I hold two truths to be self-evident: The 1967 Chevrolet Camaro is the second-best American car design ever (after the 1963 Corvette Stingray), and that performing modern updates on old, mass-produced cars is not necessarily a sign of the apocalypse. By those two values, this restomodded ’67 ‘Maro is a work of art.
But I’m struggling with a third truth: That ultra-budget tuner cars built for marketers to display at the glitzy SEMA aftermarket show, held in Las Vegas each November, provide little value for anyone but the shops that build them. And that’s where I need your help.
Don’t get me wrong, commercially funded custom-car builds provide important moonshot work for skilled machinists, paint pros and electronics wizards to stretch their talents. And in the era of Instagram, the high-profile SEMA show provides gargantuan exposure to the best work. But once the lights go down and the transport trucks roll out, what’s a $420,000 build of a 50-year-old pony car actually worth when you try to sell it on eBay?
Is this Camaro worth $300,000?
This 1967 Camaro, created for paint supplier BASF in 2013 by Orlando, Florida-based Ultimate Auto is, no doubt, a stunning build—and has the trophies to prove it. It won a 2015 Goodguys Builder’s Choice Award, and was featured on the cover of Rides Magazine.
Under the hood is a 6.2-liter Chevrolet Performance LS9 crate engine producing 638 horsepower, connected to the ubiquitous Tremec T56 6-speed manual transmission and delivering torque to the rear wheels by way of the perdurable Ford 9-inch rear axle.
Naturally, the exterior, in BASF Carizzma Ruthless Red paint (and hand-laid carbon fiber roof skin), is really the star of the show. The spec sheet is an understatement of “too much to list,” including a modern Camaro’s interior of upholstered in Connelly tan leather and suede, a full Pioneer/JL Audio sound system, a trick suspension Detroit Speed, Baer brakes, and a set of custom 20- and 21-inch Vellano VKS wheels.
There’s no doubting that the appraisal included with the sale is on the up and up. I’m curious about where on the lust list this car would sit for the average car nerd, and whether such mega-check builds can sustain outside the marketing bubble. Check out all the photos and specs and let us know what you think in the comments below.
