My 2 cents on the new Camaro...gotta say it

[jeff-san]

my thoughts...for those of us just too young to appreciate the first wave of high horse power muscle 1964-74, I have had an ear to ear grin in the recent 400-505hp offerings from the factories...European, but first and foremost the U.S. The table is set for the automakers to walk us to the bank and or home equity accounts and ask us for our very last dollar in return for the biggest-baddest best all around cars in history!

I love the idea of the Camaro and what it could evolve into if the power brokers/ bean counters actually listen to their customers.

I love most of the design but I feel they should have had stronger cues to the original 69 Camaro DNA. To me, the front end appears a touch too edgy. The worst part about the front end is that it reminds me of a cross between the Caddy and one of those smiley Chevron cartoon cars...I have a hard time airing my true feelings in such a public forum but if I'm not the only one that doesnt like it we need to be heard.

My first love is a Chevy but the Mopar/Challenger offering has a strong link to their 70's heritage and it has my attention. I can only imagine a long option sheet to please the bean counters and public alike. Does anyone truly doubt that a bigger badder Shaker hood monster is far behind?

I can only hope G.M. has the guts to build cars to pull some of us back into their camp. I love the new Z-06 but it's out of reach for most of us, I feel a Camaro would be a start in filling the price point gap....let the games begin.

[Bill Pritchard]

As others have said, my strongest dislike about the new Camaro is the front end. Needs to look more like the original 69. The rest is not too bad. I like everything about the Challenger.

[ORIGLS6]

I guess when I read Charley's first comments from the Detroit show I thought it was pretty much an across-the-board approval of the concept car. Now that I read his statements above I have to say I agree with him. Although Joey Barr made a good point about future upgrades to a true retro design for the cars, I still feel the current concept is far too futuristic and leans too heavily on the current Cadillac styling.
Earlier artists renderings gave me hopes to see the '69 return again. Yes, I see hints and influence of the '69, but they're weak. Everyone has their opinion so here we go.
The lower body is out of proportion to the roof area and side windows. To use an old rodders term, it needs to be 'sectioned'. 21" & 22" wheels are cool...............if you put them on a Hummer! Drop them back to 17" or 18" and show us a little rubber on those rollers. (Hmmm, how 'bout bringing back a red stripe tire?) Extend the front fenders a little from the wheel forward and give us a little more First Gen grille treatment (less pointy and maybe even an RS option!).
My initial reaction when I saw the car was serious disappointment. Admittedly, I felt the same when I first saw the '68 Corvette. Later, when I bought my '68 427 Corvette, I had obviously changed my mind. Wish I had that one back! Now I can also say my feelings against the new Camaro are dimishing somewhat. I still can't say I like it, but I can see possibilities for it. At least it appears the Camaro is coming back!

And yes Bill, I agree..... from what I've seen, the Challenger gets a big

Dennis

[JTH74]

I really didn't mean to beat up on the new design like I did on other posts, it just really fell short of what I was expecting with the retro style of the Mustang and Challenger, Ford hit a grand slam with the mustang. I agree with what Charley said, and I think that they have a really good platform to start with, they need to make some changes and get it looking like a 69, offering the RS, Z28, RS/SS, RS/Z's, and offer some really serious power trains, like the LS-7 as a option, I really feel that if GM does not this one right and hit a grandslam as Ford has with the Mustang, if they bring a half way appealing car to market and the sales slump the time production on the Camaro stops it will be FOREVER! I have always been amazed that Ford has been able to take less powered Mustangs, and out sell the Camaro/Firebird lines. Just my two cents worth, doesn't mean much!

[Vettefinderjim]

I saw the LA Auto Show edition on Monday, the 9th. With me was old Corvette racer Joe Freitas , who now owns and races the Mo Carter 69 Trans Am Camaro. We ran into fellow Camaro freak, Jon Mello who is very well know in the gen #1 circles especially with 67 Z-28'S.

We all agreed, it is a good start, especially the frame and driveline engineering. The body can be improved, and will be per the Chevrolet marketing people we met. They were very well aware who we were and were very interested in our opinions. They explained that the Cadillac XLR chassis (ala Corvette) and Chevrolets LS-2 driveline will probably be used when the car is released in 08.

It is no secret that John Heinricy and his Caddy group are running the performance section of General Motors. I think from an engineering standpoint, the concept is a good one. Chevrolet wants input from us all, so send this entire string of comments directly to the Camaro group. Your elected Charlie.........you started this. Let Scott know how we all feel. See you in Scotsdale next week!

[Late BrakeU2]

[ QUOTE ]
I saw the LA Auto Show edition on Monday, the 9th. With me was old Corvette racer Joe Freitas , who now owns and races the Mo Carter 69 Trans Am Camaro. We ran into fellow Camaro freak, Jon Mello who is very well know in the gen #1 circles especially with 67 Z-28'S.

We all agreed, it is a good start, especially the frame and driveline engineering. The body can be improved, and will be per the Chevrolet marketing people we met. They were very well aware who we were and were very interested in our opinions. They explained that the Cadillac XLR chassis (ala Corvette) and Chevrolets LS-2 driveline will probably be used when the car is released in 08.

It is no secret that John Heinricy and his Caddy group are running the performance section of General Motors. I think from an engineering standpoint, the concept is a good one. Chevrolet wants input from us all, so send this entire string of comments directly to the Camaro group. Your elected Charlie.........you started this. Let Scott know how we all feel. See you in Scotsdale next week!

[/ QUOTE ]

We could not have better person running the performance division that John Heinricy.Not only did he spearhead the CTS V and Z06 projects,he was also the fourth gen platform cheif engineer.He is an extremely talented showroom stock driver and very passionate about the Camaro-I have co driven with him and raced against him.He will get this one right,because the mustangs are very competitve in Grand Am GS cup right now..(anyone remember what happened in 66?)

I would not count on an LS7 being availible,but it will be a well balanced fun car for the 25k estimated msrp.Oh yeah,I think the car looks great!

[70Z]

Not really my .02 because I've already stated the car does nothing for me, but....

There is a webboard for local guys here that is made up mostly of younger people with 4th gen. cars, ricers, etc. and judging by the posts I'd say at least 99% of them love it. The most common word used by far to describe the car, by them, is "sexy".

I dunno, maybe GM is smarter than we think. If the young crowd buys in they've probably got a hit.

[Late BrakeU2]

Tom,
The success of the car is completely dependent on that demographic group.The era of dumped integras with grapefruit launchers is entering it's third decade-those teens are now the thirty something target market and will be looking for something less juvenile,socially acceptable,but yet performance based.While GM might respect our niche group assesment of the design,sYc members represent a very small pct of potential buyers,It's gotta be hip for the current buying influence( I knew I could stick a fork in myself when they came out with those caddy commercials ten years ago with Zepplin soundtracks) or it will be stillborn.I think they did a pretty good job paying homage to the 69..got that argent grill stuffed in there and the early second gen tails.. does any gen camaro really look like it's predecessor? Heck your beauty was designed after a Ferrari 250 berlinetta! Ford hit yet another home run with the new stang,hopefully the finished version of the camaro will have the same effect of 40 years ago.

[NCGuy68]

Welp.............if everyone wants a 'new' 69 Camaro why not buy one in the crate? They're available now and you can dump any motor, tranny, interior, etc. into it that your heart desires. They are certainly more original looking then the concept.

The other question is: Will GM be financially solvent to even build the concept in 09?

[70Z]

LateBrake,

I hear ya..It sucks getting old!

I think experience is everything. Way back when I first got a Z/28 I didn't want it because it was sexy. I wanted it because it was nasty! My mom tried everything she could to ruin that deal because the car scared her. It looked agressive. It sounded aggressive. It was agressive.

The younger people are right though. The concept car has sexy lines. And for 25K, probably as sexy as your going to get. I just don't like my "fun" cars to be pretty. I want them to scare people.