EVOLUTION OF THE CHEVROLET CAMARO
Learn how the Chevy Camaro evolved over the years.
The muscle car once called the Mustang Eater.
The muscle car once called the Mustang Eater.
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The Mustang Eater: Camaro
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The Chevrolet Camaro is an American automobile manufactured by Chevrolet, classified as a pony car and some versions also as a muscle car.
Chevy’s answer to the Ford Mustang was finally introduced in 1967 and it was an immediate sensation with 220,906 sold the first year. Over the last five decades, Chevy has created six-generations of its “pony car” and Americans have bought several million more Camaros, making it a genuine subculture all its own. |
The car shared its platform and major components with the Pontiac Firebird, also introduced for 1967.
Internally, the car-in-development was known as Panther -- and a bunch of other names -- before it became the Camaro. Over 2,000 names were considered while the car was in its incubation period, and by 1966, the automotive press was rife with stories of the Chevrolet Panther. Once the word “Camaro” was out there, no one really knew what it meant The official company line in 1966 was that it’s an old French slang term for camaraderie and friendship, though some GM brass told the press it’s "a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs.” Later, legends grew to include a rare disease that kills horses (i.e., Mustangs). In reality, it's a unique name that met Chevrolet's main requirement of starting with the letter C (think Corvette, Chevelle, Corvair, etc.).
Internally, the car-in-development was known as Panther -- and a bunch of other names -- before it became the Camaro. Over 2,000 names were considered while the car was in its incubation period, and by 1966, the automotive press was rife with stories of the Chevrolet Panther. Once the word “Camaro” was out there, no one really knew what it meant The official company line in 1966 was that it’s an old French slang term for camaraderie and friendship, though some GM brass told the press it’s "a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs.” Later, legends grew to include a rare disease that kills horses (i.e., Mustangs). In reality, it's a unique name that met Chevrolet's main requirement of starting with the letter C (think Corvette, Chevelle, Corvair, etc.).
How the Camaro Evolved
The following will show you a brief evolution of how the Camaro came to be what it is today.
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First Generation Chevy Camaro
The first-generation Chevrolet Camaro appeared in Chevrolet dealerships in September 29, 1966 for the 1967 model year on a brand-new rear wheel drive GM F-body platform and was available as a 2-door, 2+2 seat, hardtop (no "B" or center pillar) or convertible, with the choice of either a straight-6 or V8 engine. The first-generation Camaro was built through the 1969 model year. |
Almost all of 1967-1969 Camaros were built in the two U.S. assembly plants: Norwood, Ohio and Van Nuys, California. There were also five non-U.S. Camaro assembly plants in countries that required local assembly and content. These plants were located in the Philippines, Belgium, Switzerland, Venezuela, and Peru.
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Second Generation Chevy Camaro
Introduced in February 1970, the second-generation Camaro was produced through the 1981 model year, with cosmetic changes made in 1974 and 1978 model years. The car was heavily restyled and became somewhat larger and wider with the new styling. 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. |
Road & Track picked the 1971 SS350 as one of the 10 best cars in the world in August 1971. RS (shown to the right), SS package was dropped in 1972 and reintroduced in 1996. The 1980 and 1981 Z28 models included an air induction hood scoop with an intake door that opened under full throttle.
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Third Generation Chevy Camaro
The third-generation Camaro was produced from 1981 (for the 1982 model year) to 1992. These were the first Camaros to offer modern fuel injection, Turbo-Hydramatic 700R4 four-speed automatic transmissions, five-speed manual transmissions, 14,15- or 16-inch wheels, a standard OHV 4-cylinder engine, and hatchback bodies. The cars were nearly 500 pounds lighter than the 2nd generation model. |
For 1985, Chevrolet introduced the IROC-Z version that was named after the International Race of Champions. Offered as an option package on the Z28, the Camaro IROC-Z featured an upgraded suspension, lowered ride height, specially valved Delco-Bilstein shocks, larger diameter sway bars, a steering/frame brace known as the "wonder bar", a special decal package, and an optional Tuned Port Injection system taken from the Chevrolet Corvette.
The IROC-Z was introduced in 1985 and continued through 1990.
The IROC-Z was introduced in 1985 and continued through 1990.
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Fourth Generation Chevy 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 coupé body style with 2+2 seating (with an optional T-top roof) or convertible (reintroduced in 1994), rear-wheel drive, pushrod 6-cylinder and V8 engines. The standard powerplant from 1993-1995 was a 3.4 L V6, then a 3.8 L V6 was introduced in 1995. A 350 MPFI (LT1) Small Block V-8 engine, which was introduced in the Corvette in 1992, was standard in the Z28. |
Chevrolet offered a 35th anniversary edition for the 2002 model year. Production of the F-Body platform was discontinued due to slowing sales, a deteriorating market for sports coupés, and plant overcapacity, but an entirely new platform went on sale in 2009. The B4C Special Service Package for police agencies was carried over from the 3rd generation & sold between 1993-2002.
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Fifth Generation Chevy Camaro
The Camaro received a complete redesign and new platform in 2009 for the 2010 model year and fifth generation. Based on the 2006 Camaro Concept and 2007 Camaro Convertible Concept, production of the fifth-generation Camaro was approved on August 10, 2006. |
The Oshawa Car Assembly plant in the city of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, began producing the new Camaro which went on sale in spring of 2009 as a 2010 model year vehicle.
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Sixth Generation Chevy Camaro
On May 16, 2015, Chevrolet introduced the sixth generation Camaro at Belle Isle park in Detroit. The launch, complete with previous generation Camaros on display, coincided with the vehicle's upcoming 50th birthday. The sixth generation Camaro sales began in late 2015 and offered in LT and SS models built on the GM Alpha platform at Lansing Grand River Assembly in Michigan. |
The Alpha platform is currently used by the Cadillac ATS. The 2016 Camaro weighs 200 lb (91 kg) less than its predecessor. Over 70% of the sixth generation's architectural components are unique to the car and are not shared with any other current GM product. Chevrolet also exhibited a 2019 Camaro SS at the 2018 SEMA Show in the new Shock yellow-green exterior color, which will be available in early 2019.
It will also feature a "concept" front end, which unlike the production SS has a body-colored bumper and the Chevy "bow-tie" badge moved to the upper grille.
It will also feature a "concept" front end, which unlike the production SS has a body-colored bumper and the Chevy "bow-tie" badge moved to the upper grille.
'73 Camaro Burnout in Texas
Watch this 1973 Chevy Camaro burn rubber in Texas!
😊 Thanks for reading
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to our offices by email at [email protected]
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to our offices by email at [email protected]
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PUBLISHED: 2019-12-11
UPDATED: 2023-07-21