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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5th Gen Camaro’s were also made in Canada (Oshawa, Ontario). I know my 2013 ZL1 was.
Unlike Camaro, the Camry is NOT a contrived name. In Japanese, Kanmuri 冠 actually means CROWN or a HAT. Curious, you may think, as Toyota also makes models called CROWN, like the original Toyopet Crown, and also CORONA. Variations on a theme.
Back in the day.., I remember reading that each of the auto companies maintained a fleet of specially prepared cars for loan to the enthusiast magazines for their evaluation.
I love my 1967 Camaro SS…
On gen two the bumperetts are factory when the parking lights are round and over the bumper. Solid bumper cars have banana shaped parking lights under the bumper
Little known quick trick to ID legit 70 to 73 Z/28 from fakes. Back in the day the ones built in Van Nuys hadn’t been decoded (and I believe they now have) and it was very doable to build a fake Z/28. The Z however, was the only Camaro built during those years that had a heel mounted gas pedal with all the rest being free floating (even the hi-po big blocks).
I also had a 68 Cameron 327 , BUT my heart is still in my first. Car , a 1965 Malibu super sport L 79 / 4speed ,posi rear. , maron / black brand new out the door for $2,700 I put a cam in it and 2- 4 barrels and a hurst shifter and ate up those 383 road runners and 350 mustangs and the old 442. GREAT DAYS
My father has a 69 Copo Camaro that I was brought home from the hospital in 1972. There’s obviously faster better put together vehicles but the power delivery the sounds the smells it’s just different. New card don’t give you the same feeling.