BLACK MAGIC The Resurrection of a 1967 Camaro RS
There’s something almost mystical about a ’67 Camaro RS clad in deep, glossy black. It’s the kind of car that commands attention at the strip and the showgrounds alike—a perfect blend of beauty and brute force. This particular Camaro has a story as jaw-dropping as its 9-second quarter-mile times, tracing its roots from Cape Town’s drag racing scene to a full-blown resurrection worthy of a Hollywood script.
Photos by Chris Wall
Born to Run
Back in the early ’90s, this Camaro prowled South African tracks in the Wild Bunch series, terrorizing competitors with low 9-second passes. Built by Cape Town’s legendary Dave Ingle, it was driven by Jac Maree of *Top Wheels*. With a methanol-guzzling, 6-71 supercharged 454ci big-block Chevy under the hood, it posted a blistering personal best of 9.2 seconds. For a moment, it was the king of the strip, but as the years rolled on, the car fell into different hands and, unfortunately, disrepair.
The Dark Times
The Camaro’s first major detour came when it was sold to Dennis from Brackenfell. Dennis removed the blower, added a hood scoop, and tinkered with it endlessly, taking it far from its former glory. By the time Wolfgang at US Connection tracked it down, it was clear the car needed saving. Wolfgang brought in his friends Steven, Mark, and Daimyn as co-owners, but their optimism turned to shock when the car arrived. It was in such bad shape that the rebuild was no longer optional—it was mandatory.
The Camaro was stripped to its bones, revealing the engine was in such a sorry state that only the block and crank could be salvaged. Overhaul after overhaul followed: the front suspension was rebuilt, the 9-inch Ford diff re-geared to a more practical 4.31, and the tired TH400 gearbox was swapped for a race-prepped 2-speed Powerglide with a transbrake. Progress, however, stalled when Steven’s passion shifted to planes, leaving the project untouched for another five years.
A New Hope
Enter Henk Bannink—a drag racer with a dream and a soft spot for first-gen Camaros. After spotting the Camaro at the 2015 Rand Easter Show, Henk couldn’t resist. With Mark agreeing to spearhead the rebuild, a deal was struck, and the Camaro’s journey to rebirth officially began.
Rebuilding the Legend
The first stop was Clint de Plooy’s Pure & Custom Rides in Germiston for a full respray. What seemed like a routine job quickly escalated when media blasting revealed the panels were beyond repair. Mark made the call to import brand-new sheet metal from the States, including doors, fenders, valances, and bumpers, ensuring every detail would be showroom perfect. With black paint being notoriously unforgiving, Clint laid down three coats of Jet Black, topped with several layers of clear coat for a finish so deep you could lose yourself in it.
With the bodywork complete, the Camaro rolled into Slooten Race Cars for assembly. Under the hood, the original 454ci block was stroked to 496ci with a forged Eagle crank, Mahle pistons, and Pro-comp aluminum heads. A solid flat-tappet cam added classic muscle car character, while a Holley 1050 CFM carb and a dual-stage NOS kit boosted the beast to well over 1000 horsepower. A 2-speed Powerglide transmission and beefed-up Ford 9-inch rear ensured the power reached the pavement reliably.
Ready to Rumble
The end result is nothing short of breathtaking. On the outside, the Camaro’s sinister Deep Black finish and widened Harwood fender flares hint at the power within. Inside, a spartan interior boasts Kirkey racing seats, a Hurst shifter, and a 10-point roll cage, emphasizing its no-nonsense dragstrip intentions. Beneath it all, a meticulously engineered suspension setup and massive Hoosier slicks ensure it hooks up and goes.
Tech Specs
Engine: 496ci stroker big-block Chevy with forged internals, Holley 1050 carb, and a NOS fogger system.
Transmission: 2-speed Powerglide with transbrake and Coan 4000rpm converter.
Rear End: Ford 9-inch with 4.11 gears, ladder bars, and adjustable coil-overs.
Wheels & Tires: Billet Specialties wheels wrapped in Hoosier drag slicks.
Fuel System: Dual Holley pumps feeding a 20L fuel cell with braided lines.
Interior: Racing essentials only—Kirkey seats, AutoMeter gauges, and Lexan windows.
Final Word
This ’67 Camaro RS is more than just a car—it’s a testament to the power of passion, persistence, and a shared love for speed. It’s a reminder that no matter how far a machine might fall, with the right hands and enough determination, it can rise again. Henk Bannink’s Camaro isn’t just back on the track—it’s back on top, ready to vaporize the competition one quarter-mile at a time.
Born to Run
Back in the early ’90s, this Camaro prowled South African tracks in the Wild Bunch series, terrorizing competitors with low 9-second passes. Built by Cape Town’s legendary Dave Ingle, it was driven by Jac Maree of *Top Wheels*. With a methanol-guzzling, 6-71 supercharged 454ci big-block Chevy under the hood, it posted a blistering personal best of 9.2 seconds. For a moment, it was the king of the strip, but as the years rolled on, the car fell into different hands and, unfortunately, disrepair.
The Dark Times
The Camaro’s first major detour came when it was sold to Dennis from Brackenfell. Dennis removed the blower, added a hood scoop, and tinkered with it endlessly, taking it far from its former glory. By the time Wolfgang at US Connection tracked it down, it was clear the car needed saving. Wolfgang brought in his friends Steven, Mark, and Daimyn as co-owners, but their optimism turned to shock when the car arrived. It was in such bad shape that the rebuild was no longer optional—it was mandatory.
The Camaro was stripped to its bones, revealing the engine was in such a sorry state that only the block and crank could be salvaged. Overhaul after overhaul followed: the front suspension was rebuilt, the 9-inch Ford diff re-geared to a more practical 4.31, and the tired TH400 gearbox was swapped for a race-prepped 2-speed Powerglide with a transbrake. Progress, however, stalled when Steven’s passion shifted to planes, leaving the project untouched for another five years.
A New Hope
Enter Henk Bannink—a drag racer with a dream and a soft spot for first-gen Camaros. After spotting the Camaro at the 2015 Rand Easter Show, Henk couldn’t resist. With Mark agreeing to spearhead the rebuild, a deal was struck, and the Camaro’s journey to rebirth officially began.
Rebuilding the Legend
The first stop was Clint de Plooy’s Pure & Custom Rides in Germiston for a full respray. What seemed like a routine job quickly escalated when media blasting revealed the panels were beyond repair. Mark made the call to import brand-new sheet metal from the States, including doors, fenders, valances, and bumpers, ensuring every detail would be showroom perfect. With black paint being notoriously unforgiving, Clint laid down three coats of Jet Black, topped with several layers of clear coat for a finish so deep you could lose yourself in it.
With the bodywork complete, the Camaro rolled into Slooten Race Cars for assembly. Under the hood, the original 454ci block was stroked to 496ci with a forged Eagle crank, Mahle pistons, and Pro-comp aluminum heads. A solid flat-tappet cam added classic muscle car character, while a Holley 1050 CFM carb and a dual-stage NOS kit boosted the beast to well over 1000 horsepower. A 2-speed Powerglide transmission and beefed-up Ford 9-inch rear ensured the power reached the pavement reliably.
Ready to Rumble
The end result is nothing short of breathtaking. On the outside, the Camaro’s sinister Deep Black finish and widened Harwood fender flares hint at the power within. Inside, a spartan interior boasts Kirkey racing seats, a Hurst shifter, and a 10-point roll cage, emphasizing its no-nonsense dragstrip intentions. Beneath it all, a meticulously engineered suspension setup and massive Hoosier slicks ensure it hooks up and goes.
Tech Specs
Engine: 496ci stroker big-block Chevy with forged internals, Holley 1050 carb, and a NOS fogger system.
Transmission: 2-speed Powerglide with transbrake and Coan 4000rpm converter.
Rear End: Ford 9-inch with 4.11 gears, ladder bars, and adjustable coil-overs.
Wheels & Tires: Billet Specialties wheels wrapped in Hoosier drag slicks.
Fuel System: Dual Holley pumps feeding a 20L fuel cell with braided lines.
Interior: Racing essentials only—Kirkey seats, AutoMeter gauges, and Lexan windows.
Final Word
This ’67 Camaro RS is more than just a car—it’s a testament to the power of passion, persistence, and a shared love for speed. It’s a reminder that no matter how far a machine might fall, with the right hands and enough determination, it can rise again. Henk Bannink’s Camaro isn’t just back on the track—it’s back on top, ready to vaporize the competition one quarter-mile at a time.
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