Did first impressions meet expectations?

How did the leaked photos stack up to your expectations?

still a little too retro in the nose for my taste.

I'm sold!

i really wasn't expecting what i saw. they really did a great job with it so far.........



what did you think Charlie?????

far exceeded my expectations. i thought it was going to be a rounded off looking bloated thing, but it's perfect (except for the tail pipes). the car has a great stance, and that's usually the thing that makes or breaks a design. i think the GTO failed in a lot of people's eyes because it didn't have a very aggressive stance at all. it looked like a fat car on tiny wheels with a sagging rearend.

Actually, I think it kind of surpassed them. I was afraid it would be blatantly retro (i.e. look more like Kris Hortons or Krispey's rendition). I think there are some excellent new looks to it. It has gotten back to a muscle coupe, instead of a poor mans 'Vette, ala the 4th gen. I like it, now I can't wait to see how it translates to sheet metal.

Better than I expected simply because i had this huge fear that GM would find a way to screw things up.

Better than I expected, but I accidentally voted for "I was expecting better". :o

Well, I want to reserve judgement until I see the real thing.....

But I was expecting better.

You know something Z284, I just have to say no. I'm sure you'll agree that we had alot higher expectations and that it must be different from those pictures by now. I've seen concepts online that I liked better. I also expected a blend of Gens and more modern looks.

Far, far exceeded. Nice, tight stance, clean style, and not too retro. I think it looks inbetween retro and modern (unlike the Challenger and Mustang, imo). The front has a nice grill that reminds me of the early 4th gens (lights hidden under the hood and giving it a mean look) and of course, the first gens.

You know something Z284, I just have to say no. I'm sure you'll agree that we had alot higher expectations and that it must be different from those pictures by now.

people said the same thing about the z06, that isn't it and it was. I would believe this is it or close enough.

It is much better than I expected. :cool:

You know something Z284, I just have to say no. I'm sure you'll agree that we had alot higher expectations and that it must be different from those pictures by now. I've seen concepts online that I liked better. I also expected a blend of Gens and more modern looks.

I agree...I'll reserve my final judgement until I see the final product. Going off what I saw yesterday though, I expected and hoped for better...Long live the 3rd and 4th gen poor-man's 'Vettes:bow:

Edit: I just thought about what I typed and I have to make a correction.... Well I can't say that it isn't what I expected...And that's exactly why I'm disappointed, because it is the retro car I dreaded...Not the mean, sleek, low-slung, aggressive looking roadburner I hoped, (am hoping), for.

I find myself torn at times, I wish it had less 1st gen in it, but I like it overall, final take in person

It is what I expected but I wanted so much more. Way too retro, nothing really new. There seems to be something starting to be new and interesting in the rear but the tail lights killed it.

Well now each of the big 3 have a retro muscle car..............that just seems rediculus to me.

To me the car bascially follows the previous Gens, more 3rd than 4th though. The rake, the lowness, it's not tiny, has sharp/angular yet rounded lines, etc. It's not an upright M*stang either. It's just that the car is blatantly retro. It's a 1st Gen.

Well now each of the big 3 have a retro muscle car..............that just seems rediculus to me.

^^^Agree x100,000,000....

Honestly, it's better than I expected....I was dreading the possibility that the SS concept might creep too much into this design.... I never warmed up to the SS concept.

I'd say that the Concept is a great modern interpretation of the Camaro.

Sure it's got a heavy first gen look, but really, the rear quarters are as modern as a CTS' flanks. The sides are definately a modern interpretation of the side "gills" of '69.

Of all the "musclecars" from the big 3, this design is the least Retro of the bunch......with the Challenger being the most retro.

I hope that what we see on the 9th brings alot of the 'quirks' into focus and I can't wait to see it in Nassau Blue :D

Way better then i thought it would be. Love it cant wait.

Honestly, it's better than I expected....I was dreading the possibility that the SS concept might creep too much into this design.... I never warmed up to the SS concept.

I'd say that the Concept is a great modern interpretation of the Camaro.

Sure it's got a heavy first gen look, but really, the rear quarters are as modern as a CTS' flanks. The sides are definately a modern interpretation of the side "gills" of '69.

Of all the "musclecars" from the big 3, this design is the least Retro of the bunch......with the Challenger being the most retro.

I hope that what we see on the 9th brings alot of the 'quirks' into focus and I can't wait to see it in Nassau Blue :D
Thanks Doug. I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees this as the least retro (although I could go a bit more modern.)

All i can saw is wow. I really like it. Maybe because im only 24, and never got to drive or even see that style of camaro, other than pics. I will not trade my 00C5 in but i will indeed buy one. Put me in line for 1

My retro list from most retro to least retro.

1. Challenger
2. Camaro
3. Mustang

I never thought in a million years that the Mustang would have been the least retro of the three.

Oh, it's definitely the least retro of the 3, but considering the company it's in....Saying it's the least retro isn't saying much.

the only "retro" thing it has is the front grill (kind of)...big deal. everything else is very modern. i have a feeling some of you guys are fans of the new impala...

Not me, that's fo' damn sho'...:barf: new Impala

I can't believe nobody but me sees some '05 Mustang in the rear 1/4 panel and side cove.

My retro list from most retro to least retro.

1. Challenger
2. Camaro
3. Mustang

I never thought in a million years that the Mustang would have been the least retro of the three.
Kidding me....surprised me by that comment. The new Stang looks just like an old one to me, only on a modern body. To each his own.

Man, this site is like cocaine now...and I fear I'm more addicted now that this has come.

the only "retro" thing it has is the front grill (kind of)...big deal. everything else is very modern. i have a feeling some of you guys are fans of the new impala...


Do you really believe that? Take a pic of a 1st gen and put it next the "new" design and it will become very clear where this design came from.

Ok, I'm lost!!!!!!!!! what pictures??? and where can I see them????

Do you really believe that? Take a pic of a 1st gen and put it next the "new" design and it will become very clear where this design came from.
yes, it is INFLUENCED by the camaro's heritage, but most cars are influenced by heritage. the only blatantly retro thing is the general shape of the front grill.

and to the guy who thinks the rear looks like a mustang, that type of hunch has been around for years, long before the new mustang. it's a classic sports car/muscle car design cue that has been around and will continue to be around.

Ok, I'm lost!!!!!!!!! what pictures??? and where can I see them????
Search a stang site...

IMO this concept and the new M*stang are close, but I'd say the M*stang is a little more retro than the 5th Gen. Retro muscle from all the companies, GM really coulda broke out of that some and lead the way with something more new and modern that still let you know it was obviously a Camaro. They always said that you should be able to tell it's a Camaro from 1/4 mile, well they'll be able to tell it's a 1st Gen from that far! I recall the IROC-Z/Thirds scoring as the most recognizable Camaro to the public!

Without saying too much...I like the general look, But I'm not crazy about the side treatment, and the front eh...rear could be at home on the new Challenger...but they were cousins...I don't see any 2nd there, very little 3rd, more 1st and 4th...IMO
Maybe a different color would clarify better?
Toned down and smoothed out, could be a winner.
...not disapointed, just expected a "little" more.

I will wait too to reserve judgement tho, pics never do justice.

I have a question:

Was it ever determined that the Mustang influenced GM's decision to make the Camaro retro? Before the Mustang came out, it had been widely stated that the 5th gen Camaro would be a modern design and then somewhere between then and now, the whole design theme got shifted.

Does anyone know the answer?

From what I can remember GM had plans to make the new Camaro modern...I believe the whole retro thing is completely and totally Ford's fault:lol:...And I hate them for it:mad:

I can't believe nobody but me sees some '05 Mustang in the rear 1/4 panel and side cove.

LOL, no you are not the only one. When I first saw the pics, I even said it out loud. My 3-year-old said "what Mustang?"

However, I am surprised that we are two of the few.

I don't see any M*stang in it other than it being retro. I'm also not for a Camaro with round taillights and it'll probably have them. The square 68 RS look they went for in that picture isn't quite right either. Guess we'll have to wait for the retro 2nd and 3rd Gens for the wrap around lights and spoilers.

The car in those pics looks better than I would have expected. It definitely looks like a modernly built musclecar. If you have a good powerplant to match, you're golden. Beautifully done.

Stance is great.
Overall front is beautiful.
The side, although reminds me of a mustang, the additional styling below the "gills" sets it apart and adds boldness. Well done.
The rear is to die for. Make it with a deck and not a fast back and its perfect.

Overall: If you want sleek and exotic, buy a Corvett. If you want a ground pounding, don-mess-with-me-attitude musclecar, buy a Camaro.

I was blown away by the front end, they did a great job there. Its better than most of the 8 million concepts that people put on the internet. All they need to do is fix up that rear end (which will probably be done for January), and if they keep that aggressive front end, then i think they've got a winner

Somebody said that it looks better without those obnoxious watermarks....and they're right!

I'd like to see the rest without the watermarks, as well.

Somebody said that it looks better without those obnoxious watermarks....and they're right!

I'd like to see the rest without the watermarks, as well.


guess that's what Scott meant with his bad hair analogy from before. i thought i was the only one that thought it changed shape alittle without the watermarks.

Turbo, go to BED!

Ugh, I can't believe they went retro. Now for years I'll hear it from the Ford guys, "But you copied US!!"

Turbo, go to BED!

:p yell at stars1010 too, he's been on as long as me.

My retro list from most retro to least retro.

1. Challenger
2. Camaro
3. Mustang

I never thought in a million years that the Mustang would have been the least retro of the three.

Wow. I definetly think the new Mustang looks more retro than the Camaro concept.

I think it may be the most beautiful car I've ever seen. Seriously...wow. The more I look at it the more I love it. The 5th gen is the Esther Baxter of vehicles.

It exceeded my expectations. The packaging was a major
let-down in the 4th gen. I never liked the big dash with
the high belt line and had major problems parking it. Lets hope
they get rid of the hump on the front passenger floor-board
and relocate the cat converters to a better location.
And make the SS deliver close to Vette performance. !! :)

Well i honestly have to say that I like this design ALOT better than the one that was leaked. This one is totally bada$$ :bow:



http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y10/ZL1LT1/jd.jpg

I choose exactly as I expected, but it's really more like exactly what I hoped it would be, and better than I figured it would be in reality. I think it really nails the whole look, hopefully the real concept and then the production car don't get toned down tooo much.

I can't believe so many here don't like it. It's got Camaro written all over it, isn't THAT retro other than general classic shape (which the 4thgen lacked, time to get back to the lines the 1st through 3rd gens had).

It looks awesome and I will be owning one, if I don't have a decent job by then I don't know what I'll do, but I want one baddddd...

Even if the hottest engine offering is a warmed up 5.3l I'll be pretty happy, that is a great looking new Camaro. With an LS2 or better that thing will be incredible, plain and simple...

Oh, and I'm really hoping the rumblings about sidemirrors that flow into the fender like the 4thgen don't turn into reality. That totally ruins the lines of the front fenders IMO. 4thgen birds and the SCCA TransAm Camaro cars without that feature look worlds better. Maybe on this other body style it would work alright, I just know I hated the effect on the 4thgens... I like cars like the corvette and most other sports cars really that have a pronounced "shoulders" look in the rear quarters, and smaller but still pronounced fender flares or whatever at the front end too. I think it's part of the "coke bottle" profile, the blending mirrors screw that up...

I agree it needs to get back to the lines of the 1st-3rd Gens, and I'm glad to see that. Although, I can't say the same for it being designed almost completely after the 1st Gen.

Better than I expected. :cool: Tell me when I can order one.

It blew my expectations sheer out of the water. Have a decent amount of a retro design in it? sure. A while ago i was opposed to that, but i figured, i wasnt alive during the first gen era so i wouldnt mind something retroish. Id say GM hit it pretty spot on. I love the exterior, sure there are some minor things i would change but all in all its pretty damn cool!

Im definately buying one

Well its retro as in it has alot of 1st gen in it but Ill hold judgement till a) I see the final product and b) I see it in person. As of right now though, I LOVE IT! :cool:

I accepted a couple of months ago that it was going to be heavily 1st gen influenced so no worries there. I like how sleek and muscular it looks. Honestly, even though its styling is more 1st gen than anything, its stance REALLY reminds of the 3rd gen. :eek: How the roofline and beltline look in relationship to each other plus the longer flat hood, I dont know, reminds of the the 3rd gens sleek look. I like it.

I am still holding out hope that the show car will be much more modern that the clay concept. Why would they not make the show car a Z28 or SS model...............or is this supposed to one of those models without the badging? I hope not.

Well i honestly have to say that I like this design ALOT better than the one that was leaked. This one is totally bada$$ :bow:



http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y10/ZL1LT1/jd.jpg

This one should make it into production!!!!

This one should make it into production!!!!
I hate the tail end on that one. And the front is only decent, not awesome. ;)

I accepted a couple of months ago that it was going to be heavily 1st gen influenced so no worries there. I like how sleek and muscular it looks. Honestly, even though its styling is more 1st gen than anything, its stance REALLY reminds of the 3rd gen. :eek: How the roofline and beltline look in relationship to each other plus the longer flat hood, I dont know, reminds of the the 3rd gens sleek look. I like it.

This is somewhat true, the rake and stance is kinda similar. The only actual Third Gen styling cues I can see in it so far are the fender flares and steering wheel though. Or maybe the doors and the grill/front bumper opening on each side. The shape is similar to the outside of the 3rd's headlight recesses.

This is somewhat true, the rake and stance is kinda similar. The only actual Third Gen styling cues I can see in it so far are the fender flares and steering wheel though. Or maybe the doors and the grill/front bumper opening on each side. The shape is similar to the outside of the 3rd's headlight recesses.

Thats what I was referring to. The rake and stance of the car reminded me of the third gen. Most of the styling cues I see are all 1st gen. Oh well, have to wait and see the final product.

I put down met my expectations.

Overall it's a much better modernization of a 1st gen than anything else we've seen here and I would've expected, but for me it still not new enough and hardly evolutionary.

The roofline is exactly that of the 1st gen as is the front grill. I'm not all together sold on all the creases in the body and sharp corners. Charlie, I can see you Mustang comparison in the rear flanks, I thought I saw more XLR there.

I haven't seen any interior or chassis pics yet (chassis pics aren't worth much anyway at this moment).

I'm not crazy about the rear brake ducts unless they're functional, otherwise I think they're a clumsy characature of the '69s. Put a steeper rake on the back glass, fill in the front grill and a deeper chin spoiler and I think they're be headed in the right direction IMO.

I dunno, seeing this is only a 1/2 and 1/2 styling buck (usually used early in the refinement process), I'll hold off my final decision on what I'm saving my cash for when I see a production version.

I not crazy about the rear brake ducts unless they're functional, otherwise I think they're a clumsy characature of the '69s.
I love all the 69 cues. The Mustang is going for it's 60s roots, I think the Camaro following suit is a natural step, especially since it pulls from the same customer base. People love the Mustang. I think this Camaro is fantastic.

Charlie, I can see you Mustang comparison in the rear flanks, I thought I saw more XLR there.



I definatly see XLR in the rear quarter. I don't really see any Mustang in it except for the similarity in that old 60's style design.

Speaking of that old style design, I wonder if the drag coefficient would take a hit.

I'd really love to see a rear fascia treatment and tail lights similar to Kris Horton's green concept.

Very well done. Much better without the watermarks now. The only thing I would suggest, and this is very general...It would have been nice to see cues from other gens. I put down that it exceeded my expectations.

Can't wait till January to see the real thing!!

I really like the concept. Can't wait to see it in metal. The only thing that I'm a bit unsure about is the rear. There's just something not right there imo.


-Mike

Speaking of that old style design, I wonder if the drag coefficient would take a hit.

Without seeing the underside, I'd say it will to some extent. You've got a high positioned open area across the front in addition to a long, horizontal hood and those deep set rear vents. None of that is as sleek as the 3rd and 4th gens.

i voted I was expecting better because from what I had heard about it - it was supposed to be the greatest thing since sliced bread. Well I liked EVERYTHING about it except the rear end. Even though the overhang looked correct, by the body lines it looked like someone had taken a sawsall and chopped a significant piece of the rear end off because the body lines on the side just kind of end - it looks incomplete. The grossly streched (top to bottom) bumper with no depth, nasty tailights, and lack of any type of a spoiler only further degrades my feelings about the rear fascia. The exhaust tips didnt bother me much, but they dont say "camaro" to me either... in fact nothing about that rear end says "camaro" to me. (just to clarify, the rear quarters do, Im liking the overall design there minus the fact they seem chopped off) That, if anything, is what i would like to see improved for NAIAS. The rear end looks like it just 'wasnt done' and im praying im right on that.

AGAIN - i stress that i am DROOLING when it comes to the rest of the car, the rest of it is about what i wanted to see - a little strong on the retro, but thats OK by me because it looks good which is what is most important to me.

Edit: another thing i dont like, but I know wont change is the gold bowtie on the back. I dont know why but I think the Gold bowties only look right on trucks, i feel they look cheap on cars. A blue or red bowtie would look so much better IMO.

I think 'undewrwhelmed' best sums up my first impression Even though I tried to keep my expectations from getting stratospheric after waiting 4 years, I'm still feel like "That's all?"

I'd really love to see a rear fascia treatment and tail lights similar to Kris Horton's green concept.
I agree. The rear is a mess IMO. It is a concept though.

I like the progress so far and look forward to the show car.

If the grille is giong to look like that, is there a possiblity of hide-away head lights?

I agree. The rear is a mess IMO. It is a concept though.

A complete mess. And since theoretically, that's the view we'll want everyone to have (esp, Mustang and Challenger)......I'd like it to look awesome.

I can't make a judgement off the only pic I have seen so far.....

What an awesome Christmas gift.

Thanks GM! :D

It was better than I expected. I was thinking something along the lines of the G&G picture that Crispey had last year which I thought was too rounded off and not mean enough. This is MUCH better. Its got enough modern flair to offset the retroness of it. I was afraid GM would make it a slab sided hunk of car like the new Mustang which has no sexy curves or lines IMHO.

Well, I want to reserve judgement until I see the real thing.....

But I was expecting better.

Yeah, that pretty much sums me up, too. While looking better IMO than the Challenger or the Mustang, there's isn't really one panel I wouldn't touch. The vents on the sides need to go, the nose needs to be softened, and the tailights look plain squashed. But they got the stance right, the silhouette right, and I do like the character lines and wheel arches on the sides (save for the lower character line).

Again, I will wait until I see it in person...but I expected less retro. If Camaro came out just like that in '08 or '09, the press and enthusiasts in general will welcome it back, but will have a field day with the "me-too" nature of going retro...

I love it, i own a 69 camaro and while there are similaraties it isn't full blown retro. I will be first in line when it's available.

Better than I expected, but I wasn't expecting much.

I think a completely modern attractive design would be a MUCH better tribute to old revered nameplates than simply dredging up a bunch of old outdated design cues and cashing in on nostalgia. But this is definitely MUCH better neuvo-retro than the Mustang IMO. Looks good. I still prefer '93-'97 styling, though:)

If it comes in at or below 3400 lb. (snowball's chance), This looks good enough that I'd definitely be in the market for one.

First I would like to say Hello to everyone, I am brand new to the site and very impressed by both the site and the concept photo. The first impressions reminded me of how I felt the first time I saw the origonal 1967 Camaro. Love at first sight. I cannot wait to buy one. I would also like to thank all the extremely hard working people within GM who pushed for it's return. The future of GM truly looks incredible.

It was basically what I expected, in that I knew it would be 1st gen inspired, but not a blatant copy. I did not expect to be disappointed nor did I expect to be blown out of the water with excitement.