This is 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. 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 race 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 on December 20th, 1966 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. 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 engine 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(2016). 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. The hot small block’s
power flows through a M22 Muncie 4-speed transmission to a 12
bolt Posi-traction rear end. 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. As a rare and significant piece of automotive history, this storied SCCA
racer has racked up many awards.