16k Original Miles: 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

For some potential buyers, the decision about what to do with this 1967 Camaro Convertible won’t be easy. The majority will be caught between the idea of performing some form of restoration, while others would choose to leave the original survivor untouched. There will also be a group who would like to use it as the base for a custom build, so it will be interesting to see how our readers are split on that one. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Gunter K for spotting the Camaro for is. It is located in Henderson, Colorado, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. If you hand the owner $29,500, you can drive this classic home today.

It seems that the next owner of this Camaro will be driving a classic that is essentially rust-free. There is evidence of some prior repair work that might need to be addressed, but this isn’t a car with more holes than a lump of Swiss cheese. The panels are pretty straight, with no evidence of significant dings, dents, or previous accident damage. The Convertible received a repaint in its original Granada Gold around 10-years-ago, and while it remains presentable, it isn’t perfect. The car was ordered with a Black soft-top, and this is still present and in good condition. Despite how nice the car looks, the owner does float the idea of performing a full rotisserie restoration. This is a possibility, and it is one that the more meticulous buyer might consider. However, I can’t see why the Camaro couldn’t be driven and enjoyed as-is. Maybe the answer is to enjoy the car in the coming Summer months and then treat it to any restoration work when the weather takes a turn for the worse. The exterior trim looks presentable for a survivor, while the same is true of the glass.

When it comes to the mechanical specifications of the Camaro, the owner starts to chase his tail a bit. The engine is a 327ci V8, but he talks about power figures of 210hp and 270hp. However, the engine suffix code is “MA,” and that makes this a 210hp motor. It is backed by a 4-speed manual transmission and a 10-bolt 3.08 Posi rear end. That configuration endowed the Camaro with reasonable performance levels. It could skip through the ¼ mile in 16.6 seconds before finding its way to 118mph. The vehicle is a numbers-matching classic that appears to be in sound mechanical health. The engine bay is as clean and tidy as you could hope to find, and it is in keeping with the owner’s claim that the Camaro has accumulated 16,000 original miles. The owner says that this is not verified, but the car’s history seems to make it plausible. There is a new radiator under the hood, but the leaking original is included in the sale. The same is true of the removed original brake components and the shocks. The car has been treated to an upgraded carburetor, intake, air cleaner, along with an HEI distributor and ignition system. That should provide a performance boost, but it does undermine the car’s overall authenticity. I hope that the original components are included because there will be enthusiasts who will want to reinstall these parts.

This was the best photo that the owner supplied that provides an overview of the car’s interior. It generally looks very nice, with only a couple of visible blemishes. The Gold upholstery on the seats and door trims is free from splits and tears, while the dash and pad appear to be perfect. The carpet is in excellent condition, while the same is true of the console. The owner mentions the “console with gauges,” but it is important to note that the gauges fitted to this car are aftermarket. They are mounted in a cluster attached to the bottom of the dash and not in the factory pod. A tachometer is mounted on the steering column, but otherwise, the interior appears to be original.

This photo raised some doubt in my mind about one aspect of the Camaro. My concern revolves around the wheel. The vehicle’s overall condition makes the owner’s mileage claim seem conceivable, but the steering wheel undermines that claim. There’s nothing radically wrong, but there is a lot more wear on the rim than you might expect from a car with around 16,000 miles on the clock. That suggests that potential buyers might want to inspect this classic closely for any other possible tell-tale signs that this claim might be wrong.

This 1967 Camaro Convertible isn’t perfect, but the owner does point out something important that is worth considering. That lack of perfection can be viewed as a positive because it means that it can be driven without the fear of a stone-chip marring a pristine classic. That appears to make it a perfect candidate for a spot of relaxed top-down cruising on a sunny day. It is also a car that would respond positively to some form of restoration, regardless of whether it is a minor cosmetic restoration or a full frame-off job. Those are the sorts of choices that the buyer will need to make, so it will be interesting to see which way our readers would choose to jump on this one.