Didn't Chevy slap "RS" on a few other mediocre cars in the 70's? I think they did, I just can't remember right now. (Damn old age. )

While I want "Z/28" to survive on the next gen Camaro, my personal ultimate Camaro is the 1967 RS/SS 396 drop-top.

 

But it started with the Camaro and who really remembers that RS?! RS was actually with the Camaro longer than SS.

 

Again true!

 

I for one remember that Camaro RS. It started as the 2nd gen Camaro with the 2 part front bumper, and the single big grille the 1998 Camaro nose was inspired by (I believe a yellow one stared in the movie "Gumball Rally")! I think those Camaros looked the best of the 2nd gen.

In the 1977 Camaro brochure there was a goregous white w/ flat black 2 tone with thin spoke wheel covers (not wire) on a field on one of the last pages. Right behind the Trans Am T/A 6.6, that was my favorite car way back then. Of course in 1978, they ruined it IMHO with gloss 2 tone in any color, and bigger more obnoxious stripes and name.

I never thought about the RS being around more years than the SS, but it is true.

 

When I think Camaro specific....

I think:
-Z/28
-
-
-
-Then.....
-RS
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-And way down here...
-SS

SS just reminds me of a generic sporty Chevy passenger car, more than Camaro.

 

As your poll shows, and as the market understands, Z28 = stripper performance, while SS = top of the line, fastest car available.

Give it up.

Not even the Camaro purists here think of the Z28 as anything more than a big motor in a base Camaro (note the poll), except for IZ28 - who has a serious SS inferiority complex.

Years and years of slug-like TBI and carburated 305's have given the Z28 it's inheritance in the market. Fast and cheap, but no SS.

 

PacerX,

A couple of questions.

Do you think that is the best strategy to sell 100,000 units annually?

Do you personally have any affinity for the Camaro SS name...or would you buy the most highly optioned Camaro, regardless of name?

BTW...I think your 4thgen SS stance, seems to balance out IZ28's, 3rd gen IROC stance.

That's what makes it all interesting.........

 

Interesting points. There are several here that are IROC-Z purists in a sense just as there are those that are 4thgen SS purists. I say 4thgen because I see a difference between those that love the modern SS as opposed to those in the "Classic" SS camp.

Let's face it. Chevrolet is pushing the SS as the top performance package on any model (Monte Carlo, Impala, Silverado, Cobalt, etc.). Therefore I guess the 5th gen Camaro should follow in line. In a sense that's not unlike the "original" Camaros. Back in 67-69 the Z/28 was for the most part a stripper race car and the top of the line trim and performance package was the Super Sport. (Although it can be argued the Z/28 often smoked a many SS396.) However even back then, the Z/28 could be ordered with the RS trim package, making the "its just a racecar" argument stop dead in its tracks!

I just thought of a new scenario... How about we recreate history with both cars?

Camaro Z/28: 5.3L Aluminum block V8 (from the SSR) 6-spd manual coupe (no T-tops, no convertible). This car gets the "stripes" because afterall the Z/28 had them first.

Camaro SS: 6.6L? (C6 Vette) V8 6-spd manual (w/ optional Auto), base coupe with optional T-tops or convertible. Hood scoop, SS badges, no stripes unless they are not Z/28 stripes. (A retro bumble bee or hockey stripes might be nice depending on what the car looks like.)

I really am interested on what the 5.3 Aluminum V8 in the SSR will do in a more appropriate weight vehicle. (7.7 sec 0-60 and a 15 sec 1/4 mile doesn't impress me one bit. ) The Z/28 could even have special lightweight panels or a stripper interior to lighten the load. Meanwhile the SS would get all the bells and whistles.

However, if Chevrolet desides to only build one of them. I guess the Z/28 is the one that should get the axe.

P.S. Please excuse the drivel as I'm fighting a nasty hangover this morning.

 

PS

This poll is about the SS.....not the Z/28. There are at least a dozen Z/28 polls on this forum where "Camaro purists" have spoken.

Check them out.

 

You've noticed that too? Because I have.

The "classic" SS camp....hardly ever uses the term SS....it's always about engines and option codes. They'll say..."I've got an L-78 car". Or..."here comes that L-89 car".



The "new' SS camp will say "I waxed the SS today". Or..." I drove her today".

I don't know....I personally have more fun hanging out with the "classic" SS guys.

 

Did I ever say that I absolutely can't stand the SS name?! No, I never did, it just DOES NOT belong above the Z28, and that is that. And there have been plenty of polls where the Z28 "took out" the SS. (like every single 1) Let me tell you something about the IROC-Z, if that Z wasn't there and if it was not obviously an upgraded Z28 that commemerated the Z28 being used in the races, I would dislike that incredibly and would even think twice about buying 1. Besides liking the styling of the 85-87 IROC-Z's better, I also like them better than the 88-90's because they were almost always officially refered to as IROC-Z28's, had RPO Z28 and B4Z, and had Z28 emblems all over the car. The SS I don't like because it shouldn't be the top Camaro and because it is also an upgraded Z28 that this time gives no credit to the Z28 name and just makes it look like a piece compared to the way too exSSpensive.

 

Hangover????????? You must still be drunk!

 

Well, they already did that with the GT..."V6 pony package" starting in 03: "A V6 Pony Package includes 16-inch polished alloy wheels and the GT's scooped hood. All V6 models get a new hood design, and four new colors debut"

I wouldn't be to surprised if it happens...that is if the mach 1 sticks around...

but anyways, I see GM keeping the SS as the "top" camaro, whether we like it or not...

I've said it before: "I don't care what it's called as long is it is fast and lives up to the name"

 

I keep hearing that. "Whether we like it or not." And "I don't care either way".

I mean...come on now....lets really open up this discussion.

Does everyone want the Camaro SS to remain a mid to high $30K car?

I mean is everyone happy with that? Because everyone sure acts like it.

Would anyone want SS to be easily attainable to the average enthusiast...and then option it up from there? Something that would sell more than 5-10,000 units per year?

 

I know people with Z28s with disagree but, you get what you pay for. For this reason I think it should stay in the same price range and maybe a little higher so the SS could have Heads Up Display.