Initially known at its Chevrolet home as the ‘XP-836’, the prototype car’s working-title had soon become the ‘Panther’ or ‘F-body’: a sporty coupe and convertible based on the Chevy Nova platform, but with some powerful engine options including a 396 cubic inch V8 making up to 375bhp.

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This conceit had transmogrified therefore into the Chevrolet Camaro, a serious endeavor to create an American icon car – which would reshape the muscle car landscape – that would rival the Ford Mustang, rampantly successful since its launch in 1964.

The reality of this brand transformation by Chevrolet was revealed in a less facetious, somewhat pedantic explanation of the origins of the name.

In The Complete Book of Camaro: Every Model Since 1967 it was revealed that, and with great diligence, Chevrolet merchandising manager Bob Lund and General Motors vice president Ed Rollett had been going through a pre-World War 2 edition of Heath’s French and English Dictionary.

There they allegedly came across the word ‘camaro’, a slang term meaning ‘friend, pal or comrade.’ ‘Camaro’ was a corruption of the French ‘camarade’, meaning comrade.

Finally agreed upon and sanctified by then General Manager Elliot M. ‘Pete’ Estes, later to become President of General Motors, Estes declared: ‘Chevrolet has chosen a name which is lithe and graceful…It suggests comradeship of good friends, as a personal car should be to its owner.’

In such a spirit of camaraderie, let’s introduce this first-generation 1968 Chevrolet Camaro RS Pro Touring, finished in a Tuxedo Black with a Torch Red interior with full custom diamond stitching. This vintage beauty is a true testament to the timeless appeal of classic American muscle. Matching its aggressive stance, under the hood you will find an upgraded LS3 fuel-injected engine and a smooth 4L8E 2-speed automatic transmission.

No wonder it has that throaty rumble that gives an immediate rush of adrenaline to the driver.

Step inside the cabin: you’ll find stylish bucket seating, dual rearview mirrors for maximum visibility, and a Delco radio, and upgraded digital instruments, perfect for long drives or cruising around town. Featured amenities include power windows, sun visors, and glove compartment.

With its eye-popping exterior and optimal performance this classic muscle car is a true head-turner wherever it goes. If you’re in the market for a true Chevrolet classic that combines style and performance, look no further than this Camaro RS that is mechanically sound and like a visit to history. Given the success of over 220,000 Camaros sold in 1967, Chevrolet focused on small refinements and some added features and options for the 1968 model.

This ’29 Ford, ‘Chopsticks Special IV’, was powered by a flathead V8 with Ardun OHV heads. In 1955 Shinoda won the ‘A’ Hot Roadster class at the first NHRA U.S. Nationals held in Great Bend, Kansas with ‘Chopsticks Special IV’. In late 1954 Larry Shinoda met Ford vice president Gene Bordinat. And in 1955 Shinoda went to work for Ford, negotiating with the company to cover the cost of moving ‘Chopsticks Special IV’ to Detroit.

Briefly he worked with Packard, meeting and befriending John Z. DeLorean and designing the body and paint scheme for the 1956 Indianapolis 500-winning car.

The Camaro was not only a visual masterpiece but also a performance powerhouse, a quintessential example of a pony car, an American car classification for affordable, compact, highly styled coupes or convertibles, with a sporty or performance-oriented image. Inevitably, especially considering its brand-name, the Ford Mustang was in the vanguard of such a concept, creating the niche and the term.

So the styling of the 1968 Camaro was the 1967 design with only minor changes. The Astro Ventilation, a fresh-air-inlet system, allowed for the side vent windows to be deleted, cleaning up the lines and improving airflow. Side marker lights were added on the front and rear fenders as part of safety requirements for all 1968 vehicles. To styling changes were an ever-more pointed front grille and divided rear tail-lights, giving the car a meaner, more aggressive look.

The front running lights on non-RS models were also changed from circular to oval. The big-block SS models received chrome hood inserts that imitated velocity stacks as well as a low-gloss black rear tail light panel.

The ‘RS’ designation on the Camaro we have stands of course for Rally Sport, an appearance package for the first and second generation Camaros. Electronically controlled headlight covers, upgraded rear lights, and assorted trim were all included in the RS package. The Camaro was extremely buyer-friendly; it could be modified to almost anybody’s taste: there were roughly 80 factory choices and 40 dealer upgrades.

The Chevrolet Camaro is therefore a classic pony car.

-Alex Manos, Owner