The Generation Game: Chevrolet Camaro

[Liquid]

The Generation Game: Chevrolet Camaro

1967-1969 Chevrolet Camaro

Bodystyles: 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible
Engines: 3.8 - 4.1L I6; 4.6 - 7.0L V8
Drivetrain: FR
Weight: ~1,375kg / 3,025lbs

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1970-1981 Chevrolet Camaro

Bodystyle: 2-door coupe
Engines: 3.8 - 4.1L I6; 3.8L V6; 5.0 - 7.0L V8
Drivetrain: FR
Weight: ~1,550kg / 3,410lbs

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1982-1992 Chevrolet Camaro

Bodystyles: 2-door liftback, 2-door convertible
Engines: 2.5L I4; 2.8 - 3.1L V6; 5.0 - 5.8L V8
Drivetrain: FR
Weight: ~1,470kg / 3,324lbs

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1993-2002 Chevrolet Camaro

Bodystyles: 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible, 2-door targa
Engines: 3.4 - 3.8L V6; 5.7L V8
Drivetrain: FR
Weight: 1,625kg / 3,575lbs

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2010-2015 Chevrolet Camaro

Bodystyles: 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible
Engines: 3.6L V6; 5.3 - 7.0L V8
Drivetrain: FR
Weight: ~1,700kg / 3,750lbs

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2016-2024 Chevrolet Camaro

Bodystyles: 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible
Engines: 2.0L turbocharged I4; 3.6L V6; 6.3L V8; 6.3L supercharged V8
Drivetrain: FR
Weight: ~1,670kg / 3,674lbs

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Although superficially similar to the already-polled Pontiac Firebird, the Camaro has a longer, more recent history and came from a user-suggested nomination.

Previous Results & Nominations Thread

 

[Tornado]

This isn't by any means advocating for the tragic space utilization the 3rd and 4th generations suffered from despite what appeared from the outside to be massive, practical storage areas, but:

lmao

 

[TexRex]

Never been a Camaro guy but my platonic ideal is an early second gen non-RS (so...full bumper).

My interest increases as you get away from the Norwood plant with dealer specials, and I'm particularly fond of the Baldwin-Motion builds.

 

[Joey D]

I will always love the 4th gen, especially the catfish one.

 

[-Fred-]

I had to think long and hard about it as I absolutely love a 1st gen, but the 4th gen takes it for me, especially looking back at them from my teenager self's perspective.

They used to build them here in Quebec, in the town where my grandparents used to live in. I remember we used to drive by the plant and they had hundreds upon hundreds of Camaros and Firebirds in a massive parking lot waiting to be put on the train for the US/other provinces of Canada. My brother and I used to look at them and laugh at the V6s in a sea of Z28s and SS'. It's mind boggling to me I've probably seen literally every single 4th gen ever built sitting in that lot.

Sadly it's now a mall and there's no trace of the GM plant left, even the railroad was taken away...

I also remember going to Trois-Rivieres for the GP back when Trans-Am was relevant in the mid 90s, and I still remember how insane these sounded and how fast they were, despite the Mustangs being faster still. They had the best liveries, too:

So yeah, 4th gen, if only for the memories. Which reminds me, I need to call my grandma. She's 94, and still going strong, just like a 4th gen.

 

[wfooshee]

For me it's the original, all the way. The current "retro" cars are appealing, but as pointed out earlier, that useless trunk! I got a Camaro convertible as a rental "upgrade" when the "personal luxury" I'd reserved on a special promotion was unavailable. I had a suitcase, a hanging bag, and a camera bag. I put the camera bag in the front seat footwell, the hanging bag on the front seat, and the suitcase in he back seat.

When the second-gen came out I despised its hideous nose, and still do. (The Firebird was so much better looking!) My problem with the gens between that car and the retros is the miles of overhang! The axles are in a different area code than the bumpers!

 

[Liquid]

First time exposure wins. It's even in the dealer picture.



The fourth gen is really good looking and has aged very nicely in my opinion. It was also a cool Trans-Am racer that even wound up in the JGTC. I'd absolutely love one if it was possible.

Credit to the first and third gens as well. The last two are laughably try-hard and irrespective of other Camaros, it is absolutely right to dunk on them for the pathetic boot space. Bizarre constructions.

 

[lilcat89]

I am probably going to be alone in this, but except for the 2nd gen, the Camaro always has lagged behind the Mustang in just about every area in my opinion. From the 80s on, the generally good dynamics have been let down severely by their awful interiors, and I say that as a previous owner of a couple of 90s GM vehicles.

 

[mikedriver94]

I've always thought how bizarre the IMSA cars were, and specifically this Chevrolet Camarro Just two years ago, I saw the 1985 Daytona race with several cars. It's true that the Mustangs were truly high-performance and excellent on certain tracks; Chevrolet Camarro were in large numbers, more so than the Mustangs themselves.
I was lucky enough to see a previous-generation one (2018 registration and production year). Just yesterday, I saw it again with a few new tweaks.

 

[TheCracker]

The 1st gen is only one that doesn't conjure up visions of (unironic) mullets to me.

As far as americana culture goes, the Camaro is one of the least appealing aspects of it.

 

[Liquid]

I don't recall seeing a second-gen Camaro with a full bumper and it really makes it look like a Vega. Sorry if that drags it down but each to their own.

 

[Tornado]

Here's a handy dandy chart:

1967-1969: Who cares Boomers ruined these; and even if they hadn't this generation as interpreted by Tonka dominating the idea of what a Camaro is for nearly the past 20 years (arguably 25) would have.
1970-1973: Whoa. Absolutely stunning looks, and a dramatic jump in appearance (and engineering!) from the original generation that famously came in extremely hot in GM's rush to copy the Mustang after it smacked the hell out of the second generation Corvair. A strong candidate for one of the best American car designs ever.
1974-1990: God just buy a Trans Am.
1991-1992: Well, okay. They screwed up the Trans Am pretty bad, but that's fine. The 3rd gen Camaro was always a pretty good looking car if not necessarily a particularly great one (or quite as advanced as its brother); but hey by year 9 GM does have most of the bugs worked out!
1993-1997: A fantastic modern (for the time) reinterpretation of the 3rd gens styling. Even though it's basically identical in proportions to the Firebird, it's legitimately impressive how different they actually carry across from each other (the Camaro is a much sleeper seeming car even if it's not). Chuck Jordan did a fantastic job, and by all rights this car wasn't supposed to exist anyway. Yeah it has problems as an early 90s GM-bankruptcy car and there were obviously some corners cut to even get it out, but it's legitimately a big step forward over even the improved later 3rd generation cars.
1998-2002: Ew. Buy a Trans Am instead. I don't care how overly aggressive it is.
2010-2015: If you idiots had bought GTOs when you could have, we wouldn't have to suffer through these. "Oh, but it looks like a Cavalier and not a caricature of itself like the GTO Judge." Yeah? Look at the picture of the trunk above and shut up.
2016-2024: 1000% buy an ATS instead. GM has some of the best engineers in the world run through the stupidest marketing department in the world.








I'm not sure what to vote for but I know which ones not.

 

[TexRex]

I don't recall seeing a second-gen Camaro with a full bumper and it really makes it look like a Vega. Sorry if that drags it down but each to their own.

I mean it makes it look like a Vega because the Vega was conceived to be a baby Camaro and the front end was copied accordingly.

People build split bumper Vegas and it actually comes off looking less derpy than an RS because it doesn't have the plastic grille extension.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

Out of the lot, I would unquestionably own a 2016+ one because they have a genuinely great chassis. The switchgear is typical GM crap, and you can't see out, but at least they feel good to drive, they aren't huge, and the early ones even looked pretty good. To look at, the facelifted first gen and second gens tie as best of the lot. 3rd & 4th gen cars just take me straight to Mullettown USA. The 5th gen cars are just utter boomer bait....fat and dumb.

I'm genuinely shocked at how many people are voting catfish here...

 

[05XR8]

The gold Second Gen my Dad had when I was little seals it for me.
Loved the IROC-Z(probably the best looking 16" wheel behind the T/A GTA & Firebird Formula meshies), but always felt was too long and not compact like the Mustang of the era.
Not sure what Chevy were thinking '93-'02. Didn't like 'em.