Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show
Building the Camaro Concept
Chevrolet has released this photo gallery of the Camaro Concept development. The new Camaro, shown above next to the '69 Camaro SS of Ed Welburn, GM VP Global Design, was arguably the hit of the Detroit Auto Show, and by any measure a home run for Chevrolet.
Photos of the concept car under development after the jump
The full-sized clay model being built at the GM Design Center in Warren, Michigan. Computer numerically-controlled machines are used to transfer the shape from the computer design files to the clay model, but extensive hand-sculpting is still required to bring the shape to life.
A clay mock-up of the interior, using prototype parts.
Hand-crafting the final bodywork.
A good view of the car on its alignment jig.
Final assembly of the interior.
The reward: Ed Welburn, GM Vice President, Global Design, with the EyesOn Design Award for the best concept car realization at the Detroit Auto Show.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Yaroukh 6:51PM (1/13/2006)
"How many Mustangs can you find in GM's Camaro design center?"
http://www.stangsunleashed.com/2005/media/naias06.camaro.wmv
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Justin 7:01PM (1/13/2006)
OMG LOL you are so right. That is funny and pathetic at the same time.
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nono 7:15PM (1/13/2006)
I am a chevy boy... but now mostly drive a 66 'stang. I won't buy a new chevy but the new mustang is hot.
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mik 7:17PM (1/13/2006)
hahaha... I see the mustangs!! that is just pathetic... how'd they let that slip?
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Mike from Scarborough 7:37PM (1/13/2006)
A home run? are you Kidding me? I'd buy the Stang before that POS camaro.If you were in a coma in 1969 and woke up in 2006 out of the 3 rods,Challenger ,Stang ,and that Camaro, you would recognize the fist 2 easily.the camaro was done quickly and as usual will be a failure just like the GTO......
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nono 7:41PM (1/13/2006)
Turn the clock back 40 years... replace the mustangs in the background with a sweet GT fastback and fully loaded convertible.... at least they are not copying Toyotas celicas
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ETMC 8:06PM (1/13/2006)
I think it's rather nice. I'd like the grille to be revised, as well as the rear taillamps, but overall, I dig it.
It's nice to have a modern reincarnation of a classic design that you don't have to squint and look closely to determine whether it's a '69 or a '09, something that doesn't nessecarily hold true to the Stang (ever see a new Pony package head on at a distance? Looks like a '65), and especially so for the Challenger.
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bgdc 8:19PM (1/13/2006)
Amazing...the one on the right, nearly 40 years old, is far better looking than the new one. Strange that designers can't capture the power and sensuality of the original car...
The new car looks like one of those "artist rendition" sketches from 1990s Motor Trends/R&Ts.
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GM Lover 11:09PM (1/13/2006)
I like the new Camaro design a lot...remember that no matter what they do, there is NO way they are going to please everyone. I personally have had enough of all this "retro" design from all the manufacturers...to me, "retro" means that you couldn't come up with anything fresh so you basically copied an old design. To me, the Camaro concept looks like a modern interpretation of a Camaro...as it should. You can see "Camaro" in it and there is some link to the past, but it is definitely a modern design. While I like the Challenger a lot as well (and would even consider buying one), I don't think it was a very creative car. They just took an old Challenger and built it in 2006. The Mustang is even worse (and it doesn't work for me since I didn't like the original Mustangs). I think a few years from now these "retro" redesigns will not hold up very well and the public will quickly get tired of them, just like the Thunderbird and New Beetle. I think 20 years from now, a 2004 Mustang will be more appealing than a 2005 simply because the 2004 was an evolution of the Mustang while the 2005 was a copy of the '66 and was nothing fresh.
Way to go Chevy! (and Dodge and Ford for at least keeping the Pony Car Wars alive...competition is good!) I agree that you've hit a home run with this one. Now, Pontiac, PLEASE bring back my Trans Am! :)
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Andrew 11:57PM (1/13/2006)
They have the mustang in the design studio to remind them how not to f@ck up a retro design. How is it the Mustang looks like it is due for a makeover when compared to the new Camaro? Mustang lovers crack me up...same with autoblog Honda/Toyota lovers that hop onto every blog they have no reason being involved in. And by the way penis...they didn't let it "slip" they put it in the background to remind themselves how ot to make a car that looks old in less than a year. Hope Ford enjoys the sales volume this year as when the Camaro and Challenger come out the Mustang will be old news.
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lastride147 12:30AM (1/14/2006)
Well Andrew, I am more of a mustang guy (and own an 05 GT) but despite your negative view of my car and in spite of the other "haters" of the concept Camaro, I hope GM does do this one up right. Yea, I said it. But namely because I have an appreciation for all American muscle (even if i tend to lean a bit more towards stangs). But GM will need some big marketing campaigns in mutltiple demographics to approach Ford's success with the mustang (and all mustangs, not just the new ones). I think the Challenger and Camaro concepts point to some sexy rides on the horizon, provided Dodge and GM don't cheap out. Personally, I think this will be a good time for Ford, Mopar, and Chevy fans to put aside the nasty rivalry of years past and turn their energy collectively at more ambitious rivals: the Japanese performance models (I know, not too many around right now). Nothing I'd love better than to one day see a trio of Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger out on the stretches laying waste to all the sad little pimped out imports desperately trying to prove that they can outdo American muscle......yea, bring on the second coming of the muscle car.
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Mopar Maniac 1:05AM (1/14/2006)
Saw the Camaro at the L.A. show, and pictures don't do this beauty justice. Chevy is asking for responses from the show visitors, but if they need US to tell THEM to build this thing, they deserve to go down the tubes. But, I am a Mopar guy, and would take the Challenger in a hot minute.
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Mad Cow 4:50AM (1/14/2006)
I really love the new Camaro. Great design cues in an evolutionary way. The designers would have been fools not to have had a few other cars, including the new Stang, to keep their thoughts on the goal. That goal? Sell a lot of cars. That's Product Development 101 kids.
A side note to all the haters from the Ford camp: Lest ye forget too quickly, let he who thinks that the '79-'86 Mustangs are pretty, cast the first ugly stone.
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submachine 5:58AM (1/14/2006)
The front end is way too pointy, looks like a Nissan Murano, or something gay from The Jetsons.
Make the front flatter like the original, and you have a wicked looking machine.
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Mark Goddard 9:07AM (1/14/2006)
Ha,
Did Ford design this car for the lack of engineers at Chevy.This car is a joke at least the new Mustang does favor the old one we all loved.(good job Ford)
Hey Chevy take a look at the new Dodge Challenger they have got it right.(great job Dodge) Some of us love and are glad a few of the auto makers know how to bring the muscle look back out.
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Richard Warren 9:21AM (1/14/2006)
#8 Agreed, while the new design is very good, the original looks far better. There is a more smooth sensual feeling to the design, much like the original 240Z.
I like the crease st the rear of the front fender and on the quarter panel and overall it seems like a more integrated design than the new car. The new starts with a certain feel then the quarter panel becomes more pronounced with no crease to integrate it into the front design. The grille needs some work as well as the rear panel.
Overall I think GM has a hit here depending on what happens to the market the next couple of years.
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Joe White 9:49AM (1/14/2006)
I dunno, maybe I'm wrong here, but it looks like Detroit is finally getting it right. I like the new Camaro, 'Stang, and even the Challanger is pretty good looking, although not as beefy as it's trucks. For the life of me, I can't figure out why someone would buy an import truck when the Ford 150 has been the benchmark against what other trucks are compared against. By the way, I own a 2001 Dodge Dakota with the shortblock V8. 245hp, hell, even my 75 'vette didn't put out anywhere near that, and that's with an extra 100ci. The amazing thing is they are getting all this pwer while meeting air quality standards. And, if you do a couple of mods, change the airbox and exhaust and let the engine breathe, then you really get some power plus that throaty muscle car sound. But my main 2 rides are an '81 Harley FLH and a '90 Fatboy. Kills me how everyone says buy American, well the Harley comes with a Kehin carb (Honda), jap electronics, and Showa forks, same as a Honda. And all you whiners out there about buying American, are you aware that Honda is Ohio's second largest employer? All the Quads and Goldwings are American made, and not just bolted together, but actually produced. Same as all their power equipment. If you want a good generator, buy Honda...the Coleman comes with a Honda engine, but it's the cheap engine, no steel jug liner, and the electronic end s just plain crap. Sure it's a lot cheaper, but it'll burn out the first year, usually right after the warrantee runs out. Same as snowblowers, the Honda's are made here, and nothing compares to them. They take increadible abuse and just keep chugging along. I gotta tell ya, the first time I took my HD apart and found the Showa forks, man was I ever surprised though. The thing about the Harleys though, is if you buy one, and keep it in good shape, you can always get your money back. I saw a Kawi Drifter that was in a minor accident, and it was totalled, just wasn't worth repairing. The Harley can take a whole lot of damage before it's considered a total.
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Steve C 11:50AM (1/14/2006)
The problem with the Camaro concept is the roof. It seems too low to be proportional with the rest of the body. How low do you have to sit to be able to see out the windshield and not get your head bumped?
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BILL BECKWITH 11:56AM (1/14/2006)
FROM AN OWNER OF A 70SS FOR 15YRS 70-84 AND OWNER CURRENTLY, OF 02SS/SLP, WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE BEST THING 'GM' HAS DONE IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS!
WHEN CAMARO/TRANSAM LEFT THE MARKET, IT TOOK AWAY
SPORTS CARS FOR THE WORKING CLASS!!!
BILL BECKWITH
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BILL BECKWITH 11:56AM (1/14/2006)
FROM AN OWNER OF A 70SS FOR 15YRS 70-84 AND OWNER CURRENTLY, OF 02SS/SLP, WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE BEST THING 'GM' HAS DONE IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS!
WHEN CAMARO/TRANSAM LEFT THE MARKET, IT TOOK AWAY
SPORTS CARS FOR THE WORKING CLASS!!!
BILL BECKWITH
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