1967 - OFFICIAL MUSCLE EVERYWHERE
Possibly the biggest news from Chrysler for 1967 was the introduction of the
Plymouth Belvedere, GTX and Dodge Coronet R/T, making the corporation's first
entry into the street wars with "officially-badged" musclecars.
Standard power for the GTX and R/T came from a 375 horsepower version of
the new 440 cubic-inch engine known as the "Magnum" at Dodge and
the "Super Commando" at Plymouth. Optional for each was the 426
Hemi. The 440 and Hemi were both optional for the second-year Dodge Charger.
Moving down in size we find the Barracuda and the new Dart "GTS" (both
with larger, totally-restyled bodies and re-engineered platforms) still available
with the 235 horsepower 273. But big-block power was now available in the form
of a slightly detuned 280 horsepower version of the 330 horsepower 383 cubic-inch
B-engine. Camshaft and exhaust compromises made for the diminished rating.
For serious "off-road" competitors, Chrysler offered the Belvedere
II and Coronet 440 Super Stock cousins. Known as the RO and WO cars (for their
first two serial number digits) the cars were built without all of the heavy
sound deadener and body caulking of a normal production car. Under the hood was a specially-prepared
426 Street Hemi with a massaged intake manifold as just one of its trick pieces.
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