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For many Camaro enthusiasts the pinnacle of their favorite cars 45 year legacy is its original mission to dominate SCCAs 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, Chevrolets 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, todays 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 Americas 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 Americas first pony car. It wasnt long before rival Chevrolet realized the breadth of Dearborns 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 countrys 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. SCCAs 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 Camaros prowess. However, SCCA refused to commit to another season until GM assured full factory support, and Chevrolets 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 Chevrolets 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 Chevrolets 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, its 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 cars 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 frame-off restoration that, even though the car showed up to two 1967 events, accurately recreated its 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 cars factory fuel cap.
When GM planned the Camaro line they decided Chevrolets reliable small block 350 would be the perfect base engine. Unfortunately, SCCAs Trans Am class imposed a 305 cubic inch displacement cap and Chevys engineers had to quickly create a suitable powerplant to coincide with the cars launch. Their solution was to build a track-ready option package around a tweaked version of the brands 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 an exceptionally 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 winners 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 engines vivid Chevy Orange paint contrasts beautifully against straight, satin black fenders and a super clean firewall ...For more information please call the seller. 
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STOCK/INV. NUMBER:
133056
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