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So, GM, Dodge allowed spy pics of Challenger, sooooo.....

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Old Nov 22, 2005 | 11:36 AM
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So, GM, Dodge allowed spy pics of Challenger, sooooo.....

Wheres the spy pics of the Camaro?????

HUH?????

C'mon... You know you want to ....
Old Nov 22, 2005 | 11:39 AM
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Re: So, GM, Dodge allowed spy pics of Challenger, sooooo.....

good luck!
Old Nov 22, 2005 | 11:43 AM
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Re: So, GM, Dodge allowed spy pics of Challenger, sooooo.....

This is one secret I hope GM can keep until Jan 9.

I'm looking forward to the suspense and nervous energy that we'll be feeling at the unveiling.
Old Nov 22, 2005 | 11:46 AM
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Re: So, GM, Dodge allowed spy pics of Challenger, sooooo.....

100% rumor -- There's a large rumor spreading throughout the GM district (from what I've been told) that a vehicle is under heavy guard in a building that has only seen 5-6 people leave or enter. If true, and if ya put two and two together on what vehicle would be under that heavy of a guard, that would mean the Camaro is here in Detroit already, a good month early.

Last edited by meissen; Nov 22, 2005 at 11:48 AM.
Old Nov 22, 2005 | 11:48 AM
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Re: So, GM, Dodge allowed spy pics of Challenger, sooooo.....

you probably have a better chance of kidnapping the easter bunny than you do of seeing ANY pics before Jan 9.
Old Nov 22, 2005 | 11:50 AM
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Re: So, GM, Dodge allowed spy pics of Challenger, sooooo.....

Maybe.... ....someone will snap a pic while it's being unloaded into Cobo?
Old Nov 22, 2005 | 11:56 AM
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Re: So, GM, Dodge allowed spy pics of Challenger, sooooo.....

Did Dodge "allow" those images?

Spy pics are not always a good thing. They can hurt the reaction because it brings in the "saw that before, now the thrill is gone" factor, which can be very detrimental to how the powers that be perceive the public reaction and can change outcome of the project and the course of the car's future. A new Camaro would need spontaneous feedback, and not be watered down by the time it would actually be unveiled. That is the last thing the car needs.
Old Nov 22, 2005 | 12:03 PM
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Re: So, GM, Dodge allowed spy pics of Challenger, sooooo.....

I agree with JasonD. I seriously doubt Dodge condoned or wanted the release. They would MUCH rather have a bunch of curiousity build up, then have a staged event with maybe some famous Challengers from the past as a stage backdrop (like the Ramchargers funny car maybe). Would give the initial spin more punch.



(courtesy http://www.gilchristbnw.com/GPC/FC-RamGallery.html )

Last edited by BigDarknFast; Nov 22, 2005 at 12:07 PM.
Old Nov 22, 2005 | 12:07 PM
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Re: So, GM, Dodge allowed spy pics of Challenger, sooooo.....

Gm will be bankrupt before the new camaro comes out. They need to be smart and merge with Toyota
Old Nov 22, 2005 | 12:09 PM
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Re: So, GM, Dodge allowed spy pics of Challenger, sooooo.....

Originally Posted by UtOhCop
Gm will be bankrupt before the new camaro comes out. They need to be smart and merge with Toyota

Old Nov 22, 2005 | 12:12 PM
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Re: So, GM, Dodge allowed spy pics of Challenger, sooooo.....

Originally Posted by JasonD
Did Dodge "allow" those images?

Spy pics are not always a good thing. They can hurt the reaction because it brings in the "saw that before, now the thrill is gone" factor, which can be very detrimental to how the powers that be perceive the public reaction and can change outcome of the project and the course of the car's future. A new Camaro would need spontaneous feedback, and not be watered down by the time it would actually be unveiled. That is the last thing the car needs.
That may be true, but if the Autoweek article reads correctly, the drawing image of Challenger was released by Dodge... so, even though it wasn't a photograph, they did spill the beans so to speak.
Old Nov 22, 2005 | 12:17 PM
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Re: So, GM, Dodge allowed spy pics of Challenger, sooooo.....

Detroit News did publish a cartoon apparently issued by Dodge... but that's a long way from an actual photo. It kind of reminds me of that Ford guy who took pix of the white 05 Mustang in his garage with the background blurred. No WAY would Ford want that to be the way potential buyers first see their product.

Maybe Dodge published the cartoon AFTER discovering there was no way to stop a clown from publishing the pix, or after they saw the pix themselves on the web? Might have been a damage-limiting move.... just look at the uncertainty folks are having about the poorly-lit front end in those pix.

Last edited by BigDarknFast; Nov 22, 2005 at 12:19 PM.
Old Nov 22, 2005 | 12:38 PM
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Re: So, GM, Dodge allowed spy pics of Challenger, sooooo.....

Originally Posted by JasonD
Did Dodge "allow" those images?

Spy pics are not always a good thing. They can hurt the reaction because it brings in the "saw that before, now the thrill is gone" factor, which can be very detrimental to how the powers that be perceive the public reaction and can change outcome of the project and the course of the car's future. A new Camaro would need spontaneous feedback, and not be watered down by the time it would actually be unveiled. That is the last thing the car needs.
Some makers "allow" pics of their cars to be taken. Not as official company policy, but to create buzz. The SN95 clay on a trailer is a classic example. Someone involved with the car tips off Jim Dunne or another photographer of the time & day a car will out and available, and presto. Remember those "spy" pictures of the Mustang (again) concept a few years ago? Yep. Staged.

There has been at least a dozen times I have been contacted by people who wanted me to carefully reveal something here and elsewhere. I'm not talking about low level people either. To think that people & businesses don't use the press' hunger for a story isn't realistic.


Take another look at both Challenger pictures. There's one of the front, and one of the rear. Both seemingly taken from long distance... and from precisely opposite positions. Perfectly giving a "teaser" front view, and a shadow free tail view.

If this was an actual "spy" photo, someone would have had to discreetly snap a picture of the car, then walk in a long semi-circle (out of view) to the other end and snap a picture from the exact same distance.... unnoticed... in a rural area.

There's also a spot light for promotional shots in the rear quarter picture (for press release pictures to go with the auto show unveiling).

After you consider all of this, ask yourself two questions:

1. Does Chrysler know GM is planing to show a Camaro at the autoshow, potentially stealing the show?
2. What's a good way to upstage the Camaro, before it's even shown?

This was a staged photo op for a connected "spy" photographer, just like the Mustang concept was.





As for Camaro, GM doesn't play this. Bob Lutz especially. He may tell you almost anything you want to know that he knows, but he'll bring the hammer down on anyone sneaking pictures or arranging for them to be taken.

Last edited by guionM; Nov 22, 2005 at 12:47 PM.
Old Nov 22, 2005 | 12:45 PM
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Re: So, GM, Dodge allowed spy pics of Challenger, sooooo.....

I agree with Jason. I know it's hard to wait, but releasing pics early does absolutely nothing to help the concept. We all know it's coming, and on January 9th, the world will know as well.
Old Nov 22, 2005 | 01:03 PM
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Re: So, GM, Dodge allowed spy pics of Challenger, sooooo.....

Originally Posted by pickardracing
Wheres the spy pics of the Camaro?????

HUH?????

C'mon... You know you want to ....

Why would there be spy shots? Chrysler employee's just got sloppy. Was there any spy pics of the Solstice before it was shown to the world?



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