Numero uno
Say hello to the first 1968 Camaro to roll off the assembly line
This 1968 Chevrolet Camaro is serial number 00001.
The Camaro is set up for both competition drag racing and cruising in comfort.
For 1968 the Chevrolet Camaro was only in its second sales year. Its initial launch in ’67 against the Ford Mustang had shown General Motors they had a contender in the pony car field and buyers were eager to see the ’68 model. With only subtle styling changes to the park lamps and the loss of the familiar vent windows in the doors to the new Astro Ventilation System it was virtually unchanged. Newly mandated safety standards would include front and rear fender side marker lamps and front shoulder safety belts. The new 350 V8 was now available as well as an ever-growing list of optional creature comfort and sport packages that allowed owners to custom build their Camaro.
When John Hykawy of Gimli, Manitoba decided to sell his jet black ’68 Chevrolet Caprice in 2006, it was to replace it with a 1969 Camaro. Hykawy says, “I’ve always liked and wanted to get a ’69 model.” With the Caprice advertised for sale he received a call from a prospective buyer in Alberta. “He was interested in the Caprice and asked if I would consider his ’68 Camaro SS in trade,” says Hykawy. “I said I wasn’t interested until he told me the Camaro’s serial number.” It was serial number 00001, meaning it was the first Camaro produced for 1968. With that information a deal was struck and the Camaro came to Manitoba.
Built in Norwood, Ohio, the Camaro SS came to spend most of its time in California before making its way to Alberta. Originally equipped with a 327 cubic inch V8, four-speed manual transmission and painted a Seafoam green with black vinyl top and gold vinyl interior, it was probably a program car that was initially used for photo shoots and other promotional duties. Now minus the vinyl roof and wearing deep metallic blue paint and a black vinyl interior it cuts a more striking pose, with front and rear spoilers and a cowl induction hood. Other additions include a more potent 425 horsepower, 396 cubic inch big-block V8 with a performance camshaft, Edelbrock Performer aluminum intake manifold and 750 c.f.m. Holley four-barrel carburetor and MSD ignition box with rev limiter. A set of Hooker exhaust headers lead to a 2.5-inch diameter stainless dual exhaust system with a Flowmaster dual chamber muffler. It’s backed by a four speed manual transmission with Hurst shifter, leading to a 3.31:1 ratio, 12-bolt positraction rear axle. A set of Centerline aluminum wheels with B.F. Goodrich T/A radial tires keep it planted firmly on the road.
Although it was never raced, it was set up for racing at the drags, with frame connectors, traction bars, heavy front and rear sway bars, drive shaft hoop and the battery has been relocated to the trunk for better weight distribution.
Inside the passenger compartment there’s comfortable black vinyl bucket seats, power steering, power disc brakes, AM radio Soft Ray tinted glass, a Sun tachometer and triple gauge cluster to monitor the engine functions.
Hykawy and his wife Trish are founding members of the Gimli Car Club. Started seven years ago, the club has grown to over 50 members from the original eight and has been active in helping to raise funds for various community projects. As club President, Hykawy says, “ This will be our third year as volunteers for Operation Red Nose, to help partiers get home safe.” There’s also the club’s annual “Cruzin’ Gimli Beach” show that takes place in mid July, with their last show drawing just under 300 cars.
So what’s in store for the Camaro? “Well a ’69 Camaro came along, so I put the ’68 up for sale and sold it to a fellow in McCreary, Manitoba,” says Hykawy. Still a great story and good to hear that the ’68 Camaro SS with production number 00001 still resides in Manitoba.
A good solid investment in a classic vehicle regardless of the production number, the 1967 to 1969 Camaros are a hot property, especially the models equipped with the Super Sport and Rally Sport options. Great styling and power with a solid stream of vendors for restoration parts and supplies makes one easy to own and maintain.
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