The Chevrolet Camaro
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.
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.
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. 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. 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, hatchback bodies, and a rear window third brake light. It was during the third generation that the famous IROC Camaro was available.
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 (with the latter 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.
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. 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.
The Pontiac Firebird
The Pontiac Firebird was a muscle car built by the Pontiac division of General Motors between 1967 and 2002. The Firebird was introduced in the same year with its platform sharing cousin the Chevrolet Camaro. This coincided with the release of the Mercury Cougar, which shared its platform with another well-known pony car, the Ford Mustang. The vehicles were, for the most part, powered by various V8 motors of different GM divisions. While primarily Pontiac-powered until 1977, Firebirds were built with several different engines from nearly every GM division until 1982 when all Pontiac motors were dropped in favor of corporate motors. Firebirds had traditionally utilized solid rear axles, also referred to as live axles, but Pontiac switched to a coil spring/torque arm rear suspension design in 1982.
The First Generation Firebirds had a characteristic "coke-bottle" styling. Unlike its sister-car, the Chevrolet Camaro, its bumpers were integrated into the design of the front end and its rear "slit" taillights were inspired by the Pontiac GTO. Both a two-door hardtop and a convertible were offered through the 1970 model year (the next generation, minus the convertible, being announced as 1970-1/2 models). Originally the car was a "consolation prize" for Pontiac, who had initially wished to produce a two-seat sports car of its own design, based on the original Banshee concept car. However, GM feared such a vehicle would directly compete with Chevrolet's Corvette, and the decision was made to give Pontiac a piece of the pony car market by having them sharing the F-body platform with Chevrolet. Somewhat disappointed at management's decision, Pontiac went about re-making the F-body in their own image with both styling and engineering changes.
The Second Generation appeared for the 1970 model year as a mid-year introduction on February 26, 1970 — but was officially designated by Pontiac as a 1970 model, not a 1970-1/2 as many sources have reported through the years. Replacing the "coke bottle" styling was a more "swoopy" body style, with the top of the rear window line going almost straight down to the lip of the trunk lid — a look that was to epitomize F-body styling for the longest period during the Firebird's lifetime. The new design was initially characterized with a large C-pillar, until 1975 when the rear window was enlarged. There were two Ram Air 400 engines for 1970: the Ram Air III (335 hp, 366 hp in GTO) and the Ram Air IV (345 hp, 370 hp in GTO) which were carried over from 1969. A distinctive, slant-nose facelift occurred in 1977, redone somewhat in 1979. From 1977 to 1981, the Firebird used four square headlamps, while the Camaro continued to retain the two round headlights that had previously been shared by both Second Generation designs.
The Third Generation F-body weighed in quite a bit lighter than its predecessor and offered sleek, aerodynamic styling that was particularly reflected by the Firebird. GM's CCC (Computer Command Control) engine control system also continued to evolve, simultaneously increasing engine performance, raising fuel economy, and lowering emissions. This combination of factors helped the Third Generation Firebird to re-energize its fading pony car image.
The Fourth Generation F-body continued the aerodynamic formula initiated by the previous generation, but while still a desirable sports car, it fell victim to declining sales. As before, the Camaro kept the exposed headlights and the Firebird its pop-up units, with some minor changes. The overall styling of the Firebird more strongly reflected the "Banshee IV" concept car than the 1991 "face lift" received by the Third Generation model.
