The First Camaro Ever Built! - UP CLOSE

After Ford’s success with the Mustang in 1965, General Motors set out to create their own competing pony car. What came from this project is known as none other than “Camaro”.
See where it all started as we take you through the details of the very first Camaro ever built in this week’s episode of UP CLOSE! #DriveHistory
Made in partnership with:
@Hagerty : www.hagerty.com/
Thank you to @PilotCarRegistry for photos and information.

[@brucehoffberger2397]

Great car and story. I am fortunate to be the only owner of a 1967 Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car Replica which was built at Norwood during the first week of April, 1967. The car was restored 2012/2013 and has the original 350 ci L48 engine, sheet metal, glass, gauges, wheels and wheel covers and even rear seat upholstery. Still have all the paperwork back to the purchase date of July 3, 1967, including the Protecto-Plate.

[@Spacejunk63]

That car has had quite a life.

[@phoenixblack1220]

Not to be nitpicking, but those are standard seatbelts and not deluxe. What an awesome find though! I still remember when this car came up for sale. I had asked Scott Settlemire, former brand manager for Camaro if GM had any plans on buying, and the answer was regrettably, no. Sad, would have been nice to see this in the heritage museum.

[@fubarmodelyard1392]

Very cool to see number 1 on the road and not hidden away in some museum

[@markk3652]

What a find! The very first one, seems like it would have been sequestered, and protected better thru its life. The fact that it was hacked up and turned into a drag car-and survived is quite unlikely. Then, all of its original parts to be retained too, more incredible. Hats off to the restoration shop on this one, I'm a Ford fan but can appreciate the significance of this car. Great story!

[@danr1920]

Ralph Nader didn't kill the Corvair, it was the Camaro!!!

[@Arayig1982]

Camaro is apparently French for little friend.

[@keithleeuwen877]

Hooray !

[@johnbecker8768]

What a story! I'm glade they settled on the name Camaro, Panther and the others don't sound near as good.

[@joshl7326]

How rare is a 1969 rs ss rally-sport camaro?

[@werquantum]

That was fun.

[@currentbatches6205]

The first one had an I-6?!

[@tomodell2447]

I thought 1966 was the first. 6 were made

[@rickintexas1584]

What an awesome car. Too bad it was only a 6 with 3 on the tree.

[@JacksDailyvlogs]

My neighbor owns this exact car (not disclosing where it is due to privacy)