Limited-Edition vehicles are not a new phenomenon and can be traced back to the automotive industry’s earliest days, when buyers would hand cars over to coachbuilders to create custom bodies. This 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible is genuinely special, as it is a Neiman Marcus Edition. Only one hundred of these classics found buyers, although their rapid sale when new belied their extraordinary sticker price. This one needs a new home, and with an updated V8 under the hood, it will deliver a rapid motoring experience. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder PRA4SNW for spotting the Camaro here on eBay in Fredericksburg, Texas. The seller set their BIN at $57,500 OBO.
Neiman Marcus has produced a “Christmas Book” for decades, offering customers products that are unavailable elsewhere. In 2011, it announced a Limited-Edition Camaro SS Convertible available only through its stores. The price was an eye-watering $75,000, but did that deter potential customers? Not for one moment. The company confirmed that the entire production run of one hundred vehicles sold out in three minutes! So, what made the Neiman Marcus so special? We can start with the unique paint shade. Dubbed Deep Bordeaux, its appearance changed dramatically, depending on the prevailing light. In some environments, it looks almost Black, while in others it can appear to be almost Red or Burgundy. The concept sounds fantastic, and the impact is dramatic. However, we must wonder whether such a shade would cause paint shops nightmares if they had to do touch-ups. This car’s history is one of protection, and with only 3,300 miles on the clock, its spotless appearance and lack of apparent imperfections is unsurprising. The panels are laser-straight, and the top fits perfectly. Interestingly, the car doesn’t roll on its original, polished 21″ wheels. That is the only clue that there might be more to this Camaro than meets the eye.
Every Camaro Neiman Marcus featured a 6.2-liter LS3 V8. Because the first owner teamed the motor with the six-speed manual transmission, it delivered 426hp and 420 ft/lbs of torque. Had they selected the six-speed automatic, those figures would have dropped to 400hp and 410 ft/lbs. Originality is typically critical in circumstances like this, and this Camaro retains its original drivetrain. However, the owner handed the car to renowned NASCAR engine builder, Joey Arrington. He stroked the motor to 416ci, adding an oil cooler for improved reliability. They don’t mention potential power gains, but with the V8’s increased capacity and the new Borla exhaust, the figures should be pretty healthy. The motor isn’t the only area benefiting from attention, because its suspension features some Down Under motorsport technology. The owner installed Pedder Supashock coil-overs, the same units used as control items in Australian Supercar racing. Throw in Pfadt sway bars and a 3.91 rear end, and the horizon would come racing towards the driver if they floor the gas pedal. Although not specifically stated, I see no reason this Camaro wouldn’t be a turnkey proposition.
Neiman Marcus described the leather covering the Camaro’s seats as “amber-colored.” The company specified Black side panels and Red stitching, making a bold but classy statement. Red stitching extended to the wheel and other areas, while the company loaded the interior with almost every option available. Buyers received climate-controlled air conditioning, power windows, locks, seats, and mirrors, keyless entry, remote start, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and a premium Boston Acoustics Audio System with a CD player. Considering this Camaro’s one-owner status and the odometer reading, the interior presentation is unsurprising. There is no wear or other issues, and this classic wouldn’t look out of place on a showroom floor.
Some Limited Edition vehicles represent better investments than others. Many buyers rolled the dice on Chevrolet’s 1978 Corvette Indy Pace Car, and the car never lived up to its promise. The same could be true of the 2011 Camaro SS Neiman Marcus Edition. While the seller claims that only seventy-five of these classics were built, various sources (including Neiman Marcus) state that the figure is actually one hundred. The sticker price was a whopping $75,000 at a time when a “regular” SS Convertible sold for around half that price. Placing that into perspective, the original sticker price equates to around $110,000 today. Therefore, as an investment, the Neiman Marcus shares the same fate as the Corvette Indy Pace Car. The seller’s price looks realistic, but do you think times will change, and that values will climb? Only time will tell.
Who buys an expensive, limited edition car like this, modifies it, then doesn’t drive it? The Venn diagram of people who appreciate low mileage limited editions and people who appreciate modified cars is basically two separate circles.
Learn something on here everyday. Never knew there was a Camaro Nieman Marcus Edition
This particular car is a 2SS model with 6-speed, but it will not have remote start as stated in the write-up since that feature is an Auto Trans only feature.
I heard about these when they came out. But looking quickly at the eBay auction, it doesn’t seem that it has any badging or anything like that to indicate that it is a Neiman Marcus edition Camaro? I would’ve thought they would’ve been a plaque or something like that inside the car unless I missed it?
You care?
of course any serious buyer would care…
This is the same dealership that had the overpriced LUV from a few days ago. They have interesting inventory, but I still can’t figure out how they end up selling anything.