Late to the Party...Pontiacman's take on the Camaro "Concept"

As some of you know, I was one of the 250 lucky enough to be invited to Detroit to witness the unveiling of the Camaro. As a few of you know, when I got off the plane I stepped into a literal hell regarding my now-ex girlfriend. The only reason I haven't been on here babbling up the ying yang about it since getting off said plane is because I've been dealing with so much crap since then, waxing poetic about the concept has taken a back seat...

Until now :D

Here's Pontiacman's top 10 list of "gotta have it" features about the new Camaro. In no particular order...

1) The sides are perfect

2) I am in the minority, but the rear to me is perfect. MAYBE truly round tailights would help it visually, and I realize the exhaust tips will not make production. But I love the rear.

3) The stance is perfect. Low, WIDE, and mean. When Lutz drove the car up on the stage, my first thought was "damn, that thing is WIDE" :D Personally, I love a look and feeling of width in a car. The fact this car is about 5" wider than a Vette blows my mind...I love it. However, I will say one thing...my 70 or 71" wide 4th gen barely fits in my garage now, as its rather small. A 5th will NOT fit in this garage, and allow me to still be able to get out of the car!!! Therefore, I'd have to get storage for this car...just something to mention if GM people are reading this. Love the width, but question the real-world implications of it, combined with its beautifully sexy wide, long doors...

4) Did I mention yet how pictures just do it no justice? How it is flat sexy in person?

5) The seats are awesome! Keep the orange stitching!

6) While I question the legibility of them, I love the gagues in the console. Obviously, they won't be silver with orange needles if/when they hit production (they look terrible in the concept), but I love the look. My only question is, how easy will they be to read? Its the only retro touch about the inside I like...

7) The wheels are awesome. Obviously, 21s and 22s will not hit production...but if we could have those wheels on at least 1 model, on a smaller scale? Wow :D Love 'em...

8) Interestingly, I can see where this car could be a hatchback in production. Look at the rear views of the car, and how the rear window is setup. I can see where it LOOKS like a coupe, but they can make it a hatch? Will they?? I'm not saying :D Just dropping a hint...for the record, I woud LOVE for this car to be a hatch.

9) The additions of the rear spoiler and the vent over the grille really added to the overall affect of the car, when compared to the leaked pictures. Don't fiddle with the outside. Leave it. The nose was the one thing I wasn't crazy about, but I've grown used to it...and I realize most people love it.

10) Yes, its true...hardtops are sweet :) I like no 1/4 windows...BUT...

(now for the short list of things I don't like...)

1) How will those 1/4 windows work with t-tops or a targa? How will it look? Will the structure be strong enough? I will go on record and say that if it comes down to living with a B Pillar OR having no t-tops? B Pillar can be added, for sure. I need t-tops. I live with the top off my car. A Camaro without t-tops will be a serious dissappointment to many, as they're a Camaro trademark. And if the Mustang is going to have them, the Camaro will REALLY look silly without them...

2) Wouldn't it have been even cooler if the Camaro concept had a targa or t-tops?

3) The entire dashboard needs to run away and hide. The console is cool, the seats are great, the door panels look great, but that dash reminds me of George Jetson. Its awful. Give me a MODERN dash to go with that car, and sign me up tomorrow.

That's it, gentlemen. I'm back on the boards, so I look forward to hearing people's responses. And to all those people who dropped me an email or an IM regarding the personal issues, I sincerely appreciate it. Scott wasn't kidding when he said once that the Camaro really has brought people together.

I'd like to give a belated thank you to Scott for inviting me...it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, to say the least.

Good to see you back, bud.

I agree with most of this... I for one would rather see the tailights stay the way they are though...The rear looks cool. It's the front that I feel could use a bit of work :shrug:

Thanks for the write-up!

If you haven't been checking in, look for the threads on t-tops. There are a couple good photochops circulating with a hatchback and t-tops that I'm sure you'd like to see.

8) Interestingly, I can see where this car could be a hatchback in production. Look at the rear views of the car, and how the rear window is setup. I can see where it LOOKS like a coupe, but they can make it a hatch? Will they?? I'm not saying :D Just dropping a hint...for the record, I woud LOVE for this car to be a hatch.i would sell any body part to buy one if they did that.

Good to see you back, bud.

Thanks Charlie...I sincerely appreciate it. No one who met me from here would have known it, but I was NOT my usual self in Detroit. I had a feeling something was up...its amazing how you think you know someone...anyway, enough of that crap :)

Anyway, yeah...I will look for the photo chops with t-tops. I am sure I probably added little value by creating this post, but I at least wanted to take the time and give yet another perspective of the car. It was great to have Scott invite me out to Detroit, and even better to meet everyone. Like I said, despite my homecoming tarnishing the fun of the Detroit visit, that trip was worth every penny, and is something I'll never ever forget.

Its nice to see you back, I was wondering what happened to you as you post regularly.

Long story short...my live-in girlfriend of 2 1/2 years was removed from my home within 6 hours of me getting off the plane. While the cat was away, the mouse sorta played...and since then I've been dealing with the baggage left over. Things are looking really bright, though. Getting out, meeting new people, and man...this house is like a tomb, its so quiet :D Sorry to get off topic...but yeah, it wasn't much fun yapping on here when my mind was completely elsewhere. I'd check the board every couple days and leave a post or two, but this is my first real thread since before Detroit. I have catching up to do :D

Good to see you posting again..... I hope your home front returns to a state of normality as soon as possible..

That said...

I pretty much agree with everything you posted....

I just cant emphasize enough how much I want a modern dash...

Good to see you posting again..... I hope your home front returns to a state or normality as soon a possible..


I'm an extremely mellow person...she was not. Its been hard enough owning your own home while being pretty young (bought it at 23, almost 26 now) without having someone consistently crabbing at you about something while you're completely re-doing it. Its pretty much back to normal now, as its been a few weeks without her around (she was only here for about 9 months of my 2 years of ownership). Actions since breaking up have made it almost too easy to get over her!!!!!

(Anyone got a cute sister or friend in the Western MA or CT area??? PM me :D....I'll never learn...)

Hey man, I'm a newbie to the board but not to Camaros. I wish I could' ve been there. I will see it in Atlanta. Good commentary. I agree, they should leave the outside alone! That rear looks great. And you need to clean out your garage or enlarge because that width is KILLER! Man I hope they do not mess with that. That rear with those haunches kind of reminds me of an old Testarossa which to me was about the meanest looking Ferrari ever. Hey, and sorry about your personal troubles. I have known the feeling! Women will kill you but only if you let them. This too shall pass dude.

1) How will those 1/4 windows work with t-tops or a targa? How will it look? Will the structure be strong enough? I will go on record and say that if it comes down to living with a B Pillar OR having no t-tops? B Pillar can be added, for sure. I need t-tops. I live with the top off my car. A Camaro without t-tops will be a serious dissappointment to many, as they're a Camaro trademark. And if the Mustang is going to have them, the Camaro will REALLY look silly without them...

I imagine the T-tops would be forward of the 1/4 windows if it got them. It would look better with the targa/t-tops out and rear 1/4 windows down than a b pillar. It would give the roof a canopy effect comming forward from the rear. Hotrod look. T-Tops say Camaro, but so do 1/4 windows. Id gladly ditch the T-Tops to keep them personally. Targa would be nice, but not at the expense of 1st gen 1/4 windows.


2) Wouldn't it have been even cooler if the Camaro concept had a targa or t-tops?

If they could work it without loosing the 1/4's I rarely used my T-tops other than on vacation at the beach. Glad you got a chance to go see it. Id really like to see it in person myself.

Here ya go...to save you some time...

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/6919/camarotopsandhatch1vj.jpg

Welcome back from a noob. :D Likewise hope things get better for you home-wise. And that was a good commentary on the concept. I just have one question, and I'm not trying to be smart, this question comes from real ignorance; What is great about hatchbacks? Is it the storage? I've owned 4 Camaros, and while I have a little experience, I'm still by no means that smart when it comes to them. Is it the availability to store things, or some other reason I've overlooked?

Why not a blacked out B-piller?

You know, for once in several decades...GM really made the effort to push the envelope with this car. The above version just makes it look like another mediocre 1990's GM product. IMO.

If t-tops are going to water down the whole deal...just forget them. And I think I'd prefer a trunk as well.

You know, for once in several decades...GM really made the effort to push the envelope with this car. The above version just makes it look like another mediocre 1990's GM product. IMO.

If t-tops are going to water down the whole deal...just forget them. And I think I'd prefer a trunk as well.



agreed, 100%

and I love my t-tops.

No t-tops, to me, IS making this product more mediocre. The ONLY thing to me that is really flawed in the concept, aside from the putrid IP, is no apparent availability of t-tops. I have owned 3 F bodies. All had t-tops. I REALLY, REALLY do not want a 5th gen without t-tops. I know some people here don't see the need for them.

Personally, I don't see the need to NOT have them...just my .02.

Hey man, glad to see you are back! I also ran into some of the same problems you did, so I feel your pain.

Anyway, as we talked at the show, I deffinatly agree with you. I wish that the interior was more cockpit designed, and all the guages were layed out around the driver, like every generation since 69.
I also think that the rear could very easily be a hatchback. I noticed that the trunk opeing is very small, you would have to load things in longways, and then move them around in the trunk. They could keep that design, and just hinge the glass, and not the trunk. Would add a lot of flexablity to the car, soemthing that could be used on a daily basis.
I would also like to see circular tail lights, and not semi circular, full circle.
And we talked about, I would like to see a targa top design. Only problem is storage, but I think that attaching to the back of the rear seats, like the Avalanch's glass does, would be awesome.

good to see you back Jason!

glad to hear everything is getting better around the house.

great commentary on the car, totally agree with most of what you said, except the t-top hatch thing, but that's just my opinion.



and if your looking for a chick.....come on down to Jersey.....me, Al, and the guys from NJFBOA can hook you up ;) :D

Here ya go...to save you some time...

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/6919/camarotopsandhatch1vj.jpg

Oh look, I found the long lost cousin:

http://www.gmphotostore.com/images/53217365_pr.jpg

Now please, let this hatch glass thing DIE!!!! :death:

Oh, good to have you back Jason!

Now please, let this hatch glass thing DIE!!!! :death:




That's the Camaro Aero coupe!

You know, for once in several decades...GM really made the effort to push the envelope with this car. The above version just makes it look like another mediocre 1990's GM product. IMO.

If t-tops are going to water down the whole deal...just forget them. And I think I'd prefer a trunk as well.

Sadly, I agree. I've been wailing for T-top availability for a while now, GM has made a killing on the option since at least 1982 and I love them...but some of these chops, especially the above...:no: They look kinda goofy and throw off a lot of the lines on the car. If they weren't "baked into" the design from the very beginning they just won't look right.

i absolutely love my t-tops.. but they are a thing of the past.. i love the new concept car, but i don't see how t-tops would work with it.. the chop above just doesnt look right imo..

t-tops had their time, i do not mind that this car does not have, and probably will not have, t-tops.. it doesnt bother me one bit, as much as i love having them in my 4th gen

i could get by with a sun roof no problem, and of course, there will always be a convertable

Can someone 'shop that 'top so that the outter edge, the part where the window rolls up into, is painted body color? The outer frame of the t-top, like where the late 70's cars were all silver I think. That would improve the look a ton.

That's the Camaro Aero coupe!

:lol:

So true....