The two most anticipated debuts at the Detroit auto show were the Dodge Challenger Concept and the Chevy Camaro Concept, both pony cars whose heritage reaches back to a bygone era of carburetors and chrome. But these two muscle cars have been resurrected to vanquish a famous foe, the Ford Mustang, which has been driving around this country uncontested like a wild stallion since its own "refreshening" in 2005.
Which modern muscle concept made the best showing at the Detroit auto show this year? That’s what we’d like to know…
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 11)
n8 @ Jan 11th 2006 2:14PM
Wait a second - is this a trick question? I thought they were the same!
ADE @ Jan 11th 2006 2:16PM
The CAMARO!
Lectoid @ Jan 11th 2006 2:19PM
Wow, at 260 votes, it's a draw so far.
Liquid @ Jan 11th 2006 2:20PM
Um, what about the Ford Shelby GT500? Oh yeah that's the only one that's going to be available this year. hahahaha
Sean Flanagan @ Jan 11th 2006 2:25PM
I think the results so far tell the tale pretty well: both of these vehicles are very well executed in their own way. When it comes to muscle cars, I'm a definite Mopar fan, so I do have a bit of a bias. But even when I voted I had a tough choice. I'd be happy to see either one of these vehicles parked in my driveway. As long as it's painted black. :-D
Jonathan @ Jan 11th 2006 2:32PM
I vote for the Camaro. The Challenger looks a little too much like the original to me; a retro car should always have a few conspicuous modern touches to distinguish it, and the Camaro does that. It's more like what you'd expect designers from the '60s to do if they had access to modern technology.
tony belligerent @ Jan 11th 2006 2:42PM
The Camaro is beating out the Challenger, which is sort of surprising. I spent some time really examing each, and the Challenger has a better overall design.
I think the Camaro is winning the poll because it was more anticipated and we've seen the Challenger for a month or more now.
Michael Smith @ Jan 11th 2006 2:50PM
I voted for the Challenger because it appeals to me more, but I think that the Camaro was a more significant intro at the show. There was a lot more pomp & circumstance surrounding its unveiling, and - more tellingly - there was a three-deep throng of photographers surrounding the vehicle at all times, even at off-peak hours the day after its launch.
James Hyden @ Jan 11th 2006 2:55PM
As a old "hot rodder", I remember when these cars come out new. The Camaro won then and I think the Camaro wins now. The lower roof, the style of the early Camaro, makes the car seem "bad" sitting still in a parking lot. The attitude makes this car. I truely hope this car makes it to full production. It's a winner in style and attitude. A "in your face" statement.
Chris @ Jan 11th 2006 2:59PM
Hemi thats all that needs to be said
Ray @ Jan 11th 2006 3:00PM
My first car was a 68 camaro SS. I rebuilt it from a wreck and painted it myself when I was 16 yrs. old. It looked and ran pretty good. I love the challenger and the mustang,but I have a special love for camaros. Ah, the memories. I haven't been excited about cars since the 70's. I'm excited now, and I may buy more than 1 of them.
konradk @ Jan 11th 2006 3:01PM
Camaro - no doubt...
Mustang is "moldy oldie retro", way too much retro, and that interior - yuck!!...
Challanger is "nice retro", still, I would not want it because it just looks too much like the old challenger...
Camaro is "modern/retro", perfect, you would never mistake this for a 60s/70s car (unlike the other two), but it has enough styling cues from its iconic heritage for it to be instantly recognized...
NICE JOB GM!!!
Fazzster @ Jan 11th 2006 3:05PM
I find it unlikely the Camaro is winning this pole....I think the expectations have been so low for GM design that when something that looks "cool" comes out people go crazy. The only thing that looks "Camaro" are the windows......
shawn @ Jan 11th 2006 3:12PM
I'm so sick of people saying "Hemi."
People, it is all marketing.
AutoFan @ Jan 11th 2006 3:25PM
I'm going to say it here: The Camaro concept is fugly. I thought it might be cool from the blurry spyshots that were circulating for a while, but its proportions aren't good, the nose and tail are way overdone, and it's a poor rendition of what the Camaro should be. And I'm a Camaro fan...a good friend of mine had a '68 and I was insanely jealous of him for it. GM tried with this one, but ultimately it's too overwrought. A production version would have to be dialed back significantly.
Christian @ Jan 11th 2006 3:28PM
"Pony Car"? Neither, the GT500. These cars are not real pony cars yet. They are concepts, so don't talk about them as if they are fact. How can you win best in show on an idea?
GT500 will be here in around four months. Challenger in 18 months. Camaro? How about 3 years before we see a production version. Losers. Mustang wins, again.
-C
Brian @ Jan 11th 2006 3:30PM
"I'm so sick of people saying "Hemi."
People, it is all marketing."
Um, actually it's geometry. "Flame surfacing" is marketing.
Dodge Challenger Concept @ Jan 11th 2006 3:30PM
I personally like the Challenger much more, but its mainly because the Camaro looks a bit 'over the top' and it makes me wonder how close the production version will be to the concept.
On the flip side, it looks like the Challenger could come out 90% as is, which gives me hope.
My vote is on the Challenger, tho both cars are interesting.
If you are interested in discussing the Dodge Challenger concept, check out:
http://www.challengertalk.com
Cino @ Jan 11th 2006 3:33PM
TKO ...CAMERO.
This car will make Germany and Japan's knees knock.
GM, build this car and you have hit a HOME RUN!!
Ryan @ Jan 11th 2006 3:40PM
Hell, one could argue that Dodge/Chrysler have gone retro on ANYTHING that says "HEMI". It's amazing what a cylinder shape will do to people.