I've had a 76 LT an 80 Firebird an 81 Datona TTA and three 4th gens too

 

i had a 4sd 79 Z28 as well my 97.

 

1969, 1970-73, 1985-1992, 1998-2002 in numerical order

 

1970.5 split bumper=#1!

 

Huh? Hardly. The LS1 was the first of the new generation of small block Chevies for the next 50 years. The L98 was just another flavor of the same-old same-old that GM had been cranking out since the mid 50's. In fact in the Camaro's life time other small blocks have been far more significant, two instantly come to my mind, namely: L48 350/295HP in 1967, the first 350 cid engine ever in a production Chevrolet, and in 1967, it only came in a "Camaro"... and LT-1 350 in 1970 the "new standard" for the Z/28. I'm sure there are others we can speak of.

Let's face it, the main reason 3rd gens are so popular in this poll is the majority of people here are too young to have ever owned or dreamed of owning a 1st or 2nd gen Camaro because you were either two young (or not even born yet) to long for them growing up. The 3rd gen was what was around in your youth and when it came time to getting a car, there were plenty more used 3rd gens around to purchase. When the 4th gens came out they were either too expensive (initial cost and/or insurance) and the 3rd gens had the most bang for the buck and mods available to customize it the way you wanted.

For older folks like me (35-45) 2nd gens were the cheap Camaros and 1st gens were the dream/hot rod Camaros. When the 3rd gens came out as new 1982my car, I was 16 and couldn't dream of affording one. By the time I got out of college I was 25, it was 1989 and IROC's were the rage, but I couldn't afford the insurance on a new Camaro. So I vowed that when I turned 30, I'd buy a new Z28. (Hense the reason I have a 1995 Z28.) The bottom line is the majority of people here are either 3rd gen owners or were inspired by 3rd gens growing up. This is why 3rd gens win every poll here and why many people here want the 5th gen Camaro to be a modern version of the 3rd gen Camaro.

Apply this poll to a broader audience of Camaro fans and I'm positive the results will be less lopsided.

 

I voted 3rd gen. I love the 1st and early 2nd, but the late 3rd is my favorite. And I do agree with jg95z28, it is because thats what i could afford when I was young, so that's what I looked at more. But a 87-90 IROC would be my project of choice, money not considered.

 

I think the "Big Deal" was the fact that, due to the gas crunch, we thought the 350+ cube engines were dead. A "Bigger Deal" in 3rd gens to me was the TPI/EFI....I remember seeing this thing on the top of the '85 model here at Monte Zinn Chevrolet, and thinking what the heck is that???And after one test drive I know they had something "BIG"!...Then when they brought back the L98/350 they had it available with TPI or carb, A N D "Factory Roller Cams"!..Which to me was another "Big Deal" as we could make a lot more power with "the same cam events"...
The only reason the LT1 and LS1 weren't recieved with as much enthusiasm was the "Loss of interchangeability" with ALL Other Smallblocks...but as time goes on, I'm sure, the Old Smallblocks will decrease in popularity as the LS's increase...these things are TRULY a "Work of Art"...

 

I have had an 86 IROC, 94 v6, 99 SS, 2000 Z28, and just finished restoring a 69 SS. I voted for the 69 because that's the only one left in my stable.

 

Being a young person, and litteraly growing up with a third gen, I say that I might have a certain attachment to the third gens. I get disgusted when people call them red neck cars or POS's.
I belive that 1987 was the best year for any Camaro, respectivly, because of what it gave back to the enthuiast. Back to the 350, and brought back factory verts, not to mention it upgraded the 305 TPI in 5spd form, offering still a powerful engine, and roller cams. I think that right there set the stage for the LT1 and LS1. If GM didnt make the jump there, I think that the 305 would have lasted much longer. 1987 was the turning point for Camaro.
I love 69's, and I love my 72's Ferrari-esque design, but IMO Third gens had the best balance of design, performance, handling, and driveability. And while it might be a "red neck" car now, it deffinatly wasnt when my dad bought his new in 87. He didnt have a mullet, he didnt rock out to Led Zeplin.

 

Wow! The 1st gen is kicking butt in this poll...35%! and that's on a website comprised mainly of 4th gen fans. If GM sees this that'll just confirm the retro theme.

 

The '69 had entirely different sheetmetal and interior than did the '67-68, even though it's the same structure (unlike the 2nd & 3rd gen's changes), so I made it an option in the poll.

I perhaps could have split the 4th gen between pre and post '97 since the car did get a new interior and an entirely new front end, now that you bring up that point.

Myself, I like the 2nd gen, specifically the '77 & the split bumper early 2nd gen.

 

Dude, you rock.

 

For me it has always been about the 70-73 Camaro design.

It's been my favorite sence I was a kid and always will be. I actually consider it to be my Dream car and I finally picked one up here about 2 years ago. I'd like to have another one just to race/beat on and keep my Z in show condition.

I am on a conquest however to own one Camaro from each generation and hopefully (depending on my next commision check) I'll be adding to that dream soon.


My ultimate dream would be a 70-73 Baldwin Motion Phase III !!!!!

 

I'm really split between the 1st gens and the 4th gens.

Since you didn' allow for mutiple answers I choose 1st gen.

 

Im actually suprised, if this wasnt a 4th gen dominated forum I think the 3rd gen would be dominating. Most of the people that actually own the third gens are hanging out at thirdgen.org.