1967 Chevrolet Camaro Waikiki SS

Chevrolet El Caminos were introduced in 1959 in response to Ford’s Ranchero. The first model run only lasted for two years. El Camino production resumed in 1964, and was then based on the Chevelle platform. Then in 1978, it made the switch to GM’s G-body platform. But, how many of you reading this know that a Camaro was tested to be another version of a sportsman’s dream pick up?
As soon as the Camaro was released to the public, it was an instant success. Chevrolet wanted to capitalize on that popularity, so different “study cars” were designed and built. The first design-study car was the Waikiki Camaro SS. This was an uncharacteristically low-budget concept car, built to show the versatility of the new Camaro. Chevrolet simply infused a pair of rectangular headlights into a custom grille, added simulated wood side-trim, wire wheels, and the rear lamps were rigged up to illuminate in green during acceleration, yellow when coasting and red under braking. Waikiki badging was also included on each front fender. Oh yeah, gold shag carpet.
The Waikiki was never placed into production and the “Waikiki” never made it to Hawaii. (IMO, that photo shoot would have been much more impressive if they had at least done it on a beach somewhere, maybe in Hawaii, given the girl in the grass skirt, with a wave or two in the background instead of what appears to be a very muggy Detroit River … js.)
And I hate to go on about the photo shoot, but this was done in 1967 … not 1952 … what is up with that bikini on the model?
The next design study vehicle was the Camaro Caribe.