With the impending redesign of the Ford Mustang and the reintroduction of Dodge's storied challenger, the time for a muscle car resurgence seems to be at hand. It would also seem to be the perfect time for the reintroduction of the newly redesigned Chevy Camaro, but Chevy is sitting on its prize muscle car and seems content to keep it under wraps for now. There is much excitement around the new Camaro, but one has to wonder if it will be a case of too little too late when the car finally hits the show room floor.
When the newly redesigned Camaro finally rolls off the production line in the last quarter of 2008, it will have been almost three years since the 2006 Camaro Concept car caused such a buzz at the North American International Auto Show. The new Challenger will already be in the show rooms and on the road and the Ford Mustang never left, but will be sporting a new retro redesign. Many people that weer so excited at the sight of the 2006 Camaro concept car are left scratching their heads and wondering what Chevy is waiting for. Chevy introduced a second Camaro concept as a convertible in 2007 and that produced even more excitement, but no official word on production of the new cars.
Fans of the original Camaro still seem enthusiastic and are eagerly awaiting their chance to get a look at the new version of the classic Chevy muscle car. Fans say they have enjoyed seeing the various concepts, including the yellow and black Camaro that made its debut in the box office smash “Transformers,” but many are tired of reexamining concepts and want Chevy to unveil the new Camaro.
Ford and Dodge both built their new retro-cool muscle cars using existing platforms borrowed from other cars. Chevy says that they started building the all new Camaro from the ground up, with an all new rear wheel drive platform. It is such an attention to detail and innovation that is causing such a long wait for Chevy's flag ship sports car, says GM spokesman Wendy Clark.
The new Camaro is taking a page out of the retro style book of the new Challenger. The design pays strong homage to the 1969 Camaro, a vehicle that muscle car enthusiasts call one of the crown jewels of the muscle car era. It has long been a favorite of Camaro buffs.
The first muscle car era ended when gas prices soared, the economy tanked and new environmental regulations made it difficult and expensive to produce powerful engines that still met federal fuel ratings and emissions guidelines. Once again, the perfect storm of rising fuel prices, a looming recession and new environmental laws threaten to rain on the new muscle car parade, but auto execs believe that the new muscle cars can better weather the storm. Experts point out that cars with V8 engines typically are third cars and are not driven daily. The new muscle cars will be driven for enjoyment, not true transportation. Auto execs hope that the third car phenomenon will help muscle cars endure the recession and gas price crunch.