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Chevrolet Camaro

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Chevrolet Camaro
Overview
ManufacturerGeneral Motors
Production1967–2002
2009-
Body and chassis
ClassPony car
Body style2-door coupe
2-door convertible
LayoutFR layout
PlatformF-body (1967-2002)
Zeta platform (2010-)
RelatedPontiac Firebird

The Chevrolet Camaro is an automobile manufactured by the Chevrolet division of General Motors, commonly classified as a pony car.[1][2][3] It went on sale on September 29, 1966 for the 1967 model year and was designed as a competing model to the Ford Mustang. The car shared its platform and major components with the Pontiac Firebird, also introduced for 1967. Four distinct generations of the car were developed before production ended in 2002. The nameplate was revived again on a concept vehicle that evolved into the fifth-generation Camaro, with production starting on March 16, 2009.[4]

Origin

Before any official announcement, reports began running in April 1965 within the automotive press that Chevrolet was preparing a competitor to the Ford Mustang, code-named Panther.[5] On June 21, 1966, around 200 automotive journalists received a telegram from General Motors stating, "...Please save noon of June 28 for important SEPAW meeting. Hope you can be on hand to help scratch a cat. Details will follow...(signed) John L. Cutter – Chevrolet Public Relations – SEPAW Secretary." The following day, the same journalists received another General Motors telegram stating, "Society for the Eradication of Panthers from the Automotive World will hold first and last meeting on June 28...(signed) John L. Cutter – Chevrolet Public Relations SEPAW Secretary." These telegrams puzzled the industry.

On June 28, 1966, General Motors held a live press conference in Detroit’s Statler-Hilton Hotel. It would be the first time in history that 14 cities were hooked up in real time for a press conference via telephone lines. Chevrolet General Manager Pete Estes started the news conference stating that all attendees of the conference were charter members of the Society for the Elimination of Panthers from the Automotive World and that this would be the first and last meeting of SEPAW. Estes then announced a new car line, project designation XP-836, with a name that Chevrolet chose in keeping with other car names beginning with the letter C such as the Corvair, Chevelle, Chevy II, and Corvette. He claimed the name, "suggests the comradeship of good friends as a personal car should be to its owner" and that "to us, the name means just what we think the car will do... Go!" The new Camaro name was then unveiled. Automotive press asked Chevrolet product managers, "What is a Camaro?" and were told it was "a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs."[6]

The Camaro was first shown at a press preview in Detroit, Michigan on September 12, 1966 and then later in Los Angeles, California on September 19, 1966. The Camaro officially went on sale in dealerships on September 29, 1966 for the 1967 model year.

First generation

Main article: First-generation Chevrolet Camaro
first-generation Camaro

The first-generation Camaro debuted in September 1966, for the 1967 model year, up to 1969 on a brand new rear-wheel drive GM F-body platform and would be available as a 2-door, 2+2 seating, coupe or convertible with a choice of inline-6 and 302 cu in (4.9 L), 307 cu in (5.0 L), 327 cu in (5.4 L), 350 cu in (5.7 L), or 396 cu in (6.5 L) V8 powerplants. Concerned with the runaway success of the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet executives realized that their compact sporty car, the Corvair, would not be able to generate the sales volume of the Mustang due to its radical rear-engine design, as well as declining sales, partly due to bad publicity from Ralph Nader's book, Unsafe at Any Speed. Therefore, the Camaro was touted as having the same conventional rear-drive, front-engine configuration as Mustang and Chevy II Nova. In addition, the Camaro was designed to fit a variety of power plants in the engine bay. The first-generation Camaro would last until the 1969 model year and would eventually inspire the design of the new retro fifth-generation Camaro.

Second generation

Main article: Second-generation Chevrolet Camaro
A second-generation Camaro

Introduced in February 1970, the second generation Camaro would remain in production through 1981. The car was somewhat larger and wider with the new styling, thus resulting in a heavier car.[7] Still based on the F-body platform, the new Camaro was similar to its predecessor, with a unibody structure, front subframe, an A-arm front suspension and leaf springs to control the solid rear axle. The SS and Z28 performance packages remained; Road & Track magazine picked the 1971 SS350 as one of the ten best cars on the planet in August 1971. 1980 and 1981 Z28's included a rear facing intake, with an intake door that opened under full throttle.

Third generation

Main article: Third-generation Chevrolet Camaro
A third-generation Camaro

The third generation Camaro was produced from 1982 to 1992. These were the first Camaros to offer modern fuel injection, Turbo-Hydramatic 700R4 four-speed automatic transmissions, five speed manual transmissions, 16 inch wheels, and versatile hatchback bodies. And the cars were nearly 500 pounds lighter than the long running second generation model. The legendary IROC-Z was introduced in 1985. In 1987, the potent L98 5.7 V-8 engine was available in the Z28, paired with an automatic transmission. The "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" was offered in 1987 and a "25th Anniversary Heritage Edition" in 1992. Beginning in 1989, the famed 1LE performance package was introduced, for the street models and for showroom stock racing in the U.S. and Canada. The B4C or "police" package was made available beginning in 1991. This basically created a Z28 in more subtle RS styling.

Fourth generation

Main article: Fourth-generation Chevrolet Camaro
A fourth-generation Camaro

The fourth-generation Camaro debuted in 1993 on an updated F-body platform. It retained the same characteristics since its introduction in 1967: a coupe body style with 2+2 seating (with an optional T-top roof) or convertible (introduced in 1994), rear-wheel drive, and a choice of V-6 and V-8 engines. The standard powerplant was a 3.4 liter V-6. A more powerful 3.8 liter V-6 was the standard engine beginning in 1995. The LT1 V-8 engine with 275 horsepower (at the flywheel), which was introduced in the Corvette in 1992, was standard in the Z28. Optional equipment included a new six-speed manual T-56 transmission and all-speed traction control. Anti-lock brakes were standard equipment on all Camaros. The 1997 model year included a revised interior, and the 1998 models included exterior styling changes, and a switch to GM's all-aluminum LS1 used in the Corvette C5. The Camaro remained in production through the 2002 model year, marking 35 years of continuous production. Production of the F-Body platform was stopped due to slowing sales, a deteriorating market for sports coupes, and plant overcapacity.[8][9]

Fifth generation

Main article: Fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro
A fifth-generation Camaro

Based on the 2006 Camaro Concept[10] and 2007 Camaro Convertible Concept, production of the fifth-generation Camaro was approved on 10 August 2006. Oshawa Car Assembly will produce the new Camaro [11] which will go on sale in spring of 2009 as a 2010 model year vehicle.[12][13] The 2010 model is offered as a coupe only in LS, LT, and SS trim levels.[14] The LS and LT trim levels will be powered by the LLT 3.6L (217ci) V6 producing 304 hp (227 kW). The SS is powered by the LS3 6.2L (376ci) V8 producing 426 hp (318 kW) when paired with the 6 speed manual. When paired with the 6 speed automatic the L99 V8 producing 400 hp (300 kW) is installed. The RS appearance package will be available on both the LT and SS. Production began on 16 March 2009 as a 2010 model. Motor Trend has called it "The best new car from Chevrolet in over 30 years". Its competitors are the Dodge Challenger and the Ford Mustang GT. Chevy plans a Z-28 version to debut in late fall 2009 with a supercharged V-8 from the CTS-V, boosting power to over 550 HP. However, Chevy is the last car company to develop a high-performance version of their pony car, as the Shelby GT500/GT500KR and the Dodge Challenger SRT8 have already been released.[15]

Racing

File:Puss & Kram Camaro.jpg
Trans-Am racing of the early 1970s.
Vintage Trans-Am racing of today.

The Camaro was one of the prominent vehicles in the SCCA-sanctioned Trans-Am Series. Chevrolet contracted Roger Penske to operate their "unofficial" factory-backed Trans Am team, winning the title in 1968 and 1969 with Mark Donohue. Jim Hall's Chaparral team replaced Penske for the 1970 season. Warren Agor of Rochester, NY, was the series' leading Camaro privateer, his orange #13's often jousting with the factory cars. Maurice Carter of car dealer Maurice Carter Chevrolet-Oldsmobile in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada took a new Camaro off his lot and entered the 1970 Trans-Am Series. Carter earned the highest placed Canadian independent driver score of all the Trans-Am racers. Camaro were in use in Trans-Am until the late 1990s and won further titles in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1998.

Camaro Cup race car.

A Camaro driven by Bob Jane also won 2 championships in the Australian Touring Car Championship, now known as V8 Supercars), in 1971 and 1972.[16]

The Camaro was the official car of and used in the International Race of Champions starting in 1975 and lasting for 12 years until 1989. It was the first American car of the series succeeding the Porsche Carrera RSR.

Today, Camaros are raced in many forms of auto racing throughout the world. They are a favorite in drag racing and can be currently found in several series from the National Hot Rod Association, International Hot Rod Association, and United States Hot Rod Association. Road racing Camaros can currently be found in the Sports Car Club of America's American Sedan series. They have also been the exclusive vehicle used in the Swedish Camaro Cup series since 1975.

The Camaro not only participated in racing, but was bestowed the honor of Indianapolis 500 Pace Car duties in 1967, 1969, 1982, 1993, and 2009. The Camaro also paced races at Daytona, Watkins Glen, Mosport in Canada and Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The Camaro was also a regular in the IMSA GT Series.

Notable appearances

The Camaro has also made several notable appearances in film. One of the most popular movie Camaros was a black 1967 model driven by actor John Cusack in the 1985 film Better Off Dead.[17]

File:BumblebeeCamaro.jpg
Bumblebee depicted as a 1976 and 5th-gen Camaro.

In addition, the Camaro continues to find its way into modern day fiction. The vehicle mode of the character Bumblebee in the 2007 film, Transformers, is first a 1976 model Camaro[18] and later a fifth-generation concept variant. A modified fifth-generation Camaro will reprise the role of Bumblebee in the upcoming sequel, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chevrolet Camaro.
  1. ^ Holder, William G.; Kunz, Phillip (1995). Camaro. MotorBooks/MBI. p. 9. ISBN 9780760300923.
  2. ^ "Chevy Camaro, Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang in pony-car showdown" AutoWeek 2009 Crain Communications, Inc. retrieved on 2009-06-17.
  3. ^ Eisenstein,Paul A. "First Look: Camaro’s Back: But is timing right for GM’s Reborn Pony Car?" The Detroit Bureau, 2009-03-16, retrieved on 2009-06-17.
  4. ^ General Motors (2006-08-10). "Auto Buyers Have Spoken: GM Will Build An All-New Chevrolet Camaro" (html). GM Media Online. Retrieved 2006-12-27.
  5. ^ Settlemire, Scott. "The Day the Panther Died". GMnext. General Motors. Archived from the original (HTML) on 2008-10-13. Retrieved 2008-10-13.
  6. ^ Biggs, Henry (2006-02-03). "Top 10: Muscle cars" (HTML). MSN Cars UK. Retrieved 2006-12-27. When asked, Chevrolet sales executives claimed a Camaro was a: "a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs".
  7. ^ Huffman, John Pearley (2003-06-16). "A Chevrolet Camaro History" (HTML). Edmunds.com. Retrieved 2007-01-05.
  8. ^ Associated Press (2001-09-26). "Camaro, Firebird lines to end with 2002 model year" (html). Oklahoma City Journal Record. Retrieved 2007-06-01.
  9. ^ McCoy, Guy. "Rising from the Ashes" (HTML). Popular Hot Rodding. Retrieved 2007-08-04. Publicly, GM blamed slow sales, a deteriorated sports coupe market, and plant overcapacity.
  10. ^ General Motors (2006-01-09). "Chevrolet Camaro Concept: Capturing the Timeless Spirit of Camaro besides the 3rd gen camaros" (html). GM Media Online. Retrieved 2006-12-27.
  11. ^ Greg Keenan (2006-08-18). "Canada to build Camaro" (html). The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
  12. ^ Mateja, Jim (2008-03-10). "Chevy to Launch New Camaro Coupe, Convertible as '10 Models" (HTML). Ward's Dealer Business. Ward's. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
  13. ^ Ramsey, Jonathon (2008-03-12). "Chevy Camaro to be a 2010 model, not 2009" (HTML). Autoblog. Weblogs, Inc. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
  14. ^ Neff, John (2008-07-21). "2010 Chevy Camaro - Official Details and Images" (HTML). Autoblog. Weblogs, Inc. Retrieved 2008-07-21.
  15. ^ Camaro keeps concept look
  16. ^ "Australian Touring Car Championship List" (php). Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  17. ^ "'Better Off Dead' Camaro" (HTML). Retrieved 2008-06-07.
  18. ^ Huffman, John Pearley (2007-06-10). "Driving the Transformers Beater Bumblebee 1976 Camaro" (HTML). Edmunds. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
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