Camaro clone

[Jiu Jitsu Jon]

Could be a Firebird, could be a GTO.

http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=282257

[kanys]

Nice find, so are they saying that if Camaro does not sell 100k units per year or whatever they will stop production and use the line for the Trans Am or Firebird? Well, though I do not see Camaro's selling like crazy for a year or so due to economic conditions being what they are, I would not mind seeing either of those cars make a comeback. Just if the Camaro does not suceed, I have no idea how GM or Pontiac will be able to make a Trans Am of Firebird be huge sucesses if for some reason the Camaro should not accomplish that goal.

[Jiu Jitsu Jon]

My understanding from the thread was that if the Camaro falls short of expected sales, they will ADD the Pontiac twin to the line to try and make up the difference, not halt production of the Camaro. Honestly, if it looked like some of the Trans Am (excuse me - Firebird) concepts I've seen, I would choose it over the Camaro - and that's saying something, b/c the Camaro looks hot. They may not be able to use the name "Trans Am" but they can still use Firebird and Firehawk.

ETA: If what I've gleamed from posts on here holds true, and with the economy in the crapper, if the Camaro falls short of projected sales it will be no fault of the Camaro - it will be b/c buyers can't get credit. I am 33, making payments on a GTO and am about to purchase my first house next week (yay!) and my credit score averaging at 710 would only be considered "good".

[GatorBlue371]

Now here is the real question.


What would they change about the Camaro to make it GTOish?


The interior is straight Camaro, so i wouldn't be suprised to see a G8 style interior, but that would be difficult due to the build location. Idk, could be better. Ive always liked the pontiac interiors over chevy interiors.

[Kyle2k]

Originally Posted by GatorBlue371

Now here is the real question.


What would they change about the Camaro to make it GTOish?


The interior is straight Camaro, so i wouldn't be suprised to see a G8 style interior, but that would be difficult due to the build location. Idk, could be better. Ive always liked the pontiac interiors over chevy interiors.

I think it would be smarter on GM's part to bring over a g8 coupe, instead of rehashing something (that in this case would have already had to fall short of sales expectations). Broaden your horizons GM - badge engineering won't help.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by Kyle2k

I think it would be smarter on GM's part to bring over a g8 coupe, instead of rehashing something (that in this case would have already had to fall short of sales expectations). Broaden your horizons GM - badge engineering won't help.

G8 Coupe anyone?

[dieseldave24v]

Could that be a inter-cooler up front in the lower grill? HMMMM

[nUcLeArEnVoY]

They'd need to change a lot of sheetmetal to make it look like either the Firebird OR GTO. Well, not really the Firebird if they want to base it off the first gen, but the first-gen wasn't very popular so it won't push the nostalgia-button as much.

But the GTO looks quite different from the Camaro, the biggest change would be the roofline and window shape.

That's just my luck, though. I get my Camaro and three months later, out comes my original favorite, the Firebird. Can you say trade-in?

[Rogue Leader]

I think this is another "The Camaro won't show up till September" rumors.....

Wishful thinking....

[Attorneyguy]

I currently own a 2008 G8 GT, and I am also 90 percent committed to getting a Camaro in 2009. However, I would definitely choose the Firebird over the Camaro if given the choice. It would be just my luck to get a Camaro in late 2009 only for the Firebird to come out in 2010.

[CamaroScotty]

I think we should just wait and see if Pontiac remains after the "restructuring".

[kanys]

Originally Posted by CamaroScotty

I think we should just wait and see if Pontiac remains after the "restructuring".

I think they will since they have so many new/redesigned models out or coming out, so a good deal of money has been invested into the company. Now whether or not the feds will let Pontiac make a Trans Am or Firebird is another question...

[DGthe3]

Anyone else think this is somewhat bass ackwards? If the Camaro doesn't sell well they will introduce a pontiac twin. It will need a re-skinning inside and out, thus requiring another set of molds and dies for production. If the Camaro doesn't sell well it will not be because of its styling or lack of a split grill and pontiac badge. It will be because car costs too much, generally poor car sales, or lack of interest in fast, powerful cars. It would make more sense to possibly see a GTO, G7, Firebird or something only if the Camaro is sucessful.

[Jiu Jitsu Jon]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Anyone else think this is somewhat bass ackwards? If the Camaro doesn't sell well they will introduce a pontiac twin. It will need a re-skinning inside and out, thus requiring another set of molds and dies for production. If the Camaro doesn't sell well it will not be because of its styling or lack of a split grill and pontiac badge. It will be because car costs too much, generally poor car sales, or lack of interest in fast, powerful cars. It would make more sense to possibly see a GTO, G7, Firebird or something only if the Camaro is sucessful.

Ok, so I'm thinking there's probably some Pontiac fans that like the new Camaro but they're the group who are gonna want the SS models. $30K+ is no small amount of coin to drop on a car. So maybe a lot of those folks who were on the fence before all of the sudden see a new Firebird and they're sold. I'm not sure what you mean by dies and molds but other than a new body kit and some other things like tail lights and badges was there that much difference in the F-bodies before?

Also, you forgot one other factor relating to lack of sales - people not able to get credit.