Read the entire thread over again.

The parts were not "stolen" They were taken from the line before delivery to customer. If what you are asserting as true, the dealer would have had to replace the cam change the 670 heads to 97/997 heads, trim the 400 hood for the pan. There is way too much in your "theory" to hold water.

The RA cars were delivered to the dealer with the 744 cam, 997 heads, proper carb, everything EXCEPT the RA pans.

The L-67 option was $263. This included modifying a set of 670 heads to 997 RA heads. 997 heads were not specially cast heads, but were pulled from the line and extensive head work done to them. I know, because I have replicated the 997 RA head myself. This includes machining down 16 spring pads to accept taller springs, different spring pressures, changing cam from an 066 to 744. That was the major cost of the option.

Back in the day, $300 (comparative price of the L67 package) got you a port job and bowls blended, thinner head gaskets, different springs and carb and distributor recurve from Royal Pontiac (Bobcat).

Could all the Royal Bobcat owners be telling fallacies? (About what $300 bought back in 1967) Comparing $263 L67 RPO code over the Royal Package. The Royal packages included 1-3 stages and the most was around $325 and included all of the above.

Three pieces of stamped metal and two hood scoops and a few foam filters probably equated to $50. If you look at how much a power window set up cost for a 67 ($100.13) there is a lot more material and labor cost there for the windows (regulators, motors, harness and switches than a carb tub, air cleaner lid, upper RA hood pan and scoops. (making a cost comparison)

I have heard the same story from 3 of the top GM guys that were there. Does it really matter? Not really...but make an informed comment before you refute 40 years of the same pattern.