1967-68 SS 427 question

[SS427]

Originally Posted by Tracker1

Then the SS427 'package' available on the Impala - though I don't think Impala appears anywhere as a nameplate on that car, just SS427. I stand to be corrected on that point...

You are correct. No where on the car that I can recall does it say Impala.

[Lee Stewart]

Originally Posted by SS427

You are correct. No where on the car that I can recall does it say Impala.

Available in two models: SS 427 Sport Coupe and SS 427 Convertible. No Impala emblems on the car.

[Lee Stewart]

[Lee Stewart]

I once read that the three grilles on the hood were to depict the optional 427 with Tri-Power (400 HP) but was cancelled when GM said no multi-carb engines except for the Corvette for the 1967 model year. Truth, Urban Legend or BS?

[442w30]

I would guess its an urban legend. How to explain the Chevelle's hood?

[Lee Stewart]

Originally Posted by 442w30

I would guess its an urban legend. How to explain the Chevelle's hood?

Another styling cue, which differed from the 1966 model for the required "hood treatment" that became standard on muscle cars.

Prior to the 1967 model year Chevy put it's highest performance RPO engine in the Corvette and Full Size: L78 in 1965 and L72 in 1966. This changed in 1967 due to the introduction of the Camaro and resumed in 1968 and 1969.

As noted, the SS 427 was Chevy's answer to a turn key full size muscle car. Just order RPO Z24.

[442w30]

Originally Posted by Lee Stewart

This changed in 1967 due to the introduction of the Camaro ....

Do we know this to be true?

1967 is a strange year for Chevrolet.....L72 cancelled, L78 fell off the charts for the Chevelle (was it cancelled, then reintroduced?), and L79 Chevy II MIA till the end of the year. I am not sure it has to do with the Camaro. Enlighten me with this tangent?

[Lee Stewart]

Originally Posted by 442w30

Do we know this to be true?

1967 is a strange year for Chevrolet.....L72 cancelled, L78 fell off the charts for the Chevelle (was it cancelled, then reintroduced?), and L79 Chevy II MIA till the end of the year. I am not sure it has to do with the Camaro. Enlighten me with this tangent?

Chevy fully embraced muscle cars for the model year 1966. L79 Chevy II/Nova SS, L78 Chevelle SS 396 and L72 Full Size. Chevy had no pony car like Ford and Plymouth did.

Then came the Camaro for 1967 - originally the SS 350 was the highest performance version. When you look at the other three lines you see that Chevy crippled them when it came to high performance. All the high performance engines were gone. The only car that improved from day one for the 1967 model year was the Corvette with the introduction of the L71.

Then Chevy added the 396 to the Camaro because 1967 was all about big block muscle cars. AFAIK the L78 made it's debut in the Pace Car edition. 1967 was the model year that Chrysler debuted it's muscle cars: Coronet R/T and GTX along with the 383 powered Barracuda S and Dart GTS. Ford made the R and W code 427s RPO engines in the Fairlane 500. Olds introduced the RPO W30 for the 442. Pontiac had just sold over 90,000 GTOs.

I believe that Chevy "blinked" when it saw the competition and re-released the L78 in the Chevelle SS 396 though it was too late and resulted in a paltry 612 being built.

When the whole auto industry is embracing high performance muscle cars . . . why do you cut back on your offerings? What changed for the model year 1967 for Chevrolet? The introduction of the Camaro.

[442w30]

I see what you're saying - it makes sense, to a point - but I remain unconvinced. However, I don't have a better theory.

Pontiac didn't hold back with its offerings despite the Firebird, FWIW.

[Lee Stewart]

Look at what happened the following model year: 1968

• Introduction of the SS 396 El Camino
  
• L72 back in the Full Size
  
• L78 available day one in Camaro SS and Chevelle SS 396 then added to the Nova SS
  
• Z/28 Camaro gets media attention - sells over 7000

Pontiac had sold over 90,000 GTOs when the model year 1966 closed. They were the "king of the hill" when it came to production numbers of muscle cars sold. Remember that Pontiac didn't start selling Firebirds in September 1966, the beginning of the 1967 model year. It wasn't until February 23, 1967 that Pontiac debuted it's new Firebird.