Camaro Back History

The Chevrolet Camaro is a "pony car" made in North America by the Chevrolet Motor Division of General Motors. It was introduced on 29 September 1966 — the start of the 1967 model year and was designed as a competing model to the Ford Mustang. The car shared the platform and major components with the Pontiac Firebird, also introduced in 1967. Four distinct generations of the car were produced before production ended in 2002. A new Camaro is expected to roll off assembly lines in 2009.^[1]

Origin

The Camaro was initially advertised on Top 40 AM radio stations of the day in an attempt to woo the young adult market. Although it was technically a compact car (by the standards of the time), Camaro may also be classified as an intermediate touring car, a sports car, or a muscle car.

Though the car's name was contrived with no meaning, GM researchers reportedly found the word in a French dictionary as a slang term for "friend" or "companion." In some automotive periodicals before official release, it was code-named "Panther," however, the project designation for the Camaro was XP-836 and some early GM photos show the final Camaro body labeled "Chaparral".^[2] Automotive press asked Chevrolet product managers "What is a Camaro?", and they were told it was "a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs".^[3] The name conveniently fit Chevrolet's "C" naming structure that included Corvair, Chevelle, Chevy II, and Corvette.

First generation

The first-generation Chevrolet Camaro debuted for the 1967 model year 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 V8 powerplants. 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

Introduced to market in February of 1970, the second-generation Chevrolet Camaro would be in production for a total of 12 years. The car grew somewhat larger and wider with the new styling; this resulted in a heavier car as well.^[4] Still based on the F-body platform, the new Camaro was engineered much like its predecessor in that it still used a unibody structure with a front subframe, leaf springs in the back and A-arms up front for suspension. The car would see major changes in both styling and performance as time progressed from the introduction through the end of second-generation production in 1981.

Third generation

The third-generation Chevrolet Camaro was introduced for the 1982 model year. It continued to use General Motors' F-body platform and would produce a "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" for 1987 and "25th Anniversary Heritage Edition" for 1992. These were also the first Camaros with factory fuel injection, four-speed automatic transmissions, five-speed manual transmissions, four-cylinder engines, 16-inch wheels, and hatchback bodies. It was during the third generation that the famous IROC Camaro was available.

The third-generation Camaros would continue through the 1992 model year.

Fourth generation

The fourth-generation Chevrolet Camaro debuted for the 1993 model year on an updated F-body platform. It would retain the same characteristic since the first-generation's introduction back in 1967; 2-doors, 2+2 seating, available as a coupe or convertible although later introduced in 1994, rear-wheel drive, and a choice of V6 and V8 powerplants. It featured the 5.7 L (350 cid) LT1 V8 engine that had been introduced in the Corvette one year earlier, as well as an optional six-speed manual transmission. The 1998 model year was refreshed and revised with both exterior and engine changes. Replacing the LT1 was GM's all-new 5.7 L (346 cid) LS1 which had been introduced with the Corvette C5.

The fourth-gen Camaro would last up through the 2002 model year, at which point production of the F-Body platform was stopped due to low sales.^{[citation needed]}

Fifth generation

On 9 January, 2006, the first official word regarding a fifth-generation Camaro from General Motors came at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, where the 2006 Camaro Concept was released.^[5] The concept is powered by the 400 hp LS2 V8 and equipped with the T-56 six-speed manual transmission. GM also showed the 2007 Camaro Convertible Concept on 6 January, 2007 at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. The Camaro will be offered with both V6 and V8 engines, and have available automatic and manual transmissions. Pricing has not been officially announced yet, however, GM has stated that it will be competitive with the Ford Mustang.

Appearances in pop culture

Due to its persistent popularity and long production run, the Camaro has been referenced, shown, or used in nearly all forms of media since the introduction of the 1967 model. Some of these include:

• American rock band Kings of Leon have a song called 'Camaro' on their 2007's third album 'Because of the times'.
• The 1985 Dead Milkmen song "Bitchin' Camaro" playfully discusses the car as a metaphor for freedom from responsibility, in which the driver does "donuts on your lawn" and has "no insurance to match".
• The song "The List" by the band Metric includes the line "We've seen some success, it looks like a Camaro".
• The Camaro is confirmed to be the vehicle mode of the character Bumblebee in the 2007 film, Transformers. Near the beginning, the car is a 1976 model; later in the film, Bumblebee is rebuilt as a fifth-generation Camaro.
• Top Gear's American fly-drive special featured a third generation Camaro, bought by presenter Jeremy Clarkson for $800 US in Miami. During the filming, Clarkson became rather attached to the car, at one point stating that "I'd rather be in this now than an Enzo"
• Various models of the Camaro have been featured in game series such as Gran Turismo, Forza Motorsport,Sega GT 2002, Need For Speed, Midnight Club 3:Dub Edition Remix and L.A Rush.
• A Camaro is driven by James Hetfield in Metallica's video for "I Disappear".
• In the 1992 film, Wayne's World, Wayne's ex-girlfriend Stacey tries to get Wayne's attention while he and Garth are playing street hockey and ends up crashing her bicycle into the front of a third generation Camaro.
• A Camaro is driven in the second of a Quentin Tarantino double movie feature in "Death Proof."

Info Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camaro