The latter is the description for Todd Taylor and Ronna Moore’s first-generation 1967 Camaro RS, which was Chevrolet’s answer to Ford’s Mustang and Mercury Cougar and the Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Baracuda.
Todd and Ronna are the third owners of their Camaro. It was originally bought in Southern California in 1967 before being sold in 1968 to its second owner in Mesa, Ariz., where it remained until late 2014.
The car is still factory in almost every facet, including the 327 V-8 engine. The Rochester carburetor has been replaced by a four-barrel Holley, and headers replace the original exhaust manifold. The two-speed Powerglide transmission, four-wheel drum brakes, AM radio, paint, carpet, bench front seat (since recovered), rear seat and covers, column shifter, dashboard, door panels and 15-inch Rally wheels are original.
The doors, hood and trunk open and close with the ease, precision and quietness as if it were a brand-new car. The lack of rust clearly shows how the dry Southwestern climate is so much more forgiving than Midwestern winters.
The 1967 Camaro RS option was an appearance package that included hidden headlights, revised taillights with backup lights under the rear bumper, RS badging and bright exterior trim. Of the 99,855 Camaros manufactured in 1967, 64,842 were the RS model, which featured almost 80 factory and 40 dealer options, including three main packages: RS, SS and Z28.
Almost all of 1967-69 Camaros were built at the two U.S. assembly plants: Norwood, Ohio, and Van Nuys, Calif., where Todd and Ronna’s was assembled. The car has the Arizona title from its second owner and the original 1967 GM Chevrolet Protect-O-Plate warranty card.
Todd and Ronna want to keep the car stock, but there will be a few changes. They plan to drive it on sunny afternoons and summer evenings while enjoying that unrestricted Chevrolet V-8 power and the wind in their hair as they cruise down the road in style.