The Journey

[greenrail]

The Journey:

Well folks, it has been an interesting journey. Back in January 2006, I was extremely fortunate to be in Detroit when the first Fifth Generation Camaro Concept Car was shown. I had been in the ICC just under a year at the time. I just walked into Cobo Center and stared. That’s the best spin I can put on it. It was a dazzling piece of automotive artwork. Announcing in August of that year, that production was planned and approved by GM.

Fast forward to January 2007; GM unveiled the Camaro Convertible Concept. Beautiful, Inferno Orange, with Cvber Gray Stripes. Whoa, baby, that car was even more stunning. The Club, subsequent to that event in Detroit, was invited to a special unveiling of the Convertible at the Chicago Auto Show. We were privileged to be invited down for a quick coffee and Danish breakfast. All I can recall was a room full of Camaro Fanatics and several GM reps prepared to talk about the new Camaro.

After a brief presentation by Scott Settlemire (FBODFATHER), we were escorted upstairs to view the actual concept car. I will never forget the happy faces of our club members as we all gazed at this beautiful auto. The ICC Members, let the question flow. Scott and all the GM folks there, patiently answered as many as they could. Standing back watching our group, really was something to behold. All I could do was watch. It was somewhat amazing to see the reaction of many of our members to the new car.

The gestation period began. Development of the new Camaro was off and running. Literally, the car was under development all over the globe. Australia, Korea, United States, Canada, and Europe were all in the game during development. The buzz started to take off. The 2007 release of Transformers the movie, really pushed the pedal to the metal. Who among us didn’t sit there and cheer when Bumblebee transformed into the new Camaro. I know I did. I still do when I watch the film at home.

Along come 2008, a yellow Bumblebee is on display at NAIAS and Chicago. Nice looking car. GM announces they will be starting to take pre-orders in October. Production initially was scheduled to begin in February 2009.

I waited, and waited, and waited. The economy went in the tank. GM started to fall apart. Things started to look pretty bleak. It was a tough time to even think about buying a new car. This resulted in a lot of anguish on my part. I consider myself very fortunate through all of this. Everything started to fall into place as time progressed.

I put one ad online at a Camaro enthusiast website and waited. I placed my order in February 2009. I waited. For several weeks not much happened. My order was accepted by GM’s ordering system. I had initially contacted seven dealers in our area. Six of those dealers wanted, anywhere from $2500 to $5000 just to place an initial order. Out of the seven I contacted, only one, Talty Chevrolet, Buick Cadillac, in Morris, Illinois refused to add any kind of mark-up to the car. They got my business.

When I walked into Talty, (February 18, 2009) I was greeted by a relative newcomer to this particular dealership. My Sales Associate had been there approximately 3 hours (first day). Judy had gone with me. We were ready to place our order. (For a Red Jewel Tintcoat, 2SS, Manual Transmission, with a Beige Interior.)

We sat down across the desk from our Sales Associate (Mr. Tim Smith). Quite frankly, Tim didn’t know much about the Camaro or what we were looking at ordering. Ah, the chance to educate someone about this beauty started to run through my head. Of course, we had a ton of questions about what went with various option combinations. Since Tim was new on the job, he had to get some guidance from his supervisor. Which was not a problem. Actually, it was a blessing in disguise.

Judy and I sat there and we were looking at a 2009 Malibu. It was Red Jewel Tintcoat. We looked at each other and simultaneously, said that that color wasn’t right for our car. We decided then and there to order Black, with Orange Trim Interior. No biggy really, but it was rather amusing.

We went over what we wanted with Tim. We also added Polished Aluminum wheels. Later we added an Orange Trim Engine cover and Rally Stripes (Orange of Course).

My ad online languished for about four weeks. Then out of nowhere things started to happen. I was contacted by a gentleman from Virginia about my car. He saw the ad online and wanted to know more about the car. I sent photos and told him everything I knew about my Brickyard car. We negotiated a fair price for the car and agreed to consummate the sale when he returned from a work assignment in Iraq.

By early May, I was starting to get anxious. Not much had been happening regarding the production of my new Camaro. On May 5, I received an email from Scott Settlemire, advising me to consider buying some cigars as my new car was being “born” up in Oshawa.

My car was assigned a VIN by Friday; May 8, 2009. Actual production is officially May 5, 2009. This was much sooner than I had ever expected.

In the meantime, I kept in contact with the buyer of my Brickyard Car. We scheduled the sale date for May 22nd. Coincidental to all of this, another individual contacted me about the Brickyard car. We agreed that should the sale to the original buyer fall though, he would like to purchase my car. Talk about a wealth of opportunities. Wow, is all I can say.

My car was loaded and shipped from the Oshawa Plant on May 8th. It arrived at the Chicago Heights Auto Ramp on May 11th. All inspection records indicated no exceptions were found during any of the Transportation vehicle inspections en route.

She arrived at the dealer on May 14th. I went over the following evening to take a look at her. Tim took me back to the service department. There she sat. A little dirty from her trip in. But, Oh my Goodness, did she look beautiful.. She didn’t have the engine cover installed yet. We also were waiting for the addition of the Rally Stripes.

May 22nd. My buyer has arrived for the Brickyard. It is nice to deal with someone who has patience and realistic expectations about this car. I hate to let her go. Sunday evening (May 17) I sat in the garage. Kind of a goodbye to my Beauty. She is going to a good home in Virginia and to someone who appreciates her.

Later in the day, I head over to Talty for delivery of my new Camaro.

Flashback, to the spring of 1975. Judy and I had been married a little over a year then. We were driving though Harvard, Illinois. We stop in at the Chevrolet Dealer to take a look at the Camaro. On the lot they had a Red Coupe. Six cylinder, automatic, and no air conditioning. We were driving a 1973 Ford Pinto squire Station Wagon. List price on this Camaro was $4242. Relatively cheap even at that time. Nothing special, just a pretty car. A couple of days later we bought that car. Nice handling, reasionably good gas mileage for the day. She had a tan interior and an AM Radio. Pretty much a barebones car.

We have come full circle in the ensuing 34 years. I always loved Camaros. This is the fourth one we have owned now. We also at one time owned a 1979 Pontiac Trans Am.

While our new beauty isn’t a stripper by any means, she has brought us back to our younger days. Many of the Car magazines have stated that the 2010 Camaro is “Nostalgia Meeting Refinement.” Let’s hope so as we embark on the next stage of our journey through life.

Some casual observations on all of this. I became a Member of Camaro5, an online Board specializing in the New Camaro. This happened back in 2007. Since that time, I posted many comments online. One thing that amazed (and truth be known, annoyed me) was the herd mentality of many of the people posting on this website. Since March 2009, rampant crises du jour occurred. Many of which were patently unfounded rumors and innuendos. Quite frankly, I considered leaving this website to it’s own devices. Many people were (and still are) getting consumed by false information, allegations beyond reasonable dissertation and other factors beyond any one individual’s control. This became very disheartening as time went on. The impatience expressed by many members developed into a flood of nothing more than constant complaining. It was sad to watch. Threats to other members, personal attacks, lack of proper respect for other member’s comments became the normal flow of discussion.

I never worried about when my order would be produced. I wasn’t obsessed with every event, which took place during the time it took to go from order to production. I didn’t hassle my dealer every day like a junkie searching for a “Crack” fix. I maintained a sense of calm. I kept quiet. I remained patient, fully expecting my car not to be ready until sometime this fall (2009).

I am 59 years old right now. I have seen a lot of things in my lifetime. Some were things over which I anguished greatly. Others were not so intense on my personal life. I get anxious over things. It is human nature. But, the one thing I have learned over my lifetime, is to settle back, be patient, and accept those things over which I have no control. We live in a society that has become very spoiled by the “Gotta have it now!” and “Me First!” mentality. Life’s lessons learned on my part. The rewards ended up far out weighing the penalties and distractions thrown out there..

During the entire sequence of events, I ended up being blessed at every turn. My lovely wife shared my passion. She indulged my desires. We were blessed with events such as the sale of my beloved “Brickyard” that coincided with the production and delivery of my car. I have developed new friendships, about which I never, in my wildest dreams, ever imagined would take place. I am blessed with a very stable job. I get paid well for what I do. I have a great family. What more could any one person ask?

So the journey continues…………………………..

A Special THANKS to Scott Settlemire, who has become a great friend during the past two years. Also, to Cheryl Pilcher, John Fitzpatrick, Sangyup Lee, Ed Wellburn, and everyone else involved with the development and production of this reincarnation of a great name in automotive history.

Let us continue to be encouraged by those who have a strong belief in what they are doing. Let us continue to be thankful for the choices we have as citizens of this great nation. We are truly Blessed with Riches beyond our wildest imaginations.

Have you got the passion?

John Green
Camaro Owner and Enthusiast

[wullger]

Well said! Hope you're enjoying that new, sweet ride!

[speedster]

Very well written.

Am very glad that you received your car faster than most on this board and are now enjoying it.

Congrats !!

[Hylton]

[greenrail]

I know I was blessed with an unusual delivery. What made it was seeing the car for the first time, then driving her home 10 days later.

This post was from my heart. It is how I feel about this car. I hope everyone who has one or has one en route will be every bit as passionate about their cars.

This is one very special vehicle!

[N6504X]

Dude, I've got goosebumps all over my arms. Great read, great nostalgia....

My son and I went to visit the 1968 Camaro that I restored back in the mid 90's last Saturday, about two hours after we took delivery... Its new owner was very excited to see the new model, and I was excited to see my old Tripoli Turquoise 327....
The size difference blew me away!

This is and always has been a very special car....

[PQ]

Great read. I enjoyed it. Your 'Color Choosing' moment was VERY similar to mine. And we both ended up with black. I ditched the RJT at the last minute for the color I wanted from the start.

Enjoy that ride. I get mine in a few days.

[greenrail]

Originally Posted by irpq11

Great read. I enjoyed it. Your 'Color Choosing' moment was VERY similar to mine. And we both ended up with black. I ditched the RJT at the last minute for the color I wanted from the start.

Enjoy that ride. I get mine in a few days.

It's funny how that happened. We just sat there and stared at the Malibu and turned and looked at each other. We still laugh about that.

The stripes though took some real soul searching. And, I might add a sales job with my Bride.

When she saw the car,with the stripes, it was pricelss

[chrisinlittlerock]

Very nice read. I enjoyed the journey with you.

[ljustin293]

that is an awesome write up..I love the passion that this car brings to people..

[greenrail]

The really hard part was watching my beloved Brickyard car depart from our home.

[2010 2-Tone]

Just ordered my today and pray that I will feel the same way you do.
Rally Yellow custom gloss black stripes.

[greenrail]

Originally Posted by 2010 2-Tone

Just ordered my today and pray that I will feel the same way you do.
Rally Yellow custom gloss black stripes.

I hope so too. When I first sat in mine, on the day I took her home, it ws just an incredible feeling.

I know it is new, I know it will get old, I know it will tarnish with age. But, oh my heavens, what a car!

[2Scoops]

Very well written. You've inspired me to remove the tracking codes from my sig. I realize that I've been somewhat of a hippocrit with those codes in my sig, while I tell everyone that the car will be here when it gets here. Thanks for the eye opener.