GMI Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Camaro!

[BigAls87Z28]

GMInsidenews.com Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Camaro
by BigAls87Z28
www.gminsidenews.com



This weekend, we celebrate the birth of one of the most coveted vehicles, the Chevrolet Camaro. With the all new fifth generation going into production a year, the Camaro will continue to be in our hearts as we all wait to once again strap into a new one. Camaro has a place in everyone’s life. I have yet to meet someone who's father, brother, mother, sister, cousin, aunt, uncle, grandfather, etc...had a Camaro that they always loved. Camaro has not only been part of your life, but America as well. It is one of the most well known names in the world.

1967 Camaro


From the first generation that debuted in 1967, it was a direct answer to the very successful Ford Mustang. Unlike the Mustang, the Camaro was constructed on its own platform. The car had larger dimensions then its cross town rival, and the car was design to use just about every engine in Chevy's toy box. The 1967 also debuted the brand new 350 cubic inch engine, and the Camaro was the ONLY car in 1967 to carry the engine. Not even the all-mighty Corvette could be ordered with one. The first generation got a redesign for 1969, and with that, created the Camaro that would be the most desirable Camaro of all time, and the inspiration for the fifth generation.



In 1970, GM launched, late, the European inspired second generation Camaro. The "Super Hugger" the car was a huge departure compared to the first generation. The Ferrari-esque design, inspired by European GT cars, gave the vehicle rounded and curved shapes. Its new fast back design gave it a slicker look. The split-bumper equipped Rally Sport cars gave flair to the Camaro's already stylish design. A redesigned front suspension and standard disk brakes gave this pony car an added performance and improved handling and braking over the first generation. The Camaro received a redesign for 1974 and Camaro went into the dark ages of super high insurance rates and oil crisis. The Mighty Z28 disappeared, and almost the Camaro itself. The Z28 would return with the second redesign of the second generation in 1978. The second generation would last over a decade, spanning the Muscle car days of the early 70's, the muscle car wipe out of the late 70's, and into the new age 80's, but a new car was needed.

1972 Camaro RS


1977 Camaro LT


1979 Camaro line up



The Third Generation Camaro was launched in 1982, and with a fresh new modern look that caught everyone’s attention. The car took Car of the Year Awards and other design awards all year. It was once again a pace car for the Indy 500. The all new Camaro ditched the short and long arm front suspension for a new McPherson Strut set up, and long gone were the saggy leaf springs in favor of a multi-link live axle system using coil springs. This new suspension made the Camaro one of the best handling vehicles of the day. Its power from the weak 305 cubic inch engine was lack luster, but by 1985, Chevy brought out the IROC-Z28 model, which was a street-version of the Camaro's that raced in the IROC series. The IROC was equipped with large 16 inch wheels and tires, lower suspension, Bilstien shocks and struts, and other chassis enhancing features. To move this new machine, a brand new Tuned Port Injection 305 cubic inch engine gave it the punch it needed since its debut. Two years later, the engine that debuted with Camaro, the 350, returned, and was equipped only with the TPI system giving Camaro up to 245hp by the time the Third gens bowed out in 1992. By the end, the Camaro brought back the Muscle Car, but through the 80's, the Mustang was always a little bit ahead. For the next generation, it was time for a giant leap forward in performance.

1982 Camaro Z28


1987 Camaro IROC-Z


1991 Camaro Z28 1LE



The Fourth generation launched yet another all new design, looking nothing like the ones before it. It also was the first Fbody not to be constructed in the Norwood or Van Nuys American plants, but built in a high tech plant in Canada, in the city of Ste.Therese. Its all new body panels were a departure from the chiseled edges of the third gen. The fourth generation received an all new front rear suspension, going back to a short/long arm set up, but a huge advancement from the second and first gens. Its rear suspension was carried over from the third generation. The car grew in size, making it much larger then when it started back in 1967. Larger, wider, lower longer, heavier...but much much faster. For 1993, the Camaro one-upped the Mustang, bringing the LT1 V8 engine, direct from the Corvette, into the engine bay of the Camaro. 275hp was a massive jump from the third gens TPI 350's 245. The LT1 was the first redesign of the Small Block Chevy. While still displacing 350 cubic inches, its fuel injection system and combustion chamber design gave the boost the Camaro needed for the 90's. Mustang never recoverd. Camaro reigned as one of the best performing sports cars, but could never match the sales numbers of the Mustang. As the years go on, Camaro's sales numbers kept on decline, even if the car was much more advanced and outperformed the refreshed SN95 Mustang. In 1997, an internal decision was made to end all future design and development of the next generation Camaro, and for 1998, the car was given a minor revision. Camaro gained even more performance with its all new Generation III Small Block, the LS1. Again handed down from Corvette, this jumped the Camaro's output to 305 hp, an outstanding number for a car in 1998 when most pedestrian cars were equipped with 140-200hp engines. In 2002, after 35 years of service for Chevy, roaming the streets of the US, the Camaro was put on "hiatus." GM said it was because of a lack of interest in the muscle car, and the huge increase in sales of trucks and SUV's that was drawing in those customers.

1993 Camaro Z28


2002 Camaro ZL-1 Phase III



But deep inside GM, a brand of loyal Camaro enthusiasts tried to develop a game plan for the next Camaro. And in 2006, the fruits of their labor was displayed at the North American International Auto Show, in front of press, media, and a special 250 Camaro enthusiasts, (including yours truly) invited by Chevy to see this new car. Tears were shed, hand shakes and hugs all around, as the all new Camaro sat on display for all of us to bask in its glory. My attachment to Camaro goes back into my history, dating back to when my father purchased a brand new 1987 Z28 and took me along with him. 12 years later, I come to find out that my grandfather, who I had not seen since I was 2 years old, had also purchased a brand new 1972 RS and had it shipped to Bruselles where he took it all over Europe for travel. Both cars are now in my possession, and I look forward to adding my own Camaro to the bunch. Camaro means a lot to me, as the car has been intertwined into my life. From trips down to the beach, to getting my license and getting behind the 87 for the first time, to working till all hours of the night on my 72, breathing new life into it, Camaro is a huge part of me and a huge part of my life. Everyone has a Camaro story, and here is the place to share it!! Share your Camaro story!!

Camaro Concept


1969 Camaro and Camaro Concept




If you are in the Tri-State, NJ/NY/PA area, the NJFBOA is celebrating the 40th anniversery of Camaro with the East Coast Fbody Nationals Sunday, August 12th 2007 at Island Dragway in Great Medow, NJ. Here is a link with info.

http://www.njfboa.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=32

[Strapping.Young.Lad]

Cool article. The 1st and 5th Gen Camaros are my favorite

[IROCNROL1]

Gen 2, before the rubber baby buggy bumpers. Gen 3, minus flexiframes. Gen 5, could be the best.

[superstreet]

i like it all

[ColinOpseth]

Nice article. One correction, though. The Camaro and Nova were on the same chassis. I suppose that would also include the Pontiac Ventura. As well, the IROC-Z package did not require Tuned Port Injection. TPI was optional on IROC-Zs because the IROC-Z package was a suspension and appearance package. The IROC-Z package also came with the "wonderbar," thicker sway bars and lower ride height. As well, many IROC-Zs produced from 1988-1990 came with 15" IROC-Z wheels. Also, the first gen didn't debut the Camaro, it was released in many variants such as 283/302/307/327/350/396.

I own IROC-Z.org so don't debate me; I'll own you.

Nice article--it definitely got me thinking about why I love my Camaro's so much.
Take care,
Colin

[ColinOpseth]

Oh, if you dispute the 283 being installed in the first gen you are dead wrong. My Dad has visited the Phillipines and viewed the factory where 283s were installed in Camaro's, right out of the crate because it was cheaper to crate-build them than import. They were built by the Yutivo assembly plant in Manila. My Dad's page talking about them is: http://www.chevypages.com/simple/ind...?page=top_left

Take care,
Colin

[MN12Fan]

Always liked the edginess of the Third Generation for some reason. Years ago I considered one as my first car actually.

[asim]

Very cool write-up BigAls, major props! I just wish GM had the new fifth generation Camaro out for the 2007 model year. Talk about a comeback year, and a 40th anniversary edition that would be highly sought after. That would have been such a break through that it might have beat the Mustang in sales!

[TahoeMikeZ71]

I started to have interest in the Camaro when I heard rumors of it coming back in '05. I remember how I would search for spy shots of it and came across lots of photoshops of it. When I heard it would take cues of the 1st gen I started to have interest in that generation Camaro too. Then I had some interest in the early 70s Camaros after seeing a model car of it. I like the exterior styling of the 3rd gen Camaro but don't really like the 4th gen styling (perfer the 4th gen Firebird).

[BigThreeForever]

Thanks for a very enjoyable read. Loved the nostalgic advertising images.

I know many have their favourites, but I personally like all the generations of the Camaro (and Firebird, for that matter). I can't wait to see the fifth generation in all its magnificent, mouth-watering glory.

GM's line-up was never the same without the F-bodies. GM's car line up was, until really quite recently, a truly awesome array, an embarrassment of riches with almost unlimited choice for customers. Truly, "a car for every purse and purpose" . . .

Look how emaciated and barren it is now. (sigh)

So, hurry on back, beloved Camaro!

Now, if GM would just get around to a proper replacement for the full-size B-bodies . . .

[Mikkoo]

My first Camaro was a 1971, purchased when I was 17 years old. From there on, I went on to purchase six more,
many of which were new and Z28's. Just last week, I had a reunion with a long time car buddy from the defunct " California Z28 Association". It had been nearly 27 years since we had seen each other, so you can imagine the stories we reminisced about.

One small correction Big Al, The Z28 came back in 1977, not 1978. I remember quite well, as I had only been working on the GM assembly line in Fremont Ca, for a few months before using my GM employee discount to purchase a brand new red Z28. Man, was I one proud 20 year old young man. It's almost like remembering your first love, it never leaves you.

I am as excited as a small child on Christmas day, in anticipation of the
all new fifth gen, which I personally feel is gorgous, and will give the
current Mustang a real challenge. Long live my comrade and pal, CAMARO.!!

[Koasterking]

Being only 25 years old, I have always loved the Camaro for quite some time. It all started when I would watch "My Classic Car" and "American Muscle" on the Speed network.

BigAl, very good write-up and tribute to the long loved Camaro!

Can't wait to see what Chevy wil have up their sleeves for the 50th anniversary edition Camaro!!

[likearock00]

I love Camaro's. It was sad to see it go, but I think it will actually help the new sales when the new one debuts.

Good write up, Big Al.

[nascarnate326]

My buddy and I drove over to the GM Tech center yesterday for the show. It was pretty sweet. They did the 57's and 67's in one area, all other Fbodies in another area and there was a Corvette show in another area. Talk about crazy. Ater that we ate and then went and cruised Woodword......holy crap was that amazing. Ive got loads of pics that I need to re seize and then I mite post a few. Let me say, that the motor city is indeed still kicking on weekends like this one.

[Minnesota Nice]

I have a feeling many will disagree with me, but...

Firebird > Camaro

*puts on flame suit*