-matching 396 filled short-block (though

with that cracked liner) is included with the sale.

 

During the mid ‘70's the 427 suffered an odd mishap when a lifter collapsed.

allowing its pushrod to dislodge from the rocker arm and then bounce around

inside the block: the errant pushrod then fell into the cam gallery. where a cam

lobe pushed a bit of the pushrod through the water jacket. It was satisfactorily

repaired with aircraft epoxy.

 

Around 1978 (when it was last registered). I took the 427 apart. chasing some

now-forgotten problem. When I fired it up again. it made a sound like a ticking

lifter. which over about twenty minutes got steadily worse until it finally threw

a rod through the side of the oil pan (see photo). Apparently. when I had taken

the rod-end off to look at the rod bearing. said rod-end had not been properly

re-affixed. In frustration I left the thing parked where it was in the driveway with

the intention of bringing it back to life at some future date. I've waited long enough.

and now. at 66 I no longer have the inclination or the energy to bring

The Mighty Caz back to life.

 

Due to the abundance of parts included with the sale. the new owner will have

the option of putting the car back together as original. or as it was modified.

As sold. it comes with most of the original parts. including the inner front

fender liners. the original fan and fan clutch. the original aluminum bell-housing

with dust shield. the original cast-iron exhaust manifolds with air injectors. the

original mono-leaf springs. most of the (slightly bent) trim pieces that I removed.

the front and rear bumpers. the original Sport steering wheel. the original 14” steel

road wheels. the spare 14” wheel with its original red-stripe tire. the remote-control

mirror with cable and joy stick. the original steel rear deck. and the original steel

SS hood (though at one point this latter item was bent by a bulldozer – long story).

 

The only original parts that are missing are the original 396 heads (they were sold

to pay for the big-port hi-perf heads). the original intake manifold and carb (again.

they were sold to pay for the Holleys and the Edelbrock Cross-ram manifold).

The smog pump plus plumbing. the original SS gas cap. the hood springs. and

the original front seatbelts may still be somewhere in the depths of my garage:

i am mounting a search. and whatever i find will be sent to the lucky winner of

the auction. The original air cleaner with the 375hp decal was lost to the dealership

sometime after the car was new. Some minor trim pieces are also lost.

 

During the course of its brief working life. it sustained three minor accidents:

the first when it was six weeks old and was lightly struck behind the driver's door

(see photo). the second when its roof was landed-on by a runaway golf ball that

had bounced onto Beverly Blvd. and the third when it was backed-into by a pick-up

truck while parked (likewise see the photo). All three were repaired at the time. with

the dent in the front valence turned into an air-inlet (also pictured).

 

Things to be aware of: even though the car has lived outside for all its life. it has

only suffered surface rust (except for one 2” spot on the lower edge of the right

front fender. pictured). The floor-pans are solid. as is the gas tank. The car. however.

has many needs. including paint. tires. chrome. rubber gaskets. and engine work.

As far as the interior is concerned. while complete and mostly good. the headliner

needs re-stitching. as does about 8” of the driver's seat. Also. the dash pad is sun-

cracked. and the cardboard package tray in the rear also needs to be replaced.

 

Original Optional Equipment. all included:

SS and RS packages

375 hp L-78 396 (with repairable cracked cylinder liner)

Heavy-duty oil pan with windage tray (with repairable hole)

Heavy-duty suspension

Heavy-duty radiator

Muncie close-ratio 4 speed

Posi-traction 12-bolt rear-end with 4. 10 gears

Power steering. quick ratio

Power drum brakes with metallic linings

Heavy-duty 3-core aluminum radiator

Rare 4K Gauge package with 7000 rpm tachometer (redline. 6000)

Sport steering wheel with faux-wood rim

Remote-control mirror with cable and joy stick

Center console

Fold-down rear seat

Rear-window defroster

Radius rod (the square-tube one from late in the model-year.

the factory's partial answer to the wheel-hop problem)

Tinted glass

Deepwater Blue paint

Rear-window defroster

 

Speed Equipment Included (or on the car)

American Racing Torq-thrust aluminum ‘mag' wheels. 15”x 8”

Goodyear Blue Streak road-racing tires (from the late 60's. well-worn)

Multi-leaf springs from Burbank Spring Co.

Traction Masters traction bars

Hurst shifter with tee-handle and reverse lock-out

L-88 427 (sadly. with a rod through the side of the oil pan)

Original L-88 cam

4 bolt mains

Windage tray in oil-pan

BIg-port big-valve hi-perf heads (casting number 3964291)

Sig Erson three-piece valve springs and retainers

Heavy-duty pushrods

Edelbrock C96 Cross-ram manifold for dual 4bbl carbs. with linkage.

2 Holley dual-feed 3977's (780 cfm. as recommended by Edelbrock)

Accel BEI Eliminator breakerless ignition

Accel high-voltage coil

Hedman headers

Ansen steel scatter-shield/bell-housing

        Flex-i-lite aluminum fan

Power Front disc brakes and spindles. power master cylinder (from a '68    

Camaro. not installed)

Impact four-point competition seat-belts and shoulder-harnesses

Grant rubber-rim steering wheel.

Autopower Roll Bar (four-point)

Fiberglass tear-drop hood that clears the Cross-ram manifold

Fiberglass rear deck-lid with spoiler

Competition quick-release fuel-filler cap

Set up for mounting the battery in the trunk (needs new battery tray)

Fairly new blue Budge car cover

 

Original Parts Included With The Sale

375hp L78 396 filled short block. Sig Erson cam (albeit with a

repairable cracked cylinder liner and some surface rust)

Front and rear bumpers

Front fender liners

Four 14” steel wheels

Firestone wide-oval red-stripe spare tire and 14” wheel

Windshield washer motor

Steel rear deck-lid

Steel SS hood (somewhat bent). hood latch

Late-production square-tube radius rod

(the factory's partial answer to the wheel-hop problem)

Mono-leaf springs

Fan and fan clutch

Aluminum bell-housing and lower dust plate. flywheel. clutch

Distributor

396 flywheel and clutch disc

Chrome valve covers (pitted)

Exhaust manifolds with air injectors

Alternator

Owner's Manual

Items That Are Missing:

Original L-78 heads

Original intake manifold and carb

AIR smog pump plus plumbing

Original hood springs

Original SS gas cap

Original front seatbelts

Original air cleaner with the 375hp decal

Some minor trim pieces

 

VIN:

124377L 163389

 

Cowl Tag Information:

06D

(06 = June. D = 4th week of the month).

 

Q536 

(Q =  the 17th build day. 536 = the 536th vehicle produced that day).

 

67-12437

(67 = year. 12 = model code. 4 = standard interior. 37 = coupe).

 

LOS-38737

(LOS = Van Nuys plant. 38737 = the body number --

the highest known is 39907).

 

760-Y  E-E

(760 = standard bucket seats. Y = RPO AS2 head-rest added to A50 bucket    

seats. E-E = black interior).

 

EL 2LGR 3BSDL
(E = all tinted glass. L = folding rear seat. 2 = (code prefix) L = 4 speed    

floor shift. G = console. R = rear speaker. B = rear window defogger.

S = interior decor group. D = courtesy lamps. L = Rally Sport package).

 

4FK 

(4F = remote control mirror. K = SS 396/375 hp. black tail-pan with radius rod).

 

Engine Block Code for L-78 396

T0524MR 7L163389

(T =Tonawanda. New York. engine plant. 0524 = serial number.

MR = 396 ci/ 375 hp L-78 with manual transmission.

7L163389 = partial VIN -- the all-important matching number)

 

Engine Block Code for L-88 427

CE954604

(CE = replacement engine. 954604 = serial number)

 

Thank you for reading all the way through this description: I hope that you found

it informative and intriguing. If you need to know more. you can contact me through

ebay. and i will respond as quickly and as truthfully as i can.

 

Terms of Sale:

If you are the lucky winning bidder. a $1. 00 deposit Is required via PayPal within

24 hours of the close of the sale. The remaining balance must be paid within 5 days.

If no contact is made within 24 hours I reserve the right to re-list the vehicle. sell

it to the next high bidder. or sell it otherwise.

 

Please arrange financing before bidding. Most banks and credit unions do not

finance vehicles older than 1995 or with more than 100K miles. Make sure if

that your financial institution accepts the year and miles of this vehicle before bidding.

since by placing a bid. you are entering into a legal and binding contract to buy

the above-described car.

 

We reserve the right to cancel bids for excessive negative feedback.

 

This car is sold in 'AS IS' condition. No warranties are expressed or implied.

 

The sale is final: there are no refunds. Do not assume anything: if you have a

question feel free to ask (via ebay). and i will do my best to answer truthfully

(I have additional pictures. and can take more on request). By bidding on the

auction you agree to any and all terms expressed or implied.

 

The buyer is responsible for tax. tag. and title fees (the California DMV assures

me that registration will be straight-forward. with no penalties due).

 

The buyer is also responsible for pickup or shipping of this vehicle. If you wish

to have it shipped using a service. we will gladly cooperate.

 

On Jul-18-14 at 15:38:33 PDT. seller added the following information:

  

Orignal owner '67 SS RS L-78 375hp 396 CAMARO Project car

VIN 124377L 163389. 39. 67 miles

 

The time has come for me to sell The Mighty Caswell. my '67 Camaro SS RS.

originally with an L-78 396/375hp. now with a (non-running but repairable)

‘69 L-88 427. I have owned this car since new. and many's the good time

I had in it (mostly with my paramour at the time. Paula. who is now no longer in

this world). It was quick and loud and great fun. with an abundance of torque.

It is the only new car I have ever owned. I might even be tempted to keep it.

were it not for having to maintain my 46 year-old house.

One of only 1138 actual 4K cars produced in '67 (with possibly less than 250

remaining in existence). it was bought new in June of 1967 (delivery date. 7/3/67.

from Emerald Chevrolet in Beverly Hills). The dealer originally told me that I

could order the car with a 427. which was what I really wanted (after seeing a

Nickey 427 Camaro). and the order was so entered. along with a host of other

options (see the list below). Unfortunately. the factory declined to build it with the

427. so I settled for an L-78 375 hp 396. Included on the order sheet were a

Muncie close-ratio four-speed. 3-core radiator. 12-bolt 4. 10 Posi-traction rear

end. heavy duty oil pan. Deepwater Blue paint. the optional tach and gauge cluster.

quick-ratio power steering with the faux-wood Sport steering wheel. and power drum

brakes (because Hot Rod Magazine said that they had less parasitic drag than

disc brakes – I had second thoughts about the brakes later on. and bought a set of

front disc brakes from a '68 Camaro. including backing plates. steering knuckles.

and master cylinder. which are included in the sale but not installed).

 

Over the next four years or so. inspired by the Penske Sunoco Camaro. I added

15”x 8” American Racing Torq-thrust aluminum ‘mag' wheels. Goodyear

Blue Streak road-racing tires. an Autopower four-point roll bar. Traction Masters

bars to deal with the excessive wheel-hop. multi-leaf rear springs from Burbank

Spring to deal with the remaining wheel-hop. a Grant rubber-rim steering wheel.

a Hurst tee-handle shifter with reverse lock-out. Impact four-point competition

seatbelts with shoulder harnesses. a fire extinguisher. and a fiberglass hood

and rear deck.

 

Engine additions during that time included Hedman headers. an early Accel BEI

Eliminator electronic ignition and high-voltage coil. a Sig Erson cam along

with Sig Erson three-stage valve springs and heavy duty pushrods. an Ansen

scatter-shield/bell-housing. an Edelbrock C-96 cross-ram manifold with two

Holley dual-feed 3977's (780cfm each. as recommended by Edelbrock). cast

aluminum Edelbrock valve covers. a Flexilite fan. and an aluminum quick-release

gas cap. Also around that time. I swapped out the original L-78 heads for

big-port big-valve hi-perf ones (casting number 3964291). All of the above

are included with the sale.

 

The original 375 hp 396 lasted about a year and a half. when it sustained the

afore-mentioned crack in the cylinder wall (which. I have been told. is repairable).

This was my cue to install an L-88 427 iron short block. All of the above

speed equipment (with the exception of the Sig Erson cam – I kept the L-88 cam)

got transferred over to the new L-88 short-block. and many adventures ensued.

Please note that the original numbers-matching 396 filled short-block (though

with that cracked liner) is included with the sale.

 

During the mid ‘70's the 427 suffered an odd mishap when a lifter collapsed.

allowing its pushrod to dislodge from the rocker arm and then bounce around

inside the block: the errant pushrod then fell into the cam gallery. where a cam

lobe pushed a bit of the pushrod through the water jacket. It was satisfactorily

repaired with aircraft epoxy.

 

Around 1978 (when it was last registered). I took the 427 apart. chasing some

now-forgotten problem. When I fired it up again. it made a sound like a ticking

lifter. which over about twenty minutes got steadily worse until it finally threw

a rod through the side of the oil pan (see photo). Apparently. when I had taken

the rod-end off to look at the rod bearing. said rod-end had not been properly

re-affixed. In frustration I left the thing parked where it was in the driveway with

the intention of bringing reviving it at some future date. I've waited long enough.

and now. at 66 I no longer have the inclination or the energy to bring

The Mighty Caz back to life.

 

Due to the abundance of parts included with the sale. the new owner will have

the option of putting the car back together as original. or as it was modified.

As sold. it comes with most of the original parts. including the inner front

fender liners. the original fan and fan clutch. the original aluminum bell-housing

with dust shield. the original cast-iron exhaust manifolds with air injectors. the

original mono-leaf springs. most of the (slightly bent) trim pieces that I removed.

the front and rear bumpers. the original Sport steering wheel. the original 14” steel

road wheels. the spare 14” wheel with its original red-stripe tire. the remote-control

mirror with cable and joy stick. the original steel rear deck. and the original steel

SS hood (though at one point this latter item was bent by a bulldozer – long story).

 

The only original parts that are missing are the original 396 heads (they were sold

to pay for the big-port hi-perf heads). the original intake manifold and carb (again.

they were sold to pay for the Holleys and the Edelbrock Cross-ram manifold).

The smog pump plus plumbing. the original SS gas cap. the hood springs. and

the original front seatbelts may still be somewhere in the depths of my garage:

i am mounting a search. and whatever i find will be sent to the lucky winner of

the auction. The original air cleaner with the 375hp decal was lost to the dealership

sometime after the car was new. Some minor trim pieces are also lost.

 

During the course of its brief working life. it sustained three minor accidents:

the first when it was six weeks old and was lightly struck behind the driver's door

(see photo). the second when its roof was landed-on by a runaway golf ball that

had bounced onto Beverly Blvd. and the third when it was backed-into by a pick-up

truck while parked (likewise see the photo). All three were repaired at the time. with

the dent in the front valence turned into an air-inlet (also pictured).

 

Things to be aware of: even though the car has lived outside for all its life. it has

only suffered surface rust (except for one 2” spot on the lower edge of the right

front fender. pictured). The floor-pans are solid. as is the gas tank. The car. however.

has many needs. including paint. tires. chrome. rubber gaskets. and engine work.

As far as the interior is concerned. while complete and mostly good. the headliner

needs re-stitching. as does about 8” of the driver's seat. Also. the dash pad is sun-

cracked. and the cardboard package tray in the rear also needs to be replaced.

Additionally. i should mention that the ignition key has so far not turned up.

and the trunk is stuck shut. (i do. however. have a current image of the inside).

 

Original Optional Equipment. all included:

SS and RS packages

375 hp L-78 396 (with repairable cracked cylinder liner)

Heavy-duty oil pan with windage tray (with repairable hole)

Heavy-duty suspension

Heavy-duty radiator

Muncie close-ratio 4 speed

Posi-traction 12-bolt rear-end with 4. 10 gears

Power steering. quick ratio

Power drum brakes with metallic linings

Heavy-duty 3-core radiator

Rare 4K Gauge package with 7000 rpm tachometer (redline. 6000)

Sport steering wheel with faux-wood rim

Remote-control mirror with cable and joy stick

Center console

Fold-down rear seat

Rear-window defroster

Radius rod (the square-tube one from late in the model-year.

the factory's partial answer to the wheel-hop problem)

Tinted glass

Deepwater Blue paint

Rear-window defroster

 

Speed Equipment Included (or on the car)

American Racing Torq-thrust aluminum ‘mag' wheels. 15”x 8”

Goodyear Blue Streak road-racing tires (from the late 60's. well-worn)

Multi-leaf springs from Burbank Spring Co.

Traction Masters traction bars

Hurst shifter with tee-handle and reverse lock-out

L-88 427 (sadly. with a rod through the side of the oil pan)

Original L-88 cam

4 bolt mains

Windage tray in oil-pan

BIg-port big-valve hi-perf heads (casting number 3964291)

Sig Erson three-piece valve springs and retainers

Heavy-duty pushrods

Edelbrock C96 Cross-ram manifold for dual 4bbl carbs. with linkage.

2 Holley dual-feed 3977's (780 cfm. as recommended by Edelbrock)

Accel BEI Eliminator breakerless ignition

Accel high-voltage coil

Hedman headers

Ansen steel scatter-shield/bell-housing

        Flex-i-lite aluminum fan

Power Front disc brakes and spindles. power master cylinder (from a '68    

Camaro. not installed)

Impact four-point competition seat-belts and shoulder-harnesses

Grant rubber-rim steering wheel.

Autopower Roll Bar (four-point)

Fiberglass tear-drop hood that clears the Cross-ram manifold

Fiberglass rear deck-lid with spoiler

Competition quick-release fuel-filler cap

Set up for mounting the battery in the trunk (needs new battery tray)

Fairly new blue Budge car cover

 

Original Parts Included With The Sale

375hp L78 396 filled short block. Sig Erson cam (albeit with a

repairable cracked cylinder liner and some surface rust)

Front and rear bumpers

Front fender liners

Four 14” steel wheels

Firestone wide-oval red-stripe spare tire and 14” wheel

Windshield washer motor

Steel rear deck-lid

Steel SS hood (somewhat bent). hood latch

Late-production square-tube radius rod

(the factory's partial answer to the wheel-hop problem)

Mono-leaf springs

Fan and fan clutch

Aluminum bell-housing and lower dust plate. flywheel. clutch

Distributor

396 flywheel and clutch disc

Chrome valve covers (pitted)

Exhaust manifolds with air injectors

Alternator

Owner's Manual

Items That Are Missing:

Original L-78 heads

Original intake manifold and carb

AIR smog pump plus plumbing

Original hood springs

Original SS gas cap

Original front seatbelts

Original air cleaner with the 375hp decal

Some minor trim pieces

And. so far. the ignition key

 

VIN:

124377L 163389

 

Cowl Tag Information:

06D

(06 = June. D = 4th week of the month).

 

Q536 

(Q =  the 17th build day. 536 = the 536th vehicle produced that day).

 

67-12437

(67 = year. 12 = model code. 4 = standard interior. 37 = coupe).

 

LOS-38737

(LOS = Van Nuys plant. 38737 = the body number --

the highest known is 39907).

 

760-Y  E-E

(760 = standard bucket seats. Y = RPO AS2 head-rest added to A50 bucket    

seats. E-E = black interior).

 

EL 2LGR 3BSDL
(E = all tinted glass. L = folding rear seat. 2 = (code prefix) L = 4 speed    

floor shift. G = console. R = rear speaker. B = rear window defogger.

S = interior decor group. D = courtesy lamps. L = Rally Sport package).

 

4FK 

(4F = remote control mirror. K = SS 396/375 hp. black tail-pan with radius rod).

 

Engine Block Code for L-78 396

T0524MR 7L163389

(T =Tonawanda. New York. engine plant. 0524 = serial number.

MR = 396 ci/ 375 hp L-78 with manual transmission.

7L163389 = partial VIN -- the all-important matching number)

 

Engine Block Code for L-88 427

CE954604

(CE = replacement engine. 954604 = serial number)

 

Thank you for reading all the way through this description: I hope that you found

it informative and intriguing. If you need to know more. you can contact me through

ebay. and i will respond as quickly and as truthfully as i can.

 

Terms of Sale:

If you are the lucky winning bidder. a $1. 00 deposit Is required via PayPal within

24 hours of the close of the sale. The remaining balance must be paid within 5 days.

If no contact is made within 24 hours I reserve the right to re-list the vehicle. sell

it to the next high bidder. or sell it otherwise.

 

Please arrange financing before bidding. Most banks and credit unions do not

finance vehicles older than 1995 or with more than 100K miles. Make sure if

that your financial institution accepts the year and miles of this vehicle before bidding.

since by placing a bid. you are entering into a legal and binding contract to buy

the above-described car.

 

We reserve the right to cancel bids for excessive negative feedback.

 

This car is sold in 'AS IS' condition. No warranties are expressed or implied.

 

The sale is final: there are no refunds. Do not assume anything: if you have a

question feel free to ask (via ebay). and i will do my best to answer truthfully

(I have additional pictures. and can take more on request). By bidding on the

auction you agree to any and all terms expressed or implied.

 

The buyer is responsible for tax. tag. and title fees (the California DMV assures

me that registration will be straight-forward. with no penalties due).

 

The buyer is also responsible for pickup or shipping of this vehicle. If you wish

to have it shipped using a service. we will gladly cooperate.

 

On Jul-19-14 at 00:24:19 PDT. seller added the following information:

  

Orignal owner '67 SS RS L78 375hp 396 CAMARO Project car

VIN 124377L 163389. 39. 67 miles

 

The time has come for me to sell The Mighty Caswell. my '67 Camaro SS RS.

originally with an L78 396/375hp. now with a (non-running but repairable)

‘69 L88 427. I have owned this car since new. and many's the good time

I had in it (mostly with my paramour at the time. Paula. who is now no longer in

this world). It was quick and loud and great fun. with an abundance of torque.

It is the only new car I have ever owned. I might even be tempted to keep it.

were it not for having to maintain my 46 year-old house.

One of only 1138 actual 4K cars produced in '67 (with possibly less than 250

remaining in existence). it was bought new in June of 1967 (delivery date. 7/3/67.

from Emerald Chevrolet in Beverly Hills). The dealer originally told me that I

could order the car with a 427. which was what I really wanted (after seeing a

Nickey 427 Camaro). and the order was so entered. along with a host of other

options (see the list below). Unfortunately. the factory declined to build it with the

427. so I settled for an L78 375 hp 396. Included on the order sheet were a

Muncie close-ratio four-speed. aluminum 3-core radiator. 12-bolt 4. 10 Posi-traction

rear end. heavy duty oil pan. Deepwater Blue paint. the optional tach and gauge cluster.

quick-ratio power steering with the faux-wood Sport steering wheel. and power drum

brakes (because Hot Rod Magazine said that they had less parasitic drag than

disc brakes – I had second thoughts about the brakes later on. and bought a set of

front disc brakes from a '68 Camaro. including backing plates. steering knuckles.

and master cylinder. which are included in the sale but not installed).

 

Over the next four years or so. inspired by the Penske Sunoco Camaro. I added

15”x 8” American Racing Torq-thrust aluminum ‘mag' wheels. Goodyear

Blue Streak road-racing tires. an Autopower four-point roll bar. Traction Masters

bars to deal with the excessive wheel-hop. multi-leaf rear springs from Burbank

Spring to deal with the remaining wheel-hop. a Grant rubber-rim steering wheel.

a Hurst tee-handle shifter with reverse lock-out. Impact four-point competition

seatbelts with shoulder harnesses. a fire extinguisher. and a fiberglass hood

and rear deck.

 

Engine additions during that time included Hedman headers. an early Accel BEI

Eliminator electronic ignition and high-voltage coil. a Sig Erson cam along

with Sig Erson three-stage valve springs and heavy duty pushrods. an Ansen

scatter-shield/bell-housing. an Edelbrock C-96 cross-ram manifold with two

Holley dual-feed 3977's (780cfm each. as recommended by Edelbrock). cast

aluminum Edelbrock valve covers. a Flexilite fan. and an aluminum quick-release

gas cap. Also around that time. I swapped out the original L78 heads for

big-port big-valve hi-perf ones (casting number 3964291). All of the above

are included with the sale.

 

The original 375 hp 396 lasted about a year and a half. when it sustained the

afore-mentioned crack in the cylinder wall (which. I have been told. is repairable).

This was my cue to install an L88 427 iron short block. All of the above

speed equipment (with the exception of the Sig Erson cam – I kept the L88 cam)

got transferred over to the new L88 short-block. and many adventures ensued.

Please note that the original numbers-matching 396 filled short-block (though

with that cracked liner) is included with the sale.

 

During the mid ‘70's the 427 suffered an odd mishap when a lifter collapsed.

allowing its pushrod to dislodge from the rocker arm and then bounce around

inside the block: the errant pushrod then fell into the cam gallery. where a cam

lobe pushed a bit of the pushrod through the water jacket. It was satisfactorily

repaired with aircraft epoxy.

 

Around 1978 (when it was last registered). I took the 427 apart. chasing some

now-forgotten problem. When I fired it up again. it made a sound like a ticking

lifter. which over about twenty minutes got steadily worse until it finally threw

a rod through the side of the oil pan (see photo). I had taken the rod-end off to

to have a look at the rod bearing. and. apparently. when it went back together

and was started. one of the rod-end bolts snapped and then the other one. In

frustration I left the thing parked where it was in the driveway with the intention

of reviving it at some future date. I've waited long enough. and now.

at 66 I no longer have the inclination or the energy to bring

The Mighty Caz back to life.

 

Due to the abundance of parts included with the sale. the new owner will have

the option of putting the car back together as original. or as it was modified.

As sold. it comes with most of the original parts. including the inner front

fender liners. the original fan and fan clutch. the original aluminum bell-housing

with dust shield. the original cast-iron exhaust manifolds with air injectors. the

original mono-leaf springs. most of the (slightly bent) trim pieces that I removed.

the front and rear bumpers. the original Sport steering wheel. the original 14” steel

road wheels. the spare 14” wheel with its original red-stripe tire. the remote-control

mirror with cable and joy stick. the original steel rear deck. and the original steel

SS hood (though at one point this latter item was bent by a bulldozer – long story).

 

The only original parts that are missing are the original 396 heads (they were sold

to pay for the big-port hi-perf heads). the original intake manifold and carb (again.

they were sold to pay for the Holleys and the Edelbrock Cross-ram manifold).

The hood springs. and the original front seat-belts may still be somewhere in the

depths of my garage: The original air cleaner with the 375hp decal was lost to

the dealership sometime after the car was new. Some minor trim pieces are

also lost. I am mounting a search. and whatever i find will be sent to

the lucky winner of the auction.

 

During the course of its brief working life. the car sustained three minor accidents:

the first when it was six weeks old and was lightly struck behind the driver's door

(see photo). the second when its roof was landed-on by a runaway golf ball that

had bounced onto Beverly Blvd. and the third when it was backed-into by a pick-up

truck while parked (likewise see the photo). All three were repaired at the time. with

the dent in the front valence turned into an air-inlet (also pictured).

 

Things to be aware of: even though the car has lived outside for all its life. it has

only suffered surface rust (except for one 2” spot on the lower edge of the right

front fender. pictured). The floor-pans are solid. as is the gas tank. The car. however.

has many needs. including paint. tires. chrome. rubber gaskets. and engine work.

As far as the interior is concerned. while complete and mostly good. the headliner

needs re-stitching. as does about 8” of the driver's seat. Also. the dash pad is sun-

cracked. and the cardboard package tray in the rear also needs to be replaced.

Also. after much searching. it seems the ignition key is missing. The trunk is also

stuck closed.

 

Original Optional Equipment. all included:

SS and RS packages

375 hp L78 396 (with repairable cracked cylinder liner)

Heavy-duty oil pan with windage tray (with repairable hole)

Heavy-duty suspension

Heavy-duty radiator

Muncie close-ratio 4 speed

Posi-traction 12-bolt rear-end with 4. 10 gears

Power steering. quick ratio

Power drum brakes with metallic linings

Heavy-duty 3-core aluminum radiator

Rare 4K Gauge package with 7000 rpm tachometer (redline. 6000)

Sport steering wheel with faux-wood rim

Remote-control mirror with cable and joy stick

Center console

Fold-down rear seat

Rear-window defroster

Radius rod (the square-tube one from late in the model-year.

the factory's partial answer to the wheel-hop problem)

Tinted glass

Deepwater Blue paint

Rear-window defroster

 

Speed Equipment Included (or on the car)

American Racing Torq-thrust aluminum ‘mag' wheels. 15”x 8”

Goodyear Blue Streak road-racing tires (from the late 60's. well-worn)

Multi-leaf springs from Burbank Spring Co.

Traction Masters traction bars

Hurst shifter with tee-handle and reverse lock-out

L88 427 (sadly. with a rod through the side of the oil pan)

Original L88 cam

4 bolt mains

Windage tray in oil-pan

BIg-port big-valve hi-perf heads (casting number 3964291)

Sig Erson three-piece valve springs and retainers

Heavy-duty pushrods

Edelbrock C-96 Cross-ram manifold for dual 4bbl carbs. with linkage.

2 Holley dual-feed 3977's (780 cfm. as recommended by Edelbrock)

Accel BEI Eliminator breakerless ignition

Accel high-voltage coil

W&H DuCoil dual-point distributor

Hedman headers

Ansen steel scatter-shield/bell-housing

        Flex-i-lite aluminum fan

Power Front disc brakes and spindles. power master cylinder (from a '68    

Camaro. not installed)

Impact four-point competition seat-belts and shoulder-harnesses

Grant rubber-rim steering wheel.

Autopower Roll Bar (four-point)

Fiberglass tear-drop hood that clears the Cross-ram manifold

Fiberglass rear deck-lid with spoiler

Competition quick-release fuel-filler cap

Set up for mounting the battery in the trunk (needs new battery tray)

Fairly new blue Budge car cover

 

Original Parts Included With The Sale

375hp L78 396 filled short block. Sig Erson cam (albeit with a

repairable cracked cylinder liner and some surface rust)

L78 cam

Front and rear bumpers

Front fender liners

Four 14” steel wheels

Firestone wide-oval red-stripe spare tire and 14” wheel

Windshield washer motor

Steel rear deck-lid

Steel SS hood (somewhat bent). hood latch

Late-production square-tube radius rod

(the factory's partial answer to the wheel-hop problem)

Mono-leaf springs

Fan and fan clutch

Aluminum bell-housing and lower dust plate. flywheel. clutch

Distributor

396 flywheel and clutch disc

Chrome valve covers (pitted)

Exhaust manifolds with air injectors

Smog pump with bracket and pulley

Smog pluming to exhaust manifolds

Alternator

SS gas cap with lanyard

Dog-dish hubcaps

Owner's Manual

Items That Are Missing:

Original L78 heads

Original intake manifold and carb

Original hood springs

Original front seatbelts

Original air cleaner with the 375hp decal

Some minor trim pieces

 

VIN:

124377L 163389

 

Cowl Tag Information:

06D

(06 = June. D = 4th week of the month).

 

Q536 

(Q =  the 17th build day. 536 = the 536th vehicle produced that day).

 

67-12437

(67 = year. 12 = model code. 4 = standard interior. 37 = coupe).

 

LOS-38737

(LOS = Van Nuys plant. 38737 = the body number --

the highest known is 39907).

 

760-Y  E-E

(760 = standard bucket seats. Y = RPO AS2 head-rest added to A50 bucket    

seats. E-E = black interior).

 

EL 2LGR 3BSDL
(E = all tinted glass. L = folding rear seat. 2 = (code prefix) L = 4 speed    

floor shift. G = console. R = rear speaker. B = rear window defogger.

S = interior decor group. D = courtesy lamps. L = Rally Sport package).

 

4FK 

(4F = remote control mirror. K = SS 396/375 hp. black tail-pan with radius rod).

 

Engine Block Code for L78 396

T0524MR 7L163389

(T =Tonawanda. New York. engine plant. 0524 = serial number.

MR = 396 ci/ 375 hp L-78 with manual transmission.

7L163389 = partial VIN -- the all-important matching number)

 

Engine Block Code for L88 427

CE954604

(CE = replacement engine. 954604 = serial number)

 

Thank you for reading all the way through this description: I hope that you found

it informative and intriguing. If you need to know more. you can contact me through

ebay. and i will respond as quickly and as truthfully as i can.

 

Terms of Sale:

If you are the lucky winning bidder. a $1. 00 deposit Is required via PayPal within

24 hours of the close of the sale. The remaining balance must be paid within 5 days.

If no contact is made within 24 hours I reserve the right to re-list the vehicle. sell

it to the next high bidder. or sell it otherwise.

 

Please arrange financing before bidding. Most banks and credit unions do not

finance vehicles older than 1995 or with more than 100K miles. Make sure if

that your financial institution accepts the year and miles of this vehicle before bidding.

since by placing a bid. you are entering into a legal and binding contract to buy

the above-described car.

 

We reserve the right to cancel bids for excessive negative feedback.

 

This car is sold in 'AS IS' condition. No warranties are expressed or implied.

 

The sale is final: there are no refunds. Do not assume anything: if you have a

question feel free to ask (via ebay). and i will do my best to answer truthfully

(I have additional pictures. and can take more on request). By bidding on the

auction you agree to any and all terms expressed or implied.

 

The buyer is responsible for tax. tag. and title fees (the California DMV assures

me that registration will be straight-forward. with no penalties due).

 

The buyer is also responsible for pickup or shipping of this vehicle. If you wish

to have it shipped using a service. we will gladly cooperate.

On Jul-19-14 at 19:39:54 PDT. seller added the following information:

HOT NEWS!

The following items have been found. and will be included in the auction:

The original Motor Vehicle Purchase Order from Emerald Chevrolet.

listing all of the equipment on the car

The original Car Shipper. listing all of the equipment on the car

The smog-pump with pulley and bracket

The smog plumbing

The original SS gas cap with the lanyard ring

W&H Ducoil distributor

The original 396 emblems from the fenders.

Four original dog-dish hubcaps

All of these items plus those listed above are viewable on my website.

over 60 images. including shots of the undercarriage:

http://iondrivepublishing. com/Camaropics. htm   

or if you would like to download them. br>
http://iondrivepublishing. com/Camaropics. docx

On Jul-19-14 at 20:43:30 PDT. seller added the following information:

 MORE HOT NEWS!

We found the keys!

Also published at eBay.com

Want to buy this car?