The 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS was Chevrolet’s answer to the Ford Mustang, and it arrived with a significant first: the SS package introduced the 350 cu in V8, the very first 350 Chevrolet ever offered. Above it sat a 396 big-block making 325 hp, with a 375 hp version following. Blacked-out grille, simulated hood air intakes, and the famous bumble-bee nose stripe made the SS instantly identifiable, and an RS/SS convertible with a 396 paced the 1967 Indianapolis 500. In the Camaro’s debut year Chevrolet built around 221,000 cars, of which 34,411 carried the Super Sport package — the beginning of a nameplate that has never really gone away.
Table of Contents
- Overview and History
- Understanding RS, SS, and Z/28
- What the SS Package Included
- The First Chevrolet 350
- The 396 Big-Blocks
- Transmissions and Drivetrain
- Chassis, Suspension, and Brakes
- The RS/SS Combination
- The 1967 Indy 500 Pace Car
- Production and Identification
- Collectibility Today
- Key Features Summary
- Full Specifications Table
Overview and History
Ford’s Mustang had created the pony car market in 1964 and Chevrolet had nothing to answer it with for more than two years. The Camaro finally arrived for the 1967 model year, with production beginning on September 29, 1966, built principally at Norwood, Ohio and Van Nuys, California.
Chevrolet’s approach was to offer enormous configurability. The Camaro came as a coupe or a convertible with a straight-six as the base engine, and buyers then built the car they wanted from a list of nearly 80 factory and 40 dealer options. Eight different engines were available in 1967 alone.
Three option packages mattered most, and they define how these cars are discussed: RS (Rally Sport, a cosmetic package), SS (Super Sport, the performance package), and Z/28 (the Trans-Am homologation special). The SS is the subject here, and it was the mainstream performance choice — 34,411 were built in the Camaro’s first year out of roughly 221,000 cars, including more than 25,000 convertibles across the range.
Understanding RS, SS, and Z/28
Because these three packages are frequently confused, it is worth setting them out clearly:
- RS (Rally Sport) — a purely cosmetic appearance package, most recognizable for its hidden headlamps behind a full-width grille. It added no performance content. 64,842 were built for 1967.
- SS (Super Sport) — the performance package, bringing the 350 or 396 V8, chassis upgrades, and distinctive exterior treatment.
- Z/28 — the homologation special built so Chevrolet could compete in SCCA Trans-Am racing, with a 302 cu in V8 to meet the series’ 305 cubic inch limit. Only 602 were built for 1967, and it was barely advertised.
Crucially, RS and SS could be combined, producing the RS/SS — hidden headlamps plus big-block performance, and the most desirable specification for many collectors. The Z/28 could also be ordered with the RS package.
What the SS Package Included
The Super Sport option delivered both performance and visual distinction. Standard SS content included:
- A modified 350 cu in V8 as the base SS engine, with the 396 big-block optional
- Simulated air intakes on the hood
- The “bumble-bee” nose stripe encircling the front of the car — one of the most recognizable graphics in American motoring
- A blacked-out grille
- SS badging on the grille, fenders, and fuel cap
- Chassis upgrades to handle the additional power and improve handling
- Wider tires and uprated suspension components
The combination gave the Camaro SS a purposeful look that distinguished it clearly from a base six-cylinder car, and the bumble-bee stripe in particular became shorthand for Chevrolet performance.
The First Chevrolet 350
The most historically significant thing about the 1967 Camaro SS is its engine. The 350 cu in V8 fitted to the SS was the first 350 Chevrolet ever offered — the debut of a displacement that would become one of the most widely produced and widely used engines in automotive history.
In Camaro SS 350 form it was rated at 295 to 300 hp depending on source and specification, with around 380 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm. It was a genuinely well-judged engine for a pony car: strong mid-range torque, less nose-heavy than the big-block, and considerably more usable on a twisting road than the 396.
The 350’s small-journal cast-iron block was shared in its basic architecture with the 327, and with the 302 that Chevrolet developed for the Z/28 in the same year — three related small-blocks serving three quite different purposes in the same model line.
The 396 Big-Blocks
For buyers who wanted maximum straight-line performance, the SS could be ordered with the 396 cu in big-block. The L35 version was rated at 325 hp with roughly 410 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm, and a 375 hp version followed later in the model year.
A 396 Camaro is a different car from a 350. The additional weight over the front axle changes the balance noticeably, and the handling suffers compared with the small-block — but in a straight line the big-block is substantially quicker, and the SS 396 is the configuration most associated with the car’s muscle-era reputation.
Big-block cars command a clear premium today, and the 375 hp version more so again. As always with high-value engine options, verification through casting numbers and suffix codes is essential.
Transmissions and Drivetrain
The SS could be ordered with a three-speed manual, a four-speed manual, or the Powerglide two-speed automatic. The four-speed is the enthusiast’s choice and the most desirable today; Powerglide cars are more relaxed but give away performance.
Positraction limited-slip was available and commonly specified on performance cars, with a range of axle ratios allowing the car to be geared for acceleration or cruising. Rear-wheel drive was universal, with a live rear axle on leaf springs.
Chassis, Suspension, and Brakes
The first-generation Camaro used a semi-unitized structure with a front subframe carrying the engine and front suspension — independent with coil springs and an anti-roll bar — and a leaf-sprung live rear axle attached to the unitized rear structure.
The SS package brought chassis upgrades to handle the additional power and deliver better handling: stiffer springs, revised shock valving, and uprated components appropriate to the engine fitted. Big-block cars received further reinforcement given the extra weight.
Brakes were drums as standard, with front disc brakes available as an option and strongly worth having on any 350 or 396 car. The leaf-sprung rear end was prone to axle tramp under hard acceleration, particularly with the big-block, which is why traction bars and similar modifications were so common in period.
The RS/SS Combination
Ordering both RS and SS produced the most visually striking 1967 Camaro. The RS brought the hidden headlamps — electrically operated covers concealing the lights behind a clean full-width grille — along with revised tail lamps, RS badging, and bright trim details.
Combined with the SS’s bumble-bee stripe, blacked-out grille, and hood intakes, the result is the specification most people picture when they imagine a 1967 Camaro. RS/SS cars carry a premium over either package alone, and a 396 RS/SS is among the most desirable non-Z/28 configurations of the year.
A practical note: the hidden headlamp mechanism is complex and failure-prone, and correct operation should be checked carefully on any RS car.
The 1967 Indy 500 Pace Car
The Camaro’s debut year included a significant promotional moment: a Camaro RS/SS convertible with a 396 engine paced the 1967 Indianapolis 500, and 100 replicas were sold to the public.
The pace car replicas were finished in Ermine White with blue stripes and blue interiors, and their small production run makes them genuinely rare and valuable today. As with any limited edition carrying a large premium, documentation is essential — replicas of replicas exist, and verification through build records and correct details is necessary before paying pace car money.
Production and Identification
1967 Camaro production figures by package:
- Total Camaro production: approximately 221,000, including over 25,000 convertibles
- RS (Rally Sport): 64,842
- SS (Super Sport): 34,411
- Z/28: 602
Across the first generation, 1967 through 1969, approximately 96,275 SS Camaros were built in total.
Because SS was an option package rather than a separate model, identification depends on the cowl tag, engine codes, and ideally surviving documentation rather than the VIN alone. SS badging, stripes, and hood panels can all be added to a base car, so verification matters — particularly on big-block claims where the value gap is significant.
Collectibility Today
The 1967 Camaro SS is a cornerstone American collector car, with the added distinction of being a first-year model. First-generation Camaros enjoy outstanding aftermarket support, so parts availability is excellent and restoration is straightforward by the standards of 1960s cars.
The value hierarchy runs roughly: pace car replicas and 396 RS/SS convertibles at the top, then 396 coupes, then 350 RS/SS cars, then 350 SS coupes. Convertibles carry a premium over coupes throughout. Z/28s sit in their own category and are covered by their own story.
Buying priorities: verify the SS is genuine rather than added, using the cowl tag, engine casting numbers and suffix codes, and documentation; check for rust in the usual first-generation areas including floors, trunk, cowl, and rear frame rails; test the hidden headlamp mechanism on RS cars; and establish whether front disc brakes are fitted, since they make a meaningful difference to how usable the car is.
Key Features Summary
- Significance: First-year Camaro; the SS introduced the first Chevrolet 350 V8
- Production Start: September 29, 1966
- Body Styles: Coupe and convertible
- Assembly: Norwood, Ohio and Van Nuys, California
- SS Base Engine: 350 cu in V8 — approx. 295–300 hp, 380 lb-ft
- SS Big-Block: 396 cu in L35 — 325 hp, 410 lb-ft; 375 hp version added later
- SS Appearance: Bumble-bee nose stripe, blacked-out grille, simulated hood intakes, SS badging
- Chassis: Front subframe with coil-spring IFS; leaf-sprung live rear axle
- Brakes: Drums standard; front discs optional and highly desirable
- Transmissions: 3-speed manual, 4-speed manual, Powerglide automatic
- RS/SS: Packages combinable — hidden headlamps plus SS performance
- Indy 500: RS/SS 396 convertible paced the race; 100 replicas sold
- Production: SS 34,411; RS 64,842; Z/28 602; total approx. 221,000
- Engine Count: Eight different engines offered in 1967
The 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS Specs
| BODY | |
| Manufacturer | Chevrolet (General Motors) |
| Class | Pony car |
| Body Styles | 2-door coupe; 2-door convertible |
| Generation | First generation (1967–1969), first year |
| Structure | Semi-unitized with front subframe |
| Assembly Plants | Norwood, Ohio; Van Nuys, California |
| Production Start | September 29, 1966 |
| SS Status | Option package, not a separate model |
| Related Model | Pontiac Firebird (first generation) |
| SS PACKAGE CONTENT | |
| Engine | 350 V8 standard; 396 big-block optional |
| Hood | Simulated air intakes |
| Graphics | “Bumble-bee” nose stripe |
| Grille | Blacked out |
| Badging | SS emblems, grille/fenders/fuel cap |
| Chassis | Upgrades for additional power and improved handling |
| ENGINE — SS 350 | |
| Engine Type | OHV small-block V8 |
| Displacement | 350 cu in (5.7 L) |
| Horsepower | approx. 295–300 hp @ 4,800 RPM |
| Torque | approx. 380 lb·ft @ 3,200 RPM |
| Historical Note | First 350 cu in engine Chevrolet ever offered |
| Block | Small-journal cast iron, shared architecture with 327 and 302 |
| ENGINE — SS 396 (L35) | |
| Engine Type | OHV big-block V8 |
| Displacement | 396 cu in (6.5 L) |
| Horsepower | 325 hp @ 4,800 RPM |
| Torque | approx. 410 lb·ft @ 3,200 RPM |
| Higher Output Version | 375 hp, added later in the model year |
| Trade-off | Faster in a straight line; more nose-heavy than the 350 |
| TRANSMISSION AND DRIVETRAIN | |
| Standard | 3-speed manual |
| Optional | 4-speed manual (most desirable) |
| Optional | Powerglide 2-speed automatic |
| Limited Slip | Positraction optional |
| Drive Layout | Rear-wheel drive |
| SUSPENSION, STEERING, BRAKES | |
| Front Suspension | Independent, coil springs, anti-roll bar, on front subframe |
| Rear Suspension | Live axle, leaf springs |
| SS Upgrades | Stiffer springs, revised damping, uprated components |
| Brakes | Drums standard; front discs optional |
| Known Weakness | Rear axle tramp under hard acceleration, especially with 396 |
| OPTION PACKAGES (1967) | |
| RS (Rally Sport) | Cosmetic — hidden headlamps, revised tail lamps, trim. 64,842 built |
| SS (Super Sport) | Performance — 350 or 396, chassis upgrades, stripe. 34,411 built |
| Z/28 | Trans-Am homologation — 302 V8 for the 305 cu in class limit. 602 built |
| RS/SS | Combinable — most desirable mainstream specification |
| Total Options Available | nearly 80 factory and 40 dealer options |
| INDIANAPOLIS 500 PACE CAR | |
| Car | Camaro RS/SS convertible with 396 engine |
| Year | 1967 |
| Replicas Sold | 100 |
| Finish | Ermine White with blue stripes and blue interior |
| PRODUCTION | |
| Total 1967 Camaro | approx. 221,000 (incl. over 25,000 convertibles) |
| SS 1967 | 34,411 |
| RS 1967 | 64,842 |
| Z/28 1967 | 602 |
| SS Total 1967–1969 | approx. 96,275 |
| Engines Offered 1967 | 8 (10 in 1968, 12 in 1969) |
| AUTHENTICATION | |
| SS in VIN | No — SS was an option package |
| Verification | Cowl tag, engine casting numbers and suffix codes, build documentation |
| Common Issue | SS badging, stripes, and hoods added to base cars |
| Rust Areas | Floors, trunk, cowl, rear frame rails |
1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS – Frequently Asked Questions
What made the 1967 Camaro SS historically important?
Beyond being the Camaro’s debut year, the SS package introduced the 350 cu in V8 — the first 350 Chevrolet ever built. That displacement went on to become one of the most produced and most widely used engines in automotive history. The SS also established the bumble-bee stripe and blacked-out grille treatment that became shorthand for Chevrolet performance.
What is the difference between RS, SS, and Z/28?
RS (Rally Sport) is a purely cosmetic package, best known for hidden headlamps — it adds no performance. SS (Super Sport) is the performance package with the 350 or 396 V8 and chassis upgrades. Z/28 is the Trans-Am homologation special with a 302 cu in V8 sized to meet the series’ 305 cubic inch limit; only 602 were built and it was barely advertised. RS and SS could be combined as RS/SS.
How much horsepower does a 1967 Camaro SS have?
The SS 350 was rated at approximately 295–300 hp with around 380 lb-ft of torque. The SS 396 L35 produced 325 hp and roughly 410 lb-ft, with a 375 hp version added later in the model year. The 350 is the better-balanced car to drive; the 396 is quicker in a straight line and more valuable today.
How many 1967 Camaro SS were built?
34,411 out of total 1967 Camaro production of approximately 221,000. For comparison, 64,842 cars received the RS appearance package and just 602 were Z/28s. Across the entire first generation from 1967 to 1969, roughly 96,275 SS Camaros were produced.
Did a Camaro pace the Indianapolis 500 in 1967?
Yes. A Camaro RS/SS convertible with a 396 engine paced the 1967 Indianapolis 500, and 100 replicas were sold to the public in Ermine White with blue stripes and blue interiors. The small production run makes genuine pace car replicas rare and valuable, so documentation is essential before paying the premium they command.
Can you tell a real SS from the VIN?
No. The SS was an option package rather than a separate model, so it does not appear in the VIN. Verification depends on the cowl tag, engine casting numbers and suffix codes, and ideally surviving build documentation. Because SS badging, stripes, and hood panels can all be fitted to a base car, this matters — particularly on 396 big-block claims where the value difference is substantial.
Should I look for front disc brakes?
Yes, if you intend to drive the car. Drum brakes were standard and front discs were optional, and on a 350 or 396 SS the discs make a meaningful difference to how confidently the car stops. The other known dynamic weakness is rear axle tramp under hard acceleration from the leaf-sprung live axle, which is why traction bars were such a common period modification.
Is a 1967 Camaro SS a good classic to buy?
It is one of the better-supported American classics, with an outstanding aftermarket that makes parts easy to find and restoration relatively straightforward. First-year status adds appeal. Values run from accessible 350 coupes up to 396 RS/SS convertibles and pace car replicas. The main risks are authenticity — verify any SS or big-block claim thoroughly — and rust in the floors, trunk, cowl, and rear frame rails.
