Found and Restored: First Camaro Ever Built: #N100001

Summary

Camaro #100001 is believed to be the first production Camaro ever built, making it an incredibly important piece of Chevrolet history.

The 1967 Camaro originally started as a 230-cu.-in. 6-cylinder, 3-speed sports coupe with Bronze paint and a tan interior.

Before restoration, it had been heavily modified into an ’80s-style drag car with a roll bar, slicks, and hood scoop.

Restoring the car meant researching its 50-year history and tracking down its previous owners and their stories.

The restoration aimed to return it to its original 1966-era configuration, including the original engine, transmission, whitewalls, radio, antenna, and factory options.

Chevrolet even used fake press releases to keep the upcoming Camaro secret from Ford and its Mustang.

The first Camaro isn't just an old car—it's a piece of the model's DNA and one of the most historically significant Camaros ever found.

First Production Camaro

All restorations of iconic vehicles and their facts are very important to the history of the model's bloodline. Where a vehicle's been, who has owned it, special stories of the vehicle, and what makes a vehicle worth restoring in the first place are all things that are very important to the restoration process. 

When Camaro #100001 (the first Camaro ever built) was found, and the attempt to restore it back to its original condition was on its way, just finding out the whole 50-year history of the Camaro took two years alone. Tracking down the owners and recording all their backstories and adventures they had with the vehicle was just part of the process of restoring something so important to automotive history.  

Why The First Camaro Matters

This special 1967 Camaro (project named the "Panther" started out as a 230 cu.-in. 3-speed sports coupe with a Bronze exterior color and tan interior. It was a far cry from what it ended up being before its restoration, a beat-up old-looking ' 80s-style drag car with a rollbar, slicks, and a hood scoop. 

The restoration would include all the options the Camaro had on it back in 1966, including the original engine, trans, whitewall tires, push-button radio, front antenna, a deluxe seat-belt package, and a hidden 110-volt system like you would have in your house to power light displays at conventions. 

As time drew closer to a real press release of the Camaro, many fake press releases were put out to the public to throw Ford off their trail since the Mustang was going to be its direct competitor. 

And for those who don't know, which I didn't even know. Camaro is a French word that means "Comrade" or "Companion."

For a Deeper Look At The First Camaro Ever Built, Check Out The 18-Minute Video Below.