Is the United States Camaro Club still in existence?

P.S. - Never mind, its now the Worldwide Camaro Club.
http://www.worldwidecamaroclub.com/

 

I have worked some WWCC events as a matter of fact. Fun times.

A few that come to mind also was Indianapolis at the speedway where we did a ride and drive on part of the F-1 course. Events at the Tech Center, morning previews at car shows for Camaro fans, morning preview at NAIAS for the ZR1 unveil, F-Body Gatherings in Atlanta.

For Corvette fans we have what I think is the best Corvette Corral location of any track. It's absolutely worth the expense for that rental, but trust me...it ain't cheap by any stretch.

Can we do more and do better? Sure, and we intend to.

I'll give a little hint though... it's tough to justify the gestures if what we have offered in the past and continue to do is seen as "nothing" or half-hearted.

My goodness... we were doing things for Camaro when there wasn't even a car in production.

Herding cats. Maybe our cars don't appeal to lock steppers...

PLUS...

We like cats, what can I say.

 

All efforts are appreciated Paul. The Indy event was great with first class support from GM and especially you, Scott, John, Cheryl, Al and all the rest of the Camaro team.

 

 

So, we've established that you likely started following cars in the early 90s and your mom drove an '84 Escort and wishes she had bought a Mustang.

And out of that, you deduced that 7-10 years before you were born and at least 15 years before you got into following cars, people were actually spending alot of time deciding if they wanted a Escort or a Mustang...er...Pinto... or a Mustang, right?


So....... I guess you didn't post this.......

Don't recall there being an Escort "from the Mustang II to the 5.0" out side of 1981. Since the new 5.0 came out in late '81, perhaps you mean that for model year 1981 people crossshopped the Mustang and Escort???

I see this debate has drifted from your proclamation of what people bought in the 1970s and distorted memories to the 1980s and arguing people into submission. I suspect we'll drift to the 1990s soon and I'll have some other ailment if I tear holes into something that's based far more on opinion that what really took place. At this rate, I'll be terminal by the time we drift into the 2000s.


Again, fact is that not many people strained too many brain cells trying to decide if they wanted a 2 door, sporty looking, rear wheel drive pony car with a long continuous history, performance reputation, and name equity or a sub-compact, front wheel drive, 4 cylinder, economy car that looked in many ways like the other boxy, sensible, economy cars of the day. That happened no more back then between Mustang & Escort & Pinto than it happens between Mustang and Focus today.

Truth is, the world is full of people who bought Escorts, Focuses, Cobalts and Cavaliers who would have rather bought Mustangs and Camaros, but didn't for practical or economic reasons. And that's where the term "Market Segments" come in and what the whole concept of it is based on. A Cobalt buyer may want a Camaro, but buys a Cobalt. Your mom may have wanted an Mustang but bought an Escort. People may want a Corvette, but buy a Camaro... or even a Cobalt.

Crossshopping involves 2 similar vehicles that a person would actually buy.

Crossshopping does not involve wanting one vehicle, but settling on something completely different that better fills their need and what they are willing to spend.

Assuming your mom bought that Escort brand new off the showroom floor in late 1983 or in 1984, you were still at most still a toddler in diapers. I'm sure that played at least a small part role in her decision not to get a sporty Mustang, and instead get the more practical Escort. Again, that's hardly cross shopping.

To throw you a bone, starting in the mid 90s, people did crossshop sporty looking Pontiac Grand Am coupes with sporty looking, same external size Mustangs.

 

Charlie,
I've been in MCA since 1984. They are going places in the last few years that were only dreamed of in the 1980's.

Ford lists the MCA and recommends joining in their Mustang Brochures and in the paperwork for the car at purchase. (Trying to make a 1-year membership included with purchase but not there yet).

Ford gives money to the MCA as a sponsor, and co-promotes events with MCA - That's HUGE these days.

Ford advertises in the MCA magazine (not a newsletter mind you, but a full-out, full-color magazing on glossy paper). They usually have 2-4 full page ads or a centerfold ad, and they pay rates for it.

The MCA is now providing insurance for all MCA-sanctioned events, including driving schools and track events. This is a big part of club spending, but it is reaping rewards in membership and participation.

MCA sponsors local shows through local clubs as well. Any chartered local club can inform the MCA of an organized show, and will get a show kit which includes handouts, samples of anything and everything from waxes to actual parts, window decals, registration cards, show placards for the car, samples of the magazine, and gobs of other stuff. (Going to locals shows is like a pot-luck lunch at work - you never know what you'll get in the goody-bag!)

MCA has standardized their judging rules, and has several meetings/year by al judges to discuss and revise them if necessary. Rules are administered to all local clubs for local shows as well as the three national shows, and the one grand-national show held by MCA every year. This keeps judging consistent whether you go to a local show in Washington state or a Grand National show in Miami Florida. People like this - it's like going to McDonalds anywhere in the world and knowing your BigMac will pretty much taste like the one closest to your home.

MCA offers reduced rate car insurance through a few providers. In particular, Heacock Classic Car Insurance offers a great discout through MCA in which they will cover your classic and your daily driver both - at substantial discouts.

MCA offers a credit card with a few payback plans - you can get reduced rates or cash-back, etc. The deal MCA has with the card providers is they get a percent of totals spent on all the members' cards as a kick-back. The more we spend on it, the more MCA gets paid.

They offer a group-rate health insurance program.
They offer special programs, contests, and other things to youths under 15.
They are the best channel straight into Ford's design group.
They have almost all of Team Mustang in the club.
There are sections in the magazine written by people inside Ford, and there is typically an interview with some Mustang insider in every issue - like Roush, Shelby, Mark Fields, Bill Ford, Alan Mulally, John Clor, etc.

Wanna know who gets the club magazine and reads what we have to say?
Open this link for a dose of serious commitment from Ford... LINKY.


It goes on and on.

To YOUR point Charlie, I think you are right.

1fastdog makes a point about how forums are split to keep posters from infighting... very true. But isn't that true with ALL forums? And too - there is a BIG difference in website forums where 12-y/o's post under an alias and pretend to be 20-something with money, and an actual club or show where you are there with your actual car, in person, and talking to someone else face-to-face.

The MCA website is extremely civil, and their shows are utterly congenial to a fault. You CAN'T MEET A STRANGER at one - not possible. There is a special bond between you and the "other" person there that already exists before you even say "Hi". The absolute worst situation I have ever been in was a discussion about the Mustang II - some saying the MCA should not waste their time with judging classes and details for these cars because nobody wants to restore one. That is a rare case, and when there is a Cobra II or King Cobra driving onto the field, everyone still looks and comments, so it's only the few holdouts that are the wormy apples in the barrel.

I think a unified Camaro club that could provide governance and guidance for homologating the local clubs would do wonders for the car and it's followers. And who knows, maybe a club like that could be just the thing to help quell some of the disparity that exists between Z/28, Z28, and SS lovers. Should we bring up the people who have an F3 Berlinetta in their garage too?!?! I have wondered why there is no crowing about a Camaro club that operates on a national level... after reading a few posts in this thread, I'm starting to figure it out in a true light.

At the moment, I don't own one, but I'd help and join if there was one - just to support the car and the cause. I feel we need all the unified chanting we can rouse to get Ford and GM to make their Ponycars a little smaller and a little more affordable for the masses again - or they won't be making them much longer I'm afraid.

Count me in.

 

ProudPony,

Sounds like Mustang folks have a nice club to be involved with. Much of those situations depend on a small few to rally others.

I have run across such folks that have done similar sorts of things such as the C5-C6 Registry guys Jake and Dan.

I think enthusiasts should have their experience through their vehicle in the way that suits them.

If Camaro folks want a national all encompassing club? Someone will start it and all interested will join.

The reason for my response is to disagree with any notions that GM doesn't appreciate the enthusiast community of give a listening ear to what it's customers are wanting.

There's opinion and that can be as wide or narrow as the persons holding that opinion.
Not a thing wrong with that.

Then there's matters of fact. Just pointing out the facts as I see them.

 

Yep. More proof that GM listens to and appreciates it's enthusiast community is the fact that it's been dominating Ford in performance for the last couple of decades. GM hasn't been building all of these class leading performance cars for grandma.

 

I honestly did not read most of your post...because it is simply an argue into submission ploy. However..Mustang and Camaro are sub compacts...in right around the same class as Pinto, Escort, Cavalier, or whatever. Back in the day, on the lower level models, Camaro and Mustang cost right around what a competing subcompact/compact cost. My point is..it was much easier for someone shopping for a compact, or subcompact to get into a Mustang or Camaro than it is today. Because of that Mustang especially had a base of people who bought it simply as a commuter car that was also sporty. In 1984..my mom had a choice between a Mustang and Escort because they were in the same class..and had similar prices. THAT DOES NOT EXIST WITH TODAY's MUSTANG.

While you may know a lot Guy, you are not always right..no matter how much you want to argue it. It is funny that ProudPony has argued something similar..and did not get disected for being young and naive.

 

You're crazy. 4 cylinder mustang's were performance packed pony cars. How could anyone possibly compare them to an escort or pinto?

I think everyone here knows that 4 cylinder mustangs were once very common, and very commonly driven by the same type of people who would otherwise be in some kind of econobox but they prefered the image that a few extra bucks bought them (i.e. he did get the name equity part right)

And you're right that many other people have made this point, no idea why you're taking heat for it.

 

That's what I'm talking about Proud. That's the kind of national club I'd like Camaro to have one day. The Porsche Club of America, (PCA), is another fine national club which can be used as a template. I've gone to a couple of events with my brother in law (who is a member). Great, knowledgeable, friendly folks there too. All sorts of cool events, from detailing demonstrations from nationally renowned concourse winners, to open track events. Bear with me here, there's a Camaro connection ...
I have a friend who is really big in the PCA. One day, an '80 Bill Mitchell turbo Camaro, which I was familiar with, caught his fancy, (damn, I shoulda bought that car when I had the chance!!). So, he calls me to talk about it and asks me if it's worth the money. Me: "Yes Mike, it's worth it, buy it already!" Turbo smallblock. Real Minilites. Recaros. Very rare. One of two. Full Bill Mitchell suspension - it handles like it's on rails. So my friend buys this Camaro and takes it to PCA autocrosses - where - he has a blast with it!

I think a well organized national club would be very useful in providing some good homologation and guidance and most importantly, CONNECTION for local clubs. As far as any disparity on opinions between Z/28 and SS people, honestly I only seen that on the internet, never in person. And whatever friction there might be, is not the fault of the enthusiast IMHO. Not at all. See my previous posts in this thread on that matter.

Cool Proud.

Both of these cars NEED to get smaller, no doubt about it. Both of these cars NEED to get more appealing to a younger demographic - especially Camaro.

 

Wow! What does any of this have to do with the OP? Start another post to blab about pintos, escorts and washing machines.

 

Read something intersting about the coyote 5.0. VE at peak power is 98-100% and VE at peak torque is 108-110%, not to shabby, but I'm guessing its gonna blow for the N/A bolt on crowd and meaningful power increases.

 

How many cars come standard with headers? I wonder if this will goad GM into action adding the equivalent of headers and intake to the Camaro SS?

 

I've seen slightly lower figures in the PCM mapping for the LS 6L engines. VE at peak power is similar, torque is around 104% VE. Not sure it means that much, though.