Chevrolet Camaro
THE CHEVY CAMARO WAS BUILT TO RIVAL THE FORD MUSTANG
Built under the GM umbrella, the Chevrolet Camaro is a mid-size vehicle that was specifically created (in a rush) to compete against the hot-selling Ford Mustang. Introduced for the 1967 year, it instantly became the Mustang’s most intense rival, although it took 10 years for the Camaro to finally surpass the sales of its formidable opponent. Depending on the version, it can fall in either the pony or muscle car category, although with its wide and substantial body, big engines, and rear-wheel drive, Bowtie fans tend to classify it as the latter – especially when comparing it against the diminutive early Mustang. With 42 years and six-generations as an American icon, it’s the Pepsi to Mustang’s Coke, and choosing between them is like comparing the Rolling Stones to The Beatles. And for millions of fans, that’s what makes it the BEST.
1967-1969
FIRST-GENERATION
Before the Mustang competed against the Camaro, it was killing off the rear-engine Corvair – a car already on life support thanks to Ralph Nader. Chevy saw the writing on the wall and quickly shifted to the front-engine/rear-drive “Panther” project in an effort to match the Mustang’s huge success. Utilizing R&D from the ‘68 Nova, the Camaro was rather hastily (yet efficiently) developed for the market at a reasonable cost. The classic, boxy shape of the first F-body Camaro was an instant hit that’s aged wonderfully, with only minor aesthetic changes separating the uber-popular ’67-’69 years. Powerful engines, RS/SS/Z28 packages, simple yet elegant styling, and a perfect name (a myth started that a ‘Camaro’ was a Mustang-eating animal) catapulted this muscle car icon into the American zeitgeist, where it’s been firmly planted ever since.
1970-1981
SECOND-GENERATION
Most familiar with these Camaros are aware of the differences between the “Early” and “Late” 2nd Generation versions. Heavily restyled from the previous iteration, these newly designed cars were larger and wider than their predecessors and came loaded with a variety of powerful drivetrains among the RS/SS/Z28 trim levels. “Early” Camaros were built from ’70-’73 and are considered to be the more traditional muscle cars, and although it may be surprising to some, they actually sold in fewer numbers than the “Late” Camaros of ’74-’81. The infamous GM strike of 1972 resulted in that very model-year (along with 1973) becoming one of the most desirable Camaros to own. Mid-decade Camaros continued to sell like hot cakes, peaking in ’78-’81 with the legendary Z/28 models that are so popular today.
1982-1992
THIRD-GENERATION
A streamlined Camaro redesign was the perfect complement to the fast-paced American 1980’s, where the burly muscle car looks of yesteryear now gave way to the modern styling of their Corvette brothers and agile profiles of fancy imported sports cars. Performance mandates forced the Camaro on a diet, drastically improving handling while still maintaining the thrill of RWD, and they were the first F-Bodies to offer fuel-injection, overdrive transmissions, and 5-speed manuals. The slick design was an immediate hit, with submodels like the RS and Z/28 offering powerful yet nimble drivetrains that appealed to large sectors of the public, while the introduction of the upmarket IROC-Z quickly engrained this generation into the American culture.
1993-2002
FOURTH-GENERATION
A complete redesign atop an upgraded F-body platform results in a modern, Euro-style line of cars dubbed the ‘Catfish Camaros’ by enthusiasts. The sleek, lowered design was a bit more aggressive than the previous generation, but it featured all the characteristics Camaro owners had grown to expect from the car: two doors, multiple styles, RWD, and both V6 and V8 engine choices. 1994 returned an anxiously awaited Camaro convertible after a brief hiatus, and in 1998 the front clip was upgraded as a refresher to the generation’s styling. Horsepower grew through the years, resulting in a shift away from the LT1 V8 into the 300+ V8 variants offered in the uber-popular RS/SS, Z/28, and 35th Anniversary models.
2010-2015
FIFTH-GENERATION
After an extended 8-year hiatus that left Bowtie fans clamoring for a Camaro to wage battle with the popular new Mustang, the long-awaited, retro-designed 5th generation was introduced to rave reviews. With the help of a Transformers movie, the 1969-inspired styling was an immediate hit that wowed critics and fans alike, and the car proved revolutionary for the brand with cutting-edge features and a wide-appealing range of powertrains that leaned favored big horsepower. Serious power bumps really kicked in after 2012 and continued to rise each year in a veritable arms race against the competition, and the ’14-’15 models were treated to a sleek, new front fascia and rear end.
2016-present
SIXTH-GENERATION
A powerful, more fuel-efficient, and lighter redesign got the new generation started with a BANG in 2016, and was immediately turned up to 11 with the 650 horsepower ZL1 variant the following year. Over 70% percent of this car’s architectural components are completely unique to the Camaro, which means that even the base models can feel like dedicated, budget super cars. Outstanding power and performance combine with top-end tech and luxury in this current iteration, and the upmarket SS, Z/28, and ZL1 models blur the lines between Camaro and Corvette more so than any previous generations.