Legendary drag racer and engine builder Pat Musi is no stranger to driving fast cars and building high-horsepower engines. He’s an eight-time PDRA Pro Street Champion as a driver and a four-time Nitrous Wars engine builder, plus he’s built hundreds of Pro Mod engines for customers. However, did you know he builds restomods? Well, he does, and you could own his latest one — this gorgeous 1967 Camaro RS/SS!
This custom Camaro will cross the auction block at Mecum Indy on Saturday, May 17. It was built at A&W Performance Racing in Tullytown, Pennsylvania, to Musi’s exacting standards. The beauty of this build is in the subtlety of its execution. Finished in a gorgeous blue with a black vinyl top and white interior, you would think it is a stock RS/SS with only updated wheels and tires. However, upon closer inspection, things are not always as they seem.
The 555
If you initially thought it was stock, all bets are off once the hood is opened. In the engine bay sits a 555 c.i. Edelbrock-Musi crate engine equipped with an Edelbrock Pro-Flo 4 EFI system. Musi has been building these competition-ready, yet ultra-reliable street engines for Edelbrock at his shop, Pat Musi Racing Engines, in Mooresville, North Carolina, for several years now.
Rated at 697 horsepower on 91-octane pump gas with 643 ft-lbs of torque, the Edelbrock-Musi 555 features E-CNC cylinder heads that are fully ported to optimize airflow to the chambers. A set of coated Lemons headers exit spent gases through a custom stainless-steel exhaust built by A&W. The full sequential port Pro-Flo 4 EFI ensures perfect fuel atomization with the injectors precisely placed at the end of the runners just as the air enters the chambers. All the modern accessories are neatly gathered on the front of the engine with a Billet Specialties Tru-Trac serpentine system. Cooling this big-block beast is a Wizard radiator with twin electric fans, which flow coolant through an Edelbrock water pump.
The Interior
Inside, the Deluxe White leather interior stands out against the bright blue, much like it would have in 1967. The dash still houses the factory gauges and radio, while the new air-conditioning faceplate from Classic Auto Air conceals the fact that a modern system is installed. A tilt steering column greets the driver, presenting them with a classic 3-spoke wood-grained wheel. The only thing within the interior that hints at something not factory-equipped is the five gears noted on the white shifter ball in the console for the Tremec TKX transmission.
The Exterior
Stance and looks are everything for a classic, and this ’67 has both perfectly covered. You can never go wrong with a set of American Racing Torque Thrust Wheels wrapped in Nitto NT555 tires (235/40ZR18 front and 275/40ZR18 rear). Hiding behind those chrome five-spokes are six-piston calipers from Baer Brakes. Keeping the black factory vinyl roof and the black trim around the nose preserves the car’s authenticity, while the short cowl hood with “555” badging only hints at what lies underneath. The only other modern nod might be the “Musi Muscle” logo on the rear valance.
It’s hard to call a Camaro a “sleeper,” but this ’67 restomod is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It can hurt feelings on the strip or at the show. Look for it crossing the block at Dana Mecum’s 38th Original Spring Classic at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 17.
