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Bel Air, Camaro Concept NAIAS

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Old Oct 12, 2005 | 09:20 AM
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Bel Air, Camaro Concept NAIAS

Well, January isn't very far away and with lots and lots of rumors flying it looks like this shows going to be a big one for GM.

The latest I have heard is that we are going to see a Bel Air, production ready based on the Zeta-L platform and we will also see a Camaro Concept also on said Zeta-L platform.

Also, the GMT900 trucks and 2008 GTO Concept (I assume on Zeta-L as well).

Any more news on this or rumors???
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 10:22 AM
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Re: Bel Air, Camaro Concept NAIAS

lol so now it's called Zeta-"L"???? ummmm No. Bel-Air? Hmmmm probably not.
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 11:08 AM
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Re: Bel Air, Camaro Concept NAIAS

Yeah, Zeta just wasn't cutting it for the company. We needed a name that was hip and trendy,that people would remeber. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you "Zeta -L"

*Golf clap

Old Oct 12, 2005 | 11:29 AM
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Re: Bel Air, Camaro Concept NAIAS

It's my own derivation of the N.A. Zeta program based on Sigma Light, LOL. Zeta-L. See I can be a GM exec. LOL

Anyhow, it's the buzz at GMI right now.

Bel Air
Camaro

on the North American Zeta platform.

Last edited by Chrome383Z; Oct 12, 2005 at 03:27 PM.
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 11:32 AM
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Re: Bel Air, Camaro Concept NAIAS

Word here is the concept Camaro will not be sitting on a production-intended platform, much like the Solstice concept was on a heavily modified J-car. I wouldn't be surprised to see the concept on some modified version of the current Sigma, but the real platform won't be unveiled until the production car is ready to go.
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 01:03 PM
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Re: Bel Air, Camaro Concept NAIAS

Originally Posted by Z28Wilson
Word here is the concept Camaro will not be sitting on a production-intended platform, much like the Solstice concept was on a heavily modified J-car. I wouldn't be surprised to see the concept on some modified version of the current Sigma, but the real platform won't be unveiled until the production car is ready to go.
Automobile the mag in the UK was reporting a Camaro concept based the Y-body. It sounds possible to me.
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 01:14 PM
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Re: Bel Air, Camaro Concept NAIAS

Originally Posted by 91_z28_4me
Automobile the mag in the UK was reporting a Camaro concept based the Y-body. It sounds possible to me.
Well, we were told not to expect what is under the sheetmetal of the concept to reflect in anyway what will be under the sheetmetal of the production car, so I could see this being possible as well.
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 01:29 PM
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Re: Bel Air, Camaro Concept NAIAS

Havent they done a Camaro on a y-body before as a 4th gen concept car or show car?
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 01:54 PM
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Re: Bel Air, Camaro Concept NAIAS

o
Originally Posted by graham
Havent they done a Camaro on a y-body before as a 4th gen concept car or show car?
The CORmaro is at the BG Corvette Museum....of course it was a Y-body under a F-body, but still kinda' fun.
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 02:33 PM
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Re: Bel Air, Camaro Concept NAIAS

Originally Posted by Doug Harden
o

The CORmaro is at the BG Corvette Museum....of course it was a Y-body under a F-body, but still kinda' fun.
I was at the museum last friday and I didn't see the Cormaro anywhere, trust me I was looking for ANYTHING that was unusual. I did see 5-6 XLR-Vs sitting outside though.
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 02:49 PM
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Re: Bel Air, Camaro Concept NAIAS

CORmaro was there during the BG Gathering...I have pics of it to prove it

Everyone else might want to read what Z28Wilson just wrote
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 03:17 PM
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Re: Bel Air, Camaro Concept NAIAS

Originally Posted by 91_z28_4me
I was at the museum last friday and I didn't see the Cormaro anywhere, trust me I was looking for ANYTHING that was unusual. I did see 5-6 XLR-Vs sitting outside though.
The CORmaro is (was?) in the museum. It was the develpment mule for the C5 about 10 years ago.


I'm not going to say it won't happen, and I won't discount the rumor (so don't take me as the final word on this), but I haven't recieved any indications that the "Belair" will be at NAIAS.

The reason why I'm not going to discount it despite having no late word is because GM DID have plans to have a number of Zeta based show cars at this year's show before they pulled NA-Zeta. GTO was part of the plans back then, as was a few other planned cars from Pontiac, Buick, and Chevrolet. I would imagine that GM would still show these cars (guzzied up, perhaps) as a "Design Study", instead of a veiled production preview which the cars would have been.

Chrysler had the Charger ready for the 2004 NAIAS along with the 300, but chose not to show the car until a few months before production the following year so it wouldn't take away from the 300. I can see GM doing the same thing with the "Belair".

BTW: A few words on the "Camaro" design study:

1. Whatever chassis is under the it, don't expect it to be the chassis that a production version would have.

2. Don't expect the design to be the final word. Expect the basics such as it's configuration, proportions, hardpoints, and "theme" to be indicative. But word is there's going to be quite a few cosmetic changes, most all of them already done.

3. "Zeta-L" is something that's been mentioned by Bob Lutz not too long ago, and posted here. "Zeta-lite" ring a bell?


Zeta is a technical term and components, NOT an actual chassis. A volume RWD chassis that can be made in different wheelbases and lengths is Zeta. Holden's is based on the VZ, ours is based on the Sigma.

Sigma is already a flexible structure, and was engineered that way. It underpins the CTS, the wider STS, and an SUV. Early on, it was also the basis of the 5th gen.

Sigma's problem (despite some opinions) is it's complex & expensive. If it wasn't for the STS and the SRX, the base CTS wouldn't be possible at $30K. The "Sigma/Zeta-lite" has alot of that expense taken out, but steel is cheaper but heavier than alumunum and struts cost less than SLAs or double wishbones.

When the new Commodore comes out, even though it's going to be essentially the same size, some people are going to be stunned at the weight gain the "modified sigma" IRS has over the modified trailing arm IRS.
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 06:37 PM
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Re: Bel Air, Camaro Concept NAIAS

We will see the Bel Air, it's just a matter of when. GM could hold the Bel Air back till NY to not take any of the limelight from Camaro.
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 06:59 PM
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Re: Bel Air, Camaro Concept NAIAS

I'm betting that whatever "Camaro" Concept is at NAIAS if at all, it will be based on the Concept SS.

I'm telling you the SS Concept was GM's way of showing us what a future "camaro" may look like.
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 07:07 PM
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Re: Bel Air, Camaro Concept NAIAS

I don't believe it is based on peoples comments here, but even so; That'd be GREAT! I loved that car...



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