Something's been bothering me

[byebye67]

Hey fellow lat-g members,
First thing off, I don't claim to have great knowledge about the automotive industry, and I am not an expert. But the thing is, as simple as it sounds, I think the new camaro is too big. Too large, wide, long, tall. The wheels are 20" (correct me if I'm wrong) and the thing looks like it will weigh near 4000 pounds! For those who have seen it up close, parked next to a 69, it dwarfs it.
I think the car should be smaller. The designers should really look at the jonny51/marquez design built camaro. It is the original design with (keyword) subtlety. Little details that pull you in, something like Strope built cars. I think the new camaro design would further polarize potential buyers. If this is the car that needs to sell 100,000 units/year just to stay alive, then it must exude that "I must have it" factor. Further, if I haven't offended enough of you already, I would like to comment on the anthem motors' body mods to the GTO. I think if they made the car that way in the first place, they would've sold more 'em. I remember seeing the rolling concept a while ago (orange in color) of that aggresive body and thought, "man, the new GTO is going to be awesome!" What happened when it came out? A mere ripple.
So in closing, you could understand that these cars we have come to love have an almost sacred place in our lives...I just want to see them done right, is that too much to ask?
My two copper cents,
Kevin Maranan aka byebye67
PS if this is in the wrong forum, please re-locate. Thank you.

[XcYZ]

I think the car should be smaller.

You can blame the Federal Government for that one with all their safety standards.

[Hdesign]

I share many of the same critiques of the design, as it was unveiled in January. Last week I was lucky enough to see the car at SEMA and walk around it. I probably spent close to an hour staring at it trying to figure out what I could do to one if I have the chance.

First, the car does look about 10-12% oversized but I like the proportions. I would assume front and rear overhangs are going to be extended a little to accomodate realistic crumple zones and impact resistance features. It's also obvious the 20 inch shoes will be downsized a bit and some of the raw edginess will be smoothed out for manufacturing. As far as I know, the production version will ultimately stay true to that design though.

Second, I think the interior will be a bit less retro, with less trim parts and more simplified shapes. Though, I personally liked the interior from the photos I've seen. Interiors never get enough attention as far as I'm concerned. GM, especially, has been pretty weak in this department for a couple decades now, this might be a real turnaround in that sense.

Overall, my opinion of the car hasn't changed much since January. It's exactly what I expected, a modern interpretation of the heritage of a 69. Almost a box recipe for an 21st century Camaro considering the 69's current popularity. The most glaring styling issue I see is the clunky looking eggcrate grill insert. The first things I'll do with mine is add an 69 RS-like grill with hide-away headlights and get rid of that arbitrary hood opening above the grill.

Above all, this car has to come out earlier than they are letting on and at a reasonable price for young buyers. If they can't draw that demographic, 100,000 units is a pipe dream.

[trapin]

You can blame the Federal Government for that one with all their safety standards.
That much is true. But Kevin you have to remember that the '69 Camaro existed during a time when the automotive companies were not competing on a global scale. Back then the F-Body architecture shared it's underpinnings with only one car; the Nova. Today it's a whole different ballgame. General Motors is a global company now because it has to be to compete. The cost of an architecture must be made up by getting more use out of it from different parts of the world. In Camaro's case, it is coming off of what is known as the Zeta architecture which was developed by our Austrailian subsidary; Holden. The car has to follow that architectures underpinnings. We've come a long way since 1969. For better or for worse. But don't worry...we'll make it plenty fast enough to make up for the extra weight. ;)

Hey if you think Camaro is going to be heavy, just wait until DaimlerChrysler rolls out that beheamoth they call the Challenger. Don't be surprised if the earth's rotation is thrown off momentarily. :P

[PRRC]

I Think you guys are right.I also think the camaro is alittle on the large size. The big three are under regulations from big brother to meet differant standards that are in place than were in place nearly 40 yrs. ago.I think this must come into play when they designed the new camaro.I think that most people have a image of what a camaro should look like based on past designs.I can remember when they changed to the new bodt style in 85.I thought it didnt look like a camaro at all.But now with time I guess I just except it. I guess in time it will just grow on you.
Tim

[byebye67]

Thank you guys for the information and sharing your thoughts. I guess GM has their hands tied as far as safety standards, chassis/architecture, and cost measures.

I also strongly agree that the price has got to be affordable. I want to support them but I also have a family to feed. If they don't strive to reach that goal, they might lose another generation of youth to the import market. Did Ford create a new chassis just for the current mustang? I don't want to even think about what's going on with their financial situation either. (I recently watched a story on ABC News, "Death of the Taurus")

I couldn't agree more with Ben about the quality of the interior. That could be the make-or-break at the dealerships. Tony, thank you for reminding me about the superiority of our effective pushrod motors. And Scott, well, I know I joined the right website, where people can do what they please to their beloved g-machines!

Thanks again,
Kevin

[ProTouring442]

The new Mustang isn't exactly small... You don't realize how big it is untill you park next to it, wow!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"
www.FQuick.com/ProTouring442

[XcYZ]

Unfortunately, building mass produced, light weight vehicles just don't mix with 'cost effective'. Look at what GM did with the C6 ZO6 to get it as close to 3100 lbs as possible... balsa wood/carbon fiber floors, carbon fiber fenders and wheel houses, aluminum frame and magnesium cradle, etc. Basically using every trick they could come up with for a mass produced car.

As much as I'd like to see the Camaro coming in in the low to mid 3k lb range, I just don't see it happening AND staying reasonably priced.

Oh, and I agree, we can build our own versions of what we want. That's why we're all here on this site. :thumbsup:

[Streetking]

The new Camaro is interesting, but I agree it's "too" big. I think Chevy got alittle to carried away with the design. I think the Challenger is a really good looking car. They have stayed closer to the design of the original car unlike Chevy. Eventhough the new Mustang is bigger than the originial, it's still popular because Ford kept the look very similar to the original car. Afterall, if these car companys are going to bring back these cars, they should stick closer to the original look. A perfect example was the "new" GTO, eventhough a great car for the money, a Holden is not a GTO...

SW

[CraigMorrison]

Hey, if you think the Camaro is big, you should see the new Challenger in person! She's a REALLY big girl!

[Streetking]

Hey, if you think the Camaro is big, you should see the new Challenger in person! She's a REALLY big girl!

I saw it there, she is big but so was the original..

SW

[rwhite692]

Sales died off on the prior 3rd and 4th gen cars because most "average" people just could not live with them as an "only car"...The back seat areas were impossibly cramped and useless... The current Mustang has an ample back seat which is actually usable, two adults can ride back there without a lot of complaints. The car would not be selling nearly as well as it is, if this was not the case.

New Camaro and Challenger have to be at least equally usable as everyday cars, if they are to sell a decent number of units and make these efforts pay off.

Just my $.02 -Rob