"It's just a car" What does the Camaro mean to you?

[tjbusa]

I think most all cars are automobiles and then there is a camaro, with heart and soul, I hate to admit that you can actually fall in love with these things. TJ

[CynAgain]

I'm in love for sure!

[CWI]

Where did that come from, other than the obvious? Now you're gonna get a bunch of Z28 fans excited on here.
Can't figure out which I like better, the IBM Camaro or Cyndi. Hehehe. If I was single I would be tempted to move to the west side of Detroit.

Really nice to see ya Cyndi.

I think for me it's like my '68 SS being reincarnated. Remember the $6 million man TV show? At the beginning of every episode the narative said "we can rebuild him, better, stronger, faster." See where this is going? With the '60s styling and modern technology, this a lot more than just a car. This is the car I've been waiting over 32 years to see (since I killed the tranny in my '68) and I am in a position to get one. Like many on this site, I ordered mine Oct. 13th and hope to be driving it by the end of March.

As I mentioned in another thread, this is everything I could have ever wanted my '68 to be but a whole lot better in so many ways. I wish it had HUD and climate control but not having it right away is not a factor at all. This car offers so much more than just a couple fancy luxuries. It is a part of what the american dream is all about. This car "SCREAMS" Americana.

Cyndi, this is a bit off thread but something I doubt anyone will complain about. When you sat in the Camaro, did you close the door, set the seat and mirrors and look around at your sight lines? Please tell us your impression of visibility from the drivers seat. blind spots? Thanks

[Rallyman6]

It is probably one of the hardest things to explain "being a car nut". Most of you on this site "get it".

I have no real interest in any sport unless it's related to the automobile. I really don't care for Football, baseball, soccer, etc. and would rather be watching a rerun of some show on SpeedTV for the 20th time rather than watch a football game for 2.5 hours. I sit patiently clenching my teeth waiting for a baseball or football game to end with our friends so I can go home and watch or read anything related to cars. (Sure, I have other interests, but I will always be a "car nut" first.)

I have tried to show friends who aren't "car nuts" movies like "LeMans" with Steve McQueen, or "Bullitt" or "Cannonball Run" and it's no use. I know for some of us this "hobby" is all consuming; especially with the anticipation of this car.

I am so happy to have an outlet where other people are as "CRAZY" as I am, and know I am not alone in this addiction!

[DerbyChamp06]

Great thread, Cyndi!
My ocd is in overdrive too...lol! This car just plain Rocks! This may sound goofy, but its very lines evoke strong emotions.

We all love the new Camaro for similar and varying reasons. I had a 78' Camaro with T-Tops (bought used senior yr in HS). It was my favorite car ever (second was a Ford Ranger 4 x 4-yes I like Fords too, and would also love an F-150). So this car brings back good memories of youth....and I also love Porsche's......this new Camaro is like a Porsche and Camaro in one-at a much more affordable price. It has the muscle car look, with advanced Porsche-like engineering such as independent rear suspension. And the flaired out rear is reminscent of a Porsche 911 Turbo, and 944.

Lastly, as you can surmise, I'm a huge fan of Barbaro. And putting Barbaro plates on this car would make it extra special, and my way of celebrating his legacy. Ironically, if you watch his Derby race, as he rounds the final turn for home, he passes 2 other horses and then just blows them away down the homestretch-Something the new Camaro should soon be doing to the competition!

Here's old photo of me, all smiles getting into last Camaro....Looking forward to being all smiles again!!!

Happy Holidays Cyndi, and Everyone else!
Kent

[babyjulie83]

Originally Posted by camaropete

So, that's a long story to say what the Camaro is and why it isn't just a car. But in general, it is a dream realized. It is a promise finally kept. It is a wish granted with the turn of the key and the rumble of the engine. It is a throw back to a different time, when we were all more innocent and it was ok to be a rebel. It is the end of one journey and the beginning of another. Ride on.

Wow, Camaropete.....I also got tears in my eyes while reading your story. I think the Camaro is so many things to so many people and that is what makes the car so special. I know that on the gloomy days when the world around us is falling apart that we will glance into our garages, or slide into our Camaros and feel comfort in the spirit of America, our rebel years, and our memories will take us back to days that we wish were still here.

When my father was a young guy he desperately wanted to buy a 69 red Camaro but could not afford one....he worked and worked but never could get ahead enough to be able to purchase one. Today he is 63 and still wishes that the 69 Camaro could've been his. You can just see the regret and disappointment on his face...and then he smiles and says oh well, maybe someday.

I can't wait to buy my victory red camaro and see the look on his face when he drives it!

[Timberline]

" Wow! I read your post and got tears. I had to go away for awhile before I answered. For me it goes way back to my Dad too. He was a Ford guy and really into motorcycles. We were always at the dragstrip with the bikes and that's where it started. But somewhere around 14 or 15 I fell in love with the late 60's Camaros. I remember one sleeper '69 in grey primer rolled up to the line at Milan. My brother and I laughed at first until it ran a 10.6!!!

Now my dad and my brother are gone. I miss those days. This car is definitely nostalgic for me. "


Cyndi, your words say it all about the Camaro. You are recapturing fond memories with the New Camaro.
anyone who says it is just a car will never understand. only car crazy people will understand.

[ToddyC]

Here is what I tell people - "If I have to explain it, you'll never understand."

My thoughts are similar to what others have already expressed. One big thing for me and my Camaros I've had are the friendships I've formed with others with a common interest. Some of the best times I've had were with a bunch of folks that were on the f-body.org site/mailing list. We had a group here where I live that used to go to the drag strip together, and I'll never forget our big road trip to an f-body gathering in Memphis. It was a common love of cars that brought us all together, and the friendships were awesome.

For some, actually many, a car is nothing more than a way to get from point A to point B. For me it has always been way more than that - one big reason is it is a passion that was passed down to me from my father and his love of cars. He had some great ones while I was growing up - 1932 Ford Vicky, 1962 Vette, 1967 Big Block Vette, 1957 Chevy Convert, 1966 Impala 396 4-speed convert...and many more. You can see the "car thing" was in my blood. My first car was 1969 SS (basic car, nothing special, other than it was a Camaro). I then had a 1969 Z28 (original car with the correct 302 motor), a 70 1/2 Z28, a 1992 RS V8, and a 1993 Z28...gee, I guess I've had a Camaro from each generation....so far.

So, for me, the Camaro is a link to others with similar interests, and a link to my father (RIP). I hope to continue the love affair with my son.

Todd

[leatherneck]

Im probably considerably older than alot of you. Im 60 years old.--In 1967 i graduated from high shool, my family was poor an although i had passed my drivers test i had and got my license i never drove. My Dad would never let me drive the families car. So in july of 1967 i jion the Marine Corps ( my only other love in this world) 5 months later after boot camp at paris island.
I found myself right smack dab in the middle of vietnam. At a very nice place---yeah right --called khe-shan as a field radio operator. Needles to say a young punk shaking in his boots minutes before im about to kill my first human being. In the largest and deadliess battle of the vietnam war was about to take place. Ill spare all you liberals of any details -- but I made it thur-not without being 100% totallly disabled. Because of hospital stays and delays i finnally got back home in the spring of 69. I had been sending my milittary pay home every month while i was gone. I walked into a chey dealership. Bought a rally sport yellow black hood stripes -convertible 396 white buckets seats right off the show room floor---6900.00 bucks. I knew nothing of cars then nothinggggggggggg. after three days of dragging in the city streets at red lights against the likes of the hemicudas--the 442 oldsmobiles--and mustangs i left my universal on the street--lolloolol--covered by warranty--lolol-but those were the days --im 60 now and reminese more than i should i suppose. People tell me im to old to drive a car like that.etc etxc etc.Then i talked to an old marine buddy of my that i went thru many battles with. He knows 2 of my lifes passins are driving and driving in a camaro. He said , do you like this car? I said yes. He asked do you want the car? i said yes>-Then he said screw everyone else, buy your dream man!!! that day i put in my order!!!!!

[2010_5thgen]

it not just a car, its history in the making.

[Milk 1027]

Im going to put this as simple as I can.
It's not just a car. It is THE car
It is a

CAMARO

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by Timberline

" Wow! I read your post and got tears. I had to go away for awhile before I answered. For me it goes way back to my Dad too. He was a Ford guy and really into motorcycles. We were always at the dragstrip with the bikes and that's where it started. But somewhere around 14 or 15 I fell in love with the late 60's Camaros. I remember one sleeper '69 in grey primer rolled up to the line at Milan. My brother and I laughed at first until it ran a 10.6!!!

Now my dad and my brother are gone. I miss those days. This car is definitely nostalgic for me. "


Heather, your words say it all about the Camaro. You are recapturing fond memories with the New Camaro.
anyone who says it is just a car will never understand. only car crazy people will understand.

Actually, her name is Cyndi...

Heh. Looks like we're mixing up the names of the few women on this site...

[Milk 1027]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Actually, her name is Cyndi...

Heh. Looks like we're mixing up the names of the few women on this site...

Ouch
You never want to do that especially with women.
Trust me.

[The Great KJ]

Originally Posted by leatherneck

Im probably considerably older than alot of you. Im 60 years old.--In 1967 i graduated from high shool, my family was poor an although i had passed my drivers test i had and got my license i never drove. My Dad would never let me drive the families car. So in july of 1967 i jion the Marine Corps ( my only other love in this world) 5 months later after boot camp at paris island.
I found myself right smack dab in the middle of vietnam. At a very nice place---yeah right --called khe-shan as a field radio operator. Needles to say a young punk shaking in his boots minutes before im about to kill my first human being. In the largest and deadliess battle of the vietnam war was about to take place. Ill spare all you liberals of any details -- but I made it thur-not without being 100% totallly disabled. Because of hospital stays and delays i finnally got back home in the spring of 69. I had been sending my milittary pay home every month while i was gone. I walked into a chey dealership. Bought a rally sport yellow black hood stripes -convertible 396 white buckets seats right off the show room floor---6900.00 bucks. I knew nothing of cars then nothinggggggggggg. after three days of dragging in the city streets at red lights against the likes of the hemicudas--the 442 oldsmobiles--and mustangs i left my universal on the street--lolloolol--covered by warranty--lolol-but those were the days --im 60 now and reminese more than i should i suppose. People tell me im to old to drive a car like that.etc etxc etc.Then i talked to an old marine buddy of my that i went thru many battles with. He knows 2 of my lifes passins are driving and driving in a camaro. He said , do you like this car? I said yes. He asked do you want the car? i said yes>-Then he said screw everyone else, buy your dream man!!! that day i put in my order!!!!!

Great Story thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas!