1967 Chevrolet Camaro Pro Touring review and test drive

When invited to review and drive a heavily modified classic muscle car, it's best to jump at the chance. In this case, it is a beautiful example of a "Pro Touring" car with 550 rear wheel horsepower (about 625 crank horsepower given a 12% loss) and a modernized platform.

Pro Touring typically means a classic muscle car thoroughly upgraded with a very powerful engine, an overdrive transmission suitable for the highway and track worthy modern suspension and brake components. After all that, the chassis is reinforced to eliminate body flex and enhance handling. The two major contributors to the build of this car were Gearhead Garage in Sacramento and Campbell Auto Restoration in Campbell.

This 1967 Camaro is called "Sledgehammer" and is going to be on the auction block at Russo and Steele in January. You can tell the '67s from the rest by the wing window at the A-pillar. It also has a website here with only a few updates needed. Successful small business owner Mike Bassi tells me he has over $240,000 into the car but unfortunately it's time to sell it. You may recall I met Mike at the Goodguys Car Show in Pleasanton, CA earlier this year. Mike has a racing background in the SCCA Mazda RX-7 series. He knows cars and what they are supposed to do. In fact, he and the car placed 4th out of 70 at the autocross at that show.

Lowered, menacing and a little scary looking in the garage, it fires up with a serious growl from the blown 350ci ZZ430 crate motor with some minor chirping from the supercharger. Once inside, I immediately notice how clean it is and rather comfortable. But it's noisy, in a good way. There doesn't seem to be any sound insulation and quite honestly, in this car, that's how it should be.

The dashboard controls are late-sixties basic but with Auto Meter gauges in front of the shifter. The short backed Corbeau GTS 2 seats are quite comfortable and have had the head rests cut off for a period correct look. You sit deep in them despite their appearance are a full performance seat. I would be curious to try them out for track duty to see if additional bolsterstering would needed. Another wonderful aspect of this car, setting it apart from so many muscle cars: It has air conditioning! The leather appointed interior and Porsche carpeting add further to it's immense appeal.

Riding in the car was grin inducing. It's loud despite the soundproofing but the engine and exhaust sounds were music to the ears. Driving or riding this car is like riding a Chopper. Not something you want for a cross-country trip, but perfectly capable for many miles and looks wild and sounds bad ass. If you're not in the mood for it two things happen: You either choose not to drive it or it puts you in the mood as soon as you start it up.

The suspension was stiff yet compliant. I could feel the bumps but it wasn't harsh and the movements were not conveyed as rocking motions. My first thought was "BMW" over a particularly bumpy road. The modern components look good viewed under the hood and looking low under the rear of the car. The only problem is a slight tire rubbing when a passenger is onboard during tight right hand turns. Remember this car has 275 series rear tires. The rear suspension is a Moser 12 bolt with a Truetrac rear differential.

Finally I got to drive it. And the first thought and verbalization before anything else is a deep, "Ohhh Yeahhh" with a wicked smirk. The clutch pedal is stiff but the travel is short so it works quite well. The feel is very linear and exceptionally smooth in it's engagement. The short travel takes some getting used to but the fun is immediate. The shifter is firm but quite positive with throws that were average in length. It's a modern 5 speed transmission, but it's not a Miata, of course. Steering is direct but so smooth, not a lot of feedback is felt. Then again, I wasn't on the track either but for daily driving, it was superb. Body roll was minimal. The impression I got was driving a heavy sports car. Isn't that was Pony Car is anyway?

Acceleration is fierce. The power rush above 4500rpm is especially hard, almost disorienting. I said almost. The second time at wide open throttle you're used to it. A little bit. However starting in first gear at full throttle, once in third, the scenery is blurring and you realize you've just rushed past any national speed limit and potentially going to be in a lot of trouble if there are any witnesses. It was simply glorious, raw and beastly.

Asking what he would do differently next time, and there will be a next time, Mike responded fuel injection. I would agree as well - it allows for fine tuning, longer spark plug life and better mileage. But if there is a common element in used car ads for exotics and high-end sports cars, the mileage is almost always quite low. So really, those are moot points unless you plan on keeping your love for a while, like Mike did.

Additional accolades for the car include a write-up in Chevy High Performance, "Bad to the Bone" award at the 2007 Bowtie Bash, DeAnza College and "Sweet Sweeper" at the Goodguys November 2009 show.

According to Mike, the price range for a car like this is $80k to $160k. This is an exceptional example. Contact Mike at info@tri-phase-electric.com if you're serious about buying this car.

Below are some additional build details about the car from the owner:

The engine was designed and built by Campbell Auto Restoration and is built for the procharger blower. We are running 10 pounds of boost on 91 octane with the help of a programmable water injection system, and a J&S knock sensor system that protects the engine along with the new programmable MSD6al 2 digital ignition box. The Holly 750DP was built by the carb shop and tuned by Tim Arnett.

The Transmission is a Tremic TKO 600 with a McLeod dual disk hydraulic clutch system and an aluminum flywheel. It has a Denny's nitrous ready custom driveshaft with 1350 U joints front and rear. The Moser 12 bolt rear has a 3:73 rear ratio with a true track limited slip diff and 33 spline axels. Custom dual 3 inch stainless exhaust system with x pipe design.

We are running a Hydroboost system on Baer 13 inch brakes in front 12 inch in the rear with a relocated parking brake cable. The hydroboost is incredible to use and great in road racing situations.

It has a custom RS front end and has many billet aluminum items from the custom trunk hinges to the Ring Bros hood hinges. LED lights round out the custom tail section. We replaced the stock 67 fuel location to the license plate area like the 69's. It has a custom Rick's stainless gas tank that has a check ball and fuel door system and was built for road racing so not to lose fuel during hard corning. a 2K extra option. Inside also boosts some GT2 seats from Corbeau with Morris Concept classics 3 point seat belts. We also installed Porsche Pyle carpeting throughout. It has a Momo steering wheel with a real Ferrari horn. The wiper system is from DSE. The body is rust free and has a rhino liner underneath. It has a brand new Optima battery given to me from Optima for allowing them to use the car in a show. It is running a painless wiring system, duel electric fans and a Nascar radiator. It also has AC but currently not charged, but does work when charged.

The Wheels are custom Boze forged alloys and are a one off for this car. All lights, wipers, horn, stereo and windows work. It also has brand new glass from the full body off restoration. The list of options and custom fab work is long. It has a Bud Millard Appraisal at 230k.