Hypothetically speaking, as a designer on the new Camaro, I will be pushing for arguments for revolutionary design based on these following real word business examples:

-The Mustang is a romantic icon of Americana that is celebrated in all markets, enthusiats or not. Given this strength, you can get away with more styling wise.

-history speaks volumes that new, fresh innovative designs = increased market share: original 1930 Beetle, '55 Chevys, '56 (or '57, can't remember) T-Bird, original Mustang, '84 Mini-Van, '86 Tauus(and lesser extent '83 T-bird), '90 Miata. Outside of cars, the first Apples computers and then the iMacs, iPods, OXO measuring cups, the Aeron chair, Palm Pilots, Harley Davidson V-Rod, etc.

-do you think retro or 'heritage' design will still be 'en vogue' in 3-4 years?

So yes, I'll argue revolution until I'm blue in the face.

Now...I know the counter argument, I"ve heard it and butted heads with it over the last 3 years or so; as spoken by a marketing friend of mine over a year ago, "The market since 9/11 has grown an increasing attraction to products that remind them of 'better times', i.e. nostalgic or retro products." It's not just cars you see this; it's in fashion, movies and music.

Innovation and originality seem to be lost black arts.

My arguement here folks is living in the past (which you are doing with heritage or retro designs) will not make tomorrow any better. Is it the safe bet? No, but 'fortune favors the bold' they say.

Take the bull by the horns, show 'em something new that'll knock 'em on there asses!

 

BTW...I am prepared to face the fact my '98 will be the last Camaro I own (for a while).....

 

Folks, please don't think I'm a newbie. Been here since 1998. 49 years old and got my driver's license in 1972 and I've owned several versions (Chevy and Pontiac) of the first three gens.

My opinion on retro/heritage/evolutionary/revolutionary...

Goldie Hawn looked good in the late 1960s. Still does in my opinion.

Her daughter looks good now (can't think of her name---probably will in January).

I would still date Goldie (like that would happen) today, if given a chance.

Daughter is heritage of Goldie---not a copy.

Both look good and one is evolutionary.

One was revolutionary for her time and has aged well.

One looks great for modern times.

I wouldn't kick either one out of the sack for looking like the other.

Other great classic women come to mind. Don't know if they have daughters or not but the point applies.

Good looking is good looking, no matter the year.

Give the new Camaro a chance before passing judgement.

James M. Spear
jms

 

Put me in the the "i don't really care as long as it looks good" group.

Retro and evolutionary don't mean much if the final product is ugly. Retro and evolutionary don't also mean automatic sales success or failure. In the end, a simple good looking design and style is what it'll come down. And imo, how they arrive at that great style/design isn't as big a deal to me. Take the retro route, take the modern evolutionary route....i don't care. Just give me a distinctly camaro looking car that'll knock my socks off and turn heads left and right.

In the end, all that really matters is that it looks great.

 

I know what you’re getting at; I was just poking at ya.

I also respectfully disagree with concerning the 5th gens styling.

 

Ok I exaggerated the years a bit and ran with this.

Your right, it must be a success out of the gate.

It better just be an amazing design and not a straight up 69’ remake.

I’ve said my part and like someone stated this thread probably is a moot point since the styling is most certainly locked it already.

Don’t disappoint me GM

 

My guess is it won't for the majority of the people out there who would consider a Camaro in the first place. GM knows (I hope) that a car as iconic as the Camaro needs to make a styling statement to be successful (and hopefully they learned their lessons about the 4th gens usability) must also back up the style with world class engineering and quality control. If they don't, well the GTO is being reskinned (supposedly) in 2008, and there might be a Challenger worth looking at in 2009.

 

funny how all the retro haters claim they won't buy a future camaro if its retro.Like guy said,if it dosen't sell, it wont last long.You mean a 400hp LS2 camaro is not enough to keep you interested in camaro???You loved the 4th gen,but it was a terrible car to live with day to day.I hate even getting in my daughters '98.My '05 stang is so easy to live with.Seating(front) is roomy and comfortable,lots of headroom,a really BIG trunk with fold down seats.If the 5th gen comes close to this and gives 400hp who could possibly complain???

 

I've had my 1969 Camaro for over a year. It's my daily driver. The thing that has surprised me most about my car is the number of people who come up to me to tell me how much they like it--or in some cases, break a couple of laws to drive up next to me to give me the thumbs up. For example: the teenage boy who told me that my car was his dream car; the hot-as-tar young twentysomething girl who asked if my car was a Camaro and what year it was; the fiftiesh mother who said "Great car, my brother has a Camaro!" It happens all the time. I'm not exaggerating. My car doesn't just attract attention--it draws appreciation from a bunch of different people: men and women; teenagers and their parents; urban and suburban.

Personally, I just want the fifthgen to look awesome, retro or not. However, after driving this car around for a year it's clear to me that there currently is in this country a genuine appreciation for the firstgen, and the 1969 Camaro in particular. Is this a temporary sentiment? I don't know, but I doubt it. Consequently, I can understand why GM may make a 69-inspired fifthgen. If they build it right, my experience tells me that they could have a vehicle that would appeal to a large, diverse market.

 

happens to me all the time in my 97 as a matter of fact a bunch of little kids were yelling "nice car" the other day while i was at a stoplight (so i did a little burnout for them) i even had one ask if it was a corvette.

 

Actually, I thought the '68 SS was better looking than the '69.

 

I'm with you on that! "Better Off Dead"

 

Do you guys consider the C6 to be retro?

 

No its an evolutionary design with heritage cues

 

I just think it's very difficult to distinguish between retro, and what you describe above.