Boomer (1967 Royal Plum RS/SS) Restoration Project

[RoyalPlumRS/SS]

Hello everyone,

I've decided to start a restoration thread documenting the my 1967 Camaro RS/SS 350, affectionately known as "Boomer," to its original glory.
This car has a particularly special history for me. I originally purchased it from its first owner in 1982, drove and enjoyed it for years, and eventually sold it i 1992. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to purchase it back in 2009. (That's a while other story!)

It's been sitting patiently since 2012, and after all these years, it's finally getting the restoration it deserves.

A little about the car:

1967 Camaro RS/SS L48/M20
Van Nuys,01C
Was original Royal Plum exterior (M-M)
Black vinyl top
Deluxe interior with console
Muncie M20 four-speed
California AIR emissions equipment
3.31 open rear axle

The car was repainted Guards Red in 1987, but it will be returning to its original Royal Plum.
I'm fortunate to still have the original block,heads, Muncie transmission and rear axle.

The restoration is officially underway.
We've completely disassembled the car, and the body is now at a local restoration shop, where it's been stripped to bare metal. As often happens with these projects, we've uncovered more rust and previous repairs than anticipated.
The immediate challenges include replacing the trunk floor, repairing the left quarter panel and tail panel, addressing rust around the windshield and backlight and locating a correct early-production 1967 deck lid.

Meanwhile, the original 350 block and cylinder heads are at the machine shop, where preparations for the engine rebuild have begun.

My goal is to restore this car to a very high level of factory correctness, using original and date-appropriate components wherever practical.

I know there are some extremely knowledgeable first-generation Camaro enthusiasts here, and I'm looking forward to learning from your experience. I'll undoubtedly have plenty of questions along the way, particularly concerning early 1967 production details, original finishes, component identification, and sourcing the best replacement sheet metal.

I intend to document the restoration with photographs and regular updates, including the discoveries, challenges, and decisions along the way.

After owning this Camaro twice over the past 44 years, I'm excited to finally give Boomer the restoration I've always wanted for it.
Thanks in advance for following along and sharing your knowledge.

Dave

[MO]

Great story and fortunate circumstances! Good luck with the project and post your progress for us to enjoy along with you.

[169INDY]

Go Boomer Go!

Post progress photos We love detailed build threads.

Congrats

[70L34]

Sounds like a great project. I have a perfect 67 deck lid but unfortunately I'm in MI.

[RoyalPlumRS/SS]

Thank you all for your replies. As per suggestion I will include a couple photos. I'm a bit new to this and I'm struggling to figure out how. I will try to attach a photo of the car from about 4 weeks ago which shows it after most of the teardown but prior to stripping

[RoyalPlumRS/SS]

It worked! And here is it being loaded up after being mostly stripped.

And now I see its needs:

It's got rust on the roof that was under the vinyl top both in the front just above the windshield and under the backlight. I need new package tray sheet metal because it looks like a prior owner cut it out with a sawzall! It needs a left quarter panel not from rust but from a prior Collision that was not done properly... and it's really bad. It needs a trunk pan due to rust and it needs a tail pan or whatever the part is called that surrounds the tail lights.

I would prefer to get good used parts or NOS. May hunche is I can probably get the deck lid and maybe the quarter panel but the rest might have to be reproduction. And it's my understanding that AMD might be my best source for the things that I can't replace with OEM or NOS?

[RoyalPlumRS/SS]

It looks like I've been able to source the NOS left quarter panel and a good used tail light panel. I'm still looking for a good use deck lid. And I just placed an order with AMD for various other sheet metal replacement panels. So I think I'm good with the sheet metal.

I wonder if you all would be so kind as to share with me your recommendation on getting mechanical parts rebuilt. Items such as starter, alternator, water pump, steering box, smog pump, brake calipers, carburetor, wiper motor, voltage regulator, RS headlamp motors, Etc... my hunch is that some of these items would be performed by different vendors but it sure would be nice to have an all-in-one. And to be clear, looking for Concourse restoration here.

Additionally, are there good companies that restore aluminum trim? Meaning strip them straighten them and anodize.

I'm very appreciative of any sage advice or help that I can get from you all.

[Sauron327]

If you need a roofskin, get a C.H.L brand. I've installed three of them. The definition of the bead above the drip rail is often not defined by some manufacturers. And manufacturer quality can change over time. An AMD tailpanel I used on a job was excellent, a couple years later I rejected one of theirs due to lack of quality and poor stamping. Expect production inconsistencies. Your door and hood hinges should be rebuilt by Willie at Hoodhinge Repair. He's done dozens for me of all makes and models. He does have a backlog so patience is of the essence. He machines all his own parts. None of the 67 door hinge reproduction rebuild kits are good, especially the detent rollers. He's winding down and I'm not sue who I'll use when he retires.

[RoyalPlumRS/SS]

Thank you @Sauron327. It took a while to get any replies to my inquiry and I already placed the order for all of the sheet metal. The good news is that I did indeed purchase the new left side NOS quarter panel as well as the excellent condition used decklid with a perfect build date. I get everything else from AMD, including that tail panel and (based on your reply, unfortunately) the roof. (?)

The information about the hinges is excellent! That's exactly the sort of stuff I'm hoping this forum can help with.  So thanks!

[Sauron327]

Thank you @Sauron327. It took a while to get any replies to my inquiry and I already placed the order for all of the sheet metal. The good news is that I did indeed purchase the new left side NOS quarter panel as well as the excellent condition used decklid with a perfect build date. I get everything else from AMD, including that tail panel and (based on your reply, unfortunately) the roof. (?)

The information about the hinges is excellent! That's exactly the sort of stuff I'm hoping this forum can help with.  So thanks!

Your AMD tailpanel might be fine. I could have just have gotten a bad one the second time. I have not used an AMD roofskin so no input on that, only C.H.L.
Willie machines his own rollers. The 67 rollers are oilite bronze bushed and superior to factory.