[EJD1984]

Why is Chevy testing 80s Camaros with its next-generation model?
Autoblog
By Brandon Turkus
Posted Oct 23rd 2014 3:29PM

It's not unusual to see a new car, camo-covered and mysterious, testing alongside the current-generation model. In fact, it's pretty common. Seeing a brand-new car testing alongside its predecessor from 30 years prior, though, is downright unusual.

For reasons we can't even begin to comprehend, Chevrolet is doing just that, testing the next-generation Camaro alongside pristine third-gen models (really, they are damn clean examples of the breed). It's tough to tell what's going on with these manufacturer-plated F-Bodies, but according to our spies, one of the two examples allegedly had an intercooler and a distinctly V6 engine note. Your guess is as good as ours, here – SEMA specials in the making?

*Full Article w/Pictures at Link

 

[megeebee]

Because they can.

 

[EJD1984]

For 2016 we're getting TWO!

• Camaro
• Camaro Classic

 

[smith7629]

Maybe its the power of suggestion, but I think I see design cues of the 3rd gen in the 2016. I'd like that.

 

[SKH]

Maybe its the power of suggestion, but I think I see design cues of the 3rd gen in the 2016. I'd like that.

Maybe the Gen 6 will have a T-Top or Targa option and that is why the roof is so heavily disguised? If they can have convertible versions of the Corvette and existing Camaro with excellent structural rigidity, then making a T-Top/Targa should be be a snap. As to why it's testing along side the third generation is anyone's guess.

 

[TIE1-ON]

Excuse me for shouting but, "YEAH BABY THOSE 3rd GENs LOOK NICE!". Love those sharp edges (lookin' like they belong runnin' laps on a NASCAR track). Don't forget the classic 4 headlight system and of course gotta love the 25th Anniversary Limited Edition Heritage Package Z28's with leather, hood blisters, high rise rear spoiler, and an L98 iron block TPI mated to a 700R4 tranny...ahh artwork. Pure, beautiful artwork!

MAN I wish the 6th Gen had a few tricks up its sleeve, and grabbed some sweet styling queues from the 3rd Gen.

Ok I'm done. Let the hate begin...

 

[stealthregal]

Why is Chevy testing 80s Camaros with its next-generation model?

Probably to grab attention and drum up stories like this. Seeing a current generation car is no big deal and would be tuned out by many people. Running around with much older cars will grab even the attention of people that are not into cars.

 

[vcs2600]

Hint that this is the lightest Camaro ever? (unlikely I know)

 

[AMERICA 123]

Geez.... really need to ask the question ?

Lemme' see..... ( 10........32 ) + 30 = big part of the next buyer group.

 

[mchicha]

Most likely power plant for GM performance parts integration.. or, its a plain old marketing trick to get folks talking

 

[paul8488]

I can't believe GM fans haven't explained the obvious... they wanted to see if the 80's Camaro could beat the new Mustang around the track too!

 

[paul8488]

Might just be for fun. The high the Camaro team must be on after the past few years HAS to have created a good vibe at Chevrolet. Why not have some fun? Maybe a few of the engineers have classic Camaros and wanted a chance to race them around a track. There could be no genuine reason related to the new model, so I like to think that it's a bunch of gearheads who took the opportunity to race their cars with the new breed, and I love it. What better way to keep the Camaro guys excited about their jobs???

A few years back I did vehicle testing with my company in Spain. We had two weeks of high-speed testing on a 7 km oval track. At the end of the week we had some free time so we drove all of the vehicles we had in our group at max speed just to see what they could do. We even took a Renault Master utility van. It was a laugh after two long (but fun!) weeks of work. Engineers are people too!

 

[vcs2600]

Geez.... really need to ask the question ?

Lemme' see..... ( 16........32 ) + 30 = big part of the next buyer group.

Good point. Therefore the logical thing to do is to bring back the IROC-Z!

 

[Mentat Bashar]

Wheels on that one prototype look a lot like modren versions of the red Camaro.

 

[tripowergto]

Gotta entice the gold chain crowd somehow.

 

[StormHunter77]

It's gotta just be engineers having fun with a mule.

 

[IZ28]

Powertrain testing or not, they could have chosen better looking examples than those base models, but the 3rd Gens are what I think Chevy is possibly going after with the 6th Gen. During their run, 3rd Gens were fun, lighter than the previous models, and better handling than any musclecar ever, along with better looks than anything on the road at the time. They sold great and didn't need starring movie roles to do it. Everyone and their friend had one. Capturing just a piece of the personality or impact that those car had on the buying public would be an epic win for GM. They did pretty good with the 5ths in that regard, but the Alpha chassis should bring a more 3rd Gen-like feel to the 6th Gen. We've already seen that it's lower with tidier dimensions and is supposed to be lighter than the previous models, once again. It also still carries the current 3rd-like headlight recesses and bar style taillight. The wheels look IROC related. You also have to wonder if there will be a T-top or targa top kind of option.

 

[mchicha]

Powertrain testing or not, they could have chosen better looking examples than those base models, but the 3rd Gens are what I think Chevy is possibly going after with the 6th Gen. During their run, 3rd Gens were fun, lighter than the previous models, and better handling than any musclecar ever, along with better looks than anything on the road at the time. They sold great and didn't need starring movie roles to do it. Everyone and their friend had one. Capturing just a piece of the personality or impact that those car had on the buying public would be an epic win for GM. They did pretty good with the 5ths in that regard, but the Alpha chassis should bring a more 3rd Gen-like feel to the 6th Gen. We've already seen that it's lower with tidier dimensions and is supposed to be lighter than the previous models, once again. It also still carries the current 3rd-like headlight recesses and bar style taillight. The wheels look IROC related. You also have to wonder if there will be a T-top or targa top kind of option.

I doubt those old camaros are stock

 

[jzchev28]

I'll tell you why, it's all about the weight! Those 3rd gens are powertrain mules.

 

[SKH]

They could have chosen better examples than those base models, but the 3rd Gens are what I think Chevy is possibly going after with the 6th Gen. During their run, 3rd Gens were fun, lighter than the previous models and better handling than any musclecar ever, along with better looks than anything on the road at the time. They sold great and didn't need starring movie roles to do it. Everyone and their friend had one. Capturing just a piece of the personality or impact that those car had on the buying public would be an epic win for GM. They did pretty good with the 5ths in that regard, but the Alpha chassis should bring a more 3rd Gen-like feel to the 6th Gen. We've already seen that it's lower with tidier dimensions and it supposed to be lighter than the previous models. It also still carries the current 3rd-like headlight recesses and bar style taillight. The wheels look IROC related. You also have to wonder if there will be a T-top or targa top kind of option.

I wonder if the third Gen is the inspiration for the Tail lights on the new Camaro? The current MCE tail lights are definitely 2nd Gen influenced, so the logical progression would be to mimic the '78 2nd gen tail lights or the stylistically similar 3rd Gen tail lights.

For when it was released The 3rd Generation was an amazing piece of styling, but I found the 4th Generation to be very ho hum. Car and Driver, Road and Track or Motor Trend leaked pictures of it a considerable time before it was officially revealed. By the time it was finally shown it seemed old hat and underwhelming compared to it's much better looking predecessor.