Automotive history is filled with beautiful cars and progressive technology that brought us to where we are at in the present day. Every so often, it pays to take a step back and take a look at some of this history. While some facts are well-known throughout the restomod world, some are lesser known. Here are 10 facts about the Chevrolet Camaro that you likely never knew:

1. The first 1967 prototype Camaro was actually built on a 1968 Nova frame (wrap your head around that one!) that would eventually be what is known as an F-body. F-body cars, of which are only Camaros and Firebirds, actually have a uni-body frame, meaning that there isn’t an actual body sitting on a frame
2. The Camaro was originally called “Panther” and Chevrolet even had nameplates and badges made up for it. When Chevy changed the name to what it is today, they did so in a historical way and connected a phone conversation with 200 people across 14 cities. Till that time, that was the biggest event of its type.
3. A few months worth of the 1970 Camaro, were actually 1969 bodies. There were some issues on the sheetmetal for the new body style, but instead of ceasing production, Chevy just kept building 1969s.
4. While the small-block engine was used for years before the Camaro’s release, the iconic Chevrolet 350 was designed to be used in the first-generation Camaro and would stand as the go-to engine for many years to come.
5. While many car folks believe that the Camaro was born in Detroit, the first one was actually assembled near Cincinnati, Ohio in May 1966.
6. Many people wrongly believe that the name Camaro is actually French for the word “friend.” It’s not. If you walk up to a Frenchman and call him a Camaro, you’ll just get weird looks.
7. At more than one point in history, a few people at GM tried to turn the Camaro into a station wagon.
8. The 1970s fuel crisis nearly killed the Camaro and all other performance cars. 1972 marked the last year of the SS (until 1996) and 1974 marked the last of a relatively decent performing Z/28. Although, some sources admit to the production of one Z/28 being sold in 1975. The Z returned a few years later, but only as a handling package.
9. The go-ahead for the Camaro actually came out 1964 in response to Ford’s excellent selling Mustang.
10. In recent years where both a Z/28 and SS model were produced, the SS was the more desireable of the two. However, when it comes to first-generation Camaros, the Z/28 was a far less produced car, and are therefore more desirable today.
11. The 1970 model year was roughly based off a Ferrari Lusso GT from the early 60s.
12. The International Race Of Champions (IROC) was comprised of nothing but Camaros from 1975-1989–hence the name IROC-Z on some 3rd generation Camaros.

There you have it. 12 of the strangest facts you likely didn’t know about the Chevrolet Camaro. There are others, but I tried to keep it to those cars worthy of Restomodding. Did I forget any? Did I get any wrong? Let me know in the comments below. Oh, and make sure you like our Facebook page.