....Farewell, Thor, my buddy.....

[Milk 1027]

This post just makes me say, the hell with everything and going to a dealership tommorrow.

[autopat]

My father retired from General Motors in 2003, with 41 yrs. of faithful service to keep dreams like this alive, he has not yet seen my new car, but when he does I guarantee he will be as touched about it, as I was with your farewell speech, nicely done man, nicely done.

[Apache1]

Bravo! Bravo! The Black speaks to me all the time. Now you shall move on , who knows maybe you will be the one to test the new Z

[KILLER74Z28]

Thor..... A legend in his own time.........

Fair well old friend, fair well...

[68 Z/28]

Originally Posted by "prima"Donna

OMG!!!...the Fbodfather without Thor???...seriously, I feel like crying...

Scott has so eloquently put into words how we all feel about OUR CAMAROS...

Can any of you imagine how you would feel if you had to give your "baby" back????...:(

I don't want to even imagine how sad I would feel...

Scott, thanks for sharing Thor with all of us, and thanks for all your Camaro enthusiasm that helped put our 5th Gen Camaros in our driveways...

It is through you, that the dream came to life...you were a HUGE factor in the resurrection of the Camaro, and "this fan here", will be eternally grateful to you and GM, and Oshawa, and every single person that played ANY part in building THE BEST CAR IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE...

Originally Posted by fbodfather

Well -- it ended very similar to how it started out -- my relationship with Thor…….

“Hello, Mr, Settlemire…..this is Amber with Company Vehicle Operations…..I’m calling to schedule your next vehicle exchange.”

The first call --in February-- made my heart skip a beat.

“Mr. Settlemire, how soon can you come by the 11 Mile Road Facility to pick up your new Camaro Captured Test Fleet Unit?”

I was in the Airport at Dallas/Fort Worth and I believe I made some sort of remark along the lines of: “ I’ll be there in 15 minutes if I can get someone to rocket me back to Detroit! “

…………

……..Some would say “It’s only a car! It’s steel, aluminum, some leather, a lot of rubber….glass….. But it’s only a car!”

…………

I’ll never forget seeing “Thor” for the first time. At the time he hadn’t been named by my fellow Camaro Enthusiasts -- some of which are probably reading this……..

I kept wondering in my mind what Camaro I’d have the privilege of Evaluating. I said to myself, (of COURSE!) that an SS/RS would be just the greatest -

but I’d also be happy with an SS --

or even a V6 RS --

And I certainly wouldn’t turn down an LS……….

What color?

I was hoping it wouldn’t be black -- not that I don’t love black Camaros -- but I knew this Camaro would get a lot of miles very quickly - and it would be driven daily -- and it would have to put up with Michigan late winter roads…….I was really hoping for Orange…………or Silver………and Victory Red would be nice………and I’ve always liked Imperial Blue…

….frankly, I’d be happy even if it were PLAID -- I mean, it would STILL be a new Camaro…..


……..but hey, it’s only a car………


There were a lot of us here at GM that were so proud of the 4th gen Camaro…….we still are! Put it on a road course and it will still outperform cars costing much more. We worked to continually improve all performance aspects of the Camaro and Firebird. It was tough, though, when we had very little budget in which to spend on improvements.

I dreaded -- for several years -- the day that we’d see the last Camaro and Firebird come down the line at Ste. Therese -- and that finally occurred on August 27, 2002.……..I was inconsolable……..

…………but they’re only cars, right?

……………..


So……..there at the 11 Mile Road facility -- I filled out a few forms -- signed my name -- showed the clerk my Driver’s License…(wow…I used to have more hair………) and then went to wait impatiently for the porter to bring my new Camaro around and into the delivery area.

The garage doors in the facility aren’t like a normal garage door - they don’t ‘raise’ -- but rather they open -- automatically - -like barn doors…….

…….and there -- peeking thru the opening -- was a yellow RS……

Wow……..

When you have worked on a car line for so many years -- and you’ve fought to get a car back into the portfolio - and you finally see the fruits of so many peoples’ labor…….

……….well, it gives you chills…….or “goosebumps”………or, in my case, both!

……and then I could hear “Thor’s” distinctive voice - and I then knew that he was an SS/RS……..with all of the ‘toys.’……….

But why get excited?

………..I mean……….it’s only a car, right?

……………

I’d driven several IVERs -- but had not yet driven a fully “production intent” Camaro SS/RS……

……and yes, I am prejudiced…….but I was just blown away that morning……..

……..and that’s when I realized what “Perma-grin” is………


I still remember the reaction to the other customers at the gas station when I stopped to fill him up……and the sense of pride I felt………what we call “The Pride of Ownership.”

…..or how the driver of a Silver Challenger practically drove UNDER a trailer truck to get up next to me to check out “Thor” as we drove thru heavy traffic on I-696.…….

……….some can’t imagine why he’d do that -- it’s only a car………….


…………………….

As we move further into the 21st century, each of us has less and less time to do what we’d like…..and I think most would agree that we’re usually in a hurry.

Thor would almost speak to me……. I’d come home from work - put him in the garage - -and get the sense of him saying

………“hey -- I don’t want to just sit here -- how ‘bout you and I going for a ride??”

………but then cars don’t speak - and he’s only a car, right?

There are several coffee shops in the Grosse Pointes -- but WHY would I want to drive less than a mile to get a cup of coffee? I’d MUCH rather drive several miles along the shores of Lake St. Clair -- into the town of Saint Clair Shores - to get a cup of coffee……

……..which meant that Thor would draw a crowd……..

It doesn’t matter the age -- it seems that just about everyone loves the new Camaro….



………….even though it’s just a car……..

So many Camaro Enthusiast events…………so many people climbing in and out of Thor…….what a GREAT “Camaro Summer”…….

I was visiting my family in Pittsburgh shortly after receiving Thor -- I said to Cousin Tom - “
hey -- I’m gonna be there in two days -- why don’t you invite the Pittsburgh Camaro Club over to the dealership on Sunday -- I’ll bring my new Camaro over - we’ll give it a bath - and put it in the showroom.”

(Dealers cannot sell on Sundays in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania…but you CAN show cars!)

……..absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the number of people who came -- including buddies from Virginia, New York, and Massachusetts……

………….They drove all that way just to see a Car???…………

……………………….


My friends Jim and Lisa (Mr. and Mrs. Number 3) took him with them on “Spring Break” -- and he charmed crowds everywhere they took him….including ON the beach in Daytona…..and that’s when he was actually christened “Thor.”

I was so happy to get him back --

…………even though it’s just a car……….right?


We had “Thor” upfitted with the “Transformers Package” in mid June-- the intent was to show the package for the first time at “Camaros at Carlisle.”

So off we go to Carlisle……I no sooner got off the Pennsylvania Turnpike when my cell phone rings -- it’s John Fitzpatrick (Fbodfather v 2.0 ) -- with some bad news…..seems Paramount and Hasbro have not yet signed the final contract -- so we can’t unveil the package…..

Poor Thor -- he spent the weekend under a car cover in the corner of the parking lot at the Days Inn…..

I could SWEAR I heard him mutter (under the cover) “iff iff futch boo fit!!” (not unlike having a sock stuck in one’s mouth……)

But that can’t be………because it’s only a car……….


Snapshots:

>An elderly Grosse Pointe Matron drives up to me in a parking lot in her DTS - -puts the window down - and says “Young man - -that is the most handsome automobile I’ve ever seen -- and I’m over 90, so I’ve seen a lot of them!”

>It’s 2:30am and I’m on my way back home from Pennsylvania -- I pull into the I-75 Michigan
Welcome Center (nature calls…) -- there are several young guys -- probably around 20 -- getting out of a Subaru -- One of them takes one look at Thor --drops to his knees -- has both hands pressing against each side of his head -- and yells:

“OMG -- DUDE -- OMG -- DUDE - UNFREAKIN-BELIEVABLE--OMG -- IT’S……IT’S……..IT’S…..OMG ,,,,,,,,IT’S BEAOOOOOTIFUL…..OMG!!! --

……….nothing like overreacting is there!? -- I mean - it’s only a car………

>Thumbs up from just about everyone at traffic lights……

>A warm spring Sunday - incredible blue sky with no clouds -- the sun shining off Thor’s hood -- and the Doobie Brothers blasting “Rockin’ Down the Highway” from his Boston Accoustics Stereo -- me with “Perma-Grin” -- fellow motorists staring……….

>Three young fellows - -probably about 5 years old, each of them…..riding in a Chrysler Mini-van that’s pulling into the convenience store where I’m refueling Thor…….their eyes the size of saucers………yelling “IT’S BUMBLEBEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!”

>A young father pulls up with his child in the rear seat of a new Yukon XL -- this is in a parking lot at a grocery store…….his little boy is all eyes -- all excited -- so I say to the tyke: “Would you like to sit in Bumblebee?” -- and before he can answer, the father says “I don’t know about him, but DADDY DOES!!”

……..I guess no one told him it’s only a car………..

>I’m at a stop light at the entrance/exit to a high school. As the school busses pull out of the parking lot, it looks like each bus has elephant trunks sticking out of the windows on ONE side of the bus…….it turns out the ‘trunks’ are arms -- that are holding camera phones…………snapping away……..

(don’t they know it’s only a car???)


>I come out of a Hardware store to find TWO families taking each others’ pictures with “Bumblebee” -- so I allow each of them to climb behind the wheel. The children have the look of wonder in their eyes…….and I’d like to think that they’ll remember that day with “Bumblebee” for years to come…….

………..even though it’s just a car………

What a great Summer……..

I continue to imagine the voice of Pete Estes - the General Manager of Chevrolet wayyy back in the Summer of 1966 when we announced the Camaro name…….

“…….Chevrolet has chosen a name…. which is lithe, and graceful…. in keeping with our other names beginning with C….. It suggests the comradeship of good friends............as a personal car should be to its owner...."

Yes -- Thor is like a best friend………I would look forward to getting into him and driving to work…even on some bad roads and streets within Detroit city……

……..And after a long day at work, I’d walk out to the deck - -and he’d be waiting - -’waking up’ as I hit the door unlock -- his ‘eyes’ (headlamps) lighting up -- almost as if to say: “ Hey, buddy -- where can I take you tonight?” ( “……even though I’m just a car……..)


And so at 8am tomorrow morning, I will take my “handsome chariot” which I have truly cherished since I laid eyes upon him --

………….and I will take him back to the 11 Mile Road Facility - and I will turn him over to a porter -- and I will hand in his keys……

WHY am I feeling so bad? I’ve been blessed over my 33 years at General Motors - to have some pretty awesome company cars….some really stand out -- and not always for a GOOD reason. (….there was that Diesel Chevette one time……..)

But I can honestly say that I’ve never had a car or truck ‘move me’ as Thor has……

All 15,780 miles have been nothing but pleasurable and exciting…….

Yes -- I’ll receive another new GM vehicle to evaluate.

Yes -- I’m so very blessed to have that privilege.

And yes, I’ll most likely enjoy my time with this next car or truck……(that is unless the Diesel Chevette was misplaced for about 29 years and they’re gonna give it back to me…)


I took him to “Mr. C’s Car Wash” in Grosse Pointe Farms late this afternoon to get him completely cleaned for turn-in……and I had a lump in my throat as I watched him go thru the wash - and as I watched other people watching him…… “Bumblebee!!!” …..from a little tyke with his Mom - -getting their Tahoe washed.

…….and I really DON’T know what will happen to him. His VIN is A9000130 -- so he’s an early one -- he needs some retrofits if, indeed, he will be resold thru the GM Auction. I pray that’s where he goes -- because I don’t want to think that he might get assigned as a development vehicle at Milford. (that never has a happy ending…….)

And some would say “Scott! What are you carrying on for? It’s not like one of your friends or relatives just died!!!…” -- and they’d be right…I AM overreacting……but I can’t explain the sense of loss that I’m already feeling…….

……..it’s only a car……….


So I’ll end this little note……because Thor is sitting in the Garage -- and I think I can hear him saying “C’mon, buddy, let’s take one last cruise……” and I cannot resist the urge to drive him for several more miles late into the night…….And I’ll realize that all of the hard work that every man and woman who worked on the new Camaro -- I’ll realize just HOW RIGHT we got this car…..if I must say so myself…….

So why am I feeling so bad?………….


I mean………

He’s only a car……….


…………..right????

:( He's not just a car and I know almost how you feel , I too loved this car and wanted so bad to have one for my best friend and I for one can fully understand where you are coming from although my situation is far different from yours Scott . You see I was not fortunate enough to have even had a ride in one of these great cars but my love for my 68 Z/28 which I had to give up long ago and the loss of very well loved aunt left me in to position to where I thought it may be possible to have the car that finally revived my excitement about cars in general again , through the 70's till the Camaro came back to life I had lost the passion with the exception of a few bright spots like the 79 Corvette I owned for a short while , but it all came flooding back when I saw the concept of the Camaro , and knew I would prob. never be able to own one which brings me to the loss of my aunt who left me a way to be able to realize the dream . So with the news of the inheritence that she had left for me and word from the lawyer that I should have a check in a month , it was off to the dealer to bring my baby to life . Well to make a long story short , there were complications and the check arrived a month to late , so one of our fellow members ( Swansor ) is now enjoying the car I brought to life , I did get to sit in her and could have driven her , Swansor was very gracious and understanding what she meant to me . But alas it was just to painful and I made a clean break and said my farewell to my baby knowing she will be well taken care of . So yes Scott I feel your pain and wish you and Thor the very best and I will leave you with a couple of pics of a few just cars ( that meant the world to me ) but they're just cars



although not my actual car , mine was just like this one and is the favorite car I have ever owned , I still miss this old friend after many yrs. she will always be a part of me ( just a car )



and this was my baby that I followed through conception , to birth , to delivery , and finally to adoption ( just a car ) always a part of me .



But now there is the Mistress to help me through the grief







My Best To You Scott and Thor and all who feel something for just a car

[SicSix6]

[ljustin293]

Originally Posted by Milk 1027

This post just makes me say, the hell with everything and going to a dealership tommorrow.

[35th02ss]

Another great story......Now I'm going home to hug my car........

[Guthdawg]

Wow...Great post Scott. ! Thank you for everything you have done for us ! I mean everything !

[Scooterlee]

very nice read, and good luck to Thor

[Dr Jkel]

Can anyone answer why he can not buy Thor, better yet why GM can't give Thor to him?

[Dr Jkel]

Scott,

I have never met you and know you only through this forum. Like many others here I have come to learn so much about the wonderful people who designed, market and build this awesome ride.

It ruly is so much more than a CAR. For most I believe that this CAR is a family heirloom. Some were not here when the Muscle Car Era was around. This CAR has brought so much joy to people. It has created an air of the time when life was simple, cars were fast, and people were proud of the Hot Rods.

You Sir, have done a wonderful job bringing Camaro back to the masses, igniting a passion in many, and giving the spirit of Muscle Car back to the people.

I feel your pain, as Dr Jkel is so much More than a car. My better half says she would be mad at me for having an affair, but how can she be mad at me having an affair with my CAR, lol.

I think your desire and passion than burns inside of you has reach many and rkindled old flames. Thank you, the Camaro team, the Oshawa employees and evryone who has anything to do with this Camaro. You have all done an outstanding job, and I for one LOVE my CAmaRo. Thanks So Much for all you have done. John

[Jarvis59]

Is this how I will feel when I send my oldest off to college?


Thanks for all the great insights Scott and Thor

[Dr Jkel]

Originally Posted by Jarvis59

Is this how I will feel when I send my oldest off to college?


Thanks for all the great insights Scott and Thor

Nope, because you know your oldest will come back.