I had a 68 Camaro with air conditioning and I don't remember it having that rod. I still have the entire dash in the attic and I could go take a look at it later.
My 67 non-a/c Camaro does not have either the lever or the "vent balls", BUT I think if your Camaro came with air conditioning in 67 it did get the "vent balls" but I am not sure about the rods.