The Camaro: A Symbol of Power and Aggression

Oh Shit Fire! Where’d you get that bitchinCamaro? What chu got in there? 7 liter LSwith big cams blower popping out the hood. Bet that thing’s fast as hell. Dang thing’ll blowthe dang doors off a dang import no problem.Can I get a ride in it?

The Camaro, as it turns out, is not just any car. It's a symbol of power and aggression, born from the need to take on its arch-nemesis, the Mustang. From Chevrolet's point of view, the Camaro was created with one purpose and one purpose alone: To destroy the Mustang. This sentiment is reflected in the design and engineering that went into creating this iconic car.

Chevy entered into the 1965 model year looking to overtake Ford in all their categories, and their plan was three-fold. They introduced their Chevelle to compete with Ford's Falcon, completely redesigned the Impala, and made them both available with the race-inspired Super Sport package. The nimble Nova and the new Chevelle outsold Ford in the small and mid-sized market, and the '65 Impala dominated the full-size American Market. They sold over one million units - a record that still stands today.

However, it wasn't long before Ford countered with the Mustang, debuting this entirely new class of cars in 1964. The Pony Car was born, and Chevy found itself facing an uphill battle to beat their competitors in every category. As the host of Up To Speed noted, "Guys when we talked in January we said we wanted to beat Ford in every class. Who was on this?" It seems that not everyone was on board with the plan.

Seth, a team member, had expressed some reservations about the plan, but ultimately got fired due to his lack of enthusiasm for the mission. The host continued, "Here's a surprise, like almost every other two-door sports car we've talked about on this show. Someone at a competing company saw a Mustang and was like 'Dang dude, that's a good idea. We need to do a car like that.' Without delay, the same year, Chevy Head Bucky Knudsen took the guys responsible for the record-setting Impala Irv Rybicki and Henry Haga, and told them to make a new car that would beat the Mustang."

Chevy codenamed the project "Panther," and the team prioritized aggressive, sleek design, a wide wheelbase, and sport-inspired performance. It was clear that this car was not going to be just another iteration of the Impala or Chevelle - it was something entirely new. The team's efforts paid off in 1966 when Chevrolet general manager Pete Estes announced the Camaro on a 14-city conference call with the press.

The phone call was historic, and the reaction from the press was immediate. Everyone was like, "Straight up hangs up." It seems that the excitement around the new car was palpable, and the anticipation for its release was almost overwhelming. The rest, as they say, is history. The Camaro went on to become an iconic symbol of American muscle cars, and its legacy continues to be celebrated by car enthusiasts today.

It's worth noting that Vincero watches brought this article to your attention, so a big shout-out to them for sending over this cool bad boy. They certainly have a great eye for design, and it's clear that they appreciate the engineering that goes into creating these amazing cars. Speaking of which, let's take a closer look at some of the specs on this particular Camaro model.

This particular 7-liter LS engine with big cams and a blower popping out the hood is certainly a beast of a machine. It's no wonder that it's fast as hell, and can blow the doors off any import car. The host of Up To Speed noted that the Camaro was created to be a rival to the Mustang, but it's clear that this particular model has its own unique personality.

As for getting a ride in this bad boy, the host certainly seems enthusiastic about it. He asked if he could get behind the wheel and experience the thrill of driving this powerful machine for himself. Unfortunately, we can't all get our hands on this incredible car - but with this article, you'll have to settle for reading about its incredible features and specs instead.

But what really sets the Camaro apart is its sleek design and sport-inspired performance. The team that worked on the "Panther" project put a lot of emphasis on creating an aggressive, bold look that would turn heads on the road. And with its wide wheelbase and powerful engine, it's no wonder that this car has become a symbol of American muscle.

The Camaro may have started as a rival to the Mustang, but over time it has carved out its own unique identity in the world of cars. From its impressive sales figures to its iconic design, the Camaro continues to be celebrated by car enthusiasts today.

WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enOh Shit Fire! Where’d you get that bitchinCamaro? What chu got in there? 7 liter LSwith big cams blower popping out the hood. Bet that thing’s fast as hell. Dang thing’ll blowthe dang doors off a dang import no problem.Can I get a ride in it?Camaro, it’s angry, it’s stylish, it’sbold and it's loud!From Chevrolet’s point of view, the Camarowas born out of necessity. From conceptionto execution, it was created with one purposeand one purpose alone.To destroy the Mustang.This is everything you need to know to getup to speed on the Chevy Camaro.(8-bit music plays)This episode of Up To Speed is brought toyou byVincero watches.Shoutouts to Vincero for sending me this coolbad boy.It looks good, it's really well engineered.Speaking of really well engineered let's talkabout Camaros.Chevy entered into the 1965 model year lookingto to overtake Ford in all their categories,and their plan was 3-fold...They introduced their Chevelle to competewith Ford’s Falcon.They completely redesigned the ImpalaandAnd they made them both available with therace inspired Super Sport package.The nimble Nova and the new Chevelle outsoldFord in the small and mid-sized market, andthe ‘65 Impala dominated the full size AmericanMarket. They sold over one million units.A million. One comma, zero-zero-zero commazero-zero-zero. And as far as I can findthat record still stands.Full-size, check. Mid-size, check. Small carUh check…We won all of the three categories am I right boys?WRONG.What?Mustang.Ford debuted the Mustang in 1964, and createdan entirely new class, the Pony Car. How couldChevy beat Ford in a class that we don't evenhave a freakin car for?Guys when we talked in January we said wewanted to beat Ford in every class.Who was on this? Seth I can't fire you 'cus you aremy brother and I love you but I am mad andI'm not sitting by you at dinner tonight.Here’s a surprise, like almost every othertwo door sports car we’ve talked about onthis show. Someone at a competing companysaw a mustang and was like“Dang dude, that’s a good idea. We need to do a car like that.”Without delay- the same year, Chevy Head BuckyKnudsen.LaughsThe guy in charge of Chevy Bucky Knudsen tookthe guys responsible for the record settingImpala Irv Rybicki and Henry Haga, and toldthem to make a new car that would beat the Mustang.Chevy codenamed the project “Panther,”and the team prioritized aggressive, sleek designa wide wheelbase, and sport inspiredperformance.Then, in 1966, Chevy set another record-this time for the biggest phone call ever,Chevrolet general manager Pete Estes, announcedthe Camaro on a 14 city conference call withthe press. He says the panther is dead, longlive the Camaro. Click. Straight up hangs up.Everybody in the press is like "I think a Pantherdied? What is, what is a Camaro?"Happened, Google it.Estes said that the name Camaro evokes thecamaraderie between man and machinethank youHe also claimed the name was French. It’s not French.When pressed about what the name Camaro actuallymeans he slyly responded, “it's a small, viciousanimal that eats Mustangs.”Estes is the weirdest dude ever.This first generation Camaro was releasedin 1967, and it took everything that was greatabout Chevy’s aggressive new styling inthe Impala and Chevelle, and turned that sh*tup to 11.(Engine revs)It had a recessed grill, innovativefront and rear fenders and was available withup to a 6.5 liter V8. With a Supersport, Rally,and a Z-28 Packages, the Camaro, from itsinception has been associated with performance.Ah yes, the iconic Z-28 performance package-we’ve all seen it- but what does it mean?Nothing. It’s just the internal ChevyRPO code for the package. Does it mean anything?Cars are fun.The Camaro was an effort to compete with theMustang but Detroit’s a small town, andFord, aware that Chevy had something up itssleeve, redesigned their mustang to receivea bigger engine too. Even in its first year,the Camaro, while an impressive, cool little carwas playing catch up to the mustang...Again to compete with the Mustang, the secondgeneration Camaro came out three short yearslater. For 1970, it got wider, pushed theheadlights outside of the front grill, hada faster looking rear end, and a more prominentrear fender. This is the fish face that peoplelove or hate. You know who loved it? Roadand Track Magazine. They named the 1971 SS350 as one of the 10 best cars in the worldthat year. And finally the Camaro outsoldthe Mustang, though only a slim margin ofone thousand cars.I mean that was close.The Camaro, because of its origins, will alwaysbe compared to the Mustang, but having outsoldit in 1970, it could now develop an identityof its own.Chevy was fine with the Mustang being as Americanas Apple Pie. Because that meant the Camarocould be as American as ROCK AND ROLL!The 2nd gen had quite a few facelifts throughits 11 year run. Just like my little brother Tom.Rest in peace. Most notable were thevariations to the grill. The Camaro kept gettingmore Camaro-y, and while still competing withthe Mustang, it wasn’t in the “hey Mustangbuyers, maybe you’ll like this” way. Younow bought a Camaro because you wanted a badassCamaro.(Rock music playing)The third-generation Camaro rolled out forthe 1982 model year.Look, the 60s Camaro looked like the 60s,the 70s camaro looks like the 70s…and the 80s camaro? I mean freakin look at this thing!It’s as 80’s as Reagan and Bush, or crimpedhair, or doing cocaine with your boss. Which isapparently a thing that I totally missed out on.In 1985, for my birthday, the Camaro was chosenas the official racecar for the InternationalRace Of Champions (I R O C)IROC IROC Ooohhhand to commemorate,Chevy rebranded the Z28 as the IROC-Z.Jean jackets everywhere rejoiced!The "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition"was offered in 1987, as well as a "25th AnniversaryHeritage Package" in 1992 .Camaro. They like anniversaries.The fourth-generation Camaro debuted in 1993on an updated F-body platform. It retainedthe same characteristics since its introductionin 1967: a 2-door body with 2+2 seating andan optional T-top roof or convertible.In 1998, the 5.7 L LS1 was the first all-aluminumengine offered in a Camaro since 1969and this one made 325 horsepower.Ok I know everyone, like the LS is startingto get like uh oh my God it's so boring. But,it''s a freakin all aluminum V8 that's thesize of a loaf of bread.Weights less than a B16.If you don't like LS-swapped cars you're ahater. Don't be a hater.The Camaro was still pushing that aggressivereputation, but after 2002, production ofthe F-Body platform was discontinued due toslowing sales, and a deteriorating marketfor sports coupes.The Mustang was finally free to prance fancifullyacross the roads of the American Countrysidewithout fear of the being stalked by a Camaro.Until… in 2010 after an 8 year hiatus, atotally re-designed, retro-inspired"brand new” Camaro made its triumphant debut.Finally, it was Ford’s turn to play catch-upthe 2010 Camaro SS had about 100 HP morethan the Mustang GT. That’s not even a fair right?That's like me fighting any man on Earth.If you want to fight me I'll put twenty-thousanddollars cash on it. You let me know in thecomments, we'll set up a time and a place.The only rule is it's to the death and yourkids gotta watchThe car looked great… It looked new andit wasn't like, “HEY, I’M A CRAZY CAMARO!LOOK HOW CRAZY I LOOK!” It was meticulousin design and remained true to its 1967 origins.It handled better than ever, and could outpacethe mustang on almost any track.On April 1, 2010, the Camaro was named theWorld Car Design of the Year at the WorldCar of the Year Design Awards.What the f**k.And the winner is, the Chevrolet Camaro.Is this real? Anyway congrats, we did it guys!And the experience of driving it? People loveit. It was lighter and more nimble than the Mustangand in 2016, the Z28 returned, andmade 505 Horsepower!MotorTrend's 2016 car of the year is the allnew Chevrolet Camaro.It was motortrends car of the year.And today, 2017. Happy 50th Camaro. The 50thanniversary edition had unique interior styling badges.It’s 200 pounds lighter thanthe 5th gen, and the 2018 ZL1 drops about60 pounds more. Add to this the optional 650horsepower? I’m telling you- it’s a small,vicious animal that devours Mustangs. Andsometimes it turns into a robot and savesShia Leboof and Megan Fooks.From it’s inception, the Camaro has hadone job and it has done it well. It was designedto rival the Mustang, and aside from an 8year sabbatical, it has been doing just thatfor over 50 years.That's everything you need to know to getup to speed on the Chevy Camaro.This episode of Up To Speed is brought toyou by Vincero watches.All you have to do is click the link below,enter the code WATCHDONUT.You can get sweet discounts on all Vinceroproducts including watches and sunglasses.What other cars do you guys want us to cover?How many jean jackets do you own?Do you guys think that the catfish Camarois like one of the last cars that's stillcheaper than it should be?I want the white one with the orange stripes.Check out our Evolution series. We take youthrough the history of every car in this reallycool animated morphy way.Make sure to like, comment, share, subscribe,follow, and come back every week to watchmore Up To Speed.Only on Donut.I love you. I love you. Ugh I have heartburn.