Before Kevin Bartlett and Bob Jane, the Chevrolet Camaro had demonstrated its capabilities in the hands of Terry Allan after he imported the first one for racing purposes.
Allan has the distinction of debuting the Chevrolet Camaro at Calder in May 1967.
Having purchased the new 327ci Camaro Super Sport in early 1967, Allan had Bill Thomas in the United States prepare the Chevrolet for its debut, which included the installation of a larger capacity 396ci engine.
After its debut at Calder, Allan took it to the fearsome Lakeside circuit in Queensland to compete for the single-event Australian Touring Car Championship.
In a sea of Mustangs for Ian ‘Pete’ Geoghegan, Bob Jane, Greg Cusack in addition to New Zealand duo, Paul Fahey and Rod Coppins, it was less than success as Allan retired after completing 17-laps.
Allan never scored a point in the ATCC racing the Camaro and even competed in New Zealand during the summer months, thrilling the crowd alongside the New Zealand-based Chevrolets.
Allan sold the Camaro in 1973 to Holden dealer Graeme Blanchard, who had a short stint in it before Sydney’s Lakis Manticas purchased before the trail runs dry.
It means the first Camaro is missing and so is the one Beechey competed in for a short time in 1968.