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

[Zedder]

I asked my wife what she thought of it while my 5 year old son was looking over my shoulder...he cut in and said, "it looks like a Mustang"...and she said, "he's right!"

[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!

[JoeG]

A true retro '69 Camaro was my fantasy also, but I didn't GM would take the plunge--Maybe as you say the window of opportunity is here, even if it's just opened for a short time. Right now GM is on the outside looking in. Lets hope they don't make the same mistake AMC and Buick made by getting into the musclecar scene full throttle at the tail end back in '70.--------I'd buy a true retro '69Camaro--

[Racefan]

Overall, I like the new style. The main features of the car that don't agree with me are:
1) the grille section. It appears as though most everyone is in agreement with that. I really do like a less pointed version with RS type headlights much like the one that was photoshopped.
2) I HATE the taillight pattern. It ties it in with the 'vette too much in my opinion. Put some more First Gen appearing lenses in the thing and call it good.

After these "small" adjustments it seems to me that both the non-retro people could be happy with the overall bodylines BUT you could also make the guys demanding a retro-Camaro happy too. Overall, the car is very likeable in my opinion. I would purchase one were it available today, but would really like to see the two items above addressed. That is my $.02,.

[Belair62]

I agree with Racefan...address those 2 items and it would really be nice.

[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.

[Born30YrsLate]

[ QUOTE ]
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!

[/ QUOTE ]

I planned on using the special GM back door...you know - a COPO...

[71-LS6]

Place the 1st & last generation Mustangs next to each other, and they look like father and son. This is true for the Challengers too. If Ford & Daimler Chrysler can do it, why can't GM? As far as what the younger guys think of the new Camaro, how many people still wear tie-dye clothes, big side burns, and striped bell bottoms? Those were all popular in 1969, but they were only fads. The 1969 Camaro was a "timeless" design. The only reason that kids today, who have tattoos, plumber's crack, and multiple piercings, aren't in 69 Camaros, is because they can't afford them. Make it look more like a 69, and start by dumping that caddy grill.

[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.