According to lore, Hugh Hefner ordered 50 specially painted 1968 Chevy Camaro convertibles for use by his playmates and other folks. The only thing I’ve confirmed so far is that the 1968 Playmate of the Year did receive a pink 1968 AMC AMX. The seller claims this Camaro is one of those Hefner specials and quotes the cowl tag but doesn’t photograph it. At any rate, this is a project car that will need restoring, even though it is powered by the basic of basic engines, a 230 cubic inch inline-6. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, this possible piece of history is available here on craigslist for $27,000. Thanks for the tip, T.J.!
The Camaro was in its second year of production in 1968 and proved to be a solid seller against Ford’s popular Mustang. As the story goes, Playboy ordered 50 pink Camaro’s through Chevy’s COPO program but only took delivery of 35. Supposedly the remaining 15 were distributed to dealers to sell. We don’t know if the cars were identical other than paint as one source quotes one of the cars having a 327 V8 under the hood. The seller of this Camaro says that the pink paint can be seen in many places, but what I see is a silver Chevy that was later painted burgundy or maroon and that paint is flaking off all over the place.
When the Camaro was new, we’re told the cowl tag says the convertible top was white, but that would be odd against a pink car with a black interior. The auto came with optional headrests that wouldn’t be required until 1969. Rust is present in the car, notably the trunk floor and the seller recommends installing a new pan. Although quite dirty, other than the dashboard, the upholstery looks to be in decent shape.
The seller says a new starter has been installed and the engine will run, but there is no radiator present. It needs to be rebuilt and is in the trunk along with the power steering pump. If you’re thinking of restoring this car to its Playboy glory days, I’d require proof that this car is in fact a Hugh Hefner prodigy. Whether or not it is, the project will take a lot of time, work, and money to restore, and you’d still only have a six-banger if you stayed with as-built.
Nice story but hardly worth getting all giddy over. It’s a six popper and most likely a powerglide behind it. Don’t see any reason to pay 27K for this one in need of a complete restoration. Maybe he will find an a$& for that seat. More likely the sale price will be an offer, I sure hope so or this hobby is just going nuts.
27k for a car that needs a six figure restoration and will probably be worth 20k 5 years from now when the collector car bubble bursts…hard pass
The ’68 Playmate of the Year, Victoria Vetri, has had, to put it mildly, an interesting life. The Manson Murders, attempted murder, jail time and after all these years, she has ended up being broke. Here’s a link to her story with details about her ’68 Playmate of the Year AMX:
https://www.whichcar.com.au/features/1968-amc-amx—the-playboy-curse
Hey FordGuy1972 just read the story, really interesting. Thanks for posting the link!
👍👍👍👍
Wait a darn minute; This guy wants $27k for this piece of crap, without any documentation as to the Playboy claim, and yet he has a very nice ’67 Camaro Prostreet for $2k LESS?
I did some quick research as to the Playboy connection. The ONLY reference to the Playboy Magazine connection is one guy asking about them on the Camaro Research Group, and not one member knew anything about them. He indicated the car his friend had was a 327, and suggested they were all the same engine size.
I looked at the Craigslist ad’s photos. The owner took some closeup photos of the door shut areas, and it’s pretty clear the car was painted in SILVER, not pink, for the original color.
If the owner cannot substantiate his claims [and I seriously don’t believe he can], then the Playboy connection is probably pure conjecture. The car is worth about 10 to 15 percent of what he is asking.
There “might” be some validity to what the seller says. If you use a little imagination, and figure in the effects of aging and poor lighting, what looks like silver may actually be a color along the lines of 65 Chevrolet Evening Orchid? That is a color that could possibly be considered pink.
It would be nice to see the trim tag, but as the seller says, in 68 Camaro’s with a special order paint color, usually showed –, and “1” is the code for a white convertible top.
I have 68 convertible Camaro -2 code pink. Very obvious factory paint. 327 PG car If there were hef cars this is damn sure one. Oklahoma
This could be one of best 1st gen. Camaro convertible shell project cars I have seen in a while, good solid ones are getting scarce, but not for 27K, about 12 or 15 , depending on closer inspection, I place zero value on the supposed history.
Play Boy or no Play Boy, sorry but tis car is not worth 27000 marbles and a 6 banger to boot.
You need your head read if you buy this one, sorry truth hurts doesn’t it.
I love Camaro’s but this one, no thanks.
The seller is someone to be avoided, this unit is worth no more than $7-8k, provenance or not! Where are all these dreamers coming from?
I would agree with Bill on 7K , 6 months ago, I have a customer with a cherry 67 that took a total hit in the LR, now needs a shell to to hang the remains on, I believe the Dynacorn stuff is stuck offshore for many months, he hopes to get one out of Florida, Hugh bucks now.The world has changed for the car hobby!
In the days of decadence I don’t see Hef in his prime passing out 6cyl Camaro’s
Easy to prove if it was a Hefner special, just hit the interior with a black light and stand back!
I have a 68 Camaro that was painted pink by GM. The paint code is – – which means special paint. I heard the same Playboy rumor. I talked to a guy who was writing a book on Camaros and there was another pink 68 Camaro on the cover of F Body magazine who’s body number was 1 digit ahead of mine being mine was behind his car in the assembly line. Mine was pink with a black vinal top, 327 4spd standard black interior. Still have the car.