Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Spy Photos, Coupes, Chevrolet, GM
Spy shots: Production Camaro sans Zebra stripes
by Chris Shunk on Dec 12th 2007 at 7:44PM 
Since the original Camaro concept hit NAIAS in January 2006, it seems like we've been living with (and writing about) the pony coupe forever. The fact is, we still haven't seen the Camaro's final production duds. Until now, kind of. The Camaro5 website has posted on its forums a near-naked Chevy Pony car in production sheet metal. The front and rear are wearing padded underwear, but we can see from the side-view pic that the basic shape stays true to the stunning concepts of 2006 and 2007.
Missing are the three slotted vents ahead of the rear wheel wells, but it looks like some ribbed metal takes its place. Also history are the funky-cool but slightly impractical side mirrors from the concept cars, and unlike the concept, the production model has a B-pillar. While it's difficult to tell for certain with the flat white paint job and slightly blurry photography, it appears as though some of the hard edges of the concept's belt-line have been softened. Judging by the high-polish 18- or 19-inch rims on this pre-production model, it's as close to final as we're going to see before the RWD coupe starts rolling off the assembly line. Without seeing the front and back of the Camaro, it's tough to gauge how closely GM stuck to the design of the concept, but from this one picture, it looks pretty close.
Thanks for the tip, Mark!
[Source: Camaro5]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
smartmlp 8:01PM (12/12/2007)
Its a nice job, but its obvious why they dropped what they did, I imagine those vents added too much cost to production.
Reply
Cliff 8:03AM (12/13/2007)
the vents in the quarters are there, they are hard to see,
look closely here. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2240
Quote the Raven 12:26PM (12/13/2007)
Well I see the disguised 2 door Charger.... but where's the Camaro?
Chase 1:58PM (12/13/2007)
I wonder why no one has noticed that huge triangular lower belt-line contour missing. That is the biggest change from the concept, and in addition to the smaller wheels, higher ride-height, and larger cabin, its why it seems a lot more bland.
naggs 2:55PM (12/13/2007)
its there, cant you see it?
Quote the Raven 2:28PM (12/14/2007)
No I don't... wait... you mean the one that looks like the concept car only castrated? Oh yeah, I see it.
Mr.Source 8:03PM (12/12/2007)
Don't know why, I really can't figure it out, but something is just bland about this car, I got the same feeling about the aussie pics shown yesterday, please say it isn't so.
Reply
naggs 8:07PM (12/12/2007)
its in white and you cant see the front or rear
what car wouldnt look bland like that?
Mr.Source 8:18PM (12/12/2007)
No, it's not that, the side of the car, that mirror screams cheapness to me. It seems like a Mustang, trying to look like something it is not...
Homeboy 8:30PM (12/12/2007)
It is bland. The production car won't look as menacing as the Concept. Further more every kid on the block will be trading in their Chrysler 300c or Mustang for a Camero, and before you know it, the car will have lost all it's luster just like more revived American classics.
Tim 9:43PM (12/12/2007)
It is the lack of a fender flare over the rear wheels. It looks like a two door charger. This is a bad thing.
summazooma 11:07PM (12/12/2007)
Well, the concept car was 2,000mm wide and this, if it's the same as G8 is likely 100mm narrower... That's 4 inches narrower for "us 'mur'cans"...
Don't know what the height is but I'd put a significant chunk of fool's gold on that production car being a lot taller in overall height. Those two dimensions plus the change in wheel/tire combo (not to mention the more "space" around the wheel/tires) adds up to a pretty big change in proportion and stance. The fact that there's so much head-scratching as to what it could be that looks different is **actually** a big tip o the hat to the design team, since they kept it pretty true to the concept, even while dealing with huge swings in package from what they built for show.
500 11:44PM (12/12/2007)
I think it looks great! Seems to have lost some of the cartoonishness of the concept, and looks even more like the '69 Camaro, which is a good thing.
After seeing this spy shot, I am MORE likely to consider one for my next car, especially if it significantly undercuts the Challenger on price.
Gungosa 12:40AM (12/13/2007)
i agree, i keep looking at it and trying to feel excited, but it seems to have just barely tipped to the wrong side of that "cool" line. my only thought is that maybe it will be like the mustang and improve greatly with trim details like the GT's fog lights/fake hood scoops that i think do wonders for an otherwise boring car.
Chad 9:02AM (12/13/2007)
I agree totally with Tim. With the front covered it does look like a 2 door Charger.
4x4North 12:28PM (12/13/2007)
I think some of you need better monitors... or glasses...
The fender flares are still there, IDENTICAL to the concept.
The lines and cuts into the doors/side panels are also all still there, the white in this photo is really throwing a lot of you...
naggs 8:05PM (12/12/2007)
is the rear view mirror camo'd or is it going to be black? i would have thought it would be body colored
i think its a safe bet for the intake ahead of the front wheel to appear on an ss or other high end model
good to see the steep rake and low roofline made it to production, that was what i was most worried about
Reply
Tom 8:05PM (12/12/2007)
Nice but it's not as nice as the concept was. The new Challenger will own this car.
Reply
Steven 8:12PM (12/12/2007)
As someone who owns a 1968 Camaro, the '09 doesnt get me going at all. But then again these are pretty crappy spy photos, so I'll reserve judgment until Detroit.
The rear fenders (aka shoulders) are too narrow, like the new Dodge Charger.
Reply
Quentin 8:13PM (12/12/2007)
2 door dodge charger?
Reply