To many in the Chevy Camaro enthusiast community, the name "Fbodfather" is one that is known both far and wide. Scott Settlemire, the man behind that storied moniker has worked tirelessly with the Camaro community over the years, and during his nearly four decades as a GM employee, has shared his love and knowledge of Chevy Camaro with legions of bowtie faithful.
The BLOCK recently had the unique opportunity to talk to the Fbodfather between his extensive travels, and pull back the curtain a bit, if you will. Of late, Scott has been actively working with the Chevy Volt team on their Volt Tour, crisscrossing the country to conduct Ride and Drives and talk to folks about the virtues of the Volt.
Whether you're familiar with Scott Settlemire or his Fbodfather persona from his many years in the enthusiast arena, or this is the first time you're hearing his name, one thing that cannot be understated is his passion for all things GM, Chevrolet, and, of course, the iconic Camaro.
So, without further ado, buckle up and please join us for part one of our intriguing interview with the man, the Fbodfather, himself.
Tell us a little about yourself, who is Scott Settlemire?
Scott Settlemire
He’s simply a guy like a lot of other people on “The BLOCK” – a guy that shares the passion for all things Chevy and GM. I’ve been fortunate in that I grew up in a family of Chevy Dealers – my uncle and father were both dealers – my cousins Tom and Sue still are. I like to say that I grew up in the perfect place at the perfect time. That’s what’s fueled my passion for all things Chevy.
How long have you been working at General Motors?
Scott Settlemire
In September, I started my 36th year working for GM. Doesn’t seem that long, but on the other hand, I’ve seen unimaginable change.
What projects are you currently working on?
Scott Settlemire
That’s an interesting question. I’m a member of the Camaro CORE team and I thank Al, Cheryl, Russ and John for inviting me to remain there. We’re always looking for ways to improve Camaro, which keeps the team busy – there’s also a new performance sedan that you’ve undoubtedly been reading about that the team is working on… that’s been interesting. I mean – can you imagine any ‘gearhead’ NOT wanting to work on the Camaro team?
I also oversee Special Events – such as GM’s participation in the annual NADA (National Automobile Dealers Association) Convention – and other miscellaneous corporate events. I’m currently overseeing a group of Ride and Drives around the nation featuring the Volt, Sonic, Malibu, and of course our beloved Camaro.
I seem to get a lot of requests for information and advice on things related to the history of the company – hence, I’ve been asked to sift through the various files related to our Heritage Collection to ensure accuracy. I continue to supervise GM’s participation with Enthusiast Outreach programs – specifically to Camaro/Firebird, and I travel to many of the events throughout the year. And, of course, I’m always interacting with our brand enthusiasts. I love working for GM – it’s my life.
What was the first car you ever drove?
Scott Settlemire
Drove or owned? My father, who I mentioned, was a Chevy Dealer, taught my sister how to drive (at least he attempted to… she still can’t drive very well…) back in 1966... So he taught me at the same time. The first car I drove was a 1966 Impala Convertible... Mom Settlemire’s “demonstrator.” The first car I owned? A 1956 Pontiac Starchief that was going to the scrapyard. I talked my father into allowing me to buy it and drive it through the woods behind our home and in the neighbor’s cornfield roads. I was about 14 at the time.
How did you become a gearhead?
Scott Settlemire
As I’d mentioned – I was lucky in that I grew up in my family’s Chevrolet dealerships. My great-grandfather and grandfather both worked on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad – and while they ‘drove’ steam engines during the day – they also owned a Gas Station/General Store in a small town in Western PA. They worked on cars and trucks all the time. So, the ‘gasoline’ DNA in my veins goes back to the early 20th century.
Uncle Tom bought his first Chevy Dealership in 1958. That one still exists. He bought another Chevy/Pontiac/Buick dealership in the 80s – it’s since been sold. Dad and a business partner bought a Chevy dealership in 1966, but he sold it a few years later to his partner because none of us in my immediate family wanted to move 55 miles away. They added Jeep in 1963, but Jeep’s now been gone for about 20 years – and the only new cars and trucks that our family sells are Chevrolets. We know a great thing when we see it.
Do you have any project cars of your own? If so, what are they? And let's hear the names... (come on, everybody names their cars!)
Scott Settlemire
You know, I’ve never – in my years at GM – had time to work on a car of my own. I had a 1969 Impala SS-427 that started its life out as a company car at the GM building in Detroit. We sold it to a friend of the family in late summer of 1969 – and when they traded it on a Monte Carlo in 1977, I grabbed it and put it away. Foolishly, I sold it in 1996 when I transferred back to Detroit from Long Island – and I still kick myself for doing so.
I currently own “Lord Quicksilver” – a 2002 Camaro SS “Z7D” convertible – one of 57 built for the Brickyard 400 in the summer of 2002. He’s stored in Western Pennsylvania in Mom Settlemire’s garage – and goes out several times a summer for a cruise when I’m back there visiting. I still get a big smile on my face each time I climb behind the wheel. She takes it out now and then because she loves the sound of it.
Do you remember the first time you laid eyes on a Camaro?
Scott Settlemire
You bet I do! It was on September 10th, 1966 – the reason I remember so well is for two reasons: Back then, dealers were instructed to ‘hide’ the new model year cars and trucks. In fact, up until 1968, auto manufacturers covered the cars with cloth covers as they were shipped to protect them from prying eyes… My grandparents had a big garage and a very large field behind their home – a great place to ‘hide’ cars until new car announcement day.
My brother’s birthday is the 11th of September – and we happened to go to my Grandparents for dinner and to celebrate his birthday a day early – and there in the garage was a Bolero Red Camaro RS Convertible. STUNNING! I think my eyes may have bugged out of my head – and I thought it was the most beautiful car I’d ever seen. I remember it like it was yesterday.
What was about the Camaro that just grabbed a hold of you and never let go?
Scott Settlemire
Styling that turns heads. I still think that a 1st gen with the RS package and a bumblebee stripe is one of the best looking cars of all time. Cousin Sue still has her ’67 RS Convertible Demo (which also happens to be Bolero Red) with lots of options like an 8-track tape deck, power windows, and “Mag-style” wheel covers… I covet that car! It just looks so great coming down the road… or even just sitting still.
What was the first Camaro you owned? Did you mod it? If so, what did you to do it?
Scott Settlemire
It was a 1973 Type LT (Dad didn’t trust me with a Z28). My father taught me many lessons, one of which was “Nothing is free.” So the Camaro LT was put on a ‘balloon note’ and I was told to “Keep it pristine – because you must sell it and make enough to pay off the balloon note!”
How I loved that Camaro. I’d do just about anything to get it back. It went back with me to college after Easter Break in the spring of 1973 – and was sold and replaced with a 1974 Type LT (he still didn’t trust me with a Z28... smart man, my father was!). Unfortunately, because it was on a balloon note, I couldn’t make many mods to it.
Okay, tell us: Who is the Fbodfather? Give us a glimpse behind the curtain.
Scott Settlemire
He’s simply a guy who’s always loved Camaros and Firebirds and believes in GM and Chevrolet and America (and Canada!). I am not the person who should have the “Fbodfather” moniker. There are many, many other much more talented people who are REALLY the ‘Fbodfathers’. Men like Henry Haga, Don McPherson, Pete Estes, Jim Perkins, Jerry Palmer and John Heinricy… and, well… the list is quite lengthy.
Now – how did I get the name? It was the summer of 1998 – during the “Camaros at Carlisle” enthusiast event. It must have been nearly 100 degrees in the shade – and we had a field full of Camaros and Firebirds plus a whole bunch of other classic GM cars and trucks. I was hanging out with various members of the “Hudson Valley Camaro” group trying to stay out of the sun.
Each of the members had nicknames names like “Joey Red” and “Kevin RagSS” and “Eddie da Ram” – and they proclaimed that I should have a ‘name’ too – and that I was now their ‘Godfather’. Suddenly, “Joey Red” snapped his fingers as he combined “F-body” and “Godfather” and came up with “Fbodfather.” Shortly thereafter, another great friend of mine, Chris, made up an avatar for me – with “The Fbodfather” using the font from “The Godfather” used in the Mario Puzo novel. God Bless them all.
So – I humbly accept the nickname – and I’m honored to be “The Fbodfather” to the community. But, as I say, there are many more that are more deserving of the moniker, than I.
Chime in on the Camaro Forum with comments or questions for Scott Settlemire. And stay tuned for Part 2 with the Fbodfather next week on TheBLOCK.com!