I grew up in Greater Cincinnati, several miles from the Norwood plant. I had a good friend whose dad owned a local Chevrolet dealership. There was a promotion for local Camaro buyers to visit the plant, watch Camaros being assembled, enjoy a lunch at the plant & then drive their new Camaros home. The date was Saturday Nov 19,1966. I remember it doubly because Notre Dame was playing Michigan State in football & both were undefeated. It ended in a 10-10 tie. There was a TV in the lunchroom & some of us would peek at the football score during the tour. There were a couple of Camaro buyers who were unable to attend, so I 'volunteered' to drive one of the new Camaros back to the dealership (Suburban Chevrolet) in Northern Kentucky. This experience was a one of a kind thrill for a 20 year old car guy.

@JckdaripprOswego

2 жыл бұрын

Great story 🤙

@jefferyepstein9210

2 жыл бұрын

I lived in Cincinnati up until about 6 years ago. I remember the plant as well. After it shut down Norwood turned into a slum. It's still that way today. Shame what happened to it. I miss seeing all the F bodies waiting to be loaded onto trucks!!!

I still have my 68 396 Camaro have had it for 27 years puts a smile on my face everytime I open the 4 barrels, awesome video really enjoyed it

Very cool. Love 1st gen. Camaros. I have a '67. Production #101067. Build started 2nd week of August, 1966, at the Norwood, Ohio plant.

@reecewatson773

2 жыл бұрын

My dad had 10367, bought it in Tx...

@littlejoewest3415

2 жыл бұрын

So, Ur 67 Camaro Was #1,067 Or Was It #67 Build?

@reecewatson773

2 жыл бұрын

@@littlejoewest3415 no it was the third car built in 67

My shop class got to tour the Norwood, Ohio plant in 1971. Saw Z28 and Trans Am cars drive off the assembly line. I was 16 . Sprouted enough wood to build a picnic table!

I closest I ever got was my 69 Charger. It was built July 3rd, 1969, the last day of production. It was also a factory big block, A/C, center console, White Hat Special. It was completely numbers match, had never been restored, and I got it with 96,000 miles on it. I drove that thing all over. EDIT: The A/C still worked.

@magnusatheos7301

2 жыл бұрын

The Camaro is a good looking car, but a 69 Charger? Far nicer piece of art.

@jhutch1470

2 жыл бұрын

@@magnusatheos7301 I like cars of all brands. The Camaro was a great car but, the Charger just stood out.

Thats amazing how much work that last owner did. Glad it was not neglected.

Man that car being saved is incredible. The value of that Camaro is incalculable. Its as historic as Lincoln's top hat.

@josephlalock8378

2 жыл бұрын

oh i am sure it's been calculated and it's no doubt some ridiculous amount

@paulsawczyc5019

Жыл бұрын

@@josephlalock8378 It's a plain jane with a 6 cylinder - can't compare it to an ss with hide away headlights.

@johnwyman6126

Жыл бұрын

@@josephlalock8378 my calculator can't count that high, it only has eight digits.

WOW! That's a resurrection if you ever heard of one. So glad the first Camaro built was restored to its original glory. I cringed when I saw it was stripped and turned into a race car. I love racing, but even then, that car was one of a kind being the first one, and there certainly was more unassuming candidates that could have been made into race cars. So glad the owner kept the original sheet metal in storage though, and it was able to be recovered. This is a unique restoration with a very unique story.

@anubaral

2 жыл бұрын

The only issue is that the cars at a certain point in their lives are worthless so noone bothers to keep them original.

Absolutely fascinating. Incredibly well researched and presented. Now, find me the first CORVAIR, and I'll be forever in your debt!

@mrkeopele

2 жыл бұрын

looks like a corvair front

@tomp1612

2 жыл бұрын

Wonder if the 1st Corvair is the one they left in the Darien Gap in Panama?

So glad this very historic car was saved and thanks to all involved. Proud to say I own a 1967 Camaro.

@289cobra9

2 жыл бұрын

If it wasn't for the Mustang you wouldn't own it.

@TruthPoliceLegend

2 жыл бұрын

@@289cobra9 If it wasn't for the Falcon there would be no Mustang.

@289cobra9

2 жыл бұрын

@@TruthPoliceLegend If it wasn't for Lee Iacocca there would be no Mustang.

@David-dv6yv

2 жыл бұрын

There is no chicken without the egg.

@rearspeaker6364

2 жыл бұрын

@@David-dv6yv must be the olds f-85 from 1962.

I love drag racing but when they said that one of the owners made a drag car out of number one, I felt sick. I am glad that he at least saved the parts. I can’t believe that General Motors didn’t keep the first one for historical purposes. Glad it was saved. Nice documentary about it.

The guy was a scumbag that tore the car apart to make it a drag car, when he KNEW it was the first one.

@SCFPV

2 жыл бұрын

I whole heartily agree with you, but some people refuse to place value, or historical significance, on material things.

@igoski1582

2 жыл бұрын

@@SCFPV But he purposely saved the car parts he took off because he knew someone would want to put the historical car back together. My problem with him is, drag racing is fast and an accident at those speeds usually runes the car. In this case, an historical car. This guy could have found another 1967 or first gen Camaro to do what he wanted. But he had to do it with THE FIRST CAR EVER BUILT? IMO, he was nothing but as ass for risking it.

I remember as a kid always seeing the body by fisher emblem emblem motorized carriage

Great vid! It's amazing that the guy who turned it into a drag car kept all the original parts all those years.

It seems the cars with definite provenance are sought after only to be cut up and hacked on to make racers from them. I'm glad to see this one survived and was treated to a restoration.

I was 10 yrs old when the Camaro came out. Always been crazy about Camaros!!

Had the honor of doing body work for Chevrolet when most camaros were still new in 1968. 51years later retired from autonomy and Chevrolet

I saw this car at a local car show last summer. The owners drove it to the show! It's gorgeous and it was really neat to see the car as it rolled off the line. Very clean with sharp body lines and a sporty look. What a legend!

@robmcgowan4034

2 жыл бұрын

That's incredible Matthew, good for you! You're so right about the body lines and sporty look, also. This applies to the '68 Camaro as well of course. They are more sports car-like than the '69. I get tired of so many people going on and on about that one. I had a '69 when I was 21 (in 1978) and was just so happy to have a 1st gen Camaro. It was only a 6 cylinder, but with the very high gas prices for the time in 1979-'81, that was a good thing. I'm not knocking the '69, but it was bigger and (to me) less sporty. Mainly, it was a cheaper quality car. I'm talking about the front grill and the dashboard. Total plastic over the first 2 models. Also the top of the dash curled up and was already looking old even at 11 years old. The dashboard kind of jiggled and I know it shouldn't have. I have a friend with a '67 Camaro (just a regular hardtop) and at 55 yeas old is as solid as new.

What a great historical presentation! My memory of the Camaro introduction is how they advertised the computer aided front suspension design, complete with animated simulations in the commercials.

Grew up in Norwood and most of my family worked at GM Fisher Body. I was in there a lot, it was neat.

Very interesting story, seems like it had a pretty normal life as Camaro's go. Besides being a prototype it was used as a regular car, raced, neglected and restored.

I HAD A YELLOW CAMARO IN 1967 PAID ONLY $2000.00 FOR IT I AM 73 YRS OLD DROVE ACROSS CANADA LOVED IT.[ APRIL 4, 2021] THANKS 4 THIS VIDEO GONNA SHOW MY SON...

@halweilbrenner9926

2 жыл бұрын

I am 72 & bought a '68 Rally Sport for $1100 from a car lot in Santa Ana Calif.

@Mr-er6fg

2 жыл бұрын

Canada had roads then????

I had the honor of viewing this car in person today. Really cool to view a piece of history.

@asakellen3564

2 жыл бұрын

you all prolly dont care at all but does any of you know of a method to get back into an Instagram account?? I somehow forgot my password. I appreciate any assistance you can offer me.

@rykercamden9155

2 жыл бұрын

@Asa Kellen Instablaster ;)

@asakellen3564

2 жыл бұрын

@Ryker Camden I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and Im trying it out now. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.

@asakellen3564

2 жыл бұрын

@Ryker Camden It worked and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thank you so much, you saved my account !

@rykercamden9155

2 жыл бұрын

@Asa Kellen Happy to help xD

This video is very cool. I was almost killed in 1982 at 17 in a 1967 Camaro when a Corvette left its lane and hit us head on. The motor was shoved under my front passenger seat. I left my teeth in the dash. I later went on to at 21 own a 1974 Corvette and at 23 own a 1986 Iroc Camaro. Which to this day is my favorite vehicle I have ever owned. I love the video.

@halweilbrenner9926

2 жыл бұрын

Chevy fans are diehard. Glad you are well

My brother had a similar 1967 Camaro with the small engine and 3 speed manual transmission. My friends and I what steal it at night and take a joyride. We never were caught. I think we were 14 or 15 years old at the time. Thankfully we didn't hurt somebody in the process.

I owned the 67 Rs/SS prototype car from paris auto show with factory sun roof rear windshield wiper and power seat power windows it was white with black deluxe interior with KM instead of MpH gauges it was 1 of 1 coupe paid $11,500 for it in pristine condition in 2001

@74SD455TA

2 жыл бұрын

You had too much money and seem to be an idiot. What you do with that car?, sell it for a loss and/or junk it? Is it still around?

Heh... I like the mention of the "hand-built" early cars. My 2006 Pontiac Solstice that I used to have was one of the first few thousand that were hand-built out of many early release parts just to get them out in time. Although I ended up getting front fog lamps (without even ordering them), Half the panels in the car had clips that were broken (cause they didn't fit properly) and had double-sided duct tape on them. The ones after the first 3,000 were much better built. Getting number 1,001 to ~2,999... you basically got a hobbled together car, without getting one of the first 1,000 special edition cars. heh.

The first of millions of Camaros. Very cool!

I love this car with hub caps on skinnies and typical '60's gold paint. Awesome!

The pic of it as retrieved from Storage wasn't pretty. It looked like it had been damp for a long time ,with those holes in the cowl section and roof.

The only significant thing about mine is that it was owned by several A-holes over the first 30 years of its life who kicked it in the nuts and left it to rot in the second last owners back yard.

What a great story and save. I do not understand why the third owner, did not understand the value of the car being Camaro #1. As a racer I get you need a car to start with, but Camaro #1, why? I also liked the fact the car never left Oklahoma.

I’m surprised Chevrolet has not purchased this Camaro Ford located and purchased their very first mustang

This is great ! My first car was a 67' Camaro in 1984..had the 327 and Powerglide transmission..Custom Deluxe interior.. I have bought several really good books on Camaros and didn't know at the time my Camaro had so many of the options available at that time..the car had been through hell before I bought it and did the same to it..luckily the guy who bought it from me sold it to a guy that has really fixed it up to near original condition..it is in Arlington Texas now..got to see it about 10 years ago.

I remember that Camaro coming out very well. I’m not a collector, just a huge admirer. I wonder that the restored car would be valued at today? On a side-note, wouldn’t it be great if GM would start another division that reproduced all of the classic GM cars? Starting in 1955 models on up. that would include Buick, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile & Pontiac. I know realistically this would never happen, it’s just a pipe dream. Chrysler could do the same as well as. Chrysler could reintroduce the Javelin or AMX.

This video deserves more views!!! Man it's literally the very first Camaro!!!

Wow amazing story ! Hope I get the chance to see it someday.

Wow - great history research on Camaro number 1. The researchers win the Indiana Jones award. Kudos to the guy who saved all those original parts before racing the car. It was pure luck - or destiny - that those original parts were reunited before the parts owner passed away. They could have ended up on C-list.

@knytrydr73

8 жыл бұрын

+C Cometcal - True, but I still can't wrap my brain around why in the nine hells anyone would disassemble the first camaro to make a racecar.

@streetcarmedia3052

6 жыл бұрын

I’m seeing this Camaro tomorrow

Incredible this wasn`t crushed like most other prototypes, hats off to the man who restored it to absolute originality, this iconic vehicle, is priceless.

My dad had the 3rd Camaro off the line. Wish I knew where it was or if it was still on the road....

Phil Borris is the Rainman of camaro knowledge!

Interesting view. Lots of research.

I had a 1967 RS that was the same color inside and out in 1974 i sold it in 1975 to a coworker and two months later he totaled the car.

What a great piece of history! Good job guys!

Pretty shocking that someone would actually knowingly take the first Camaro ever made and disassemble it to turn it into a race car. That is absolutely the ultimate in stupidity. I'm glad they were able to restore it and bring it back to the way it was intended to be.

@hawkdsl

2 жыл бұрын

Such stupidity is truly shocking... knowing full well it was the first Camaro. Without a doubt, one of the most moronic things ever done by a human being. Jesus Christ.

@DavidJones-vh5py

2 жыл бұрын

Good thing the guy who took it apart to race it saved the stuff he took apart at least

@pontiacattack249

2 жыл бұрын

Just a car man. Lucky it wasn't totally wrecked.

@robmcgowan4034

2 жыл бұрын

@@DavidJones-vh5py That is true, but I agree with Luke it (of ANY '67 Camaro) never should have been made into a race car. No.

I'm glad this historic car was saved, originality (mostly) intact. I'm also glad it was raced, and performed a service cycle as Camaros were designed to do. It seems fitting that Camaro #1 got to actually be a Camaro.

The father of all camaros...salute.

I have a 67 Camaro and have had it for 43 years. Love your video.

This needs to be at both Mecum and Barrett-Jackson.

Simply Amazing. Phil is a great guy. Met him and his wife a couple times at shows

It's sort of bizarre that the very first Camaro built was a low option semi-stripper 6 cylinder and not a fancier V8 model, as was the first Mustang. Even stranger than that is how someone could cut it up and back half it with a one piece fiberglass lift-off front end to turn it into a drag car, and do so knowing the significance of the car. But, this all adds to the unique history of Camaro 1, and who knows, it may have actually saved it from being sold to someone else and used up and scrapped like most of it's siblings were. It's nice to see it in such fabulous condition, 6 cylinder, hubcaps, whitewalls and all.

@David-dv6yv

2 жыл бұрын

Hindsight 20/20, would you spare a 2016 Chevy Spark today? It might have some special value to someone in 2076.

@54raceman

2 жыл бұрын

@@David-dv6yv that’s exactly why it happened

This really is amazing. great work!

Very cool car, but I never got "sighning" a car, especially the Shelby Mustangs, please keep you're magic markers away from my machine!

History is cool. Love this.

And some things that should not have been forgotten were lost. History became legend.

The 1967 Camaro was one of the nicest looking cars of that era

I still have my 1968 SS Camaro!

I want to offer a correction. North America has never had 110/230v power. The single pole output voltage is a function of the RPM of referenced two pole generator. 3600 rpm nets 120/240v at 60hz. 60hz or 60 times per second equates to 3600rpm on a 2 pole generator. 3000rpm on the exact same two pole generator will yield 110/230v at 50hz as is used in Europe. Electric motors can be used in either region with speed and current being extrapolated. My guess is that the majority of Electric Motors were produced for both domestically and abroad with a 110/230v nameplate during the war? Which led to the term 110/230v being frequently misused in North America. It has never been a thing here since the construction of the electric grid.

@curvs4me

2 жыл бұрын

What an incredible find! Thank you to everyone involved in the restoration of the first Camaro. I'm not a fan of factory original restoration in most cases but this one is absolutely a must. Cars bought and modified in the very first year of ownership are criminally returned to OE condition and that is a crime. Erasing the history of the first 5 years decreases the value in my eyes.

"deluxe seatbelts" .....imagine that...

Awesome, the algorithm ha blessed me once again!

Awesome Thanks

Wow that is Awesome and hi from here in the D Michigan hey Thanks so much for sharing this story of the First Camaro. Now that should be followed by the very first 327 installment 🐴✌❤🤲😇🤩

Great story, only detail left out that I'd like to know is, how much did the restoration COST?!

Felizmente a história desse clássico teve um final feliz, bela história!

This car should be restored to its original condition

@malbers35

2 жыл бұрын

Ummm..... watch the video, then comment.

Great article ! Fascinating. Makes me want to restore my Monte Carlo SS !

What a great story. I would very much like to see this car and have added that goal to my bucket list. It is really awesome to know that the very first Camaro ever built is still around and has been restored. There will never be another "first Camaro".

I’ve owned two 67’s one 68 and presently own a 69. I love Camaro’s.

after all this time. i see it in this light... mmm looking like the corvette and corvair and maybe nova had a love child..

What a great car and its story 💯👍

Great video 👍🏻👍🏻 thanks for taking the time for posting it 😉

Amazing video😎😎😎

Wow! So historic and Iconic.

This car was listed on Ebay as a back halfed race car at one time.. Glad it was found and brought back..

Buried 200 ft. apart in the same cemetery, that makes one think these people had a connection?

@Tumbleweed_Tx

2 жыл бұрын

it's a Catholic cemetery. My grandparents, aunt and uncle, and a couple of cousins are buried there... 200' away an old girlfriend is buried there, too... She lived in TX near me.... weird coincidence, eh.

My brother had a 1976 yellow camaro, i presently own a 17 ss fifty edition coupe 6.2l, love it

wow

this is awesome

I pulled up to another car in my just-waxed 1972, 240-Z...I was revving it a little..when suddenly a guy leans out his truck window and yells : "..yeah...but..THAT car is OVER 45 YEARS OLD !..." 😳🤯😳 He's right . Until it has been rebuilt, parts..will literally begin falling off, attempting to do any kind of racing in it . Think about it . That is where the youngsters go wrong . . . When they push a classic car way too hard before it is finished being rebuilt .

My God man ,what luck great story 🤠

Super knowledgeable

People who hack up original cars to make some kind of pseudo racer or custom are disgusting and childish. No respect. Resurrecting a junker is another story-I applaud that but they are really only original ONCE.

Try n find one now like a needle in a hey stack sweet car

What a great piece of storytelling. 😊👍👍

I had a 1979 Z28 which was that same brown color. (I didn't know the significance of that color at the time) and a Blue 1986 Z28. I loved em both.

An old acquaintance of mine would occasionally drop by my body shop when I was 20 in 1978 driving one of these 1966(1/2) Camaros. It was in rough shape but he would brag about the vin number and the fact that it had a bench front seat; (which was what stood out in my memory; was it original?). I lost touch with him through the years and have no idea what became of him or the car. I would sometimes buy old mustangs, Camaros, Chargers,etc and resell them after repairs, and even had one that came with a straight 6 which at that age, was unimpressive. Reagan had destroyed the speed limits across the country which resulted in me having numerous speeding tickets and my drivers license suspended 3 times. Camaros were my favorites, and they handled much better than the ‘vettes.

@festusian9089

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, the bench seat was original. In 1967, I remember seeing a Camaro with one on my local dealer's lot. Dark sort of green/blue with matching interior. Additionally, since I grew up in this era and also raced I am amazed that the original parts were still around from when the car was converted to racing. That almost never happened, and every car I was familiar with had the original parts sold (crash, upgrade, etc) to help fund the speed parts that needed to be bought.

@jacksonmehoff4963

2 жыл бұрын

Dont blame reagan for "you" speeding jeeeez dude.

@David-dv6yv

2 жыл бұрын

@@jacksonmehoff4963 What kind of weirdo are you, dude? Nobody’s blaming anyone else for speeding tickets. Just try it sometime, everyone is used to driving 70 plus again so try driving 55 down the interstate for a couple of hours straight and then get back with me! Cars and the highways were designed for higher speeds. It’s like you’re sightseeing or stalling out. Just TRY it out on the open road! And I don’t mean for just a half hour. You need a good taste of what it was like to go from driving normal to like a little old lady! I got tagged at 92 in a Spark about a year ago and I don’t blame anyone but myself!

That's gonna I got one that was built on Sept 5 1966 it's a RS with deluxe exterior and deluxe interior now it has all Z 28 motor ,M22 trany ,and a 67 Z28 12 bolt rear end it is a dealer potion and I bought it in 1978 and I'm not gonna sell it

Awesome!

What a wonderful story! 👍👍👍

I remember seeing Mustangs on TV and having a Mustang Hotwheel. I even had the Hotweel Sizzler white Trans Am Mustang #15, I was a Mustang guy. then one day me brother showed me a Chevy Camaro in a magazine. from that moment on I never looked at a Mustang the same way again. I was a Camro guy.

I have a early 1969 rs z/28 that is number 29 off the assembly line late December 1968 I got this info from GM this build was Norwood, owned since 1983 was Christmas gift from my parents I am restoring the car now almost done car has 54000 miles.

My father bought his 1967 Impala from R.T. Ayers Chevrolet in Yukon OK. . When R.T Ayers sold the Yukon dealership in 1971 he went on to start the Rendezvous Trails of America campsites. Hence the R.T.A. After R.T Ayers sold the dealership it became Alan Merrell Chevrolet. In March 1971 when I was 15 years old I purchased my first car a 1967 Camaro RS from a lady in Yukon OK who had purchased it new from R.T. Ayers Chevrolet in Yukon OK. It was the same gold color as that Camaro in the video with the same gold interior. It had a 327 2bbl carb and a 4 speed manual transmission. It had those same hubcaps too. It had 36000 miles on it when I purchased it and I paid $1200 cash for it that I had saved up, R.T Ayers had a brother who had a Chevrolet dealership in Edmond OK, Craig Ayers Chevrolet. In March of 1972 I purchased a new 1972 Chevrolet Nova SS there. I'm not surprised the first Camaro became a race car. It's great that he saved all the original parts though. Back then when we owned these types of cars no one ever thought that some day they would be collectible. They were just cars to us and we dust drove, modified, and used them never thinking about what they might be worth some day. And when the gas shortage hit in the early 70s, you couldn't give away what would be considered classic muscle cars. No one wanted to buy them. Many went to the crusher because no one wanted a car that needed premium gas and got 10 mpg. I lived through all of that.

I had a 67 back in my high school days. Had a 6 cyl 3 speed on the floor . It was blue with white top wish I still had it.

Camaro has always been the best bang for the buck for road racing, drag racing and just about any other type of racing. The only exception, for street use, was a used 1970 455 HO Trans-Am. We could burn a tank of gas, and a set of rear tires, in about 3 hours with five kids in the car. Yes, we were the kids. I've never had more fun in any car in my entire life. That's 455 HO, baby!

The Complete Book of Camaro, it states that Mr. Lund and Mr. Rollett found the word camaro in the French-English dictionary was slang, to mean friend, pal, or comrade. Over 5 million Camaros have been sold. (~);}

@BuzzLOLOL

2 жыл бұрын

I read back in 1960's that Camaro was French for "little one"...

I own one of the very last Camaros built in Van Nuys (build date 8/21/91, plant shut down 8/27/91) and it's really cool to learn of the first Camaro to roll off the line.

@muhammedcarter5455

2 жыл бұрын

Got pics

@toddprater14

2 жыл бұрын

Thought 88-92’s were built at van nuys plant in Cali?? Also didn’t Norwood close in 1987? Thought 1987 iroc-z were the last cars off that line.

@ninevoltromeo

2 жыл бұрын

@@toddprater14 whoops, you’re right, my bad. Corrected.

@ninevoltromeo

2 жыл бұрын

@@muhammedcarter5455 I’ll give ya a dollar if you can tell me how to post pics on a KZread comment 😉

@toddprater14

2 жыл бұрын

@@ninevoltromeo you would like the video “last 3rd gen Camaro”…dude finessed gm and got the very last 92 z28 on the line, when usually the lower end cars (v6’s) are in last week…if your car has a build date like you say it was built a week before his…congrats hope you still have it…what color?

Wow , that’s amazing

Nice

Very cool

@56 seconds that Camaro is lowered, setting in the weeds......HAHAHA.......Hell that video in the late 60's......WOW......THE FIRST N100001 Camaro & The Very first car to be lowered..... I can't get over how low it is setting.....WOW AGAIN.....