1967 396

[coopeshack]

After the introduction of the camaro in August of 1966, does anyone know what month the 396 engines became available as an option? I've read in 2 different restoration manuals it was the end of November. One even went as far as saying November 26th. But then I've read on the team camaro site guys swearing up and down not till after the first of 1967. If anyone knows for sure please let me know. thanks

[1968RSZ28]

Hi and Welcome -

   According to Michael Antonick's "Camaro White Book" the 396 engine was added in November 1966.  Here's the link I found it at:

http://www.holisticpage.com/camaro/story/67facts.htm

I also looked in an original issue 1967 Camaro sales brochure I have and the 396 engine is not listed on the "Power Team Combinations" pages.  Neither is the 302 engine.

However, on a 1967 Camaro power teams chart (engines, transmissions, & axle ratios) I have the 396 engine is listed.  The dating on this chart states "Revised January, 1967."  Still no 302 engine listed.  Hope this helps.

Paul    

[coopeshack]

Thanks, I guess that confirms what I've been thinking all along. I just wasn't 100% sure.

[Mr12771]

I asked this question a few years ago. If I remember right CRG has no cars in the database earlier then January.

 The question to ask was, once the cars were available to order how long did it take to fill an order?

Mike

[coopeshack]

I agree, a person does have to take into account how long from when GM gets an order till when the order is actually built.
I know that today for instance if you ordered a vehicle the average time could be 4 to 6 weeks, sometimes longer. But in actuality, I would think there are circumstances where the dealer could call in to the factory trying to push an order thru faster. So who knows if there could be a few big block camaros out there built before January 1st. But like you said, as of now there aren't any in the data base.
   Thanks for the input guys.
   
   Kerry

[KurtS]

That is incorrect.
There were no 396 cars built before January 67. None.

[Ron C.]

Kurt,I have rememberd someone saying that Bill (grumpy) Jenkins actually got the first L78 396 cars for raceing, I wonder if those were acually the first big block cars even before the L35 option cars were out because the drag raceing season started in december 66 at pamona.Just a thought

[sam]

The 1967 NHRA Winternationals at Pomona started January 31 to February 2nd.

[Ron C.]

Ok I thought it was December but maybe thats why January is key to the release of the 396 in the camaro.

[sam]

Ron I am wrong. Feb.3,4,5. in 1967. I was giving you 1969 dates.  Sorry!  I probably have the results also. I have many National Dragsters from that time period. Grump says the 67 camaro did not run till the Spingnationals of 67. Sam

[KurtS]

The L35's were available for a few months before the L78's were released.

[Ron C.]

sometimes you wonder what GM was thinking with the new camaro, haveing to supply racing teams with the Z/28 in december and drag racing teams for the new season and im sure the camaro was picked early enough to be the official pace car,they must of had their hands full from december thru jan and febuary because the L78 was slated for the actual pace car or cars i think there were 2 with the L78, and the drag teams so they must have been planning the intro of the 396 in the camaro late 66? Kurt does anyone know when grumpy got the first L78?

[sam]

Actually there is a real good DVD out called The Ultimate Bow-Tie Muscle Video. Wayne Totaro is the producer. His company is called First Class Video Productions, Inc. in Baltimore, Maryland. There is a nice interview with Grump answering the questions that are being asked here. Jerry M. has a couple cameo appearances on this DVD as well. Gives you a ride in 2 of his cars. Worth getting!  Sam

[Charley]

My pace car is a 03C car and I think Grumpys car was about a month later.

[Jerry@CHP]

The Jenkins car was an 03C or D.  Joe Tryson, Bill's right hand man at the time picked this car up at the GM Tech Center and drove it back to Jenkins' shop in Malvern, PA with factory 4.56 gears and no heater!  When I was at Jenkin's shop in 1993, he showed me paperwork for the 375 HP program, and said that his car was the first L78.  Jenkins worked with Vince Piggins and Paul Prior to get this engine program going for the newly created NHRA Super Stock class.  Without a doubt, if not for Bill Jenkins, there would not be a 396-375hp Camaro.  He is the one who worked with GM and got it built.  And as many of you Camaro enthusiasts should know, Jenkins won the NHRA US Nationals in Sept 1967, Super Stock Class crushing all of the competition.  Ben Wenzel won the NHRA Stock Eliminator class at the same race.

I think this says it all.  The 1967 Camaro was on the map in the world of motorsports when it debuted.

Jerry