The Specifications of a 1967 RS SS Camaro
by Rob WagnerThe 1967 Chevrolet Camaro surprised skeptics who thought that Chevy couldn’t come with an answer to the legendary Ford Mustang. But the Camaro not only matched the Mustang in styling and performance, its Rally Sport (RS), Super Sport (SS) and Z/28 option packages allowed buyers to choose a wide variety of choices to dress up their Camaro.
History
The 1967 Camaro was the debut model of the first generation of Camaros. The Camaro was sleek with a long hood, short deck and sporty, racing style interior. It matched, if not exceeded, the Mustang in appointments and power. The second generation 1970 to 1981 Camaros were radically restyled. The Camaro was produced until 2002 when it ceased production due to poor sales. It was revived for the 2010 model year, according to Musclecarclub.com.
Option Packages
The 1967 Camaro featured three options: the RS, SS and Z/28. The RS was an appearance package only with special grille treatment that included hidden and different headlamps from the standard Camaros, special “RS” badging and special chrome and blackout trim. The SS was a performance option that also included special “SS” badging, trim and choice of performance V8s. The 1967 version of the Z/28 was a little advertised and seldom sold high-performance package featuring the 302-cubic-inch V8.
RS/SS
The RS appearance package could be ordered with the Super Sport option with most engine and trim choices available in the combination. The only limit was that the performance 375-horsepower 396-cubic-inch V8 was not available on the RS.
Dimensions
The 1967 Camaro RS/SS coupe and convertible were placed on a 108.1 inch wheelbase and measured 184.6 inches long, 50.9 inches tall and 72.3 inches wide. It weighed in at 3,180 lbs. depending on the options ordered. Starting price was $2,571.
Power and Performance
The 1967 Camaro RS could be ordered with any engine up to 350-cubic inches in displacement. But the RS/SS came only as the 295-horsepower 350 that wielded 380 foot-pounds, the twisting force generated inside the engine for quick acceleration from a dead stop. Power was transmitted via a Muncie 4-speed manual or the 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. Later in 1967 the 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 automatic was introduced. There was one exception to the “No 396 Rule” in the Camaro RS/SS: The 1967 Camaro RS/SS convertible Indianapolis 500 pace car was equipped with a 396 engine.
Production
The 1967 Camaro RS was the most option package available. A total of 64,842 RS models were sold compared to 34,411 Super Sports and a paltry 602 Z/28s. It’s unknown how many RS/SS combinations were produced. Total production of the Camaro in 1967 was 220,906.
References
Writer Bio
Rob Wagner is a journalist with over 35 years experience reporting and editing for newspapers and magazines. His experience ranges from legal affairs reporting to covering the Middle East. He served stints as a newspaper and magazine editor in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Wagner attended California State University, Los Angeles, and has a degree in journalism.
