Just back from Detroit!!!!!!!!

Just got back from Detroit. What a blast! I got to meet and shoot the bull with lots of people from this great site. Finally can put faces with so many of my e-buddies.

I'll tell you guys something, last night at the GM Heritage Center, we saw a brief video of Camaro, it's heritage and the Concept. It gave me freaking goosebumps...I'm not kidding!

Today at the unveiling, Chevy had plenty of 1st gen lineage on hand, including Smokey Yunick's awesome 1968 Trans Am Z/28 and Roger Penske's 1969 Trans Am Camaro. WOW!

Ok, I'm sure most of you have seen the presentation...so allow me to give you my up close and personal Camaro Concept impressions.

The concept is stunning from various angles...as you all can see. But the people I spoke to at GM said it was VERY important for us to speak out now, if there are some things that we didn't like...so here goes:

The interior. I'm sorry, I just don't like it. I spoke to some of the interior design people both today and yesterday, and I just didn't have the heart to tell them up front. A failure on my part. As far as I'm concerned the SUPER-retro IP, dash, and console/shifter must go, and be replaced a modern design.

The rear fascia/tail lights looked better to me in person, but I'd still prefer simpler round tail lights personally..and some slimming down of the beefy rear.

The rear fender vents when combined with those door coves have a very Mustang look. I think it looks too busy as well. Maybe that can be cleaned up.

Ok, let me go see my family for awhile and I'll be back.

Good to hear your views. Of all people, I thought maybe you'd be a hard sell. You've always been very particular about this.

It seems a lot of folks agree with you on the interior. I dislike it as much as I like the exterior. I don't see how that would ever translate to production.

Question...When you get a chance go back and look at the video on GMtv. They show a shot of a couple of Camaro enthusiasts in the crowd. Just wondering who that might've been.

More modern, clean, tasteful interior, ditch the knight rider grille thingy, not feeling the grille, and the tail lights-maybe make them more of a slot design as on the '69 camaro and the '67 firebirds. Overall though, I think this car looks killer. I really hope they dont wait til 2009 to build this car. Thats way too far away to stay competetive and in this new Muscle Car Game. We need it now.

Eric

The interior. I'm sorry, I just don't like it. I spoke to some of the interior design people both today and yesterday, and I just didn't have the heart to tell them up front. A failure on my part. As far as I'm concerned the SUPER-retro IP, dash, and console/shifter must go, and be replaced a modern design.



How do you tell those people that the interior is awful? I wouldn't have done it either. I really would have liked to talk to some of the designers though. That would have been a real highlight for me.

Charlie basically summed up my views, judging by the pictures. The interior needs a complete redesign (I think we're almost universal here) and the tail lights and grill need a second look. I'm most interested to see those rear quarters and how "busy" they really are.

I havent seen the inside...but a retro interior I think it just plain stupid no matter how good it looks.

Will the interior live past the concept?

The interior is great for a "look what I can do" concept. It'll never make it to production like that. I still liked it as did my Fiancee. The rest of the car I totally love with the exception of the scoop on the nose. It looks out of place with the cowl hood. Pick one or the other, not both. Beyond that I loved the entire rest of the car. I thought from the pics I had seen there would be other things I'd not care for. It's AWESOME looking in person. Definately a lot of lines and angles going on, something the smooth 4th gens' don't have much of. I'm still bouncing up and down with excitement from seeing it! I can't WAIT to buy one!!!
There were so many people there that I only got to meet a few and talk to some that I already knew. I wish I could have been at the hotel tonight when Scott dropped by but I had to get home to the other side of the state. Still an awesome time and thanks to Scott for doing all he did for us!

I havent seen the inside...but a retro interior I think it just plain stupid no matter how good it looks.

Will the interior live past the concept?

I can tell you that the interior - especially the IP - was not very well received at all. A GM rep told me it was not set in stone.

Charlie, it was good to meet you last night. Glad you made it home safe and sound.

I'm still @ the Hotel tonight and fly out first thing tomorrow.

What a freakin' blast!!!!!!!!!

I can tell you that the interior - especially the IP - was not very well received at all. A GM rep told me it was not set in stone.


Thats great news...at the end of the day the interior is what you spend most of the time in. It would be a shame to have such a beautiful exterior and then get inside something nasty. AGAIN I havent seen it...but I trust your views on this Charlie ;)

The interior. I'm sorry, I just don't like it. I spoke to some of the interior design people both today and yesterday, and I just didn't have the heart to tell them up front. A failure on my part. As far as I'm concerned the SUPER-retro IP, dash, and console/shifter must go, and be replaced a modern design.


You and I see eye-to-eye on many fronts... that's scarey!!! ;)

I think the interior is a let-down for an otherwise stunning concept vehicle.

Message to GM, keep the large wheels.

Charlie, it was good to meet you last night. Glad you made it home safe and sound.

I'm still @ the Hotel tonight and fly out first thing tomorrow.

What a freakin' blast!!!!!!!!!

Good to meet you as well Chris. Last night was a blast!

The interior. I'm sorry, I just don't like it. I spoke to some of the interior design people both today and yesterday, and I just didn't have the heart to tell them up front. A failure on my part. As far as I'm concerned the SUPER-retro IP, dash, and console/shifter must go, and be replaced a modern design.

The rear fascia/tail lights looked better to me in person, but I'd still prefer simpler round tail lights personally..and some slimming down of the beefy rear.

The rear fender vents when combined with those door coves have a very Mustang look. I think it looks too busy as well. Maybe that can be cleaned up.

Ok, let me go see my family for awhile and I'll be back.


Charlie, one thing I forgot to ask you (it was only a 5hr ride back) what did you think of the air scoop? I think it should go. I also think the rear fascia could be improved but I'd like to see some rectangular LED lights instead of the round lamps..

Interior is a definite no go. Exterior front is too pointy , bring it in a bit. cowl hood out of place. sides are o.k., still thinking about it. rear lights need to be a bit bigger and not round.

Charlie, one thing I forgot to ask you (it was only a 5hr ride back) what did you think of the air scoop? I think it should go.

Is it there for functional reasons? Is so it should remain... if not, then your suggestion sounds fine by me.

Charlie, one thing I forgot to ask you (it was only a 5hr ride back) what did you think of the air scoop? I think it should go. I also think the rear fascia could be improved but I'd like to see some rectangular LED lights instead of the round lamps..


I'm not sure. I don't really love it. As you know, I don't like alot of doo-dads and gimmicky details. One thing that I noticed on the Challenger today is, that it's a very clean design, without alot of busy details.

And I agree, the rear fascia can use some tweaking.

I'm not sure. One thing that I noticed on the Challenger today is, that it's a very clean design, without alot of busy details.


I love the Challenger but I just can't believe how friggen HUGE it is (it kind of reminded me of a Plymouth Satillite).

Charlie nice to meet you as well. Glad you had a safe trip as well. Dunno how you would tell those guys the interior just didn't cut it, but I have to agree that while its nice, and I LOVE the seats, the rest just didn't do it for me. As for suggestions... I need to sit and gather my thoughts first, but I know thats not what I really want for my interior.

But the people I spoke to at GM said it was VERY important for us to speak out now, if there are some things that we didn't like.... Okay then, please pass this on for me. :D

1) I LOVE the scowling rear tail light treatment. Keep it and keep the subtle duck tail spoiler.

I DO NOT LIKE the oversized ricer wannabe exhaust outlets.

2) I LOVE the bulging rear fenders. Leave it.

I DO NOT CARE for the gills slits. Don't really hate 'em but I would like a cleaner look. (unless of course you would like to make them functional on a road course burning Z28 model ;) )

3) I LOVE the glowering front end INCLUDING the grill and headlights.

I HATE HATE HATE that air inlet slit.

4) I LOVE the wheel design.

I DO NOT CARE for the cowl hood. It actually looks a bit out of place. It's as if that and the inlet slit were added at the last minute.

5) I ABSOLUTELY DESPISE the interior.

How about a modern / heritage cockpit to match the modern / heritage exterior?

6) While I LOVE how the fender top gas cap looks, holding the hose away from the fender would get old fast.

Please move the gas cap down to the side.


Keep the creases. Keep the edges. Keep the arches. Keep everything else. Great job guys.

Now about the projected curb weight.....

Okay then, please pass this on for me. :D

1) I LOVE the scowling rear tail light treatment. Keep it and keep the subtle duck tail spoiler.

I DO NOT LIKE the oversized ricer wannabe exhaust outlets.

2) I LOVE the bulging rear fenders. Leave it.

I DO NOT CARE for the gills slits. Don't really hate 'em but I would like a cleaner look. (unless of course you would like to make them functional on a road course burning Z28 model ;) )

3) I LOVE the glowering front end INCLUDING the grill and headlights.

I HATE HATE HATE that air inlet slit.

4) I LOVE the wheel design.

I DO NOT CARE for the cowl hood. It actually looks a bit out of place. It's as if that and the inlet slit were added at the last minute.

5) I ABSOLUTELY DESPISE the interior.

How about a modern / heritage cockpit to match the modern / heritage exterior?

6) While I LOVE how the fender top gas cap looks, holding the hose away from the fender would get old fast.

Please move the gas cap down to the side.


Keep the creases. Keep the edges. Keep the arches. Keep everything else. Great job guys.

Now about the projected curb weight.....

Afew people gave me their business card wanting feedback, but someone told me that if you want your opinion heard to post here: http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/

BTW, I really, rrrealllly, rrrrreally, got the impression that they 'get' the Z/28 thing... :D

BTW, I really, rrrealllly, rrrrreally, got the impression that they 'get' the Z/28 thing... :D Charlie, of all the great news...that's the best yet.

Hmm, that is perhpas the worst news you could have brought back. Good thing there is always the Challenger ;)

BTW, I really, rrrealllly, rrrrreally, got the impression that they 'get' the Z/28 thing... :D


did you remember to mention the slash???????

:bow:

Hmm, that is perhpas the worst news you could have brought back. Good thing there is always the Challenger ;)

I think that I just posted this in another thread...If you accept the Challenger's size, it is extremely badass. :bow:

Hmm, that is perhpas the worst news you could have brought back. Good thing there is always the Challenger ;)


man that tattoo is gonna look sweeeeet on your arm! :D :p

:death: :death: :death: :death: :death: :death: Billy, die! :D

:death: :death: :death: :death: :death: :death: Billy, die! :D


all in good fun :D

right now i could care less what model ends up where, i'm just happy today even happened!

Oh definitely, just playing, mostly for Charlie's benefit! If I can get a 425- 500 hp Camaro, they can call it the RS as the top model.

Oh definitely, just playing, mostly for Charlie's benefit! If I can get a 425- 500 hp Camaro, they can call it the RS as the top model.


:lol: no no no.....don't start that again, Charlie will be talking about his Camaro LT with the vinyl roof and wire hubcaps.

Introduciing the 500 hp Camaro Berlinetta, the luxury muscle car for 2010! ;) :)

Introduciing the 500 hp Camaro Berlinetta, the luxury muscle car for 2010! ;) :)


i could see the digital dash now :eek:

I liked the interior once we saw real pictures of it. Not the yellow color, but the design is great to me. And I love the tail lights too... Well I love the whole car. I want to touch it.... and lick it... and play with its... oh wait, other people might read this. I'd buy it just the way it is, stop trying to get them to change things on it. Why cant you guys just love it for who it is? Some Camaros you guys are. (get it, Camaro means comrade or pal?) Alright, its late and Im going to bed. It was a wonderful day that I will not soon forget. Im going to go to sleep and have LS2 Camaro dreams now. Happy re-birthday Camaro. I love you.

He has the right to say it's garbage and will suck GM down into the abyss if it's gets released, more power to him.

I think alot of people with similar opinions will warm to the car when seen in reality, on the road with other rides, and as they just get used to the fact this is what it will be... And I certainly hope it doesn't fail and get killed off again or never made.

GM has been putting outragous interiors in concept cars the last few years that turn into something else in production. Most Notably, the G6 concept. Also not that there was not one peice recognizable of production GM switchgear in the car..and there is nothing in there I can see being made in 2009. The guages on the console almsot certainly will go...and I really think the interior will be toned back alot! Remember....this will be the cheapest car on the architecture...it is no getting too many of its own peices inside.

GM has been putting outragous interiors in concept cars the last few years that turn into something else in production. Most Notably, the G6 concept. Also not that there was not one peice recognizable of production GM switchgear in the car..and there is nothing in there I can see being made in 2009. The guages on the console almsot certainly will go...and I really think the interior will be toned back alot! Remember....this will be the cheapest car on the architecture...it is no getting too many of its own peices inside.

It's the whole concept of the showcar IP/dash design that needs to be changed I think. Not just toned down for production.

Nice meeting you BTW, Branden.

It's the whole concept of the showcar IP/dash design that needs to be changed I think. Not just toned down for production.



I agree.

I agree on the interior. However I think round tail lights would look out of place on the concepts sharp, chisled body.

I just wanted to add one more thing.

I met people this weekend (from GM), who really understood what a Camaro is - and should be. People who put pressure on planning and marketing to get a ponycar. Without them, it would have been all too easy for GM to have made a RWD Monte Carlo and 'slap' a Camaro emblem on it.