OT - Death of the Camaro

Clark Griswald · Clark Griswald's Garage

I was shocked to hear GM is cancelling the Camaro / Firebird after this years production run. Even a bit saddened. Sniff.

I guess I just took it for granted that the sun would always rise in the east and the Camaro would be GMs inexpensive muscle. Although I lusted after Pcars from about age 12, when I bought my first few cars American Iron fit my budget much better.

In high school I had a hot rod '69 Camaro SS convertible that I rebuilt and restored.

Trade press says that the interest in muscle cars was way down with younger buyers. Seems that rice racers have replaced the muscle cars with performance enthusiasts.

Sad but true.

Pillow · 10-03-2001, 09:16 AM

I do not understand why the rice crowd is so popular with kids these days. If I were a kid the Camaro SS would be my choice over a Civic Si anyday.

I have seen the Camaro/Firebirds come out to AXs and beat up on some 911s so they cannot be that bad.

The irony now is that the kids drag thier Rice while the 'Maros are at the track... Shouldn't it be the other way around

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Adrian Pillow
1979 911 SC
1966 VW Microbus
PCA - Peachstate Region

Greg-slant/cab · 10-03-2001, 09:18 AM

Clark...I bet you wish you still had that 69' What a beautiful car.

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Greg-slant/cab
http://www.geocities.com/gregslantcab/

dtw · 10-03-2001, 09:30 AM

Yeah yeah yeah- this is like the third time they have canceled the line. Last year it was the exact same thing. Then they turned around and said "oops well guess we'll keep making it as long as people buy it."

Have they now officially said no one is buying it? Another turnaround wouldn't surprise me. I think they're just trying to get free advertising.

-d

prattrc · prattrc's Garage

Why don't young people drive Camaros and Mustangs? Blame the insurance industry. The cost for a 16-24 year old male to drive a muscle car as opposed to a Civic is prohibitive.

You can also blame the loss of these GM icons on the Corvette. In the pony car wars, GM always had the Corvette to think about. They could only boost performance and price so far before they hit the Corvette floor/Camaro ceiling. Ford produced the Cobra R showing how far they could go with the 'Stang (even though they'd never produce it in mass numbers), but GM couldn't even call the bluff.

That's my take anyway.

Ray

lendaddy · 10-03-2001, 10:22 AM

I have to disagree, I say good riddence. Detroit needs to learn some life lessons here. Instead of pissing and moaning that Americans are buying this/that kind of car instead of theirs, make this/that kind of car. The only American made vehicle I would own is a truck... They still know how to make those(although they are getting pretty chinsy now). Detroit has produced nothing but pathetic cars for some time now. I mean look at the Aztec,? That thing is about as attractive as a bucket of steaming *******s.

Planter91C2 · 10-03-2001, 10:54 AM

i had a 1975 trans am with a 400 in it when i was in high school. that is the age bracket that these cars appeal to.

i can't imagine ever buying a camaro or firebird as an adult. the newer models still look like 1980's throwbacks.

idea: remember those ferraris that were in that concrete bunker for 50 years? why doesn't somone buy a brand new camaro and a brand new firebird "last of the line" and store them for 50 years. will they be worth big bucks?

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Daryl 964 Targa

Jim T · 10-03-2001, 11:07 AM

The decision to cancel the F-body was made several years ago. I remember reading in AutoWeek that 2002 or so would be the end of the line. I read that in 1998, I think.

The decision had to be made in advance because they had to make the decision to not replace the stamping machines, etc. From what I recall, those machines were already starting to get to the end of their useful life. They must be very worn out by now. So much for "precision" body parts, etc.!

[This message has been edited by Jim T (edited 10-03-2001).]

MarkY · MarkY's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Clark Griswald:
I was shocked to hear GM is cancelling the Camaro / Firebird after this years production run. Even a bit saddened. Sniff.

I guess I just took it for granted that the sun would always rise in the east and the Camaro would be GMs inexpensive muscle. Although I lusted after Pcars from about age 12, when I bought my first few cars American Iron fit my budget much better.

In high school I had a hot rod '69 Camaro SS convertible that I rebuilt and restored.

Trade press says that the interest in muscle cars was way down with younger buyers. Seems that rice racers have replaced the muscle cars with performance enthusiasts.

Sad but true.

Its a small world. Two weeks before my 16th birthday, I purchased a 1969 Camaro SS. It had a Holley 780, Hurst shifter, MT valve covers, etc. What a neat machine.

My Dad parked his car 2 inches behind mine, and got a ride to work every day so I wouldn't be tempted to drive it. One day he had to take his car and you guessed it, I took the Camaro out for a spin. My brother, who was 10 at the time, said he was going with me. About 5 miles into the drive, my brother says "a cop is behind you". I got pulled over. The cop was cool and just gave me a warning without even asking for my non-existant driver's license. I immediately went home.

As a birthday present my parents paid for my car insurance for the first year... $800 in 1975. I drove the snot out of the car, got 3 speeding tickets, and my insurance for the next year was $1200.

I ended up dropping a valve right through a piston and sold the car. I paid $1300 for it and sold it about 16 months later (without an engine) for $800. I (and my parents) cried when it was towed from my house.

I still miss that car, what memories.

pbs911 · pbs911's Garage

That's trange because I just saw a special on Speedvision where GM was releasing a new anniversary special edition of the camero.

GM should do what Dodge is doing bringing back the classic style of the hot rod era.

Build late 60's early 70's designed Camero and I'd buy one.

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Paul
78SC Targa

gaijinda · 10-03-2001, 11:35 AM

By chance I stopped by a hot rod club's fall show last weekend. Even as a sports car guy I could appreciate those early RS and SS Camaros & Shelby Mustangs and the like... The new pony cars are not worth the $3 dollar up-grade at the rental car counter, much less to buy a new one! Good riddance!

Jim T · 10-03-2001, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gaijinda:
By chance I stopped by a hot rod club's fall show last weekend. Even as a sports car guy I could appreciate those early RS and SS Camaros & Shelby Mustangs and the like... The new pony cars are not worth the $3 dollar up-grade at the rental car counter, much less to buy a new one! Good riddance!

Well said!

And as far as the release of a "Special Edition," that is not surprising, but expected. Its hard for mfrs to move discontinued cars, "Special Edition" helps to clear them out.