1967 Chevelle: Rock Crusher Tranny vs the Turbo-Hydramatic Transmission

The 1967 Chevelle is one of the sleekest and most beautiful cars you could ever own. The engine makes a roar you simply cannot replicate, and it’s a car that entices with its beautiful sounds and power.

1967 Chevelle
1967 Chevelle image courtesy of dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada (1967 Chevrolet Chevelle) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The ’67 Chevelle was the last year for the first gen Chevelles, and it came from the factory with the buyer’s choice of two different transmissions, which basically offered the difference between automatic and manual. This article takes you between the two transmission types to give you an overview of the 4-speed Muncie M-22 Rock Crusher and the GM Turbo-Hydramatic.

’67 Chevy Chevelle Engine Options

The Chevelle is a rumbling car (in a good way) that will not be overlooked when it’s thundering down the road, and it’s practically a given that people notice this car when it’s coming down the road. The car makes a surprising sound, and according to My Classic Garage, there were eight different engine options offered in this stunning machine.

  1. 230 cid 6-cylinder
  2. 250 cid 6-cylinder
  3. 283 cid V8
  4. 327 cid V8 (275 hp)
  5. 327 cid V8 (325 hp) (The difference in horsepower came from the different carbs offered.)
  6. 396 cid V8 (325 hp)
  7. 396 cid V8 (340 hp)
  8. 396 cid V8 (375 hp) (Again, the diff came from the carbs.)

Muscle Car Station Wagons?

A total of 369,133 Chevelles rolled off the production line in 1967, with 85,700 of those being 6-cylinder models and 283, 400 being V8 models, according to Old Ride. When you think of Chevelle muscle cars, you may think first of the classic ‘Coke bottle’ shape of the ’67 Chevelle, but this ride was also produced as a pretty cool, powerful station wagon. Another 27,300 units of ’67 Chevelles were produced as station wagons, with 5,900 of those being 6-cylinders and 21,400 being V8s.

1967 Chevelle Tranny Options

Several different transmission options were also offered in the ’67; the 3-speed standard, the Muncie M20 4-speed which had a wide ratio, the M21 4-speed which had a closer ratio, and the 4-speed M22 Rock Crusher. The automatic tranny options included the Powerglide automatic and the Turbo-Hydramatic RPO M40.

Turbo-Hydramatic Transmission

The Turbo-Hydramatic is the automatic version that came in the ’67 Chevelle when for drivers who didn’t not want to spend all their time changing gears. The Turbo-Hydramatic delivered a smooth shifting experience with no extra effort. This was a popular, simple way to drive for drivers who preferred not to drive a manual.

Rock Crusher Tranny

The Rock Crusher is the beefiest of the manual shifting options offered on the 1967 Chevelle.  This transmission that was made to handle the power of the Chevelle engine, and you will get the heavy response from the engine that muscle car enthusiasts look for with this transmission.

Rock Crusher or Turbo-Hydramatic: Which Is Right For You?

When you’re buying or rebuilding a ’67 Chevelle, and you’re ready to choose a transmission that’s best for you – you might select one or the other based on your driving style. You may prefer an automatic if you are taking off on long road trips or using your classic machine as a daily driver to go to work. Or, you may choose a manual when you are driving for pleasure or you simply prefer the synchronized dance of engaging the clutch and shifting the gears on your own.

General Motors gave us all a gift when they created this car, and you’ll find that both styles of transmissions are perfect for different driving styles. Choose your favorite, and you’ll feel more confident behind the wheel, and you get to enjoy the heady roar of the Chevelle’s powerful engine every time you take to the streets.

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