Custom Camaro

== The Enamel White Prototype ==
With most early Redline cars comes some secretive history, with most of them having at least one rare variant, be it the Cheetah Python, the aqua no-sunroof Custom Volkswagen, or the white interior Red Baron. But the history behind the Custom Camaro is a little more in perspective. The Custom Camaro was the very first Hot Wheel to escape the drawing board and be released to the public. The enamel white variant is a prototype, because what designers did with all new cars, is that they coated them with an enamel white or black coat to check for imperfections. Only a few were known to be mistakenly packaged and released to retailers. This car is extremely rare to find at all, let alone in the blister pack. According to Michael Zarnock's "Warman's Hot Wheels Field Guide: 3rd Edition (Values and Identification)", this is the third rarest Hot Wheels car to exist, and has a value of up to $2,500+ loose. The value for it still in the blister pack is immeasurable. No enamel black versions have been found to this day...
==Some History==
In 1967, when Mattel's biggest customer for their product line; J.C. Penney, was approached about the new line of toy cars they were going to release, Mattel salesmen put on a big show racing the cars down tracks. After their demonstration of this new product line, they asked how many would J.C. Penney possibly purchase. It turned out that the number J.C. Penney was willing to purchase exceeded the total production amount Mattel had anticipated. So another manufacturing plant had to be facilitated. Mattel opened a plant in Hong Kong. 
By Mattel's account this were the very first Hot Wheels castings made. This does have some strong merit in today's collector's eye. Many years of independent research and study into the history of Hot Wheels have been done, with some very interesting prototypes being discovered.
==Description==
Custom Camaro was one of the first cars released in the 1968 Hot Wheels line-up. The "Original 16" or "Sweet Sixteen" were released in spring of '68. This casting was One of the First in the line-up. Chevrolet had just released a new model during the design stages of the Hot Wheels car, it was the 1967 Camaro. So Harry made one too. It seems both would be a big hit. 
Interiors come in assorted colors, with the most interesting, the early Hong Kong casting having matching colors Blue on Blue and Antifreeze on Dark Green. 
Early USA bases had the four open hole design, like their counterparts in Hong Kong, but they were a bean shape hole. Known as the Kidney Bean Base. Another version is the tabbed base.
USA cars do not have door-lines, but the Hong Kong casting does. Early Hong Kong has a painted tail, same color as the car. Early Hong Kong cars have deep-dish wheels, some all four, some just the front two. Some have been found with Heavy Chevy windows. It is suggested that no other car has more variations than this car. There was no "series" in 1968. Just the regular line-up. So collector's call it the "Sweet 16" or "Original 16". They were packaged with a 'Collector's Button'.
==USA Versions==
The Custom Camaro has come out in the following 1/64 scaled versions:Notes: Clear windows, No door lines, flat base with less mechanical detail. Steering wheel is part of the interior mold, silver paint on wheels.Colors are descending in rarity from common to rare.
Year	Series 	Color 	Roof Color	Base Color/Type	Window Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Toy #	Country	Notes/Variations	Photo
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Blue 	Black 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Blue 	 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame AntiFreeze 	Black 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Lime 	Black 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Green 	 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	75px
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Red 	Black 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Antifreeze 	 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Medium Blue	 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Olive 	 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Aqua 	 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Lime 	 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Purple 	 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Red 	 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Rose 	 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Light Blue 	 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Creamy Pink	 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Copper 	 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Orange 	 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Gold 	 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Dark Brown 	 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Enamel White 	 	Metal 	Clear 	 	RL 	6208 	USA 	Prototype 	
==Hong Kong Versions==
The Custom Camaro has come out in the following 1/64 scaled versions:Notes: Blue tinted glass, door lines, four square holes & more detailed base. Steering wheel stuck into the interior, chrome foil on wheels.Colors are desending in rarity from common to rare.
Year	Series 	Color 	Roof Color	Base Color/Type	Window Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Toy #	Country	Notes/Variations	Photo
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Blue 	Black 	Metal 	Blue tint 	Blue 	RL 	6208 	HK 	Backside Blue 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Blue 	Black 	Metal 	Blue tint 	Blue 	RL 	6208 	HK 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Antifreeze 	Black 	Metal 	Blue tint 	Dark Green 	RL 	6208 	HK 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Blue 	 	Metal 	Blue tint 	 	RL 	6208 	HK 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Orange 	 	Metal 	Blue tint 	 	RL 	6208 	HK 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Aqua 	 	Metal 	Blue tint 	Brown 	RL 	6208 	HK 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Green 	 	Metal 	Blue tint 	White 	RL 	6208 	HK 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Gold 	 	Metal 	Blue tint 	 	RL 	6208 	HK 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Red 	 	Metal 	Blue tint 	 	RL 	6208 	HK 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Olive 	 	Metal 	Blue tint 	 	RL 	6208 	HK 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Purple 	 	Metal 	Blue tint 	 	RL 	6208 	HK 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Copper 	 	Metal 	Blue tint 	 	RL 	6208 	HK 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame 	 	Metal 	Blue tint 	 	RL 	6208 	HK 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Brown 	 	Metal 	Blue tint 	 	RL 	6208 	HK 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Aqua 	Black 	Metal 	Blue tint 	 	RL 	6208 	HK 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Orange 	Black 	Metal 	Blue tint 	 	RL 	6208 	HK 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Purple 	Black 	Metal 	Blue tint 	 	RL 	6208 	HK 	 	
1968	1968 Hot Wheels	Spectraflame Creamy Pink	 	Metal 	Blue tint 	 	RL 	6208 	HK 	 	
==Retooled Versions ==
The Custom Camaro was faithfully retooled by Brendon Vetuskey for the 2018 RLC Original 16 Display set first. Note that the first black box Original 16 release from 2013 is the '67 Custom Camaro casting and not this same version of the '68 Custom Camaro redux.
Col #	Year	Series 	Color 	Tampo 	Base Color/Type 	Window Color 	Interior Color 	Wheel Type 	Toy #	Country	Notes 	Photo
 	2018	RLC Special Edition 	White 	Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary Logos 	Chrome/Metal 	Blue 	White 	NCRL 	FPN27	China 	Opening Hood 	
 	2018	RLC Special Edition 	Light blue resin 	None 	Ivory/Resin 	Clear 	Ivory 	NCRL 	FPN62	China 	Hand Made Prototype, 250 producedOpening Hood 	
 	2018	HWC.com Original 16 Display Set 	Spectraflame Brown 	Black Grille, Taillights, Black Rear Panel, Black Roof 	Chrome/Metal 	Blue 	Tan 	NCRL 	FNC23	China 	Opening Hood 	
 	2019	19th Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Nationals2/3	Metallic Pink 	Black roof & hood scoops; "Camaro" on sides; black stripes across hood & sides with "JS" on either side; 19th Nationals wording on trunk; black rear panel; painted taillights	Chrome/Metal 	Light smoke tint	Black 	Pink Line RR5SP	GDF70	China 	5,000 producedOpening hoodProduction code(s): 0609 EAA 	
 	2019	RLC Membership 	Spectraflame Black 	Black Grille, Tail Lights, Black Rear Panel, Black Roof 	Chrome Chassis + Engine/Metal	Clear 	Red w/ Black steering wheel	NCRL 	GDF89	China 	Opening Hood 	
 	2022	RLC Exclusive 	Spectraflame Shadowchrome	Matte black stripes with red outlines on the hood, rear, and sides; “RED LINE CLUB” with “2002” and “2022” on either side of encircled “20” on sides 	Chrome Chassis + Engine/Metal	Tinted 	Black 	DDNCRL 	HGW24	China 	Regular card with unique toy #, casting is identical on both cards, unknown production numbers 	
 	2022	RLC Exclusive 	Spectraflame Shadowchrome	Matte black stripes with red outlines on the hood, rear, and sides; “RED LINE CLUB” with “2002” and “2022” on either side of encircled “20” on sides 	Chrome Chassis + Engine/Metal	Tinted 	Black 	DDNCRL 	HPJ20	China 	Chase foil card with unique toy #, casting is identical on both cards, unknown production numbers	
==See also==
*'67 Camaro (1982)
*'67 Camaro Convertible (2006)
*Heavy Chevy (1970)
*Heavy Chevy (1974)
==Gallery==
35 Years of Speed Randy Leffingwell Camaro (1).JPG|Prototypes (Randy Leffingwell)
35 Years of Speed Randy Leffingwell Camaro (2).JPG|Custom Camaro Funny Car Prototytpe! (Randy Leffingwell)
20181227 203326.jpg|Custom Camaro dated 2007 on Base and looks like Heavy Chevy
20181227 203332.jpg|Custom Camaro dated 2007 on Base and looks like Heavy Chevy
20181227 203342.jpg|Custom Camaro dated 2007 on Base and looks like Heavy Chevy
2019 RLC Custom Camaro1.png|2019 Red Line Club Membership Custom Camaro
2019 RLC Custom Camaro4.png|Front 2019 Red Line Club Membership Camaro
2019 RLC Custom Camaro2.png|Open Hood 2019 Red Line Club Membership Camaro
2019 RLC Custom Camaro3.png|Backside 2019 Red Line Club Membership Camaro
2019 RLC Custom Camaro6.png|2019 Red Line Club Membership Camaro in Blister
File:1967 Custom Camaro Blue different Color Backside.jpg|Blue Custom Camaro, different Color Backside
Collectors Nationals 19th 2019 Custom Camaro Pink China GDF70.jpg|19th Annual Collectors Nationals 2019
RLC 2022 Custom Camaro Chrome Regular Card HGW24.jpg|RLC Regular Card 2022
RLC 2022 Custom Camaro Chrome Chase Foil Card HPJ20.jpg|RLC Chase Foil Card 2022
RLC 2022 Custom Camaro Chrome Regular & Chase Foil Cards for comparison.jpg|RLC Regular & Chase Card 2022
Blackwal Paul Custom Camaro (2).jpg
Blackwal Paul Custom Camaro Comp.jpg|20th Anniversary Custom Camaro vs HWC Series 1 '67 Camaro
File:RLC 2022 Custom Camaro HRY34.png
Customcamaro.jpg
==External Links==
*RLC Membership Exclusive: CUSTOM CAMARO
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