1968 Chevrolet Camaro Caribe
The first-generation Chevrolet Camaro sprouted a number of unusual show cars that toured the circuit drumming up excitement for the brand, but none quite like the Caribe. The Camaro Caribe was quite simply a ute version of the coupe, or in popular terms a smaller El Camino. Also sporting a unique targa-like convertible design (with passengers protected by a roll bar), the Caribe wasn't just a modified Camaro but a completely custom vehicle built on the muscle machine's platform, with big-block 396, and made to resemble the popular coupe as much as possible. The designers sold the Caribe Concept as the perfect vehicle to cruise the Caribbean islands in the summer.
The Camino Caribe was never put into production due to the fact that it was not popular enough to start spreading its influence outside of the mid-size segment where it had originally taken root. Ford had tried a smaller version of its Ranchero ute based on the Falcon, but it was nowhere near as successful as the next Falcon-platform variant, the Mustang, would be. Given that the Camaro was duking it out with the pony car set and not the pickup crowd, a utility-focused body style didn't make much sense.
The Caribe lasted until 1969, after which it was retired as Chevrolet geared up for the next-generation version of the Camaro.
(Decent pictures of the prototype are hard to come by.)
Also see: 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Waikiki SS - 6.6.2023 - https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2031667061786312838/3627732153309253386
Ughhhhh. I dunno what to make of that one, TVH. I say the El Camino was the much better way to go…
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right, Filthie. I didn't like this idea at all. OTOH, I loved the El Camino enough to buy one. It was a '69. Just before they built the Caribe, they experimented with another prototype that never made it into production either. It was the Chevy Camaro Waikiki SS.
Delete1967 Chevrolet Camaro Waikiki SS - 6.6.2023 - https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2031667061786312838/3627732153309253386
DeleteI have been contemplating this post for a day or two before making my thoughts available. It is a damn fugly, waste of a good Camaro platform. It was a an answer to Fords attempt at a pony car and it did a fine job of that! Why screw with perfection?
ReplyDeleteAgree completely. The only redeeming thing about the Caribe, and the Waikiki for that matter, were the 396 powerhouses. But fast and ugly doesn't change the fact that they were both UGLY. The Camaro and the El Camino had speed and good looks.
DeleteThere doesn't even appear to be a tailgate - just an open bay. There's no way you're fitting a half-dozen sheets of plywood back there. Also, the top of the windshield? Just bare? Holy shit. Nope, just nope.
ReplyDeleteIf you want a Caribbean beach cruiser that attracts babes, just get a VW Thing.
I tried to find better/more pictures but they are rare. The windshield is a no for me also. In the second picture it looks like maybe someone did some custom work and added a top to that one, can't really tell. The lack of a tailgate just doesn't make sense to me.
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