Vehicle Description
Project-quality Big Block Camaro — Runs And Drives, Needs Cosmetic Restoration
OVERALL CONDITION: The Marina Blue paint is tired — oxidized on the horizontal surfaces with visible buffing marks. There's bondo on both rear quarters — thick around the wheel lips. The driver-side quarter has a softball-sized area where the bondo is cracking and hairline rust is visible at the edge. Rocker panels have surface rust with one spot of perforation (2-inch area) behind the driver door. Front fenders are original and straight but the paint is flaking at the lower edges. Chrome is dull — front bumper has a small dent. Glass is decent: windshield has wiper marks but no cracks, side glass operates. Interior is worn — front seats are replacement units in black vinyl, rear seat is original with a split seam. Dash pad is cracked across the full width. Door panels are functional but faded. Headliner is missing — the bows are intact but the fabric is gone. Carpet is replacement and acceptable.
ENGINE: The 396 big block is not numbers-matching but is a correct period 396 (casting date 1966). It starts on the first try and idles at 800 RPM with a healthy rumble. Compression is 145-155 psi across all cylinders — lower than ideal but consistent, suggesting ring wear rather than valve issues. The carburetor is a Quadrajet that runs rich — black deposits on the spark plugs and a faint smell of raw fuel at idle. The fuel pump was replaced and is quiet. The engine has a minor coolant weep from the intake manifold gasket — not enough to drip but the block is wet underneath. Headers are old and leak at the collector — the driver-side has a visible crack starting. Oil pressure is 25 psi hot idle, 45 psi at 3,000 RPM — on the low side but workable. Engine does not overheat but the temperature creeps up in stop-and-go traffic.
TRANSMISSION: Muncie M20 4-speed. First and second gear are smooth. Third gear has a slight grind on upshift — the brass syncro is worn and the trans will need a rebuild at some point. Downshifting into second is grindy. Clutch is a replacement unit that grabs well; the hydraulic mechanism (if equipped) is manual clutch and operates correctly. Shifter has play in the stick — bushings are worn.
BRAKES: Power drum brakes front and rear. The booster is weak — the pedal requires significant effort and the stopping distance is longer than it should be. Front drums are near minimum thickness. Rear brake cylinders are weeping. This brake system needs attention — the booster is questionable and the hydraulics are due for a rebuild.
UNDERCARRIAGE: Frame has surface rust throughout with two areas of concern: a small section of the driver-side frame rail (under the driver's seat) shows scale but is not perforated — it should be media-blasted and inspected. Floor pans are original with extensive surface rust. Driver-side floor has a 4x6 inch soft area near the toe board that flexes under foot. Passenger side is better but has pitting. Trunk floor has surface rust but is solid. Rear subframe mount points are intact but the bushings are crushed. Gas tank is original and has surface rust — no active leaks but a replacement is recommended.
Test Drive Experience
The 396 fires up with a deep, shaking idle — you feel it in the seat. It's a big block, and it sounds like one. The carb is rich; you can smell fuel when it's warming up.
First gear is fine, but getting into second requires a deliberate, slow shift — rush it and the syncro grinds. Third is the same story. The clutch is heavy and the engagement is abrupt — it's a muscle car clutch, not a Civic.
Once rolling, the 396 pulls hard from 2,500 RPM onward with serious torque. At 55 MPH in 4th gear, the engine is at about 2,200 RPM and happy. But the handling is vague — the front end has play in the steering box and the car wanders slightly on straight roads.
The brake pedal goes down further than it should before the drums bite — you need to plan stops well in advance. Around corners, the car leans heavily and the rear end feels soft. After 20 minutes of driving, the temperature gauge climbed from 180 to 210 in traffic — not critical but noticeable.
Park it, let it sit, and there's a small puddle of coolant under the intake manifold and a drop of oil from the header collector. This is a project you can drive — not a finished car.
| Engine Size | 396 CI V8 (375 HP) |
|---|---|
| Transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| Transmission Detail | 4 Speed |
| Rear Axle Ratio | 3.55:1 |
| Est. Fuel Consumption | 10 city / 15 hwy MPG |
| Mileage | 62,518 mi (actual miles) |
| Exterior Body Color | Marina Blue |
|---|---|
| Interior Color | Black |
| Stock Number | C2513 |
|---|---|
| Model Year | 1967 |
| Make | Chevrolet |
| Model | Camaro |
| Sub Model / Trim | SS 396 |
| Inventory Location | Woodinville, WA |
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