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"The #3 Emblem Test Electro-Maro Car"

Norwood

"F" Car Pre-Production Unit

Fleet  &  Special Order  5 - 9

Sales - Phoenix *Electrical Drive

Model - 12637

Body Style - Sport Coupe

Serial # 12637

Fisher  # DD51D

Paint # 900YY Butternut Yellow - Show Paint Required

Trim # 765AA Black

Options

Standard  -  V/8 283 cu. in. Engine

M20AA  -  4 Speed Transmission

C08AA  -  Vinyl Roof

P67AA  -  6 : 95 - 14 - 4 W/Wall Tires  (General Tire Company)

A39AA  -  Deluxe Seat Belts

Z21AA  -  Exterior Moulding

Omit Power Train

Fisher Pilot Plant #  21  -  Detroit

Fisher Promise Delivered To Chevrolet  -  6/16

Vehicle Required At Destination  -  7/10 *Shipped 1 Day Late

Destination  -  6030 Cass Avenue

                            Detroit, Michigan

                            Attention: Tom Putnam

Final Destination  -  Memphis, Tennessee

N100049,  “The #3 Emblem Test Electro-Maro Car”, was delivered on June 16, 1966 from Fisher Body as coach #DD51D.  Like all F-Body Pilot Prototypes at Norwood, it started its hand built assembly in consecutive VIN number order as the forty-ninth build of the engineering study.  One of four on Fleet and Special Order # 5-9 made by Sales Convention Phoenix, it carried model # 12637.  This yellow on black coupe was the thirty-sixth and last Camaro coupe ever built.  With all four Electrical Drive builds being ordered as “Omit Powertrain”, our research shows all four being delivered to the Technical Center approximately three weeks ahead of schedule.  This is derived from dated photos of the #5-9 build at the Technical Center, average elapsed time for all Pilot Prototypes at the Pilot Prototype facility, and the lack of storage space and allotted electrical drive build time.  During the initial mock-up of #28…, #29, #30 and #49 were used in a Test Emblem Photographic Study.  All three photographic studies were trimmed like XP-836 at the Tech Center.  These three photo shoots were taken by GM Styling on a brisk Monday morning, June 20, 1966.  It was these three photo studies, some passing muster… others not, that ultimately led to the primary choice of the name Camaro a week later.  As evidence in the photos, The Name Panther was passed over, but other aspects were retained.   This was the same electrical mock-up program that brought us the Electro-Vaire.  Additionally, these photographic studies were the last emblem study prior to General Motor's final expense of  $100,000.00 for tooling derived from the name choice.  Delivered from the pilot program "Omit Powertrain", it can be evidenced in these photos with the clutch pedal missing, fake mock up Rally Sport / Super Sport adornments, and electrical elements hanging from the sub-frame. This information was uncovered recently and is being released to the public for the first time by this website.  Prior to this release, no such program was known to exist.  A special thanks to the General Motors Heritage Center, our research team, and all interviewees arranged by author Phil Borris.    These four electrical drive builds are the single most historical technical builds in Camaro history.  NCRS certificates show #49 being shipped to R.T. Ayers Chevrolet, Zone 23, shortly after the removal of the “Electric-Drive” unit.   Extensive and exhaustive history searches have gleaned all documented ownership history.  Current whereabouts and existence is confirmed as the only two of the Electro-Maros to exist as of 3-1-2015. One of three Pilot Prototype builds ordered by Mr. Ayers… he holds the distinction of being the first Camaro collector to exist.  Recognizing the significance of the hand built Pilot Prototypes, he requested and received the first and last build, as well as, #36.  These cars sat on his showroom floor as part of his collection and were used to sell and promote the new model.  He achieved this through his relationships with top brass at General Motors.  A full biography of Mr. Ayers can be viewed on the N100001 video.  The full story of these four builds can be accessed by the link below.