Open Letter from Al Oppenhieser to the Camaro Nation and Ford.

[bada]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

YES - a repost - but I think it's appropriate in the case that people didn't see it on another thread..........



OK -

everyone --

Listen up.

I am astounded as to how the mood and disposition on this site has deteriorated to a child-like "My Dad can beat up your Dad!" hysteria over the past week......

It's appalling!



A couple of things:

ONE - competition is good! As much as I'd love GM to ALWAYS be the fastest/safest/highest fuel economy/highest quality in EVERY SEGMENT - well, as our friend Peter DeLorenzo would say: " www.aintgonnahappen.com " It's not like they've hired inept people! They are a force to be reckoned with - and I can assure you that no one at Ford or GM takes the other company for granted..........

There will always be friendly competition atwixt GM and Ford - that's a good thing!

TWO - There is no other track that I know of that offers what the Nurburgring offers - and that's why GM uses it (along with other tracks) for performance vehicle development.

THREE - I love it that Mr. Ewanick threw the challenge out there - and I think that Ford may reconsider. I don't know that for a fact, but I just get a feeling that they may - meanwhile - it certainly has created ANOTHER uproar......

FOUR - This is a Camaro site. The name "Camaro" means "friend, pal, or comrade" - keep that in mind. As I said in another post - there are many who have worked to keep the Camaro Community together - this site and its moderators have worked tirelessly to provide a place for us to come and discuss all things Camaro....... so - if you're a troll - please - take it elsewhere, K?



Let's celebrate that WE - the enthusiasts of the world - have BREATHTAKING performance available to us! If I had told you that Camaro and Mustang would offer you this kind of horsepower even three years ago, you would not have believed me............

The reason why we have this available?

COMPETITION!

Do I love to tease Ford by saying things like

"...well, that's just dumber than a truckload of Mustangs" ????

- OF COURSE! It's done in fun.....because I know that they have very talented people - and frankly, they're my neighbors and they're an American company - God Bless 'em!



So - how 'bout everyone take a 5 minute break -- calm down - take a deep breath - and realize how lucky we are to be able to witness the new golden age in performance automobiles!!!!



Just sayin' --

I have been a Chevy man for 45 years. But I am afraid, We chevy lovers are sucking the hind tit again. The ZL1 has come out with a Vette price tag. And is probally going to be slower than the Gt500. And the rolling 1/4 mile, not even in the 11s is just a JOKE. Almost $55,000 is a house mortage in some places. Thats way to much money for any Camaro. Just my 2 cents!!!!!!!!!!!!

[motorhead]

Originally Posted by bada

I have been a Chevy man for 45 years. But I am afraid, We chevy lovers are sucking the hind tit again. The ZL1 has come out with a Vette price tag. And is probally going to be slower than the Gt500. And the rolling 1/4 mile, not even in the 11s is just a JOKE. Almost $55,000 is a house mortage in some places. Thats way to much money for any Camaro. Just my 2 cents!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah if your house has wheels welded to it maybe. Time will tell how much of anything we are sucking ,and I bet Chevy isn't done with the ZL1. Do we all forget that the upcoming ZL1 is the 2012 GT500 competition. The 2013 ZL1 may very well be pepped up even more.

[fbodfather]

Originally Posted by vroomapunk

I would like to see that picture

[HumanWiki]

Originally Posted by motorhead

Yeah if your house has wheels welded to it maybe.

Um... Where my parents are at.. Their three bedroom, two bathroom, two living room, corner lot with two separate driveways is only valued at 75,000... So, he is correct about 55,000 almost at mortgage.

No wheels on their house either. Never have been.. Hell, my bedroom in that house was a walled in garage and I had 400sq/ft w/ 11ft ceilings from the age of 13 up till I moved out. While it's not some super fancy mansion, it's not a piece of crap shanty either.

[fbodfather]

Originally Posted by bada

I have been a Chevy man for 45 years. But I am afraid, We chevy lovers are sucking the hind tit again. The ZL1 has come out with a Vette price tag. And is probally going to be slower than the Gt500. And the rolling 1/4 mile, not even in the 11s is just a JOKE. Almost $55,000 is a house mortage in some places. Thats way to much money for any Camaro. Just my 2 cents!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't understand your statement.....

1. You and I and no one else knows what will happen when we put these cars head-to-head. Unless you are an accomplished automotive engineer, you don't know......

2. Our tests -- as our horsepower ratings - are always 'conservative' -

3. Until you drive a ZL1 - you may want to rethink the statement about $55,000 is too much for any Camaro. (are you implying that we should only stick with the SS/LT/LS?) Also keep in mind that CAFE standards will eventually make a reasonably priced V8 more expensive - it's the Law of Supply and Demand.

4. The ZR1 and the CTS-V - and the ZL1 Camaro are proof that you are wrong about 'sucking the hind....'

[vroomapunk]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

hahahahah

[Uneducated Guess]

[Heaven_is_inferno_orange]

Even if I wasnt a Camaro fan and I was a Ford fan, them not releasing track times and backing out of a challenge on the track would raise alarms to me. Sry but my opinion is that sounds fishy. Like they don't want anyone to know it can't turnt he track times the ZL1 can. I think if you're gonna talk smack about your competitions car you should be able to back it up on the track. No matter what company you are.

[Bonemaro]

[2cnd chance]

I'm very PROUD of GM! You go boys!!!

[radz28]

You're wasting your breath, 'father...

[Jamie Mac]

Originally Posted by tribone

Camaro Nation:

As you know, the blogs lit up with the announcement of the new 650-horsepower Mustang GT500, and I wanted to give you my perspective on the latest challenge from Dearborn.

The Mustang has been playing catch up since the moment the fifth-gen Camaro arrived in 2009. Since then, Camaro has been the best-selling sports car in America, indicating that consumers know which car offers the best performance, style and safety.

It is no coincidence that Mustang has introduced three 100-horsepower increases to keep pace with Camaro: First their V-6 was bumped to 305; then their V-8 went to 412, and now the GT500.

Even with the 100-hp increase, the 2013 GT500 will still not match the technology and sophistication of the 2012 Camaro ZL1.

The days of “no replacement for displacement,” are over, and it’s not enough to be fast in a straight line. With the Camaro ZL1, we set out to deliver integrated performance, and be equally good at acceleration, braking, grip, and turning. As you will soon see, that’s why the Camaro ZL1 will set the performance benchmark for the segment.

Our approach was to make every Camaro ZL1 fully track-capable, from the factory. As we announced today, the ZL1 Coupe will start at $54,995 with standard Magnetic Ride Control, standard Performance Traction Management, and standard track-capable equipment such as a rear-differential cooler, brake cooling ducts, and an engine and transmission cooler.

None of our customers will have to buy extra options – or modify their ZL1 – for track-day usage. That is not the case for the current GT500, or their new car.

For Mustang fans, you’re welcome. Clearly the Camaro has encouraged Ford to throw everything they can at us.

For Camaro fans, trust me, we are always listening to your feedback, and working hard to keep the Camaro in the lead.

Al O.

I'm a big fan of displacement but I have to agree with the bold statement. Just look at what Ford has done with a smaller engine. I love the new Disgustang. It will keep things interesting

[BoostedX2]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

I don't understand your statement.....

1. You and I and no one else knows what will happen when we put these cars head-to-head. Unless you are an accomplished automotive engineer, you don't know......

2. Our tests -- as our horsepower ratings - are always 'conservative' -

3. Until you drive a ZL1 - you may want to rethink the statement about $55,000 is too much for any Camaro. (are you implying that we should only stick with the SS/LT/LS?) Also keep in mind that CAFE standards will eventually make a reasonably priced V8 more expensive - it's the Law of Supply and Demand.

4. The ZR1 and the CTS-V - and the ZL1 Camaro are proof that you are wrong about 'sucking the hind....'

SWEET!! I am going to "Keep the Faith" as i take delivery of my VR ZL1 early next year. I am sure it will be a car to keep!

[2cnd chance]

Originally Posted by Betiwin

I'm really surprised by all this. I have never seen an automaker act like GM is right now. All this in your face stuff with the zl1 for about 4 months now. Now they got there Cheerios peed in they r writing letters and making school boy challenges? Ford has kept quite the whole time for months, and just dropped the A bomb at the LA auto show. GM is like Japan rallying the woman and Children to fight to the death. Ford has kept mum this whole time, why would they change now. I'm sure they will drop "little boy" and finish off the war come February when both cars are reviewed by he mags. You guys really need to relax and if ur buying the camaro know you r getting one hell of a car. If the GT500 runs a better 0-60 does your car suck now? (it will GT no shift till 62mph) what about 1/4 mile. If the GT runs an 11.8 how does that make the zl1 any less awsome. Lastly who will ever keep these stock? I've never seen a stock mustang except on the showroom floor. These are both awsome American Machines, but I still don't get GM acting like the bully who can't admit he might have someone who can whoop his a$$.

???
From a marketing standpoint what they did is BRILLIANT.