Do you know these 5 Camaro secrets?
This list originally appeared on Hagerty Media in 2013. Just yesterday, on March 21, 2023, Chevrolet revealed that the sixth-gen Camaro would cease production as of the 2024 model year. In recognition of the car’s place in history, and in our hearts, we’re republishing that 2013 article. It’s updated only for accuracy. —Ed.
One of America’s favorite pony cars, the Camaro has an interesting past, with more than a few buried facts and secrets hiding just below the radar. Here are five of our favorites:
The Camaro was almost called the Panther
It took a while for Chevrolet to come up with a final name for the Camaro. For quite some time it was referred to internally as the Chevrolet Panther. In end, Chevy’s preference for names beginning with a “C” won out, and the Panther name died as part of an elaborate PR campaign.
The Camaro was actually a Canadian import
Like William Shatner and Michael J. Fox, the seemingly all-American Camaro was actually a stealth Canadian. From 1993–2002, the Camaro and its twin, the Pontiac Firebird, were built in St. Thérèse, Quebec, a Montreal suburb.
“Camaro” means nothing
The name was actually a contrived moniker, much like “Altima” or “Camry.” Although some claim that it is French slang for “friend,” neither the GM product people (nor most French-speakers, for that matter) are aware of this.
“Outpaced” the Mustang
Although the Camaro came two and a half years after the Mustang and was often outsold by the Mustang, it has a healthy lead in the Indianapolis 500. The Camaro has been the official pace car at Indy nine times as of 2023, versus just three for the Mustang. The Corvette outstrips both, with 21 appearances (counting this year’s).
Modern V-6s put old V-8s to shame
Amazing as it may seem, 2023’s base six-cylinder engine, at 335 hp, puts out more ponies than the most powerful small-block V-8 in the original car (295 hp). In fact, it probably makes nearly as much power as the fiercest big block V-8 of 1967, the 396 cubic inch, 375 hp. In modern “net horsepower” (measured with mufflers and accessories hooked up), the new six and the old big-block V-8 are probably just about even.
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Years ago, Hagerty’s employees completed an amazing, full restoration of a 1969 Camaro SS. For an inside look at the restoration process be sure to watch the video below on the Comeback Camaro.
It features a baby-faced Davin Reckow, who you may now recognize from our fantastic Redline Rebuild and Will It Run? series.
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A Panther or a Cougar seemed too close to be differentiated from separate companies!
Another secret. GM ruined the style of the Camaro after 1969.
Actually, the new 1970 was a very attractive, Euro-inspired car, as different as it was from the also-very-attractive 1969.
Don’t be too impressed with the Chevy total for pacing Indy.
IIRC,the Speedway sells the rights.
Now under Penske ownership, hopefully that exclusively will come to an end and the high visibility Pace Car duties will again mean something , a chance to showcase a new American performance car, not just a Chevy with a new garish paint job.
And the original picture at lead of story is a 69 Z/28 Olympic gold color with the WRONG wheels…Not an SS as the caption says! I know cause I got a correct restored one!
This girl bought a 97 stick shift Camaro in 98, assuming my husband could help drive it on trips. NOT !!! He was afraid to let me teach him, too. I sold it in 2003 and always missed it. In 2019 I found an automatic with 69,000 miles on it. I drive it once a week. It’s my escape from boredom & I Love it. I’m 76 years young now ****
This girl bought a 97 RS Camaro (stick shift) in 98, thinking my husband could help drive it on trips. NOT!!! He was afraid he’d strip gears & refused to let me teach him. I sold it in 2003 and always missed it. In 2019, I found a 96 automatic with 68,000 miles on it. I LOVE it and take a short highway drive, once a week. It’s my escape from boredom. I’m 76 years young !!! Happy Days !!!!!
That husband must’ve made up for that failing in every other way!
I had a 97 Trans Am, which is basically a Chevy. Automatic car, easy to drive only real flaw was it was under braked. current automatic Camaro is a 22 ZL1.
Great ride in tour mode, sport and track modes are stiffer but quite drivable in the street. I have yet to track it or burn a quarter-mile but it’s plenty fast.
To be fair in comparing quarter mile times, would we need to make adjustment for the difference in modern tires vs. primarily bias ply tires of the 60’s? I expect that would make a difference.
Anyway, vs. most modern cars our ’67 Camaro would probably take longer to run the quarter, but it would still win.
JohnB is right, the number of times a Camaro (or Corvette for that matter) has been chosen for Indy Pace Car duties means very little.
For years now, GM has had a corporate contract with the track to provide all their service vehicles, including the pace cars. The aura and prestige that once surrounded the chosen Indy pace car hasn’t existed for decades.
My, not too many Camaro secrets. How about these: 1. The 350 engine was introduced in the Camaro for the 67 model year. Gradually through the late 60s it became available in more Chevy models.
2. The SS 350 badge was only available on early 67 Camaros. When the 396 engine was added then grill badges said SS only.
3. The 67 Z/28 had no distinguishing exterior badges.
There are so many other but maybe you can
do another article when the Camaro run ends next year. Thanks!
There was only 1 68 Camaro Z/28 Convertible ever built. Fact. 🙂
Never been able to figure out why everyone seems to think that the 69 is the Holy Grail of Camaros it’s the last one I would look for BTW I own an 84 Z pretty much stock
I got married in 1972. My wife had a 1970 maverick which she hated and wanted a Camaro. We went to the dealership and the “salesman” asked if he could help us. I told him my wife wanted to trade in the Maverick
For a new Camaro. He told me he would never have a Maverick on his lot. We left and went to the Ford dealership and bought a new 73 Mustang coupe with a 351. A few days later I was passing the Chevy dealership and that salesman was showing a car to a customer. I pulled in, rolled down the window and said
“remember me?” I burned so much rubber leaving you couldn’t see anything and left him coughing.
What an ass!
It would be interesting to update an old Camaro with items that are pretty mainstream today.
Tires – many old the old cars could light up the tires. New rubber can be as good as the slicks of yesteryear.
Computer controlled fuel and spark. Serious performance gains used to be a black art – ever remember two identical cars run where one ran much better?
Headers – many modern cars have these. Back in the day, they were usually one of the first day two parts.
Transmission – Even the M-22 had only four gears. Imagine having about twice as many where you could get launched and keep it in the sweet spot. I’ve had 3 M-22 Camaros, with factory gear of 3.73, 4.10, and 4.56. The 4.56 gears easily had the best performance, but a quarter mile really tested your nerves.
Traction control – driver error eliminated.
Aluminum and plastic intakes – it isn’t just about weight, but flow and distribution.
Roller cam – instant gain in both power and drive ability.
It’s really an apples to oranges comparison first gen to current. Much of what is standard to increase performance was not even available back then. Disc brakes where even a rarely seen item on the front of many of these cars. Now it’s rare to see drum brakes even on the rear.
COROLLA means the petals of a flower in both English and Japanese. Come on hagerty, do some research before you pedal fake info.
You are correct, and we have addressed the error. Thanks for that!
Here’s a secret (not really) that should have been included. The Panther as it was to be called was changed to Camaro at the last minute before being produced due to the militant group at the time that called themselves the black panthers. In a scramble to avoid negative connotations, gm execs changed to plan b Camaro. If you open the hood of any first Gen Camaro and look up, there underneath the hood you will still see the panther paw print.