A friend and I just picked up a 67 RS/SS Camaro in need of some work. I checked out the tag on the firewall and it is a definite rs/ss, but something doesn't seem right. The car has the hideaway headlights like it should, but does not have the backup lights below the bumper. It does have the RS taillights however without the backup lenses. Has anyone else seen this combination or have any explanation why this would be? The car was built in December, so I was thinking maybe the plant was running out of parts?????
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

December would be just a few months into the production year, I would think parts would be well stocked... My guess is the car was damaged in the rear end at a time when factory replacement parts were getting hard to find and there were no reproduction parts yet. That I think is the most forgiving guess I could make. The car could be put together from 2 cars, one rear end damaged, the other front end damaged. It could be a re-tagged car too, hard to say. You might want to post the tag info over in the tag team forum...

I would work off the assumption its been retagged until proven otherwise. One possibly very easy way to tell is to see if the VIN on the car matches the build date on the cowl tag. Like Dennis said would be a good idea to post VIN and cowl tag info in tag team forum. If the car was built in December the last 6 digits in the VIN should fall somewhere between 141000 and 165000 or thereabouts if its a Norwood built car (N). Los Angeles Car (L) should be 124000-131000 approx.

Post your VIN and cowl tag numbers so we can see what you have.

I took another look at the rear panel and it looks like it has been replaced. Here are links to pictures of the vin and trim tags if you guys wouldn't mind verifying for me also...
http://www.thebumpshop.com/vin.jpg
http://www.thebumpshop.com/trim.jpg

Also, this car has a big block in it. It is labeled as a 427 and has the 3x2 setup on it with the aluminum GM intake. If I posted the numbers, do you think you guys could help me figure out what it is and if it came in the car? Here is a link to a picture of the engine.
http://www.thebumpshop.com/engine.jpg
Thanks!

Trim tag is original as is the VIN. The car was a SS/RS 4 speed car too with bright blue interior and nantucket blue exterior. Nice car. I'm not too sure of the motor, but I would guess it is from a Corvette. What are the numbers on the passenger front pad? My gues on the motor is a 1966 427. Just a guess though.

I took another look at the rear panel and it looks like it has been replaced. Here are links to pictures of the vin and trim tags if you guys wouldn't mind verifying for me also...

http://www.thebumpshop.com/vin.jpg
http://www.thebumpshop.com/trim.jpg

Also, this car has a big block in it. It is labeled as a 427 and has the 3x2 setup on it with the aluminum GM intake. If I posted the numbers, do you think you guys could help me figure out what it is and if it came in the car? Here is a link to a picture of the engine.
http://www.thebumpshop.com/engine.jpg
Thanks!

What are the casting numbers off the rear drivers side of the block. Look on the bellhousing flange.
Take a look at the pad behind the alterantor and tell us what is stamped on that pad. Then we can narrow the engine down better.

The code on the back of the block looks like 3955272 and the pad has T06 20JD on it. There is also a number on the intake that reads 3937797.

Looks like a 1969 396/375HP originally from a Chevelle. Not a 427 but still a great motor.

That helps alot:

3955272 casting had the following application:

1969 Fullsize 396/265hp 2 bolt
1969 Chevelle 396/325, 350 hp 2bolt or 375hp 4 bolt
1969 Camaro 396/325, 350 hp 2bolt or 375hp 4 bolt
1969 Nova 396/325, 350 hp 2bolt or 375hp 4 bolt

T= Tonawanda engine
0620= Built on June 20th
JD = Chevelle 396/375hp

Looks like you have a nice engine there. Only way to really verify is to see if 4 bolt mains are present by dropping the pan.

3937797 is a 68-69 Corvette 427/435hp tripower (3-2bbl) intake.

What about that intake, do you think it is original to the engine?

3937797 is a 68-69 Corvette 427/435hp tripower (3-2bbl) intake.
It is not original to the engine.

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your help.

One more question...The heads are 3931063 and the pass exhaust manifold is 3916178. Do you think the intake is original to the heads, or are the heads original to the block. Thanks again!

3931063 is listed as:
1969 Chev/Pass 427/ 335, 390hp
Chevelle 396/ 325, 350hp
Camaro 396/ 325, 350hp
Corvette 427/ 390, 400hp
Chevy II 396/ 350hp
So theses heads are not listed as a 396/375hp application so my guess would be the heads were originall from the Vette 427.

3931063 applications are correct above. The 396/375hp and 427/435hp engines took the same head (3964291), so these heads would not match either engine or manifold.

3916178 applications:
RH exhaust manifold and matches the 375hp block

1967 Camaro 396/325hp and 375hp
1967 Chevelle 396/325hp and 375hp
1968 Fullsize 396/325hp and 427/390hp and425hp
1968 Camaro 396/325,350 and 375hp
1968 Chevelle 396/325,350 and 375hp
1968 Nova 396/350 and 375hp
1969 Passenger 396/325hp and 427/335hp,390hp and 425hp
1969 Camaro 396/325,350 and 375hp and 427/425hp (COPO) and 430hp
1969 CHevelle 396/325,350 and 375hp and 427/425hp
1969 Nova 396/350 and 375hp

There should be a casting date on it to tell what year it is.

3937797 is a 68-69 Corvette 427/435hp tripower (3-2bbl) intake.
It is not original to the engine.

The end carbs are also missing the vacuum actuators, also missing the return linkage, and they have no fuel supply - the inlet pipes have been bent shut with pliers; the center carb has no fuel supply either, unless it's been "Bubba'd" to the passenger side. :clonk: